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Tag: World cup

  • Ronaldo denies swearing at Portugal coach over substitution

    Ronaldo denies swearing at Portugal coach over substitution

    Cristiano Ronaldo has denied he swore at Portugal coach Fernando Santos after being substituted during a dramatic 2-1 defeat to South Korea in the World Cup on Friday.

    Both teams had advanced into the next round with the result.

    But the Portugal captain said the comments he made as he left the field in the 65th minute were in fact aimed at a South Korean player.

    Portuguese media said the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player, who left the English club last month, appeared to challenge Santos over the decision to substitute him.

    It was reported he used vulgar language towards the coach.

    “What happened was before my substitution. The South Korea player told me to get off quickly. I told him to shut up as he doesn’t have that authority.

    “There was no disagreement (with the coach),” Ronaldo was quoted as saying by Portuguese reporters.

    The 37-year-old is seeking to equal the Portuguese record of most World Cup goals held by Eusebio, who racked up nine in 1966 in England, the only World Cup tournament he played in.

    Ronaldo last week became the first ever player to score in five World Cups.

    Santos, asked by reporters about the substitution incident, also said a South Korean player had been aggressive in his comments towards the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

    “I saw the interaction with the Korean player and I have no doubts about what happened,” Santos said.

    Ronaldo was kept largely at bay by South Korea’s defence in the Asians’ last-gasp victory over Portugal that sent Uruguay out of the World Cup.

    But he was involved in the South Korean equaliser in the 27th minute when a corner-kick struck him on the back and fell for Kim Young-gwon to score.

    Santos made six changes to the side that beat Uruguay on Monday.

    He was perhaps mindful of the risk of yellow card suspensions in the next round for which Portugal had already qualified before kick-off against South Korea.

    “We’re unhappy. We wanted to go through with a win, we wanted to go through playing good football to keep boosting our confidence,” Santos said.

    “We’re not going to lose confidence. This group has confidence, but it’s a warning, a serious warning. Perhaps some positive things could come from this game.”

    He congratulated Paulo Bento, his predecessor as Portugal’s manager who is now in charge of South Korea.

    “I’ve just given him a hug. I’m unhappy, he is happy. I didn’t facilitate anything but friends are friends, business aside,” he added.

    Portugal, by finishing top of Group H, have avoided Brazil —- the winners of Group G —- in the first knockout round.

  • Qatar 2022: Gallant Tunisians bow out after defeating France 1-0

    Qatar 2022: Gallant Tunisians bow out after defeating France 1-0

    The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia bowed out of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup on a high after defeating the Le Blues of France 1-0 to garner four points in the last match of group D.

    The Tunisians drew 0-0 with Denmark in its opening game but lost 0-1 to Australia who eventually finished second in the group.

    Griezmann thought he had maintained France’s eight-year unbeaten World Cup run right at the death, yet VAR replays showed he was in an offside position and the equalizer was ruled out.

    Wahbi Khazri was the hero for Jalel Kadri’s side here, turning home what proved the only goal of the game just before the hour mark.

    Nevertheless, in the end Khazri’s strike meant very little for Tunisia, as Australia kept hold of second place in Group D by edging a 1-0 victory of their own over Denmark.

    Australia and France both finished with six points but France top group D on goal difference.

    Both nations will wait to  know their fate as they look forward to playing  opponents in group C which comprises of Poland, Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

  • Qatar 2022: Air conditioning in stadiums is causing sickness – Antony

    Qatar 2022: Air conditioning in stadiums is causing sickness – Antony

    Manchester United and Brazil winger Antony has claimed that he is feeling unwell at the World Cup due to air conditioning.

    Most of the stadiums in Qatar are air-conditioned for the tournament, even though it is taking place in the winter to ensure the climate is more moderate in the gulf nation.

    Antony, who came off the bench in their two wins over Serbia and Switzerland, pointed to the air con as an issue for himself and some of his teammates.

    He told ESPN Brazil: “It was a bit difficult. I ended up having a bad feeling there for a few days that complicated me a bit.

    “I’m recovering well and getting 100 per cent. It was more of a sickness, throat. It was the air conditioning (in the stadiums).

    “Not only me, but other players also had a cough and a bad throat. It’s very difficult for me to get sick, but I’m happy to be an important part of the team.

    “Whenever you need Antony, I’m available.”

  • Qatar 2022: World Cup pitch invader says he is free

    Qatar 2022: World Cup pitch invader says he is free

    The activist who ran onto the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar on Monday carrying a rainbow flag says he is not in custody.

    “No legal consequences, I am free,” Italian Mario Ferri wrote on his Instagram page on Tuesday, thanking everyone for their support.

    He entered the pitch during the match between Portugal and Uruguay and was taken away by stewards.

    The messages “Save Ukraine” and “Respect for Iranian Woman” were written on his T-shirt.

    The rainbow flag appeared to have the word “peace” written on it in Italian which is a common sight in Italy.

    However, rainbow colours have caused controversy at the World Cup because they are a symbol of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community and same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar.

    World football’s governing body FIFA prevented seven European captains from wearing a multi-coloured armband at the tournament because it might offend the hosts.

  • World Cup: I spoke with Mane, he’s disappointed – Henderson

    World Cup: I spoke with Mane, he’s disappointed – Henderson

    England midfielder Jordan Henderson admits he spoke to former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane after he was ruled out of the World Cup with injury.

    The 32-year-old sat out the 6-2 win over Iran but was introduced during the second half to help Gareth Southgate’s side secure a goalless draw against the United States on Friday, becoming only the fourth player to appear in six different major international tournaments for England.

    By contrast, Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah failed to qualify for the finals in Qatar after Egypt were beaten in a play-off by Senegal, for whom Bayern Munich striker Mane is missing after suffering an injury on the eve of the tournament.

    And of the duo’s absence, Henderson said: “I haven’t spoken to Mo to be honest. He’s enjoying his holiday somewhere, I’m sure. He will be very disappointed that his team and he didn’t get to come to the World Cup. The best players in the world want to play in the World Cup and he’s certainly one of them.

    “Obviously, for Sadio it was a huge disappointment. I spoke to him when I heard about his injury and he was very disappointed he couldn’t make it. I know what Sadio is like as a person and if there was a small chance he would definitely have given it a go, so it must have been a pretty bad injury. I hope he recovers well and gets another opportunity in the future.”

  • Benzema ready to rejoin France World Cup squad

    Benzema ready to rejoin France World Cup squad

    Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could rejoin France’s World Cup squad this week.

    RMC Sport says Benzema has practically recovered from injury and there are rumors that indicate that the Real Madrid striker could return to the Qatar 2022 World Cup with the French national team.

    After leaving the concentration of the French national team in Qatar, the winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2022, has already had communication with coach Didier Deschamps to return.

    France has not eliminated him from the World Cup list. The striker could return to the French national team if he is fully recovered. FIFA regulations allow it.

    At the moment, Karim Benzema is in Madrid, waiting for the approval of his doctors to make another trip to Qatar for a last test with the French doctors.

  • World Cup: Song gives hint on why he kicked Onana out of Cameroon squad

    World Cup: Song gives hint on why he kicked Onana out of Cameroon squad

    Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has given reasons why goalkeeper Andre Onana was not included in his squad.

    Song says Onana asked not to play their second group match at the World Cup amid reports of a falling out between the pair in Qatar.

    The report added that things are believed to have gotten heated between Song and Onana during a training session over the weekend when the Cameroon coach asked his goalkeeper to change his style of play.

    Onana came through Barcelona’s academy and spent years playing in Ajax’s possession-focused team, with a play style of building up from the back via the keeper.

    But Song felt that style didn’t suit his Cameroon team and told Onana to go more direct and not take any risks near his own goalpost, instead wanting to see more ‘traditional’ goalkeeping.

    It appeared that Onana did not take too kindly to Song’s suggestion, with the report claiming the pair had a rather significant bust-up.

    Inter Milan keeper Onana started for the Indomitable Lions in their Group G opener against Switzerland, a 1-0 defeat, but he was replaced by Devis Epassy for Monday’s 3-3 draw against Serbia.

    He was not listed among the substitutes.

    According to BBC, the 26-year-old had been sanctioned for disciplinary reasons, but no details have been released by the country’s football federation.

    “He is an important player, but we are in a difficult tournament,” said Song.

    “I know what I have to do, and that is to ensure that the team takes precedence over any individuals.

    “Andre wanted to step out and we accepted that position. In a squad, discipline is important.”

    Onana started all of Cameroon’s games this year, having served a nine-month doping ban last year.

  • World Cup: Croatia send Canada out of Qatar 2022

    World Cup: Croatia send Canada out of Qatar 2022

    Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first ever World Cup goal, but it was not enough to stop them being knocked out of the tournament following a defeat by Croatia.

    Bayern Munich winger Davies’ second-minute opener gave Canada hope, but they ended up second best and have suffered back-to-back defeats in their first two group matches.

    In Group F’s earlier game, Morocco shocked world number two side Belgium 2-0 and are second in the standings, behind 2018 finalists Croatia.

    John Herdman’s outsiders scored from the game’s first attack after only 67 seconds courtesy of a towering header from Davies, who darted into the box and powerfully converted from Tajon Buchanan’s cross.

    Croatia, though, did not panic after falling behind and created numerous chances, with striker Andrej Kramaric seeing a goal ruled out for offside.

    But the former Leicester player then equalised with a first-time angled shot from Ivan Perisic’s pass, and Marko Livaja put them ahead with a rasping drive from the edge of the box.

    Kramaric was denied by Milan Borjan’s fine save in the second half, and at the other end, Dominik Livakovic acrobatically tipped over Jonathan David’s long-range curler.

    Hoffenheim frontman Kramaric got his second of the game by coolly converting into the far corner, and substitute Lovro Majer wrapped up the match by netting in injury time.

    BBC

  • This how Ajax can re-sign Ziyech from Chelsea – Amrabat

    This how Ajax can re-sign Ziyech from Chelsea – Amrabat

    Former Morocco international Nordin Amrabat says Hakim Ziyech will re-sign for Ajax if they offer a long-term contract.

    The Chelsea midfielder has been linked with a return to Ajax, though Amrabat warns he won’t be interested in a loan move.

    Amrabat told ESPN: “He’ll do it when he gets a three or four year contract with Ajax.

    “He will certainly not be loaned. Play for five months, thanks and goodbye, that’s not for him. What Chelsea will want to get for Ziyech? I think half of what they paid for him. I think they want about twenty million. If you become champion and make it to the Champions League, will you have earned it again?

    “He is a leader for your team, but the question is whether he wants it himself. He now has a big contract with Chelsea and would have to hand in about half to return.”

  • Qatar 2022: Brazilians are happy about Neymar’s injury – Raphinha fumes

    Qatar 2022: Brazilians are happy about Neymar’s injury – Raphinha fumes

    Barcelona winger Raphinha has slammed Brazil fans happy seeing Neymar suffering an ankle injury at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    As tens of millions across Brazil continue to mass protest against the election of president Lula, his supporters are happy seeing Neymar injured given his loyalty to Jair Bolsonaro.

    Raphinha posted a story on his Instagram account in which he defended his teammate. With an initial photo of the two footballers and the word ‘Idol’, Raphinha went on to leave a forceful message about the figure of Neymar:

    “Fans of Argentina treat Messi like a God.

    “Portugal fans treat Cristiano Ronaldo like a king.

    “The Brazilians are happy about Neymar’s injury. The biggest mistake of his career is being born Brazilian, this country does not deserve his talent and his football.”