Category: Football

SEVILLE: Erik Lamela propelled Europa League specialists Sevilla into the final once again with a 2-1 victory over Juventus on Thursday, sealing a 3-2 aggregate triumph in a gripping clash.

Lamela headed home in extra-time to complete an impressive comeback for the record six-time winners of the competition, who will face Jose Mourinho’s Roma in Budapest on May 31 after they edged past Bayer Leverkusen.

Dusan Vlahovic fired visitors Juventus ahead in the second half, two minutes after coming on as a substitute, but Suso smashed home from outside the area to take the game to extra-time.

Lamela connected perfectly with Bryan Gil’s cross in the 95th minute to delight the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, and Sevilla held on to reach the final for the first time since 2020.

“A lot of things went through my head, good moments, bad moments. It was a unique moment,” Lamela told Movistar.

“Now we are a step away, it’s a great opportunity. It’s a night I will remember forever, it’s something incredible to play here, in front of all these fans.”

Juventus failed to set up an all-Italian final against Roma, but Italy still has with one representative in each of the three European finals.

Inter Milan reached the Champions League showdown against Manchester City by seeing off rivals AC Milan on Tuesday, while on Thursday Fiorentina beat Basel to reach the Conference League final where they will face West Ham.

Defeat is concerning for Juventus, who are second in Serie A but braced for a potential points deduction which could knock them out of the top four. Winning the Europa League would have been an alternative route to Champions League qualification.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side, without the injured Paul Pogba, were significantly better than in the first leg but fell short.

“You have to put them in the back of the net when you have the chances,” Allegri said.

“The boys played a good game, but it was a European semi-final, we had to give a little more.”

He said his young Juventus side paid the price for their lack of experience compared to Sevilla.

“It’s a team that lacks experience at international level, these are physical matches, which require a lot,” he added.

Sevilla, who dominated in Turin but were pegged back at the death in the 1-1 draw, shaded the first half but Juventus threatened on the counter.

Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny produced a superb save to claw out a Lucas Ocampos header at his near post.

At the other end his counterpart Yassine Bounou produced an equally strong fingertip stop to tip a Moise Kean effort onto the post.

Sevilla were fuming before half-time when Juan Cuadrado sliced down Oliver Torres and no penalty was awarded by VAR, despite replays indicating the foul began in the area.

Gleison Bremer’s header scraped the post as the Italians pushed harder to break the deadlock in the second half.

Substitute Vlahovic made Juventus’ pressure count as he burst away from two Sevilla defenders and dinked the ball past Bounou.

– Sevilla spirit –

However, Sevilla substitute Suso levelled from outside the area, carving out some space before launching a rocket into the top corner.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s team, who saw off Manchester United in the quarter-finals, showed their desire to again succeed in a competition which they have dominated in the past decade, with four triumphs in the previous nine editions.

Youssef En-Nesyri, who struck for Sevilla in the first leg, was denied by Szczesny in the 90th minute, stretching to tip his header over.

However the Polish goalkeeper could not keep Lamela’s header out, with the Argentine midfielder nodding home Bryan Gil’s cross in the fifth minute of extra-time.

Marcos Acuna was sent off for Sevilla after 115 minutes, leaving the hosts hanging on, but they dug deep to extend their Europa League legend and book their ticket to Budapest.

“Being with your childhood team, living each game and another final now, is incredible, and you have to enjoy it,” said veteran Sevilla defender Jesus Navas.

“The team was impressive, we gave everything, and the fans, they deserve everything.”

READ: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Live: Shaheens elect to bowl in second one-day

LAHORE: Former England U20 player Easah Suliman is all set to represent the Pakistan men’s football team after FIFA approved the request made by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to change his national eligibility.

The 25-year-old centre-back is currently representing UD Vilafranquense in the second tier of the Portuguese Football League and has had the opportunity to represent England at a number of events and also to captain their junior side.

He was also a part of England’s European U19 Championship-winning team in 2017.

He has a current market value of €350k and is playing for UD Vilafranquense while being on loan from Vitoria Guimaraes SC.

Easah Suliman has 142 appearances to his name in the club football and has scored two goals and one assist.

Taking to Twitter, the PFF confirmed that the football governing body has approved their request of changing Easah Suliman’s national eligibility and he will represent the national team in upcoming events.

“FIFA has approved a request by the Pakistan Football Federation to change Easah Suliman’s national eligibility from England,” the PFF said on its official Twitter account.

“The former England U20 player will now be representing Pakistan in the upcoming events,” it added.

Easah Suliman is a Shaheen! 🦅

FIFA has approved a request by the Pakistan Football Federation to change Easah Suliman’s national eligibility from England! 💥

The former England U-20 player will now be representing Pakistan in the upcoming events! ⚽️🇵🇰#wearepakistanfootball pic.twitter.com/iPI22uzDNj

— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) May 18, 2023

 

The head coach of the Pakistan men’s football team Shahzad Anwar expressed his delight over Suliman’s inclusion into the national setup and is hopeful that his presence will benefit other players in gaining valuable experience.

“His participation in 142 club football matches is proof of Easah Suliman’s dedication to the game and professional mindset. He has the ability to perform well for any team for a long period of time,” said Anwar.

“Fellow footballers will also benefit from his awareness and expertise in the technical aspects of the game,” he added.

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MANCHESTER: Manchester City produced a landmark performance to reach the Champions League final as Bernardo Silva’s double put Real Madrid to the sword in a 4-0 thrashing that secured a 5-1 aggregate win for the English champions on Wednesday.

Eder Militao’s own goal and Julian Alvarez’s strike in stoppage time rounded off a memorable night for Pep Guardiola’s men as they moved to within three wins of matching Manchester United’s treble in 1998/99.

“To play like that against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals is a huge satisfaction,” said Guardiola.

A fifth Premier League title in six seasons appears a formality with City needing just three points from their final three games, while United await in the FA Cup final on June 3.

But it is a first ever Champions League that City crave the most and they will be strong favourites to finally conquer Europe against Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10.

Seven years into Guardiola’s reign as City boss, the home fans were sent into seventh heaven by the quality of a display that rivalled the former Barcelona boss’ Champions League final wins in charge of the Catalan giants in 2009 and 2011.

Madrid dashed City’s dreams at this stage last season with a remarkable comeback from two goals down in the dying seconds of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But Carlo Ancelotti’s men this time had no answer to City’s excellence.

“I had the feeling we had the pain of last year in our stomach,” added Guardiola.

“Today it all came out in our energy and desire. Sport always give you a second chance to take revenge. We had the luck to get that chance this year and we took it.”

Were it not for Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the defending champions would have been on the end of a hiding before half-time.

The giant Belgian needed all of his two-metre (6ft 7in) frame to claw Erling Haaland’s header round the post.

Haaland had already been denied his 53rd goal of the season by Courtois with another downward header.

Rodri, John Stones and Jack Grealish also saw pot shots fly off target from the edge of the area, but Madrid’s luck finally ran out on 23 minutes.

Kevin De Bruyne unpicked the lock as his pass found Silva inside the area, and he smashed high past Courtois’ left hand.

– No ‘drama’ for Ancelotti –

The visitors had barely registered a touch inside the City half for the opening half hour, but were inches away from an equaliser 10 minutes before half-time when a piledriver from Toni Kroos rattled the crossbar.

Just as Madrid were beginning to settle, City grabbed the second goal their first half dominance deserved.

The in-form Ilkay Gundogan was denied a fifth goal in May by Militao’s block, but the ball looped up kindly for Silva to head into an unguarded net.

City had to show a different side to their game early in the second-half to weather Madrid’s reaction and ensure there was no repeat of last season’s late drama between the sides.

“We have played against a team that deserved to win,” said Ancelotti.

“We don’t have to make a drama of it. This squad did very well this year, did very well last year and we weren’t able to reach another final.”

The closest Real came to a lifeline was a dipping free-kick from David Alaba that Ederson tipped over.

At the other end Courtois continued to win his personal battle with Haaland by turning the Norwegian’s shot onto the bar when one-on-one.

But City won the war to move within one match of completing a transformation in the club’s fortunes since an Abu Dhabi-backed takeover in 2008.

The next blow to the Spanish giants was self-inflicted as Militao deflected Manuel Akanki’s header past Courtois 15 minutes from time.

Haaland was replaced by Alvarez two minutes from the end and that was all the Argentine World Cup winner needed to make his mark as he slotted home from Phil Foden’s pass.

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NEW DELHI: Pakistan have been drawn with India alongside invitee Kuwait and Nepal in group A of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship 2023, scheduled to take place in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 4.

According to the details, a total of eight teams, divided into two groups, will participate in the South Asian tournament.

Group A features host India, Pakistan, Nepal and Kuwait while Bangladesh, Bhutan, Lebanon and Maldives were drawn in Group B.

We have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts India, Kuwait and Nepal! 🏆

The tournament is all set to start on the 21st of June with the matches being played in Bangalore, India 🇮🇳 #Wearepakistanfootball #dilsayfootball #saffchampionship pic.twitter.com/f7Lfs3mfrF

— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) May 17, 2023

Pakistan men’s football team will mark their return to the SAFF Championship after missing the last two out of the 13 editions held since 1993.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) could not send its men’s team for the 2015 edition held in India due to the lack of funds.

The national side then missed the 2021 edition as they were serving a suspension from FIFA, which was lifted last year in June.

It is worth mentioning here that Lebanon and Kuwait were invited to participate in the 2023 edition despite not being in South Asia geographically, to give the competition a more competitive edge.

Sri Lanka will not be participating in the tournament as they are serving a suspension from the football governing body FIFA, while Afghanistan left SAFF and joined the Central Asian Football Federation.

READ: Inter win Milan derby to reach Champions League final

MILAN: Inter Milan reached their first Champions League final in 13 years as Lautaro Martinez’s sole goal of the match gave them a 3-0 aggregate win against AC Milan on Tuesday.

Inter Milan will undoubtedly be the underdogs against either Real Madrid or Manchester City in Istanbul on June 10, but the way they managed both legs of this all-Milan tie suggests they will be hard to beat.

The key moment of the night at the San Siro came when Argentinian Martinez exchanged passes with substitute Romelu Lukaku and drilled a shot from inside the penalty area that Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan allowed in at his near post.

Martinez, Inter’s captain, hailed the cohesion of his team over the two matches against their city rivals.

“What counts is the squad. I experienced it at the World Cup (with Argentina),” he said.

“It makes it easy if you have a united squad with everyone pulling in the same direction. It means you get to play these very important matches in the best possible way.”

He added: “After winning the World Cup and experiencing what is the pinnacle for a player I knew we could reach this final, and we did it.”

His goal effectively killed off the tie.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Milan had pushed hard in the first half, spearheaded by Rafael Leao who shot across the goal and past the post with one of his side’s best chances.

Maignan then superbly dropped to his knees to collect Edin Dzeko’s glancing header from Hakan Calhanoglu’s pacy free-kick.

Lukaku’s introduction in the second half proved the spark that Inter needed to extend their lead.

Absent for much of the season with injuries and with a damaged reputation following a disastrous World Cup with Belgium, Lukaku has slowly worked his way back to his best.

The forward on loan from Chelsea immediately caused problems in the Milan defence and created Martinez’s goal to guarantee their place in their first Champions League final since the last time they won European club football’s biggest prize under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

“Tutti a Istanbul”, the joyous Inter fans sang with the Nerazzurri now one game away from a fourth Champions League title.

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi said: “It’s a dream come true. We always believed we could do it, we have had an extraordinary journey (to the final).

“What pleased me? Everything. The running, the determination, the concentration… they were very good.”

Facing Inzaghi’s men will be either Manchester City or record 14-time winners Real Madrid, with that semi-final finely poised at 1-1 ahead of Wednesday’s decider at City’s Etihad Stadium.

“We’re going to have to give it our all,” Martinez said.

Milan’s coach Stefano Pioli was left to contemplate a harsh ending to “a terrific” run to the last four.

“It’s normal to be disappointed after losing in the semi-final, especially in a derby.

“The players gave their all in both legs but Inter deserved it. They played better than us, winning both matches.

“Given our journey and what we’ve done over the past three years it would have been fabulous to get to the final. But we didn’t make it, that’s a massive disappointment.”

READ: Najam Sethi gives nod to Pakistan-India Test series in Australia

BARCELONA: Barcelona players from the men’s and women’s teams lapped up affection from thousands of supporters in the city’s streets on Monday afternoon to celebrate their dual league titles.

Xavi Hernandez’s side beat Espanyol on Sunday to win the club’s 27th league title and first since 2019, while Barca’s women’s team earned their fourth consecutive Liga F win at the end of April.

The players rode in two open-top buses, heading from Camp Nou to the city’s Arc de Triomf monument five miles away, the streets lined with jubilant supporters despite the threat of rain.

Defender Ronald Araujo was draped in a Uruguayan flag, while La Liga’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski, wearing sunglasses and a Barcelona scarf, waved to fans.

Coach Xavi, whose name was chanted frequently, threw down a can of beer to delighted thirsty fans below.

Players from both sides wore t-shirts proclaiming “the league is ours, the future too”.

Crowds increased as the buses headed along their route, to the main square, Plaza Catalunya, and then on towards the Arc.

“You can see the fans are very excited about it and obviously we are too,” goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen told club television.

“It’s a pride to share this with them and have them closer than ever.”

In front of the two players’ buses, another bus pumping out pop songs to set the mood led the way, cutting through streets filled with blue and red smoke.

Feeling among supporters was positive, as expected during a parade, although they expect more to come from both teams in Europe.

Barcelona’s women have reached the Champions League final, where they will face Wolfsburg in Eindhoven on June 3, while the men were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second season running.

“We say to the fans that we are celebrating today, but that we have a lot of our minds focused on Eindhoven and that we will give everything and more to make them proud,” two time women’s Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas told Barca TV.

Fans stood on balconies waving flags, while others clambered on top of bus stop shelters to get a better view.

“I’m certain of my hope for the men’s team (next season), for them to give a good account of themselves in Europe,” supporter Laura Nieto, 37, from nearby Terrassa told AFP.

“That they don’t do a bad job against big opponents, which is what’s been happening. And for the women, for them to continue like this — which is unstoppable.”

– Messi chants –

Some supporters chanted Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Lionel Messi’s name, hopeful that Barcelona can bring him “home” this summer at the end of his contract in France.

Others were more torn by the idea of Messi returning, despite president Joan Laporta pledging the club would “do everything” to sign him.

“On one hand I would like it because it would bring back a lot of excitement,” said Anabel Sanz, 16.

“But on the other, I think not, because it would mean rebuilding the team again and in the long run, that would hurt us, it would not be good.”

Messi, who turns 36 in June, is Barcelona’s all-time top goalscorer, and said a tearful goodbye to the club in 2021 when they could not afford to renew his contract.

“Barca have to reach the semi-finals and finals of the Champions League at least, and win more,” said Josep Martinez, 60.

“It’s difficult (to know if Messi should return), not because of his age. It’s about why he comes, what’s the goal of him coming?

“Is he coming here to fight for his place? … For the team, I don’t know if it’s the best thing.”

READ: Egypt’s Mostafa Mohamed fined for refusing to wear Rainbow jersey

Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed was fined by his club Nantes for refusing to play at the weekend in a protest against an anti-homophobia campaign in France’s Ligue 1.

According to the details, Mohamed was fined and excluded from the team sheet in Nantes’ match against Toulouse in the French League after the striker refused to don his team’s jersey, whose numbers were painted as the rainbow in support of LGBT rights.

Besides the players’ jerseys, armbands worn by captains and officials were also rainbow-coloured as the Ligue 1 recorded a protest campaign against homophobia.

According to the sources, Mostafa Mohamed’s refusal would only result in financial loss, however, the Egyptian forward will not be suspended from his side’s next Ligue 1 fixtures.

Mostafa Mohamed, a 25-year-old Muslim, took to his Twitter and explained his decision not to play and urged that his personal beliefs must be respected as well.

“I respect all differences. I respect all beliefs and all convictions. This respect extends to others but my personal beliefs must be respected as well,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Given my roots, my culture, the importance of my convictions and beliefs, it was not possible for me to participate in this campaign. I hope my decision will be respected.”

Je n’ai pas pris part aujourd’hui au match Toulouse – Nantes.

Je ne souhaite pas du tout polémiquer mais je me dois de faire part de ma position.

Le respect des différences, ce serait le respect de l'autre, le respect de soi, le respect de ce qui sera mis en commun et de ce…

— Mostafa Mohamed (@mmostafa_11) May 14, 2023

 

Nantes managed to hold 13th-placed Toulouse for a goalless draw to move one point behind Auxerre, just above the relegation zone.

READ: Pakistan U19 thrash Bangladesh in fifth one-day to extend dominance

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Monday the club will “do everything possible” to bring Argentine superstar Lionel Messi back in the close season.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward is set to leave in the summer when his contract expires and new La Liga champions Barcelona are hoping to lure their all-time top goalscorer back, despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia.

Messi has had two lacklustre seasons in Paris after a glorious era at Barcelona where he won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles, and is still worshipped by the fans there.

Laporta said he has spoken with Messi to try and rebuild the relationship between them, which was damaged when he left in 2021.

Lionel Messi wanted to stay at Barcelona but the club could not afford to keep him because of debt of over one billion euros ($1.1 billion).

“I have spoken to Leo to somehow redirect a situation that occurred, in which I had to put the club ahead of everything, even him, who is the best player in the world,” Laporta told Catalan regional public television station TV3.

“The truth is that it was a very affectionate conversation, very pleasant, and we have also been sending each other messages lately — I congratulated him on the World Cup.”

In the early hours of Monday morning, after Barcelona won 4-2 at Espanyol to clinch La Liga, Laporta said on Twitch that “we will do everything possible” to sign Messi.

However, speaking on TV3, he was more cautious.

“He is a Paris Saint-Germain player and what we will do is improve the team in all areas, we have already worked on that,” said Laporta.

“I think it would do me a disservice to talk about these questions about Leo, because he belongs to a team like Paris Saint-Germain, and we have to wait until the end of the season, until it is over and then we can talk more calmly about this.”

AFP reported last week that sources close to negotiations said it was a “done deal” that Messi would move to Saudi Arabia next season.

However, Laporta said that despite the money on offer in the Middle East — a reported 400 million dollars a year — Barcelona could compete for Messi’s signature.

“With all due respect to Saudi Arabia, Barca is Barca, and it is his home,” added Laporta.

“We can compete with everyone. History backs us, the feelings are too strong, we have 400 million fans around the world too.”

Barcelona need to make over 200 million euros in savings, or new income, to be able to operate without restrictions under La Liga financial fair play rules.

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BARCELONA: Barcelona clinched their 27th La Liga title and first after a four-year hiatus on Sunday after Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the first half to steer them to a convincing 4-2 win over local rivals Espanyol.

Barcelona, who now have an unassailable 14 points lead over second-placed Real Madrid, moved to 85 points with four games to spare.

The jubilation was interrupted by several envious home fans who invaded the pitch as Barca started to celebrate.

The visitors, however, were the dominant side throughout the game and took only 11 minutes to break the deadlock through Lewandowski, who netted the first from close range.

Alejandro Balde doubled the lead nine minutes later with a tap-in from a Pedri cross.

Polish strikers’ second came five minutes before the break with another close-range strike from a Raphinha cross.

Defender Jules Kounde headed in Barca’s fourth in the 53rd minute, before Javi Puado and Joselu scored consolation goals for Espanyol, who are second from bottom and fighting to avoid relegation.

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MALLORCA: Spanish right-back Pablo Maffeo’s early strike was enough to propel Mallorca to a 1-0 victory over Cadiz and denied them the chance to escape further from the La Liga relegation zone.

After succumbing to the second consecutive defeat, Cadiz were left in the 15th spot but are just one point clear of the 18th-placed Getafe.

Pablo Maffeo was the lone scorer of the match when he finished off Iddrisu Baba’s strong header. Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremas Ledesma made a desperate effort to block but ended up deflecting into his crossbar.

Mallorca remained 12th as Javier Aguirre’s team tightened their defence in the closing minutes to make sure of clinching the three vital points.

Cadiz are now in a bunch of struggling teams to avoid relegation as the ongoing La Liga is about to enter its final week. The 15th-placed side can be surpassed by Valladolid, Valencia and Getafe if they win their respective games this round.

Cadiz and Valladolid both have 35 points but the latter played a game less. Valencia and Getafe each have 34 points after 33 matches. Espanyol, placed second last with 31 points, while Elche has already relegated.

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