Category: Football

VILLARREAL: Saul Niguez scores in the 87th minute to secure a win for Atletico Madrid against Villarreal in their La Liga 2023-24 fixture at Estadio de la Cerámica on Monday.

The 2-1 victory pushed Atletico Madrid up to fourth place in the La Liga standings, now trailing third-placed Girona by only seven points.

The visitors opened the scoring early on with Axel Witsel finding Rodrigo Riquelme’s cross following a corner and headed the ball to the top right corner of the net.

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However, Villarreal levelled five minutes into the second half as Alexander Sorloth got his name on the scoring sheet.

He found Gerard Moreno in the 49th minute and hit the equalizer from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.

The entertaining clash was heading towards a stalemate when Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone substituted Pablo Barrios with Saul Niguez in the 83rd minute.

Saul did not take too long and scored the winner in less than five minutes after coming off the bench courtesy of an assist by Cesar Azpilicueta.

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“(Saul) entered the game well and scored a great goal,” Simeone said after the match. “I’ve put him on a bunch of times because I believe in him and I hope he can give us a lot.”

Simeone said his team still needed to improve to lock down Champions League qualification for next season.

“Athletic are having a very good season, Girona aren’t giving up, and we have to improve,” said the coach. “Pace of play and intensity decide things and we have to improve in that regard.”

READ: German football to change controversial kit number

The German Football Association (DFB) said Monday it would change the typeface used on its shirts after one of the kit numbers drew comparisons to a Nazi symbol. 

The number four worn by national team players was said to bear a resemblance to the insignia of the Nazis’ elite SS corps.

“The DFB checks the numbers 0-9 and then submits the numbers 1-26 to UEFA for review,” the German football association said in a statement.

“None of the parties involved saw any proximity to Nazi symbolism in the creation process,” the DFB said.

Nonetheless, the sporting body said it did not want to “provide a platform for discussion”.

“Together with our partner 11teamsports, we will develop an alternative design for the number four and coordinate it with UEFA,” the DFB said.

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Kit provider Adidas removed shirt personalisation options for the German strip from its website on Monday afternoon, the German daily Bild reported.

The name and number personalisation features were not available when an AFP journalist visited the website on Monday evening.

Shirts with the number 44 were at the centre of the controversy, with the number set said to look most like the SS logo.

Deliveries of shirts already ordered with the number had been stopped, Bild reported.

The new typeset was worn in recent friendlies against France and the Netherlands, as Germany prepares to host the men’s European football championship in June and July.

The DFB caused a stir last month when it announced that it would be replacing Adidas as its kit provider from 2027.

The German outfitter, which has supplied the national team since the 1950s, will make way for US sportswear giant Nike.

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MADRID: Brazilian star Rodrygo scored struck twice to lead Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory against Atheltic Club during the La Liga 2023-24 match at Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday.

Real Madrid extended their lead to eight points ahead of defending La Liga champions Barcelona at second spot. Meanwhile, Girona are following Barcelona closely with a difference of two points only.

Los Blancos earned the advantage early on with Rodrygo dribbling through the middle and easing past goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala to open the scoring.

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The visitors struggled throughout the first half, however, they had a faint chance towards the end of the first half as Gorka Guruzeta found Oihan Sancet in the box and attempted to equalize only to be saved by the goalkeeper.

Athletic Club made some aggressive attempts after the first half to level but could not get past the strong opposition.

But Rodrygo rained on their parade as he doubled the lead in the 73rd minute with a brilliant goal following a fast break.

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This proved to be the last nail in the coffin as Real Madrid denied any chances of a comeback from the visitors to stay on top of the La Liga points table.

In another La Liga clash, Girona defeated Real Betis 3-2 at Municipal de Montilivi to close the gap with second-positioned Barcelona.

READ: Shahid Afridi ‘surprised’ by Babar Azam’s return as captain

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) overcame a controversial first-half sending-off to win 2-0 away to bitter rivals Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with Portuguese duo Vitinha and Goncalo Ramos scoring their goals.

Marseille’s hopes of a first home league win against PSG since November 2011 were raised when the away side had Lucas Beraldo sent off five minutes before the interval.

But the Qatar-owned club still came out on top, with Vitinha exchanging passes with Ousmane Dembele before firing home a superb opening goal in the 53rd minute on a wet night at the Velodrome.

Marseille, who had been unbeaten at home this season, went looking for an equaliser and Jordan Veretout had a goal disallowed for an offside against team-mate Luis Henrique.

PSG coach Luis Enrique then withdrew captain Kylian Mbappe just after the hour mark and it was his replacement Ramos who made sure of the win five minutes from time.

The goal came on the breakaway, with the visitors clearing a corner before Achraf Hakimi found Marco Asensio and he picked out Ramos, who finished coolly for his 10th goal of the season.

Only Mbappe, with 38 in all competitions, has found the net more often for PSG this season.

The result means PSG end the weekend as they started it, 12 points clear of second-placed Brest, who won 1-0 at Lorient earlier on Sunday.

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There are just seven games of the campaign remaining, and PSG need only 10 more points to claim a 10th title in 12 seasons.

The biggest talking point on the night was the red card for Beraldo, the young Brazilian defender signed in January.

He went shoulder-to-shoulder with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, knocking the attacker over just past halfway near the right touchline.

Already on a booking, he escaped a second caution but then referee Benoit Bastien came across to check the VAR monitor and, following the review, surprisingly chose to show Beraldo a straight red card, judging him to have been the last defender.

“I don’t usually judge refereeing decisions, especially when there is VAR,” said Luis Enrique. “The action happened right in front of me, and I didn’t think there was a foul.

“But I don’t come here to talk about the referee, to comment on his decisions or to demand explanations.”

Marseille could not take advantage of the extra man and a second straight league loss means they remain seventh, three points away from the European places.

PSG face Rennes at home in the French Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, and host Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final a week later.

READ: Sri Lanka rule Bangladesh with 531, but Mendis misses rare feat

BARCELONA: Brazilian winger Raphinha steered Barcelona to a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas during the La Liga 2023-24 clash here at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday.

The Catalans closed the gap with La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a difference of five points after sinking 12th-ranked Las Palmas.

Raphinha earned the advantage for Barcelona in the 19th minute however the goal was overruled due to offside.

Despite not getting a breakthrough, the home side dominated throughout the first half and kept challenging Las Palmas’ defence.

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Meanwhile, Las Palmas’ struggles doubled in the 24th minute as their goalkeeper, Alvaro Valles received a red card in the 24th minute for taking out Raphinha who was headed towards an open net.

The first half ended without any goals, but Barcelona continued to create chances. Eventually, Joao Felix passed the ball over the defenders to Raphinha, who headed it past the goalkeeper and scored the match-winner.

Notably, Barcelona are unbeaten in 11 games since their coach Xavi Hernandez said that he would leave at the end of the season and their recent form has given them some faint hope of retaining their title.

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Leaders Real Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, aiming to restore their eight-point advantage on the Catalans in second.

“They’re three important points, we know they will be important at the end of the season,” Raphinha told Movistar.

“We’ll keep fighting until the end and we won’t give up until the league is over.”

READ: Babar Azam reinstated as Pakistan’s white-ball captain

Luis Suarez bagged his fifth goal of the season as Inter Miami were held to a 1-1 draw against New York City FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday.

Former Barcelona and Liverpool star Suarez glanced in a Julian Gressel free kick in the 15th minute to fire Miami into the lead at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

But Miami’s hopes of securing all three points were thwarted by a dogged New York performance, which got its reward when Costa Rica international Alonso Martinez equalised on 34 minutes.

Miami, thrashed 4-0 against New York Red Bulls in their last outing, created a string of clear chances after the City leveller but were frustrated by a superb performance from goalkeeper Matthew Freese.

Freese pulled off several fine saves, including a brilliant one-handed block from Suarez in the 80th minute as Miami pressed for an equaliser.

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Miami, once again without the injured Lionel Messi, remained in second place in the Eastern Conference following the draw, one point behind leaders Cincinnati.

Miami coach Gerardo Martino — who had lambasted his team after last week’s drubbing by the New York Red Bulls — praised his side’s performance.

“In nine months here, I’ve never been disappointed in a game like I was last Saturday,” Martino said. “Today, what the team did was very commendable. They played well and created many scoring chances.”

Martino, meanwhile, said Messi’s fitness was still being evaluated as Miami prepares for Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final first-leg game with Mexican side Monterrey. Messi has not played since suffering a strained hamstring two weeks ago.

“We will evaluate it day by day and make a decision on Tuesday,” Martino said. “Wednesday’s game is very important but we have to think about the entire year, not just one game.”

READ: Babar Azam reinstated as Pakistan’s white-ball captain

La Liga leaders Real Madrid will host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday as the Spanish top flight ramps up for an exciting end to the season.

Madrid have a firm grip on the title race after shaking free of Catalan minnows Girona before the international break, but Ernesto Valverde’s high-flying Athletic will be tricky opposition at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Basque side, in the Copa del Rey final, are fighting to secure a top-four finish and a return to Champions League football next season.

Athletic are fourth, a point clear of Diego Simeone’s Atletico in fifth, who face Villarreal on Monday.

Madrid have a comfortable eight-point lead on defending La Liga champions Barcelona with nine matches remaining and if they can beat Athletic, they will be confident of holding on to claim a third title in five seasons.

The Catalans have found form in recent weeks after coach Xavi Hernandez said he would walk away at the end of the season, and face Las Palmas at home on Saturday.

Barcelona are unbeaten in 10 matches and thumped Atletico 3-0 at the Metropolitano stadium in their last outing, showing Madrid they would not relinquish their crown without a fight.

“All the players are giving their best and are at their best level,” warned Xavi before the international break.

“Now we’re at our best moment of the season, it’s a moment to dream.”

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He added: “An eight-point advantage is a lot (but) we have a direct clash against them and we will try to do it.”

Real Madrid are close to recovering defender Eder Militao from injury although he is unlikely to face Athletic.

Top goalscorer Jude Bellingham is set to return to the side after a two-match suspension, although he and Fede Valverde returned from international duty with minor fitness concerns.

Despite Madrid’s frequent injury problems this season, Ancelotti was positive about the team’s chances of silverware this season.

“I am quite optimistic and we are better than ever,” said the Italian, before Madrid beat Osasuna in their previous match.

“We have to be excited for the games to come, we have to be happy, satisfied and hopeful.”

Seven points clear of Atletico, Girona should be able to hold on to a top-four spot, although their form has dipped badly with four defeats in their last six matches.

“Not reaching the Champions League would be a big blow,” admitted coach Michel Sanchez.

Girona host Real Betis, seventh, on Sunday before visiting Atletico Madrid.

READ: Former New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson to represent the USA in Canada T20Is

Kylian Mbappe is set to sample the fiercest rivalry in French football for the final time before his expected departure at the end of the season as Paris Saint-Germain make the trip to Marseille on Sunday.

There is no love lost between the two biggest clubs in France, even if Marseille have struggled to compete with PSG for honours since the Qatari takeover of the capital side over a decade ago.

The Parisians come into this game with a huge 12-point lead at the top of the table from nearest challengers Brest with just eight matches remaining, meaning Mbappe is surely certain to win a sixth title in seven seasons with the club.

Marseille, in contrast, are seventh, three points outside the European places despite a recent revival under new coach Jean-Louis Gasset, a former PSG assistant boss.

Kylian Mbappe has already told PSG that he intends to leave at the end of the current campaign when his contract expires, with Real Madrid his expected next destination.

That means he is unlikely to sample the heated atmosphere of the 67,000-capacity Velodrome again any time soon after this Sunday.

This will be his second visit there this week after he turned out for France at the same venue in their 3-2 friendly win over Chile on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old’s status as national team captain did not prevent him from being whistled by sections of the crowd in the Mediterranean city, who were unable to forget his connection to PSG for the evening.

“Honestly I would understand if I were jeered,” he had said before the France game.

“I am a PSG player. If I am whistled, that’s life. I wouldn’t take it personally.”

“It shouldn’t happen,” complained France coach Didier Deschamps, himself a former Marseille captain. He admitted hearing the jeers for Mbappe was “disappointing”.

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Mbappe recaptured his best form for PSG just before the international break after a run of games in which he lost his status as an undisputed starter.

A hat-trick in a 6-2 win at Montpellier two weeks ago took him to 38 goals in 37 appearances for PSG this season.

Luis Enrique’s side appears to be finding their best form at the right time and are undefeated in 24 matches since early November.

This game begins a vital few weeks in which they will also host Rennes in the French Cup semi-finals and face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Marseille lost their last two games after claiming five straight wins following Gasset’s appointment.

They have a Europa League last-eight tie against Benfica on the horizon but are in the midst of an injury crisis, with full-back Jonathan Clauss among those sidelined after coming off playing for France.

The France forward has yet to justify the 90 million euro ($97m) transfer fee paid by PSG to sign him from Eintracht Frankfurt at the start of the season.

He has managed nine goals in 31 appearances for his new club but has not been a first-choice starter in recent months and has struggled to convince when named in coach Luis Enrique’s XI.

That did not prevent him from being called up to the latest France squad, though, and he scored one goal and set up another as Les Bleus beat Chile in midweek in Marseille.

Like Kylian Mbappe, he will be keen to silence the Velodrome crowd on Sunday as he prepares to make his 100th appearance in France’s top flight.

READ: Pakistan to tour Ireland in May for T20I series

AMMAN: Star player Musa Al-Taamari struck a rampant hat-trick and bolstered Jordan to a thrashing 7-0 victory over Pakistan in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Amman International Stadium here on Wednesday.

Al-Taamari opened the scoring for Jordan just 15 minutes into the game before Yazan Al-Naimat successfully converted a penalty in the 28th minute to double the home side’s lead.

Being put under immense pressure, Pakistan’s defence managed to hold on to their nerves and conceded no further goal in the first half.

But it crumbled in the second half of the game as the hosts completely outclassed them by scoring five goals.

Saad Al-Rousan brought third success for Jordan in the 52nd minute and opened the floodgates for Pakistan.

Musa Al-Taamari struck his second in the 62nd minute while Ali Olwan secured the fifth goal for Jordan in the 75th minute.

A-Taamari struck again in the 79th minute to complete his hat-trick before Muhammad Abu Zureiq wrapped up the scoring with the seventh goal in the 83rd minute.

The 7-0 victory propelled Jordan to second place in Group Seven of the World Cup Qualifiers, accumulating seven points while Pakistan remained at the bottom.

Last week, Pakistan faced a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Jordan in the first leg of the World Cup Qualifiers against the Asian Cup finalists.

Jordan’s star player Musa Al-Taamari struck twice while Ali Olwan chipped in with a goal during the important match against Pakistan.

Pakistan squad for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers:

Goalkeepers: Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit and Hassan Ali.

Defenders: Easah Suliman, Abdullah Iqbal, Mamoon Musa, Haseeb Khan, Mohammad Saddam, Mohammad Sohail, Omer Rao, Mohammad Fazal and Mohammad Adeel.

Midfielders: Rahis Nabi, Harun Hamid, Alamgir Ghazi, Rajab Ali, Ali Uzair, Shayek Dost and Abdul Samad.

Forwards: FareedUllah, Waleed Khan, Imran Kayani and Adeel Younis.

READ: Australia advance in World Cup Qualifier after drubbing Lebanon

Australia cruised into the next stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 drubbing of Lebanon in Canberra on Tuesday.

Craig Goodwin’s two goals, plus strikes from Kusini Yengi, John Iredale and a Bassel Jradi own goal gave Australia a maximum of 12 points after four games and they are now assured of progressing from Group I of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

It took just two minutes for Goodwin to have an impact on his return to the side after illness when his teasing cross found Yengi to open his international account.

Yengi, a striker who plays for Portsmouth in the English third tier, bundled home at the second time of asking after his initial effort hit the post.

Goodwin almost made a second with another pinpoint delivery after 43 minutes but Harry Souttar’s header struck the woodwork and it remained 1-0 at half-time.

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As in the first half, Lebanon conceded after two minutes and again Goodwin, who plays for Al Wehda in Saudi Arabia, was the creator.

His free-kick from the right was headed goalwards by Souttar where ‘keeper Mostafa Matar’s save hit hapless teammate Jradi and ricocheted back into the net.

A minute later Goodwin got his reward for a dominant display when lashing home left-footed superbly from just outside the box to make it 3-0.

Substitute John Iredale tapped in the fourth with his first touch after 68 minutes and Goodwin bagged his second from close range with nine minutes to go to cap a fine personal display.

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