FOOTBALL

World Cup Predictions: USA vs Iran

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2022

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Knockout stage equation blended with political tension; Iran versus the United States is potentially shaping up as a World Cup classic.

On Tuesday night, the teams will lock horns at the Al Thumama Stadium in a winner-takes-it-all scenario.

After Iran’s 6-2 defeat in the Group B opener against England, many wrote off Iran as the punchbags of the group.

With the USA and Wales having played out a draw in the other group match, Team Meli were at the bottom of the group before the second matchday.

But they put on a much better display against Wales and looked the better team for most of the match.

Sardar Azmoun’s inclusion in the starting lineup made the Iranian attack far more threatening. But the Bayer Leverkusen man had to limp off the pitch in the 68th minute with the scores still locked at 0-0.

The Asian side came close to opening the score several times, but the woodwork, Wayne Hennessey’s brilliant goalkeeping, and the wastefulness of Iranian players kept the score goalless.

Ironically, it was Hennessey who threw Iran a lifeline as he went off seeing a red card for his advanced challenge on Mehdi Taremi.

Iran took their time to make their numerical advantage count.

Rouzbeh Cheshmi bulged the Welsh net for the first time eight minutes into the stoppage time. Three minutes later, Ramin Rezaeian extended the lead.

A win against the US will take Iran to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

A draw could also be enough for them if England manage to avoid defeat against Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Team USA only have two points to their name after the first two matches, but there would be little opposition to the claim that the Stars and Stripes have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in this World Cup.

The Americans were the better side in both of their first two matches.

They conceded a late penalty against Wales to hand them a route back into the game.

Against England, the US pushed the World Cup contenders back for prolonged periods of the game. They rued a flurry of missed chances as the score remained 0-0 at the final whistle.

Gregg Berhalter’s men can ill afford to drop points against Iran on Tuesday night.

Looking back on their last two performances, the USA should feel confident of a win against Iran. But they will have to get much better in front of the opposition’s goal to do so.

Team News

Alireza Jahanbakhsh will be a certain absentee for Iran, as the Feyenoord striker picked up back-to-back yellows in the first two matches.

Sardar Azmoun will face a race against time to get fit for the USA match.

Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand has recovered from concussion and will be available to stand between the sticks. But Hossein Hosseini might keep his place on goal.

USA have a fresh deck of cards to play with.

So, they will be able to field the exact same eleven that played against England.

Giovanni Reyna surprisingly clocked less than twenty minutes over the first two fixtures. Will Gregg Berhalter hand the Borussia Dormund rising star his first start of the tournament?

The USMNT manager has some big calls to make to pick the perfect XI that could bring them their first win in the competition.

Our Prediction

USA have been laying excellent football, but their lack of output might lead to their downfall once again.

It would be difficult to break down an Iran side who would be happy to sit back and hit the US on the counter.

This could be another 0-0 draw.

Date: 30 November

Kickoff: 12:30 AM

Venue: Al Thumama Stadium

FOOTBALL

WATCH: Georgina Rodriguez makes huge claim on Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement in Football

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

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Georgina Rodriguez made a huge claim on the future of her husband and star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in Football. In a brief interaction with a host recently, Rodriguez was asked about the time left for Cristiano to make an impact at the highest level. Georgina looked honest in her approach to the question of the host and claimed something the fans would not love to hear.

Georgina claimed that the Portugal star has maybe one year more from him at the highest level. She felt that Ronaldo might play two more years before retiring and not more than that. She was however not sure if he would play for just one or two years and added that the Al Nassr star could also play more than that.

Watch the video of Georgina Rodriguez here –

🚨🎙️| Georgina Rodriguez on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Paris Fashion Week yesterday:

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”

(via @ArobaseGiovanny)pic.twitter.com/4dxw2j5DuC

— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) March 3, 2024

“Cristiano one more year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know,” said Rodriguez in the little chat she had with the host. The video has gone viral on X and the fans have started sharing it on different platforms. Some of the fans feel that Georgina might be right, while others feel that she could be wrong, given the fitness and longevity of the star player.

Legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo

On the 5th of February, Ronaldo celebrated his 39th birthday. He is currently one of the oldest players in the world. In the past, players at this age would have retired way back. But the fitness and consistency of Ronaldo make him play the sport as long as he wishes. In his career so far, Ronaldo has won many major leagues for Portugal and league teams like Real Madrid, Al Nassr, and Manchester United.

With United, Portugal won some major leagues like the FA Cup and the Champions League. With Real Madrid, the 39-year-old won the leagues like the UCL, Copa Del Rey and La Liga. He won it three consecutive times for Real Madrid. For Portugal, Cristiano had a huge contribution to Portugal. He has the most number of appearances and goals for an international team and won the Euro 2016 with Portugal.

FOOTBALL

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham slapped with Red Card as he argued with referee

Published

9 months ago

March 3, 2024

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Jude Bellingham shown Red Card (Image Credit: Twitter)

England and Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham was slapped with a Red Card during the La Liga game against Valencia. In the game, the home team, Valencia was leading by 2-0 after 30 minutes before Madrid scored in the injury time of the first half. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Madrid while Hugo Duro (27′) and Roman Yaremchuk (30′) scored a goal each.

In the 76th minute, Junior scored an equalizer to keep the team in the game. However, in the injury time of the second half, Bellingham was given a red card as he argued with the referee against calling it a full-time before he could score. In reply, the match official decided to slap the England international with a Red Card. The team coach Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t happy with the verdict as the Three Lions player was making a pass at the time.

Jude Bellingham verbally abusing officials and other footballers at the slightest provocation needs to be talked about more. It’s embarrassing he gets applauded by Real Madrid Fans.

Mason Greenwood should’ve allowed La Liga to deal with this simp. pic.twitter.com/ixYSw6YxaC

— Herman Facundo© (@hermanfacundo_7) March 3, 2024

“I think what’s just happened is unprecedented. It’s never happened to me,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“We had possession of the ball and the match should have been finished when Valencia had the ball.

“What bothers us is the red card for Bellingham because he didn’t say anything insulting. He was frustrated of course,” said Ancelotti, adding that Bellingham had used a common English swearword when telling the referee it was a goal.

We are annoyed with Jude Bellingham’s Red Card: Carlo Ancelotti

“We were annoyed with Bellingham’s red card. He didn’t say any insults. He said in English ‘it’s a f—ing goal,’ but he was just saying what we were all thinking … [The referee] allowed play to continue. I think he made a mistake.”

“[Bellingham] was clear in what he said,” Ancelotti added. “He was quite vehement [in his reaction] but that’s normal, after what happened. It wasn’t an insult, not at all.”

FOOTBALL

PL 2023-24: MCFC vs MUFC Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Fantasy League Today’s Captain, Vice-Captain, and more for Manchester derby

Published

9 months ago

March 2, 2024

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Super Sunday is set to witness the Manchester Derby in the Premier League 2023-24. The match between Manchester City (MCFC) and Manchester United (MUFC) is set to take place in Etihad Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City. The two teams have had a contrasting journey in the league till now. The fortunes of City changed ever since Pep Guardiola took over the club as the manager.

While the home side are placed in the second position in the points table currently, United are in the sixth place in the points table. In their previous encounter, City hammered Luton Town by 6-2 in the FA Cup. United have shown massive improvements in the last few weeks after not having a good start to their campaign. United were involved in a thrilling game where they beat Nottingham Forrest by 1-0 in their last game.

Both teams feature some of the best players in the world. The likes of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and others would be taking part in the match. Manchester City will start the match as the favourites, given their record in the ongoing league so far and the match taking place in their home. United with their improved record can challenge the home side.

MCFC vs MUFC – Match Details

Match – Manchester City (MCFC) vs Manchester United (MUFC), Premier League 2023-24

Venue – Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Date and Time – 3^rd March 2024, 21:00 IST

Live Coverage – Star Sports Network and Disney plus Hot Star

MCFC vs MUFC – Head-to-Head

Both the teams from Manchester have a rich history in the sport. they have been up against each other in 191 instances. In as many games, Manchester United have been historically the better side with 78 wins to their name. City have managed to win 60 wins, as 53 games ended in a draw. In the last five games between the two sides in the Premier League, City have won four of the five games.