FC Barcelona have not been able to flex their muscles financially in the transfer market in recent windows due to their well-documented restrictions. The 2024-25 season will be a key one with new coach, Hansi Flick taking charge and club President Joan Laporta has expressed confidence on signing a star player for the Catalan giants. Nico Williams has been on the lips of many due to his standout performances with Spain at Euro 2024, with numerous European teams eyeing the young talent. Barcelona has been touted as a next major destination for the Athletic Club attacker, factoring his electric performances…
Author: Somto Isaac
Gareth Southgate’s England booked their place in their third semi-final in four tournaments after Trent Alexander-Arnold smashed away the decisive spot kick to in their shootout victory against Switzerland following their keenly-contested 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Alexander-Arnold, who was relegated from the starting team, came off the bench in extra-time to net the crucial kick after Jordan Pickford had saved from Manuel Akanji – who had the only miss in the lottery. The win meant a third consecutive Euro 2024 quarter-final to go to extra-time, with two of them going to penalties.Bukayo Saka levelled with a gem of a…
Brazil coach Dorival Jr has insisted the team are under renovation and are a work in progress after bowing out of Copa America in the quarter final stage against Uruguay. Despite being a man short in the second half, Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay are also to keep the South American giants quiet in regular team before sending them packing with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory to book a semi-final ticket to battle Colombia. Brazil had put in a string of unimpressive performances at the tournament, sharing the spoils twice in the group stage and beating only Paraguay before their second successive…
France coach Didier Deschamps said star striker and captain Kylian Mbappe asked to be taken off during extra-time in their Euro 2024 quarter final triumph against Portugal. Deschamps revealed Mbappe admitted to being tired amid his inconsistent performances in the competition – with just one goal to his name, coming from the penalty spot against Poland. The 25-year-old has also failed to convert chances, as he looks uncomfortable in his mask after suffering a broken nose in the opening game of the tournament. In Friday’s quarter final against Portugal, the attacker spent a moment down on the turf, briefly removing…
Roberto Martinez came to the defence of Joao Felix after his missed penalty resulted in Portugal’s exit from Euro 2024 and what seems the last time players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe would play at the European Championship. Nothing could separate Martinez’s team and France following their goalless affair after 120 minutes and Felix’s penalty – which was the only miss of the shootout – came off the post with the battle from 12 yards ending 5-3. However, the Portugal gaffer insisted fingers were not to be pointed as he blamed the penalty on badluck. “I can tell you that…
Germany gaffer Julian Nagelsmann cut a positive and proud figure after his side’s quarter final Euro 2024 exit in the hands of Spain, believing his team were better. The hosts exited the competition in painful fashion following a dramatic winner in extra-time in Friday’s quarter final. Spain’s Mikel Merino headed home with less than a minute left of the 120, with the game finely poised for penalties thanks to Florian Wirtz’s 89th equaliser after the opener from Dani Olmo. Nagelsmann extended praises to La Roja for their progesssion to the last four but felt his players deserved more after their…
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro – an inspiration to many and an undoubted legend of the game to all. With a career defined by beautiful achievements too much to count, consensus alike is that a man who brings joy to the hearts of many, should remain on the pitch forever. Cristiano Ronaldo: “This will be my last Euro, for sure… of course”. “But I’m not moved by this, I’m moved by enthusiasm”. “I was sorry for the fans. I’ll always give my best for this shirt, whether I miss it or not. And I’ll do this my whole life. You…
CONMEBOL have admitted the referee and Video Assistant Referee [VAR] made a huge error and mistake by not awarding Brazil a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Colombia on Tuesday. The contest was the final Group D game and the incident occurred in the 42nd minute as Vinicius Junior was tripped by Daniel Munoz. In what was a top-of-the-table deciding clash at Levi Stadium, the situation occurred while Brazil were leading by a lone goal and Vinicius ran into the box from the left before he was brought down by Munoz. The Brazil players clamoured for a spot kick but…
Arsenal came up short in last season’s Premier League title race and Mikel Arteta has been on the search to find the right profiles to bolster his squad. The Gunners have been touted to get a striker this summer but it seems attentions might be turned elsewhere, particularly in midfield and the defence line. The option of getting a new face for latter is what has made headlines in recent days. Riccardo Calafiori has emerged as a target for the North London club with progress and breakthrough in talks reported to have been made on Wednesday. Arsenal are said to…
Brazil head coach Dorival Jr has urged for calm and focus on the basic steps following the progression of his team to the Copa America quarter final stage. The nine-time champions played out a 1-1 draw with Colombia on Tuesday – which confirmed they finished with five points from three games in Group D behind their opponents. Dorival, who took charge in January and led the side to four games before Copa America, has come under the spotlight following a rather unconvincing campaign. The 62-year-old said to reporters: “It’s a process, nobody skips stages, you don’t get from A to…