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Spain Win UEFA Nations League Title After Unai Simon’s Sensational Penalty Saves In Final Vs Croatia

admin — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 06:02:37 +0000

Rotterdam: Spain’s 11-year trophy drought is over. Croatia and their veteran captain Luka Modric are still waiting for their first international title. Goalkeeper Unai Simon saved two shots as Spain beat Croatia in a penalty shootout after their tense Nations League final had finished 0-0 on Sunday.

The Bilbao goalkeeper used his feet to save a penalty by Lovro Majer when the shootout was level at 3-3 and then dived full-length to tip Bruno Petković’s spot kick around the post. Dani Carvajal converted his penalty — with a “Panenka” chip — to seal the victory.

Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said Carvajal had taken penalties well in practice ahead of the final. “He has a fantastic personality and that’s the way he decided to take it,” he said. “We have total confidence in his ability to take penalties.”

Spain’s other previous titles came in the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 1964, 2008 and 2012. Midfielder Rodri, who punched the air after scoring his penalty, has four titles this season after also winning a historic treble with his club, Manchester City. He was named the player of the Nations League tournament to cap his memorable year.

Spain did not manage a shot on target until the 84th minute of the match and when substitute Ansu Fati finally looked like breaking the stalemate, Ivan Perišić was on the goal line to block his effort. It was Spain’s only goal-bound attempt, compared to five by Croatia. In the first period of extra time, Majer broke through and fell in the penalty area under a challenge by Nacho, but German referee Felix Zwayer ruled that the Spain defender had played the ball and waved off Croatia’s appeals for a penalty.

“I think it makes the win even more epic doing it this way,” De La Fuente said.

Croatia’s fans – many wearing shirts with Modric’s name and No. 10 on the back — far outnumbered their Spanish counterparts at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam. But they were forced to leave disappointed as their nation and the 37-year-old Modric continued their wait for a first international title.

Croatia finished second at the World Cup in 2018 and third in Qatar last year. Modric, meanwhile, has won the Champions League five times with Real Madrid and was named FIFA’s world player of the year in 2018, breaking the decade-long dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the title. But he has not been able to cap his glittering career with international honors.

Whether he will have another try at next year’s European Championships remains to be seen. “I’d love Luka to stay,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “He’s a very important player for us.”

De La Fuente agreed. “I hope he carries on because we never want great players to leave the game,” he said.

Spain went a step better than the last Nations League final in 2021, when it lost to France. Not bad for a team with a coach, Luis De La Fuente, who only took charge after the World Cup in Qatar and came in for criticism when his team lost 2-0 to Scotland in European Championship qualifying.

Spain’s players went to a small section of their fans in one corner of the stadium to celebrate their victory. Both sides came close in the first half.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković fumbled an innocuous shot by Fabián Ruiz and the ball bounced off the post in the ninth minute, but Livaković recovered quickly to block an attempt by Álvaro Morata, who was flagged offside. Three minutes later, Gavi dragged a shot just wide.

But after weathering the early storm, Croatia — with Modric directing the action from midfield — then created the best chances. Twice, Modric curled crosses to find Ivan Perišić at the far post but both times Simon in the Spain goal saved. But he saved his two best saves for the penalty shootout.

Italy Third — Again

Federico Dimarco scored in the sixth minute and Davide Frattesi poked home a rebound to double the lead in the 20th to put Italy on course to beating the Netherlands 3-2 to secure third place in the Nations League for the second time in two attempts. Steven Bergwijn put the Netherlands back in contention in the 68th minute only for Federico Chiesa to restore the Azzurri’s two-goal lead four minutes later. Substitute Georginio Wijnaldum completed the scoring with one minute of regulation time to go as Italy held on.

The defeat in Enschede meant that Ronald Koeman’s team conceded seven goals in two matches as hosts of the Nations League final four, after losing 4-2 to Croatia after extra time on Wednesday. Spain beat Italy 2-1 to set up the final.

Source: PTI

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Kai Havertz Salvages 3-3 Draw For Germany Vs Ukraine, Proceeds Of Game Going To Russia-Ukraine War Victims

admin — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 06:02:20 +0000

Bremen: Kai Havertz helped Germany salvage a 3-3 draw with Ukraine in a charity friendly that left neither team happy from a sporting perspective on Monday. Viktor Tsyhankov had scored twice for Ukraine to come from behind and lead 3-1 in Serhiy Rebrov ’s debut as coach, putting his team on course for the country’s first ever win over Germany.

But Havertz pulled one back in the 83rd and was then fouled for a penalty that Joshua Kimmich converted in stoppage time for the equalizer. The German football federation was donating the proceeds to victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The match was also billed as the federation’s 1,000th, but the team’s performance will do little to restore battered German confidence a year before the country hosts the European Championship.

The buildup was overshadowed by the war in Ukraine with both teams taking to the field accompanied by children who had fled their country to escape the invasion. Every visiting player was draped in a Ukrainian flag. The teams posed for individual photos — with Ukraine’s in front of another giant blue-and-yellow flag — before German and Ukrainian players posed for a mixed photo behind a banner with the word “peace.”

The German players also had a peace symbol on the arms of their jerseys. Niclas Füllkrug, playing in his home stadium, was gifted a huge chance by Mykhailo Mudryk in the second minute but the Werder Bremen forward missed with only the goalkeeper to beat.

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Füllkrug was credited with the opening goal in the sixth when he deflected Marius Wolf’s shot past Anatoliy Trubin in the visitors’ goal. Germany missed further good chances against the disorganized visitors before Tsyhankov equalized on a counterattack in the 19th.

Mudryk forced an own goal from Antonio Rüdiger four minutes later to make it 2-1, delighting the visiting supporters. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, celebrated with restraint beside German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who smiled and held out his hand to congratulate him.

Buoyed by the goals, Ukraine pushed for more before the home team recovered. But it was a typical display of late from Germany — seemingly in control, creating chances, yet still prone to costly mistakes.

Coach Hansi Flick reacted by bringing on Havertz and Lukas Klostermann for the second half, but little changed. Artem Dovbyk capitalized on another mistake to set up Tsyhankov for the third goal in the 56th.

Further German mistakes led to whistles from some in the crowd. They were finally given reason to cheer when Rüdiger sent a long ball forward for Havertz to score.

Havertz was then fouled as he pushed for the equalizer and Kimmich, the Germany captain, made no mistake from the spot.

Source: PTI

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Lionel Messi Is Moving To Inter Miami; Know All About MLS Football Team Here

admin — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 11:58:04 +0000

Barcelona on Thursday confirmed that Lionel Messi will be joining American football club Inter Miami. Let’s look at Lionel Messi’s future club Inter Miami. According to Inter Miami’s official website, “Inter Miami is relatively one of the newer clubs to grace the MLS stage with their first playing season having taken place just three years ago in 2020. There are a lot of unknowns about the Herons to the general public.”

“Inter Miami currently participate in the Major League Soccer in the United States. The league serves as the top flight for a combination of teams from the United States and Canada. There are 29 teams participating in the league divided into the Eastern and Western Conferences. Inter Miami is part of the Eastern Conference as the club is situated in Florida on the eastern coast of the USA.”

Further adding, “Inter Miami was formed as a club in 2018, they only started playing in 2020 and have failed to win a single trophy in their short life so far. However, in 2022, the Herons did make an appearance in their first-ever MLS Playoffs albeit lost in the first round against a dominant New York City FC. Inter Miami’s brand colours since its inception have been Pink and Black. The colour theory has been followed by their home and away kits. Their home kit is pink in colour with black accents that pop out through the contrast. While their away kit follows the exact opposite combination, with black being the major colour with classy pink accents.

Inter Miami currently plays its home matches at DRV PNK Stadium, an 18,000-capacity venue situated in Fort Lauderdale, which also serves as the long-term home for their reserve team. However, this stadium is not the permanent solution for the team.

While David Beckham is the public face of Inter Miami as a co-owner, he’s not the only member of the ownership group. Jorge Mas is the club’s CEO and managing owner. His brother, Jose Mas, is a co-owner. Inter Miami has the nickname ‘The Herons’ after the White Heron birds found across the Miami-Fort Lauderdale region. The Herons are also visible in the club’s crest appearing as their mascot as well.

Source: ANI

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Manchester City vs Inter Milan UEFA Champions League Final: Check Live Streaming And Other Key Details

admin — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 11:21:01 +0000

Manchester City will take on Inter Milan in the final of the Champions League 2023. City will aim to include the Champions League trophy in their cabinet after winning Premier League and FA Cup titles this season. Not to forget, City have never won this title and will be extra-motivated to finally win it this time around. On the other hand, Inter Milan will start as underdogs in this tie. They might not be favouirtes in this clash but history tells us that Inter have won Champions League title a total of three times. This is also the first Champions League final for Inter since 2010.

City are ready to write history. Coach Pep Guardiola is quite upbeat about his team’s chances in the match. Guardiola said, “Tomorrow will be the same. I will have a plan. We are ready – I have the feeling the players will give absolutely everything. Go for it. He further added, “We have to be patient. The most important thing in this type of game is thinking we are 0-0 and thinking we are losing.” Speaking in a press conference in Turkey, ahead of the final match, Pep Guardiola said, “Italian teams are 0-0 and think they are winning. They are not winning it is 0-0. We have to be stable and get the rhythm and be stable.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Champions League 2023 final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.

When is the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan?

The Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be played on June 11 (Sunday).

Where will the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan be held?

The Manchester City vs Inter Milan Champions League final will be played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul.

What time does the Champions League final between Manchester City vs Inter Milan begin?

The Champions League final between Manchester City vs Inter Milan will start at 12:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels are going to broadcast the Champions League final between Manchester City vs Inter Milan?

The Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be telecasted live on the Sony TEN 2, Sony TEN 2 HD (English), Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 3 HD (Hindi), Sony TEN 4 and Sony TEN 4 HD (Tamil and Telugu) TV channels in India.

How do I watch live streaming of the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan?

The Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan can be live-streamed on the Sony Liv app.

Source: Bureau

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‘I’m So Excited For…’, Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler On Lionel Messi Playing For Inter Miami

admin — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 11:00:31 +0000

Basketball team Miami Heat’s player Jimmy Butler is excited to see Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami. In a pre-match conference, Jimmy Butler said, I’m so excited for the city of Miami, to be able to have a player of his caliber here, as per the official website of NBA. FIFA World Cup winner, Lionel Messi will be playing for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer in America.

Miami Heat is currently playing in the NBA Final series against Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, Miami Heat lost the Game 4 of the series and are trailing 3-1 to Denver Nuggets. In a pre-match conference ahead of Game 4, Miami Heat’s player Jimmy Butler was sharing his views about having Lionel Messi in Miami.

He said, “Obviously, he is one of the greatest players to play that beautiful game, I’m so excited for the city of Miami, to be able to have a player of that caliber here. I’m excited for the city of Miami in so many different ways.” He further added, “Obviously us being in the Finals and having an opportunity to do something special. Now that he is here, I think all the football/soccer fans from all over the world are going to come here and get an opportunity to watch him compete. I’m glad he is here.”

When asked whether he has met Lionel Messi before or if will he reach out to meet him, Jimmy Butler said, “I wouldn’t say that I know him enough, but I have met him before, Will I reach out? Probably not. I know he has probably got a ton of stuff going on anyway”

“He is coming over here to do something special for this city. I won’t reach out. I’m happy that he is here, though. I really am. I know we will link whenever he is here,” said Jimmy Butler according to the official website of the NBA.

In Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Denver Nuggets defeated Miami Heat 108-95 at the FTX Arena in Miami on Saturday. Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will be played on Tuesday. If Denver Nuggets win this match they will be crowned as the NBA Champions for the first time ever in history.

Source: ANI

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Messi Wants FC Barcelona Return, Father Confirms Son’s Wish Following Meet With President Joan Laporta

admin — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:05:05 +0000

Lionel Messi’s chance of returning to FC Barcelona has received a green from La Liga according to Relevo journalist Toni Juanmart. Messi and his father Jorge Messi were spotted in Barcelona on Monday. The father-son duo met FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta at his home in Spain.

Messi’s father also confirmed his son’s desire to join his childhood club once again following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will be a free agent from June 30 and an official statement from the Ligue 1 has confirmed he will part ways with the French champions.

“Messi wants to return to Barca and I would love him to return,” SPORT reported him as saying.

“It is an option. Do I trust that he can return? Yes.”

Messi left the club after 17 seasons in which he helped the Catalan club win 35 titles including 4 Champions League, 10 La Liga titles, and 7 Cope dep Rey trophies. He is still the club’s top scorer and the player with the highest number of assists.

Earlier, PSG announced that Messi will not play for them next season and reports linked with clubs like Al-Hilal and Inter Miami in the United States started floating around the internet like fire. Messi paired up with the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in PSG eyeing a much-awaited UEFA Champions League title but the star trio failed to lift the European trophy in both seasons under the management of Christophe Galtier and Mauricio Pochettino.

Source: Bureau

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Watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Gets Emotional While Announcing Retirement From Football

admin — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:24:23 +0000

Veteran AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his immediate retirement from soccer at the end of an emotional night at San Siro. Ibrahimovic was out of contract with the Serie A club at the end of the season and Milan had already announced there would be a special ceremony after its match against Hellas Verona to bid farewell to the 41-year-old Swede.

But Ibrahimovic later revealed in a news conference that no one knew the big news he was about to drop.

“Even my family didn’t know, because I wanted that when I announced it everyone heard it at the same time,” he said. (After Loss In FA Cup Final, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes Says THIS)

Ibrahimovic was given a guard of honor by his teammates as he walked out after the match at San Siro. He struggled to hold back the tears as he took the microphone and said:

“The time has come to say goodbye to soccer but not to you.”

Ibrahimovic scored 93 goals in 163 appearances over two spells at Milan. He returned in January 2020 and helped Milan win the Serie A title last year ? his second league trophy with the Rossoneri. But he has struggled with injuries and only made four appearances this season, after undergoing a knee operation last year.

“I have so many memories and emotions inside this stadium,” Ibrahimovic said. “The first time I arrived you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love. I want to thank my family, I want to thank my second family: the players. I want to thank the coach and his staff for the responsibility, I want to thank the directors for the opportunity. Last but not least, from my heart, I want to thank you fans.”

He also enjoyed trophy-laden spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Juventus and Ajax, having started his career with hometown club Malmo. He made 122 appearances for Sweden, scoring 62 goals.

Many of the fans at San Siro on Sunday were in tears, as were most of his teammates, who were all wearing jerseys with his name and squad number on the back.

Ibrahimovic told reporters he struggled to find someone who wasn’t crying as he looked around during his speech for someone to help give him the strength to stem his own tears.
Ibrahimovic also couldn’t resist making a joke.

“I woke up this morning and it was raining, and I thought Even God is crying,'” he said with a smile.

There were emotional scenes even before kickoff as a giant banner was unfurled at one end of the stadium with the words “Godbye.” The fans chanted his name and Ibrahimovic was moved to tears as he cupped his hands in the shape of a heart and blew kisses to the supporters.

However, he ended his speech with a smile and in typical Ibrahimovic fashion.

He said: “It’s too difficult, there are so many emotions going through me now. But I will say, I’ll see you around, if you’re lucky.'”

Ibrahimovic then walked around the stadium to the song “Simply the Best

Source: PTI

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