FOOTBALL

World Cup Predictions: Belgium vs Canada

Published

2 years ago

November 23, 2022

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Kickoff: November 24, 12:30 AM IST

Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

Canada are set to end their 36-year wait to play in their second World Cup with a Wednesday night encounter with Belgium.

From Belgium’s perspective, this could be the final chance for their golden generation to lead the nation to their first-ever World Cup title. So, they will be eager to start the campaign with a convincing win against the Canadians.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has been feeling the heat following Belgium’s poor performances in Euro 2020 and the UEFA Nations League.

The Red Devils bowed out of the Euro 2020 quarterfinals before failing to make it to the Nations League finals.

Belgium made it to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, but it was not enough to meet the expectations of their fans, who believe this squad is capable of doing better.

Recent form

Belgium have a squad rich with world-class talents, but their recent form does not reflect the quality of their squad. They enter the fray with two back-to-back defeats, the latest of which came against Egypt.

So, Roberto Martinez’s men will be desperate to arrest the slump and return to winning ways when they play Canada in their first match of the Qatar World Cup.

Canadians, on the other hand, are on top of the world at the moment. Qualifying for the World Cup finals was a great achievement for John Herdman’s men, considering they have been trying to return to the competition for four decades.

Canada are one of the co-hosts in the 2026 World Cup, so their involvement in the next edition of the tournament is a certainty.

They face an uphill battle of surviving a group that has two European heavyweights in Croatia and Belgium and a formidable African opposition in Morocco. But they have a youthful squad that can upset the applecart in group F.

Canada finished the CONCACAF qualification stage as the table toppers.

But what will concern the Maple Leaves are their poor form on the road. Canada relied on their solid home form in the qualifiers to confirm their spot in the World Cup finals. However, they had managed to win only two of their seven away matches.

Canada played four warm-up matches before the group stages went underway.

They lost to Uruguay, drew with Bahrain and beat Japan and Qatar. So, they will not be short on confidence ahead of the Belgium game.

Team News

Romelu Lukaku is Roberto Martinez’s go-to striker, but the Canada match will come too soon for the injured number nine.

Therefore, Martinez will turn to Michy Batshuayi, who has been enjoying a prolific run of form for Fenerbahçe. Loïs Openda is also an option for Martinez, but Batshuayi is expected to get the nod.

Thorgan Hazard has lived under the shadow of his elder brother Eden Hazard throughout his career, but the Borussia Dortmund man was one of the Belgium’s best performers in the Euros. But he will have to sit out Belgium’s opener due to injury.

Timothy Castagne and Yannick Carrasco will compete for his spot at left-back.

Eden Hazard will start in the front three for Belgium. The forward has been injury free this season but Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti did not give him much game time.

Hazard will hope to redeem himself with a great World Cup campaign with Belgium. 19 year-old Zeno Debast is expected to feature in the Belgian rearguard.

Atiba Hutchinson will make his 99^th appearance for Canada as he will lead the Maple Leafs out of the tunnel.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies overcame the injury scare to travel with the Canadian squad to Canada. However, he is not likely be involved in the Belgium game.

Our Prediction

Canada have excellent quality both in attack and defence. But their inexperience at the global stage combined with their poor form outside Canada will play to Belgium’s advantage.

We say, Belgium 2-1 Canada.

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.