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Tag: Spain

  • Paris 2024: Spain coach hails Falcons’ goalie, Nnadozie’s heroics

    Paris 2024: Spain coach hails Falcons’ goalie, Nnadozie’s heroics

    The coach of the Spanish senior female national team, Montserrat Tomé has hailed Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie for her heroic display during both sides’ Paris 2024 Olympic clash on Sunday in Nantes, France.

    Nnadozie was at her usual best during the second group C encounter.

    Nigeria had chances to break the deadlock before Alexia Putellas’ winner but failed to score as the match ended 1-0 in favour of Spain.

    The Super Falcons showed flashes of brilliance in the game.

    Captain of the side,  Rasheedat Ajibade had two chances but fluffed them.

    Speaking to reporters after the game against Nigeria, Tome praised Nnadozie.

    “I’m very happy. They had already ruled out a goal by Salma, which was offside. We had chances, Aitana had them, Alexia had them too, others,” Tome said.

    “We knew that Nnadozie was a good goalkeeper. In addition, her style of play conditioned us a lot because of the long shots she has.”

  • Paris 2024: Two teams book Quarterfinal berths in Men’s Football

    Paris 2024: Two teams book Quarterfinal berths in Men’s Football

    Spain and Japan have secured their spots in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s football tournament.

     

    Japan advanced to the knockout stage after defeating Mali 1-0 in a Group D match over the weekend. Japan currently leads the group with six points from two matches and has one more game to play in the final group stage. They are ahead of Paraguay, which sits in second place with three points, while Mali and Israel each have one point.

     

    Spain also reached the last eight by topping Group C with six points and one match remaining. They are followed by Egypt, which has four points, while the Dominican Republic has one point, and Uzbekistan has yet to earn a point.

     

    The quarterfinals are set to begin on August 3.

  • Paris 2024: Hope dims as Super Falcons lose again to Spain

    Paris 2024: Hope dims as Super Falcons lose again to Spain

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons, on Sunday, lost their second group C game at the Paris 2024 Olympics to World champions Spain, by a lone goal.

    The defeat means Nigeria will continue the search for their first points of  the tournament as they regroup to face Japan on Wednesday,

    The nine-time African champions, however deserve credit for holding out for 85 minutes against the world champions before conceding a lone goal that handed the Europeans all the three points in Nantes.

    Spain dominated possession, expectedly, and only a masterclass defensive performance by the Falcons restricted them to the 1-0 win.

    For some parts of the game, the Falcons looked dangerous and made efforts in front of goal  when Esther Okoronkwo’s shot in the 23rd minute was pushed away by the goalkeeper when she latched on to a pass from Ajibade.

    Also in the 65thminute when captain Rasheedat Ajibade lifted the ball a little too high when running into a backpass by Asisat Oshoala.

    Oshoala  could have made hay with 18 minutes left, but she went to pass when it appeared easier to go for the kill.

    Earlier in the second half, Salma Paralluelo had the ball in the net as she bundled past Chiamaka Nnadozie from a corner kick, but she was ruled offside.

    With nine minutes to go, Osinachi Ohale cleared from the line as Alexia Putellas, who had been thwarted several times  by Nnadozie, struck from just outside the box.

    Spain got the  winner  in the 85th minute, when the ubiquitous Putellas heaved the ball past Nnadozie straight from a free-kick on the left side of the Nigeria defence.

    The defeat means the Falcons remain pointless in the tournament in Group C, and must achieve a win against Japan at the same venue on Wednesday to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

  • Paris 2024: Gallant Super Falcons lose 1-0 to Spain in Nantes

    Paris 2024: Gallant Super Falcons lose 1-0 to Spain in Nantes

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons will continue their quest for their first points in the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament against Japan on Wednesday. The nine-time African champions put up a commendable fight against world champions Spain, holding them scoreless for 85 minutes before conceding a single goal that secured Spain’s victory in Nantes on Sunday.

     

    Spain dominated possession as expected, but the Falcons’ exceptional defensive performance limited them to just one goal. The outcome could have been different if captain Rasheedat Ajibade had maintained her balance when she was through on goal in the 36th minute, or if substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo had decided quicker on her action with only the goalkeeper to beat in added time.

     

    The Falcons appeared threatening on counter-attacks at times, such as in the 23rd minute when Esther Okoronkwo’s shot was saved after she received a pass from Ajibade, and in the 65th minute when Ajibade lifted the ball slightly too high after a back pass from Asisat Oshoala. Oshoala herself missed an opportunity with 18 minutes remaining, opting to pass when it seemed easier to attempt a shot.

     

    Earlier in the second half, Salma Paralluelo found the net after a corner kick but was ruled offside. With nine minutes remaining, Osinachi Ohale cleared a shot from Alexia Putellas, who had been repeatedly denied by Nnadozie, just outside the box.

     

    The winning goal came in the 85th minute when the ever-present Putellas scored from a free-kick on the left side of Nigeria’s defense.

     

    The defeat leaves the Falcons without points in the tournament, necessitating a victory against Japan at the same venue on Wednesday to have any hope of advancing to the quarter-finals.

     

  • Paris 2024: Oshoala set to bolster Super Falcons in key Olympic match against Spain

    Paris 2024: Oshoala set to bolster Super Falcons in key Olympic match against Spain

    As Nigeria’s Super Falcons prepare to face world champions Spain in their Paris Olympics Group C matchday two clash this Sunday, Asisat Oshoala is expected to start, potentially replacing Chiwendu Ihezuo.

    Spain, the reigning UEFA Women’s Nations League champions, are favored to win in their first-ever encounter with Nigeria. They secured a 2-1 victory over Japan on Thursday, while Nigeria suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil.

     

    Ihezuo was given the start as center forward in the opening match, but after a lackluster performance, Oshoala is likely to take her place. Despite not playing in the previous match, Oshoala, a former Barcelona star, brings confidence, skill, and experience that could challenge Spain’s defense and provide the efficiency Nigeria needs.

     

    The Super Falcons are eager to secure a positive result against La Roja, as another loss could jeopardize their chances of advancing in the Olympics.

  • UEFA: Morata, Rodri face ban over chants about Gibraltar

    UEFA: Morata, Rodri face ban over chants about Gibraltar

    Spain’s Alvaro Morata and Rodri are facing potential two-game bans after being charged by UEFA for their chants about Gibraltar.

    The players were seen singing “Gibraltar is Spanish” during their post-Euro 2024 celebrations, prompting a complaint from the Gibraltar FA due to the “extremely provocative and insulting nature” of the chants.

    An ethics and disciplinary inspector was appointed to investigate the incident, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated. UEFA stated that a decision “is expected in due course.”

    Recall that the La Roja of Spain won the Euro 2024 trophy after defeating the three lion of England 2-1 in Munich few days ago.

     

  • Transfers: Spain’s striker, Morata joins AC Milan on a four-year deal

    Transfers: Spain’s striker, Morata joins AC Milan on a four-year deal

    Spain’s attacker Alvaro Morata has signed for AC Milan from Atletico Madrid on Friday, the  striker will be  returning to Serie A days after winning Euro 2024.

    Morata who signed a four-year deal with Milan will be replacing French striker, Olivier Giroud following the former France international’s transfer to Los Angeles FC.

    “Morata has signed with the Rossoneri until 30 June 2028, with an option to extend for an additional year,” said Milan in a statement.

    Italian media report that Milan paid Morata’s 13-million euro ($14.2 million) release clause and that the player will earn around 4.5 million euros per season.

    Morata played in every match in Spain’s triumph at the Euros, netting his only goal of the tournament in La Roja’s 3-0 thumping of Croatia which kicked off their campaign in Germany.

    He has scored 36 goals in 80 international appearances for his country.

    Morata returns to Italy after two spells with Milan’s rivals Juventus, where he won two league titles and three Italian Cups.

    Morata has also won the FA Cup with Chelsea and featured in two triumphant Champions League campaigns with Real Madrid, in 2014 annd 2017.

    Milan, who finished second in Serie A last season but 19 points behind champions Inter Milan, begin the league season under new coach Paulo Fonseca with the visit of Torino on August 17.

  • Paris 2024: Super Falcons, Canada friendly to hold today in Spain

    Paris 2024: Super Falcons, Canada friendly to hold today in Spain

    Nigeria and Canada senior women teams go toe-to-toe for the second time in one year on Wednesday, in a closed-doors training match in Malaga which amounts to the final test for both teams ahead of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament starting in France in eight days.

    The match will commence at 6.30pm Spain time (5.30pm Nigeria time) at the La Quinta Football Centre, Malaga. It also draws the curtain on the Super Falcons’ camping programme in Spain.

    Both teams were involved in a hard-fought FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opener at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on 21 July 2023, with the game ending 0-0. Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty kick by veteran Christine Sinclair, and made 14 other big saves in the afternoon encounter.

    Coach Randy Waldrum is unlikely to make many changes from the squad that played that match, though defender Ashleigh Plumptre and forward Francisca Ordega, who started that match, are not in Spain.

    Waldrum will most likely stick with goalkeeper Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin and Michelle Alozie (alongside, perhaps Chidinma Okeke), and midfielders Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun.

    The strike-force may be entirely different with captain Rasheedat Ajibade (who missed the clash with Canada in Melbourne due to a red card bagged in the Women AFCON semi-final clash with Morocco in July 2022) coming in, alongside perhaps Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo.

    The nine-time African champions will fly into France on Thursday, where they will spend a week in further training ahead of their first match of the tournament against Brazil at the Stade Bordeaux on Thursday, 25th July.

    Nigeria’s other matches in the group phase are against Spain (28th July) and Japan (31st July), both at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

  • Messi, Yamal to clash at Finalisimma

    Messi, Yamal to clash at Finalisimma

    Spain’s victory over England at the Euros was quickly followed by Argentina’s triumph over Colombia, securing the Copa America trophy once again.

    These wins set the stage for the 2025 Finalissima, where the two champions will face off next year.

    This highly anticipated match will feature Lionel Messi against Lamine Yamal. The young Barcelona talent has already expressed his excitement about the potential showdown, telling reporters during the tournament, “I hope Messi wins the Copa América and I win the Euros, so I can play against him in the Finalissima.”

    The two have yet to meet on the field. Their only known interaction was in a photoshoot when Yamal was a baby—pictures that have recently gone viral.

    Yamal was instrumental for Spain at Euro 2024, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award and notching four assists.

    Meanwhile, Messi led Argentina to another Copa America victory, adding more silverware to his illustrious career.

    Finalissima is an intercontinental football match organized by CONMEBOL and UEFA, featuring the winners of the Copa America against the champions of the UEFA European Championship.

     

    This competition has a unique history, being held only twice before it was discontinued. It first took place in 1985 and then again in 1993. After a long break, it was revived in 2022.

    The last edition held in 2022 between Italy and Argentina ended in favour of Italy.

     

  • Cole Palmer breaks two England records

    Cole Palmer breaks two England records

    Chelsea star Cole Palmer broke two England records in last night’s Euros final defeat to Spain.

    Palmer was a second-half substitute and scored the equaliser in the 2-1 defeat in Berlin on Sunday.

    He needed only 142 seconds to score England’s goal, which according to OptaJoe is the fastest ever goal by an English substitute.

    At the same time, he became the youngest substitute to score for England in a final.

    Spain’s winnner came on 86 minutes through Mikel Oyarzabal.