Saturday 24 March 2018

On This Day In Football History

Netherlands soccer team's 1st victory over England, 24th March, 1913

Scores: 2 - 1

Referee: Charles Barette

Venue: HBS DEN HAAG

Attendance: 16,000


Netherlands

Manager: T Bradchow

1  England

Goals:

Huug de Groot4G
Huug de Groot56G

Goals:

Vivian Woodward




Hector Bellerin is happy at Arsenal - Agent

HECTOR BELLERIN'S agent has revealed he has received NO offers for his client, with the Arsenal star very happy in North London.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Emirates recently, where he is tied down until 2023.
 Arsenal star Hector Bellerin has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Juventus recently
It has been reported that Arsene Wenger would be willing to cash in on the Spanish international if they receive a bid of £50million.
Manchester United are believed to have identified Bellerin as the successor to Antonio Valenia, while Juventus remain keen on the former Watford loanee.
But Albert Botines has claimed that he is yet to receive any offers for the defender, who was reportedly involved in a bust-up with Wenger earlier this month.
He told Italian radio station CRC: "There’s no contact for Bellerin, no-one has sought me out. "He’s happy, he’s recently renewed and he’s playing consistently. It’s true that every player always wants to grow, but right now it’s difficult [to see him leaving].
"If the Azzurri were interested in some of my clients I would listen, because - just like Juventus - Napoli are not only a great team in Italy but also now in Europe." While he also added: "Every summer there is interest from clubs but Arsenal have not made me aware that any offers have arrived."
Barcelona were keen on luring Bellerin back to Spain last summer, but failed in their quest to nab their former youth starlet.
From The Sun

Manchester City ‘want Neymar from PSG

MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly eyeing a shock swoop for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar.
Mundo Deportivo  claims the Brazilian ace is on Pep Guardiola’s shortlist as City look to improve on their already star-studded squad.

 Man City are eyeing a shock move for Neymar
Neymar, 26, only joined PSG for a world-record £195million fee from Barcelona last summer.
But he is believed to be unhappy in the French capital, opening the door for a move away after the World Cup.
Real Madrid have been strongly linked with a bid for Neymar, who is regarded as the best player in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But City could now step in and complete a stunning deal, with Neymar apparently keen on working with Guardiola at some point in his career. The former Santos man joined Barcelona after Guardiola’s time in charge at the Nou Camp.
And it’s said Neymar could jump at the chance for a link-up should City make their interest formal with a bid. The report adds that Manchester United are keeping tabs on the whizz following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s exit to LA Galaxy.
But Neymar is most likely to stay put at PSG for at least one more season, with Real still considered strong favourites for his signature – but only in 2019.

Bayern Munich ‘want Harry Kane to replace Robert Lewandowski’

BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly eyeing Tottenham superstar Harry Kane as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Spanish newspaper Marca claims Bayern’s Polish striker will leave the Allianz Arena this summer after ditching his agent for notorious transfer guru Pini Zahavi.
 Bayern Munich are reportedly eyeing a move for Harry Kane
Lewandowski has been linked with a number of teams including Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Bayern are reluctant to lose him but were said to be taking an interest in RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner as a replacement.
However, it now seems club chiefs are aiming higher, with Kane said to be top of the pile right now.
The England international has been in fantastic form for yet another season, scoring 24 goals in the Premier League. But Bayern may face a tough ask trying to prise Kane away from Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The hitman is seen as Spurs’ key player for now and the future, and it would probably take a new world-record fee to secure his signature. However, Bayern’s interest in Kane won’t progress if Lewandowski ends up staying in Bavaria.
Werner would also be a much more viable option for the reigning Bundesliga champions and would also fit with their policy of poaching their rivals’ best players – especially German ones.
From The Sun

Colombia stun France In Friendly

Substitute Juan Quintero lashed home a penalty five minutes from time as Colombia came back from 2-0 down to stun France 3-2 on Friday.
Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti was penalised for a rash lunge on Quintero's fellow substitute Jose Izquierdo as the South Americans received a morale boost ahead of the World Cup in Russia.
"My team showed World Cup character," beamed Colombia coach Jose Pekerman, whose side will face Poland, Senegal and Japan in Group H.
"It's very important for this preparation for Russia." France coach Didier Deschamps admitted the visitors had shown greater desire.
"The Colombians gave us a lesson in aggressiveness, whereas we were too quick to settle for what we had," he told TMC television.
"The top level is demanding and we didn't respond in the second half."
France will be up against Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C in Russia.
It was a remarkable turnaround after the hosts had got off to a flying start at the Stade de France.
Olivier Giroud scored his 30th goal for France as Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was left on the bench – as he has frequently been by Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
Thomas Lemar doubled the lead for a vibrant France but Luis Muriel gave the South Americans hope following a mistake by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Lemar's Monaco teammate Radamel Falcao equalised and Quintero then had the last word, just two minutes after entering the fray.
Pogba came on as a substitute for the final quarter but had little impact.
The game began after a minute's silence in memory of the three victims of the jihadist attacker who struck in southwest France earlier in the day before being shot dead by police.
Even without the elegant drive that Pogba brings to the midfield, France were on the front foot from the off.
But when they deservedly took the lead on 11 minutes, it was almost entirely down to a horrendous gaffe by Arsenal reserve goalkeeper David Ospina.
Lucas Digne timed his run down the left flank perfectly to gallop onto Lemar's inch-perfect through ball but the full-back's cross on the stretch was weak and straight at Ospina.
The Arsenal stopper inexplicably fumbled it, though, allowing Giroud to thrash a rising shot into the roof of the net as he fell backwards.
It meant he matched the number of goals scored in a France shirt by former greats Just Fontaine and Jean-Pierre Papin.
Lemar doubled the lead with a beautifully-worked team goal on 26 minutes.
Djibril Sidibe started a rapier counter-attack that saw Kylian Mbappe exchange passes with Antoine Griezmann, whose backheeled return when in a shooting position seemed unnecessary, but Mbappe helped the ball on to Lemar to slash home left-footed.
SHORT-LIVED JOY
France's joy was short-lived as the goalkeeping union had an evening to forget.
Two minutes later Luis Muriel's inswinging cross from the left looked to be heading harmlessly into Lloris's arms.
But the Tottenham goalkeeper was put off by Davinson Sanchez's attempts to divert the cross home from inside the six-yard box and dived the wrong way as the ball plopped almost apologetically past him.
Colombia created little but James Rodriguez curled a free-kick just over the bar in first half injury time.
And they were the more lively at the start of the second period with Muriel having two early chances.
France didn't take note and Colombia soon equalised as N'Golo Kante lost possession in midfield and James scampered clear down the right before pulling back a cross for Falcao to convert from 15 yards.
A week after his brace for Sevilla helped knock Manchester United out of the Champions League, Wissam Ben Yedder came on for Giroud to make his France debut, but to little effect.
It was instead Colombian substitutes Quintero and Izquierdo who made the difference.
From SuperSport 

Mexico, Peru and Morocco enjoy wins

MEXICO SINK ICELAND
Marco Fabian curled a free-kick home from 25 yards shortly before halftime to spark Mexico to a 3-0 win over Iceland on Friday. 
Miguel Layun doubled Mexico's lead in the 64th minute when he fired home an angled drive. He then made it 3-0 in injury time with a spectacular strike from 40 yards out. 
Mexico kick off their World Cup campaign against champions Germany on 17 June and then play South Korea on 23 June and Sweden four days later.
Iceland, who are preparing for their first appearance at the World Cup finals, begin their campaign against Argentina on 16 June before playing Nigeria six days later, and then Croatia on 26 June.
PERU BEAT CROATIA IN FLORIDA
A goal early in each half gave Peru a 2-0 win over Croatia in a lacklustre friendly in Florida on Friday. Andre Carillo gave Peru the lead after 11 minutes when his deflected shot from outside the box wrong-footed the Croatian goalkeeper. Edison Flores doubled their lead three minutes into the second period when he poked the ball home from close range after a quick counterattack. Peru had Yoshimar Yotun sent off after 74 minutes but the Croatians found goalkeeper Carlos Cacida in fine form. Peru, who will compete in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982, kick off their campaign on 16 June against Denmark and then face France on 21 June before taking on Australia five days later. Croatia play Nigeria in their opening match on 16 June, before facing Argentina five days later and then playing Iceland on 26 June. 
ZIYECH HELPS MOROCCO BEAT SERBIA
Midfielder Hakim Ziyech scored one goal and set up another to help lively Morocco beat Serbia 2-1 in a friendly on Friday as both nations started their build-up to the World Cup in Russia. 
Ziyech gave Morocco the lead as he converted a 29th-minute penalty and he delivered the inch-perfect cross for Khalid Boutaib to head the winner after Dusan Tadic had equalised. 
The Serbians started in an adventurous formation with three forwards and two attacking midfielders, but the unfamiliar strategy left anchorman Nemanja Matic with too much work to do. 
Toothless in attack, they looked shaky at the back whenever Morocco came forward and Ziyech made no mistake with the spot-kick after Nikola Maksimovic hauled down Nordin Amrabat. 
Tadic, making his 50th international appearance, levelled with a crisp shot from eight metres with his weaker right foot in the 37th minute after a defence-splitting pass by Adem Ljajic left him with time and space. 
The Moroccans were in front again three minutes later as Ziyech broke down the right and swung in a delightful cross for Boutaib, whose header gave goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic no chance.
Filip Kostic and Aleksandar Mitrovic missed late chances for Serbia, who face Nigeria in another warm-up at Barnet's stadium in London on Tuesday.
From SuperSport 

Nigeria down Poland in Friendly

Chelsea winger Victor Moses won and converted a harshly awarded penalty to give Nigeria a surprise 1-0 win in Poland on Friday in a World Cup warm-up. 
Moses fell after the merest of touches before calmly stroking the ball into the corner of the net as Polish goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski barely moved in Wroclaw.
While friendly results are often misleading, Nigerian confidence will be boosted by defeating a team ranked sixth in the world, 46 places above the west Africans. It was the second notable friendly scalp for the 'Super Eagles' after a 4-2 triumph over 2014 World Cup runners-up Argentina last year.
Nigeria face the South Americans again during in the group stage in Russia, along with Croatia and Iceland.
Polish star Robert Lewandowski was foiled by the woodwork after eight minutes and had a close-range shot blocked by young goalkeeper Francis Uzoho in the second half. 
Morocco were another World Cup qualifier to win in Europe with Khalid Boutaib netting the decisive goal on 40 minutes in a 2-1 win over Serbia in Italian city Turin.
A Hakim Ziyech penalty put the 'Atlas Lions' ahead but Dusan Tadic equalised for Serbia, who haven't qualified for Russia.
Tunisia gave first caps to three France-born players – defenders Ellyes Skhiri and Yohan Benalouane, and midfielder Seif-Eddine Khaoui – as they beat Iran 1-0 in Rades. 
The trio were eligible because their parents are Tunisian and officials reacted to criticism by saying "they were casting their net wide to ensure all the conditions for (World Cup) success". 
The clash of two Russia-bound teams was decided by a Milad Mohammadi own-goal after 71 minutes.
Senegal started with an experimental team that lacked star attacker Sadio Mane and had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Uzbekistan in Moroccan city Casablanca. 
Otabek Shukurov converted a first half penalty and Moussa Konate equalised midway through the second half after slick passing gave him a close-range opportunity.
In friendlies not involving African qualifiers for the World Cup, Mali drew 1-1 with Japan in Belgian city Liege and Gambia were held 1-1 at home by the Central African Republic. 
Abdoulaye Diaby scored off a late first half penalty for the Malians, who were deprived of victory by a Shoya Nakajima goal five minutes into stoppage time.
Gambia protested in vain that the Central African Republic leveller by Foxi Kethevoama 15 minutes from time entered the net via the side netting.
Assan Ceesay put the Gambians ahead just before the hour in Bakau, firing a rebound into the net after a penalty had been parried.
A further eight friendlies involving African teams are scheduled for Saturday, including the Ivory Coast against Togo in France and Zambia at home to South Africa.
From SuperSport 

Germany 1 Spain 1: Thomas Muller cancels out Rodrigo’s opener

THOMAS MULLER curled in a beauty as the two World Cup favourites battled out an entertaining draw.
Germany will head to Russia looking to defend their crown but 2010 winners Spain will also have high aspirations of lifting the trophy in Moscow come July.

 Rodrigo Moreno opened the scoring with a delightful chip in the fifth minute
It was Spain who quickly stamped their authority on proceedings with a slice of magic from midfield maestro Andres Iniesta.
Mats Hummels was left on his heels when the Barcelona legend played a defence splitting pass into the path of Rodrigo Moreno.
The Valencia forward casually lifted the ball over Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give his World Cup chances a major boost.
Moreno, 27, was making just his fourth appearance for Spain and justified his selection as he tussles with Diego Costa to lead the line in Russia this summer. It was Spain who quickly stamped their authority on proceedings with a slice of magic from midfield maestro Andres Iniesta.
Mats Hummels was left on his heels when the Barcelona legend played a defence splitting pass into the path of Rodrigo Moreno.
The Valencia forward casually lifted the ball over Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give his World Cup chances a major boost.
Moreno, 27, was making just his fourth appearance for Spain and justified his selection as he tussles with Diego Costa to lead the line in Russia this summer. Germany went up the other end with a blistering counter attack and Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan was denied by another fine stop by De Gea.
Hummels then went close to putting the home side ahead when his looping header from Toni Kroos' free-kick clattered the top of the crossbar.
Germany face another tough test against the Brazilians on Tuesday while Spain take on Argentina.
From The Sun

Argentina 2 Italy 0: Ever Banega and Manuel Lanzini fire late crackers

EVER BANEGA just loves playing in Manchester. Ten days after producing a stunning display for Sevilla at Old Trafford, the midfielder hit a late opener in Argentina's Etihad win over Italy.

 Argentina's two goalscorers Manuel Lanzini and Ever Banega celebrate
West Ham star Manuel Lanzini then doubled the victory margin in equally clinical fashion at Manchester City's half-empty ground
Gianluigi Buffon, who came out of retirement for this friendly, had produced two impressive saves in the first-half as the South Americans were on top.
And, with the Azzurri taking control in the second half, it was Chelsea No 2 Willy Caballero show off his shotstopping talent.
However, with the game seemingly petering out into a goalless draw, Banega's effort trickled past Buffon to all but settle the contest 15 minutes from time. Italy, who take on England in their next friendly, struggled for possession in a dour first 45 minutes, despite starting two of the best ball-playing central midfielders in Europe.
But Jorginho and Marco Verratti had very limited influence, with Buffon taking the plaudits for the Europeans.

Portugal 2 Egypt 1: Cristiano Ronaldo nets dramatic injury-time double

CRISTIANO RONALDO netted a dramatic injury-time double to guide Portugal to a late victory over Egypt.
Liverpool's Egyptian star Mo Salah followed up his four goals against Watford by scoring early in the second half and looked to have secured the win in Switzerland.

 Cristiano Ronaldo broke Egyptian hearts after netting a late winner in Switzerland
But Ronaldo came up clutch at the death to turn the match on it's head in Switzerland.
Egypt had been warned by the Real Madrid forward as he spurned two chances in the opening minutes.
The Los Blancos star first blazed his left-footed effort high and wide over the bar, before his shot from the centre of the box was blocked.
Abdallah El Said then almost netted for the African country in the eighth minute, but his strike was saved by the outstretched arms of Antonio Pimparel before it could nestle in the bottom corner.
The chances kept coming as Salah, Andre Silva, Joao Mario and Ruben Neves were all foiled in their attempts to open the scoring, before Ronaldo's indirect free-kick was cleared off the line in the 26th minute. And the ex-Manchester United star then thought he had broken the deadlock with a header in the 42nd minute, only to have his goal ruled out for offside.
Salah then showed why you can't give him an opportunity to shoot after dispatching a strike low into the bottom left corner in the 56th minute, with a fierce drive from outside the box.
Gelson Martins then found Quaresma in the 72nd minute, but the winger's effort was well saved by Mohamed El Shenawy on his Egyptian debut.
It looked as though Portugal were heading for defeat, until Ronaldo powered a header in from close range after meeting a Quaresma delivery in the 92nd minute to set up a grandstand finish. And Ronaldo sent his fans into delirium three minutes later after again finding the back of the net with a header.
VAR had to be used to award the goal over doubts over whether the five-time Ballon d'Or winner strayed offside, but the strike stood to break Egyptian hearts.