Connect with us

Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo scores again in Portugal’s Nations League win

Published

1 month ago

on

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his record-extending 133rd international goal to keep Portugal perfect in the Nations League with a 3-1 win over Poland on Saturday, and Spain struck late to edge Denmark 1-0.

The 39-year-old superstar was there to put in the rebound after Rafael Leão’s shot hit the post in the 37th minute. That made it 2-0 following Bernardo Silva’s opener in Warsaw in the 26th.

Advertisement

After failing to find the net in his five appearances at this summer’s European Championship — with Portugal exiting in the quarterfinals — Ronaldo has scored in three straight Nations League matches, including goals in wins over Croatia and Scotland last month.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez replaced Ronaldo with Diogo Jota with just under half an hour to play.

Midfielder Piotr Zielinski halved the deficit in the 78th for the hosts, only for Southampton defender Jan Bednarek to score an own-goal with two minutes left.

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski started alongside Karol Swiderski but the Polish attacking pair couldn’t find their way past the Portuguese defense.

Advertisement

Portugal leads Group A1 with nine points from three games. Second-place Croatia has six points after it came back to beat Scotland 2-1 in Zagreb with the visitors having a late equalizer ruled out by VAR. Poland has three points, and Scotland zero.

Martín Zubimendi helped Spain crack Denmark’s defense as the holding midfielder starred in place of injured Rodri.

The Real Sociedad player unleashed a powerful volley in the 79th to smash a rebound from outside the area past Kasper Schmeichel, who got his hand on the ball but couldn’t keep it out.

Advertisement

Zubimendi had impressed in the final of Euro 2024 when he replaced Rodri for the second half of Spain’s 2-1 win over England. Rodri seriously injured his right knee and required surgery on his ACL while playing for Manchester City last month.

Spain was also missing Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, two more players who excelled at the Euros, who are sidelined with minor injuries.

Spain, the defending Nations League champion, has seven points in Group A4 after three games. Denmark has six points, and Serbia has four after beating the pointless Switzerland 2-0.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Advertisement

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

Get more from FIFA Men’s World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

What’s going on with tennis icon at Australian Open? Mystery grows ahead of Zverev clash

Published

21 seconds ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

For the second time in as many days, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from practice at the Australian Open. Having needed painkillers to get past Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday, injury fears are rising.

Some, however, aren’t convinced. They believe this is merely a tactic, a ruse, a way for the 37-year-old to up the stakes as he prepares for his semi-final showdown with Alexander Zverev on Friday.

Djokovic was written off by many at the start of the tournament. Having failed to win a single Grand Slam in 2024, his doubters have started to label him a faded force.

When he lost the first set against Alcaraz, who pummelled him at Wimbledon last year, Djokovic was widely expected to crumble. Here he was, going up against a man 16 years his junior, who also happens to the poster boy the next generation.

Advertisement
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic: Australian Open fans are waiting to see if the tennis star is able to face Alexander Zverev

REUTERS

What happened next, however, was nothing short of extraordinary.

Advertisement

Djokovic, fuelled by anger following his row with an Australian broadcaster, summoned the magic of old to power his way to victory.

It was quite something, seeing the veteran produce a masterclass at the age of 37. Those who have been quick to dismiss his prospects of Grand Slam glory this winter are now, surely, eating their words.

JUST IN: Luke Littler receives personalised birthday gift from £150m company founded by controversial millionaire

The victory took a toll on Djokovic, however. He was forced to use painkillers to get by and retiring crossed his mind, something he later admitted.

Advertisement

He said after the win: “Well since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much obviously.

“But yeah, the medication started to kick in and that helped, no doubt. I had to take another dose. This sounds awful! Me taking another dose. But I had to.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher’s wife insists Liverpool hero ‘went too far’ after awkward Micah Richards joke

“I didn’t know, to be honest, if I lost the second set I didn’t know if I would continue playing.”

Advertisement

Djokovic is a force to be reckoned with, a figure that has scaled heights far higher than any other tennis player (yes, that involves Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) over the past 15 years or so.

The prospect of him pulling out of his clash with Zverev seems unfeasible. And yet, mystery is mounting out in Australia and there are now legitimate concerns that his tournament might be done.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic needed painkillers to get past Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open

Advertisement

REUTERS

The former world No 1 is 37. He is not a youngster, somebody who can afford to sacrifice the short-term for the long term. For Djokovic, it is all about the now.

If injured, and if he chooses to play on, then it would risk making things worse. That’s something, due to his age, that he simply can’t afford.

Advertisement

Djokovic skipped practice on Wednesday and didn’t take to the courts in Melbourne today, either. As a result, it legitimately looks like he may not be able to face Zverev in what would be one of the most-exciting matches of the entire competition.

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is due to face Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open on Friday

REUTERS

Advertisement

Or it’s all just a game. Djokovic is a smart man and leaving Zverev waiting until the last minute could given him an advantage over the German. What, after all, must he be thinking?

It’s hard to tell what the truth is at the current moment in time.

What ultimately happens, and whether he plays or not, remains to be seen.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Australian Open 2025 results: Alfie Hewett reaches wheelchair singles and doubles finals

Published

12 minutes ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Britain’s Alfie Hewett maintained his chances of an Australian Open clean sweep by reaching the wheelchair singles final before progressing to the doubles final with partner Gordan Reid.

The second seed will face world number one Tokito Oda, who he lost to in last year’s final, on Saturday after beating Argentine Gustavo Fernandez 6-3 6-3 in the last four.

Later, Hewett and fellow Briton Reid beat Spaniard Martin de la Puente and Ruben Spaargaren of the Netherlands 6-4 6-4 in the doubles semi-finals.

Top seeds Hewett and Reid, who have won the past five Melbourne doubles titles together, face Spain’s Daniel Caverzaschi and Stephane Houdet of France on Friday.

Advertisement

Elsewhere, Britain’s Andy Lapthorne advanced to the final of the quad wheelchair doubles final alongside Dutch partner Sam Schroder.

The pair defeated Australian-Canadian duo Heath Davidson and Robert Shaw 6-1 6-2 and take on Guy Sasson of Israel and the Netherlands’ Niels Vink on Friday.

In the women’s wheelchair doubles, Briton Lucy Shuker and Japanese partner Yui Kamiji were beaten 7-5 6-1 in their semi-final by Chinese duo Li Xiaohui and Wang Ziying.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Omar Marmoush: Man City sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward for £59m

Published

25 minutes ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Manchester City have signed Egypt forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for 70m euros (£59m).

The 25-year-old has agreed a contract until June 2029, with add-ons rising to £4m.

Marmoush has scored 15 goals in 17 Bundesliga games this season, second only to England captain Harry Kane’s 16 for Bayern Munich.

“Manchester City is one of the biggest clubs in the world over the past 10 years, so it was not a question,” Marmoush said.

Advertisement

“It’s a pleasure and an honour for me and my family to be representing Manchester City. It makes them happy; it makes me happy that my dreams are becoming a reality.

“The last two seasons have been great, but it is just the beginning for me.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Sam Allardyce ‘dreaming’ of taking emotional job at the age of 70

Published

39 minutes ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Sam Allardyce is reportedly eyeing a dramatic return to Bolton Wanderers, though Steven Schumacher remains the frontrunner for the vacant managerial position.

Allardyce, 70, who previously managed the club from 1999 to 2007, is keen on an emotional homecoming to the League One side.

However, Schumacher, 40, has emerged as the favourite for the role following his spells at Plymouth and Stoke City.

The former Stoke boss would require no compensation and is eager to return to management.

Advertisement
Sam Allardyce Bolton

Sam Allardyce is reportedly eyeing a dramatic return to Bolton Wanderers

PA

Bolton are seeking a swift appointment as they look to reignite their promotion push this season, according to The Sun.

Advertisement

Ian Evatt has departed Bolton Wanderers after four and a half years at the helm, with the club currently sitting ninth in League One.

The Trotters are just three points outside the play-off places but have managed only two wins in their last nine matches.

JUST IN: Luke Littler receives personalised birthday gift from £150m company founded by controversial millionaire

Ian Evatt

Sam Allardyce could replace Ian Evatt at Bolton

Advertisement

PA

Evatt, 43, joined the club in July 2020 and made an immediate impact, securing automatic promotion from League Two in his first season.

His tenure also saw Bolton reach the League One play-off final last season, though they ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat against Oxford.

Advertisement

Rotherham’s Steve Evans and St Mirren’s Stephen Robinson have also emerged as potential candidates for the Bolton job.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher’s wife insists Liverpool hero ‘went too far’ after awkward Micah Richards joke

While Allardyce dreams of a return to his former club, his wage demands could prove problematic for the League One outfit.

Bolton’s hierarchy have shown willingness to invest in the squad and are determined to achieve promotion.

Advertisement

The club may consider paying compensation for a manager currently employed elsewhere, though a free agent would be preferred.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Schumacher’s experience and success at this level makes him an ideal candidate for the position.

Evatt expressed gratitude for his time at Bolton, stating: “I’ve absolutely loved my time here at Bolton Wanderers Football Club.”

Advertisement

The departing manager praised the support from Sharon and Nick Luckock, along with his staff and players.

Sam Allardyce Bolton

Sam Allardyce worked wonders during his time at Bolton

PA

Advertisement

His tenure saw notable success, including the 2023 EFL Trophy triumph at Wembley.

“There comes a point in football when a change needs to happen and the last thing I want is to damage what we have all built together,” Evatt explained.

He remains confident in the club’s prospects, adding: “I believe the club is still well placed to achieve its goals this season.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Everton: Hayley Ladd on move from Man Utd

Published

1 hour ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Ladd made 110 appearances for United and was part of the squad that won their first major trophy with the 2024 Women’s FA Cup.

She had been a key player under manager Marc Skinner but began to be overlooked following the summer arrival of Dominique Janssen.

After five and a half years with the club Ladd says she was “proud to represent”, she admits it was a “breath of fresh air” to try something new.

“It’s part and parcel of the game but it’s difficult. It really challenges you as a person and a player. It was a tough time, I won’t lie,” said Ladd.

Advertisement

“Hopefully it’s made me stronger. The United journey was maybe aligned with mine and you feel emotionally tangled with it.

“I advocated for things in the best way I could and I was the best team-mate I could be.

“You have to rip off the band aid sometimes and getting out and into something fresh is the best thing you can do.”

During her time at United, Ladd played in front of a vocal fan base at Leigh Sports Village.

Advertisement

“They were my first sort of experience of real women’s football fans. I just thought ‘this is amazing’,” said Ladd.

“The support is just relentless. I’ve never known anything like it. It doesn’t waiver. It’s so resilient. It’s been such an amazing experience playing with that fanbase.

“I’d like to think there was a good connection. I certainly felt it my way. You recognise, even when you’re having a tough time, the fan base really support you and pull you through. That’s a really meaningful thing as a player.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Pep Guardiola makes questionable statement after Man City crash to PSG Champions League defeat

Published

1 hour ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Despite winning every major trophy at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola claimed his side struggle against the big teams following their 4-2 Champions League defeat to PSG on Wednesday night.

The 2023 winners went into the showdown at the Parc des Princes hoping to boost their chances of making the play-offs of the competition.

City looked as though they’d secure victory when Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland struck within the space of three minutes after the interval.

Yet PSG, who have struggled in Europe themselves this term, came roaring back following goals from Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos.

Advertisement
Pep Guardiola Man City PSG Champions League

Pep Guardiola believes Man City struggle against the big teams, despite winning everything, following their 4-2 Champions League defeat to PSG

REUTERS

Guardiola has won every major trophy at City ever since replacing Manuel Pellegrini back in 2016.

Advertisement

But he’s now claimed that his team have to ‘accept’ that they struggle against some of the better sides on the planet following the nightmare result.

“We suffered and they were better – better intensity to win duels,” he admitted.

“In the big stages, the big teams, we struggle. We have to accept it.”

JUST IN: Luke Littler receives personalised birthday gift from £150m company founded by controversial millionaire

Advertisement

City will need to beat Club Brugge on Wednesday night to keep their hopes of staying in the Champions League alive.

That’s a scenario that seemed unfeasible at the start of the side, especially given how they won the trophy just 18 months ago.

Guardiola admits, however, that City will ‘deserve’ what they get if they’re unable to go through.

“We have a last chance against Bruges. If we don’t do it then it’s because we don’t deserve it,” he admitted.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher’s wife insists Liverpool hero ‘went too far’ after awkward Micah Richards joke

Another frustrating aspect of City’s performance was their inability to keep hold of the ball.

PSG dominated possession, had a better pass accuracy and completed more passes during the showdown in the French capital.

A frustrated Guardiola continued: “We have to defend with the ball or it’s impossible to play well.

Advertisement

“Keep the ball, the extra pass. The connection with Bernardo (Silva) and (Mateo) Kovacic was not possible or not good and we could not make the process.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Pep Guardiola Man City PSG

Pep Guardiola’s Man City side threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to PSG on Wednesday night

Advertisement

REUTERS

“I tried different things but we couldn’t keep the ball.”

Meanwhile, City star Grealish was also frustrated – and admitted that their struggles this term were ‘weird’ given the heights they’ve scaled over the past nine years.

“Usually in these moments we’re so good,” he said.

Advertisement

“It’s happened too many times this season; when we’ve gone one goal, two goals up, even three against Feyenoord, and we’ve not been able to control the game and see it out.

Pep Guardiola Man City PSG

Pep Guardiola bemoaned Man City’s lack of quality on the ball in their Champions League defeat to PSG

REUTERS

Advertisement

“It’s weird because in every other season we’ve been so good in these moments, managing the game.

“I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing because we know that for most of this season, especially before Christmas time, we weren’t really at the levels that we know we can do.

“But it’s down to ourselves to try and change that moving forward.

“We have so many players on the pitch when we go two goals up that are so good with the ball, at keeping it. But we’ve not been doing that recently and that’s down to us.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Australian Open 2025 results: Britain’s Henry Patten and Finn Harri Heliovaara reach men’s doubles final

Published

2 hours ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Britain’s Henry Patten and Finnish team-mate Harri Heliovaara came through a match tie-break to reach their first Australian Open men’s doubles final together.

The Wimbledon champions held their nerve to beat Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4 3-6 7-6 (10-7).

It is a second major final for Patten and Heliovaara in just their fourth Grand Slam together, having first joined forces in April 2024.

The sixth seeds will face Italian third seeds Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in Saturday’s final.

Advertisement

Patten, who had not gone beyond the third round at a Slam before partnering with Heliovaara, said: “I’m just trying to ride the wave. I can’t stop smiling at the moment which, for people who know me, is pretty unusual.

“Usually I’m a classic grumpy Brit. I’m just trying to enjoy every moment and taking it all in with Harri.”

Heliovaara stopped playing professionally between 2013 and 2017 because of an autoimmune disease that affects his spine, instead working in finance during that period.

Heliovaara said: “If you ask me five, six years ago if this was possible while I was making Powerpoints and Excel sheets in the office, I would have laughed.

Advertisement

“I haven’t regretted a single day [of coming back].”

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Atalanta progress to play-offs after thrashing Sturm Graz

Published

2 hours ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Watch highlights as Atalanta progress to the Champions League play-off round after beating Sturm Graz 5-0 in Bergamo.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Quiz: Games between Scottish and English clubs

Published

2 hours ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

How well do you remember previous matches between English and Scottish clubs in Europe?

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Reaction as Celtic progress with game to spare

Published

3 hours ago

on

January 23, 2025

By

Richard Gordon and the team react to Celtic 1-0 Young Boys in the Champions League

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 WordupNews