FOOTBALL

World Cup Predictions: France vs Australia

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

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France will look to leave their injury woes behind and start their title defence in an emphatic fashion when they lock horns with Australia at the Al Janoub Stadium.

While France came to Qatar with a view to becoming the first team since Brazil to win successive World Cups, the Australians will try to arrest their unfortunate streak of group-stage eliminations and return to the knockout stages for the first time since 2006.

France are not entering the fray under the best of circumstances.

Karim Benzema became the latest heavyweight omission from the Les Bleus World Cup squad as he picked up a thigh injury in training.

The 22 Ballon d’Or joined the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, and Christopher Nkunku in the injury absentees list.

France’s Patchy form

France’s recent form have been far from impressive as well.

They could not win in five of their last six matches going into the World Cup, lost the Nations League and barely survived relegation, and got eliminated from the Euro 2020 round of 16.

But France still have enough quality in their squad to retain their favourites tag in the competition. So, they will eye an easy win against Australia to get their World Cup defence mission underway.

However, France should be wary of history. In recent World Cups, reigning World Cup champions have failed miserably in their title-defending campaigns.

Four of the last five defending champions have crashed out of the group stages. France themselves had that bitter experience in 2002. Moreover, no defending champions managed to win their first match since 2010.

But Australia will not feel that history is on their side when they take on the current world champions in their opening match.

The Socceroos did not win their first match in the competition since 2014, and they have only one win against European teams in seven attempts.

Graham Arnold’s side ensured tickets for the Qatar World Cup with a playoff penalty win over Peru. Australia come on the back of two friendly wins over neighbours New Zealand, but they would know that they will need to pull off something special to grind out a favourable result against France.

Australia met France in the group stages four years ago.

They were on the brink of securing a historic result as the scores were locked 1-1 into the 80th minute. But an Aziz Behich own goal deprived the Aussies of a seemingly deserved share in the spoils.

Team News

Didier Deschamps has declared that he will not bring in a replacement for Benzema.

So, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, and Ousmane Dembélé could form the French frontline against Australia.

Deschamps might feel it’s too early for Raphaël Varane, who has just returned to training, and hand over the keys to the backline to Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté.

Australia might not get the services of Martin Boyle as the striker struggles with a knee problem.

Harry Souttar is ready to make his return to the Australian backline after returning from a lengthy ACL injury layoff. But, Graham Arnold might choose Bailey Wright over the Stoke City defender.

Our Prediction

France have been struggling lately with injuries and poor form. But the balance of this tie still tips heavily towards the current world champions.

We foresee a 2-0 win for France.

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.