FOOTBALL

World Cup Predictions: Netherlands vs Ecuador

Published

1 year ago

November 25, 2022

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Netherlands and Ecuador will look to seal their knockout stage spot with a win when they meet at Khalifa International Stadium on Friday evening.

Both teams head into the tie on the back of 2-0 victories. The winner will confirm their tickets to the round of 16 with a game to spare.

Netherlands were heading towards a goalless stalemate in their opening match against Senegal, with the score locked at 0-0 after the 80-minute mark.

The new Dutch sensation Cody Gakpo took advantage of an Édouard Mendy error to put his team ahead in the 84th minute. Davy Klaassen will put the final nail in Senegal’s coffin with an injury team strike.

Louis van Gaal’s men missed the last World Cup, but they made the final and the semifinal in their previous two World Cup campaigns. A win against Ecuador will strengthen Netherlands’ belief of emulating their 2010 and 2014 success in Qatar.

But Ecuador sent out the message that they are a force to be reckoned with when they cruised to an effortless victory over the hosts.

La Tri remained unfazed by the raucous home support and took control of the match right from the kick-off.

Enner Valencia scored a brace within the first half-hour to give Ecuador a comfortable lead. The Latin Americans did not extend their advantage, but they did not let the hosts exert any influence in the game.

Gustavo Alfaro’s men now believe they have a realistic chance of matching their best-ever World Cup run of 2006, when they reached the last 16.

Ecuador are only three points away from making it to the knockout stages.

The Netherlands should present a tougher challenge, but the opening day confidence should propel the Ecuadorians forward.

Team News

Memphis Depay had a 30 minute cameo against Senegal.

The forward did not pick up considerable minutes as he fell down the pecking order at Barcelona and struggled with injuries. So, Van Gaal wanted to ease him into the game. We expect him to start against Ecuador.

Vincent Janssen is likely to make way for Netherlands’ highest scorer in the qualifiers.

Van Gaal is unlikely to make any more changes to the starting lineup.

Frenkie de Jong and Steven Berghuis should return to the midfield in a 3-5-2 setting. Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind will operate as wingbacks.

Marten de Roon recovered from injury and made a substitute appearance against Senegal, but the Atalanta midfielder might have to wait longer to return to the first XI.

Ecuador fans panicked at the sight of Enner Valencia leaving the pitch with an injury on Sunday night. But the former West Ham marksman is expected to be available for selection against Netherlands.

There is no confirmed news yet, but the Ecuador medical team is optimistic about his condition.

Michael Estrada could drop out to accommodate Jeremy Sarmiento as Gustavo Alfaro could seek to introduce more attacking threat from wider areas to bypass Netherlands’ five-man midfield.

Our Prediction

Both of these teams were great in their first matches.

But we believe the Dutch wingbacks could put Ecuador under pressure from the flanks.

We are expecting a 2-1 win for the Netherlands.

FOOTBALL

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

Published

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.