FOOTBALL

Predictions: Who will win the Qatar World Cup?

Published

1 year ago

December 18, 2022

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The stage is set for the grand finale.

After a month of football festivities in Qatar, France and Argentina remain the last two standing.

France will be the first reigning champion to play the World Cup final in 24 years. But they will have to look further to take inspiration for a second successive title win since Brazil, who won the title in 1958 and 1962, are the only team to do so.

Argentina will look to avoid their third final defeat after their World Cup winning run in 1986.

Argentina have showed great determination throughout the tournament to make it to the final.

They opened their campaign with a surprise defeat to Saudi Arabia, but that could not stop them from winning the next two group matches and winning the group.

They did not let the Netherlands run away with the game after the Oranje restored parity in magnificent style in the quarterfinals. And in the semi, they made light work of Croatia, who had eliminated Brazil in the previous round. La Albiceleste are a team on a roll.

Argentina have arguably the greatest footballer in football history, Lionel Messi.

The 35-year-old has won every possible trophy in the senior stage, but the only glaring miss in his trophy cabinet is a World Cup medal.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner came close to fulfilling his dream in 2014 when Argentina agonisingly lost the final 1-0 to Germany. Messi will be determined to avoid a similar heartbreak and end his international career with a memorable last dance.

Messi has been instrumental in Argentina’s success in the tournament, but he is not the only one who has brought the Latin American side this far.

Nicolás Otamendi has seemingly found the fountain of youth as he has been playing like a player well below his thirties.

Premier League duo Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero have supported the veteran in building a formidable backline.

Enzo Fernández has emerged as a midfield powerhouse, and Julián Álvarez has shown that the future of the Argentina frontline is in safe hands. Above all, Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni’s tactical acumen has paved the way to the final.

Scaloni has tweaked his system to neutralise the threat of the opposition in every match.

He contained the Netherland’s front two threat with a back five, resorted to a back four, and went for a counter-attacking approach to exploit Croatia’s lacklustre frontline and open up gaps in their midfield. Argentina’s unpredictable tactical shape makes them a tricky team to beat.

Scaloni will have to cook up something special to contain the threat of France’s attacking might. Morocco did not concede a goal to opposition forwards in the entire tournament. But it took Les Bleus only four minutes to unlock the Moroccan defence in the semifinals.

The Atlas Lions put up a great fight, but they could not add the French to their list of giant huntings.

Kylian Mbappé has bagged five goals in Qatar and share the top spot in the Golden Boot race with Messi.

But it has been Antoine Griezmann who has been running the show for France. Didier Deschamps asked to play him a playmaker role behind Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé, and he has executed that role to perfection.

The Atlético Madrid forward has created 21 chances in the competition so far; no other player has managed to create more.

France did not start the tournament on the back of great results, but they left all that behind and made it to the final. So they have no reason to feel like the underdogs at the Luisal Iconic on Sunday evening.

Team News

Marcos Acuña and Gonzalo Montiel will be available for selection after serving their one-match suspension in the semifinal.

Alejandro Gómez is the only injury concern in the Argentina camp, as Ángel Di María has been declared fully fit.

France are dealing with several illness cases as Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot, Kingsley Coman, Raphaël Varane, and Ibrahima Konaté are all doubtful.

Karim Benzema has recovered fully and is available to feature should Deschamps decide to call upon him. But the France boss is expected to rely on in-form Olivier Giroud instead.

Our Prediction

We foresee an Argentina win the final because France have been far from convincing as a defensive unit in Qatar. And the illness problems should tip the balance further towards the Latin Americans.

France have managed to outscore their opponents till now, but they could fall short against an on-song Argentina attack that boasts the likes of Messi, Álvarez, and Di María.

We say 2-1 to Argentina.

Date: 18 December

Kickoff: 8:30 PM IST

Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium

FOOTBALL

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

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.