[ad_1] The father of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has revealed they held talks with both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain before eventually moving to Camp Nou in 2019. De Jong was one of the most in-demand talents on the planet during his time at Ajax, where he enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom that saw the Dutch side eliminate both Real Madrid and Juventus from the 2018/19 Champions League. He’d eventually join Barcelona at the end of the season, but not before talks with the rest of Europe’s elite. “He talked with [Thomas] Tuchel at Paris Saint-Germain, he talked with [Pep] Guardiola at ManchesterRead More →

[ad_1] Which strikers stole the show when it mattered most in the World Cup group stages? Well, that’s what we’re about to find out. With all the storylines now played out and focus turned to the heavyweight football that comes with the knockout stages, it’s time for some power rankings for the top 10 strikers of matchday three. Hwang came up with the goods / Stuart Franklin/GettyImages Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Hwang popped up at the death and fired South Korea to a shock victory over Portugal, that also secured them a place in the last 16. Goals don’t get bigger than that.Read More →

[ad_1] Luis Suarez wasn’t afraid to question FIFA after Uruguay were eliminated from the World Cup in the group stages. In what was likely his final World Cup campaign, Suarez was substituted and watched on as Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0, but were dumped out of the World Cup as South Korea snatched a late win against Portugal elsewhere in Group H. Hwang Hee-chan’s late goal meant South Korea were level on points with Uruguay, but advanced on goal difference. Controversially, Uruguay were denied a penalty that – if scored – would’ve seen them through to the last 16, when Daniel Amartey appeared to bundle overRead More →

[ad_1] Switzerland weathered the storm of an all-action Serbia to beat them 3-2 and book their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup. With Cameroon finding a remarkable late winner against Brazil elsewhere in Group G, a Switzerland victory proved crucial in the end when it came to securing their second place finish. As has been the case with most fixtures in matchday three, the game was wide open from the off with both teams knowing they had a very real chance of advancing. Breel Embolo came close mere minutes into the game, before Serbia went down the other end and almost scoredRead More →

[ad_1] Mexican national team figures have taken to social media to apologize to fans following their elimination from the 2022 World Cup.  El Tri entered the last match of the group stage with one point, after drawing 0-0 against Poland and losing 0-2 to Argentina. The team needed a 3-0 triumph over Saudi Arabia, or a desirable result between Poland and Argentina.  But despite best efforts and a cathartic ending that saw El Tri score twice, with two more goals disallowed, the Albiceleste’s 2-0 victory over Poland proved to be lethal. Argentina advanced as leaders of Group C, while the Polish edged out Mexico withRead More →

[ad_1] The WSL is back this weekend following last week’s break for the Continental Cup. There are games in big stadiums, the return of big name players and a couple of managerial reunions to keep your eye on. Here’s everything to look out for on gameweek nine of the WSL. Russo was on the scoresheet when United last played at Old Trafford / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages Manchester United are on course to set a new club attendance record after selling 36,000 tickets and counting for this game against Aston Villa – the third time they will have played at Old Trafford. The existing club record isRead More →

[ad_1] Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was in tears on the bench after learning that South Korea had scored late on against Portugal to take their place in the World Cup knockout stages. The 35-year-old impressed in his country’s 2-0 win over Ghana, which looked to be enough to seal their spot in the knockout stages as South Korea were drawing 1-1 with Portugal heading into stoppage time. However, a 91st-minute striker from Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan put the Asian side ahead and moved them into second place in the table on goals scored, knocking Uruguay out as a result. Luis Suarez in tears on the bench.Read More →

[ad_1] Trent Alexander-Arnold has set club rivalries aside to praise England teammate Marcus Rashford following his scintillating performance against Wales. The Manchester United forward scored a brace during England’s 3-0 victory, with his first a devastating free-kick from range that flew past Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward. As a result, Rashford is the current joint top-scorer at the tournament with three goals and has fought his way into contention for a starting berth when England take on Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday. Speaking to talkSPORT, Alexander-Arnold had nothing but praise for his teammate. “When he steps onto the pitch, you’re thinking he’s going toRead More →

[ad_1] It is one of the major stories of the 2022 Qatar World Cup that Australia have made their way through to the round of 16 after coming second in a group containing France, Tunisia and Denmark. Many people assumed Australia would finish at the bottom of that group, but instead they qualified in second. At this stage, everything is a bonus for Australia and getting knocked out in the next round would not stop the tournament from being a major success. That is just as well, as they are coming up against Argentina. While they may not have been scintillating in the group stage,Read More →

[ad_1] The high prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the women’s game is not a new phenomenon. Female footballers are four to six times more likely to suffer this injury compared to their male counterparts. Seven of the 12 teams in the WSL have had at least one player absent due to an ACL injury this season, while 20% of the 20 nominees for the 2022 Ballon d’Or – Alexia Putellas, B*th Mead, Catarina Macario and Marie-Antoinette Katoto – are currently rehabbing from this exact injury. The WSL casualty list extends beyond ACLs. Pernille Harder is a long term absentee for Chelsea after undergoingRead More →