Sports

Russia 2018 World Cup: Uruguay Send Ronaldo’s Portugal Out 2 – 1

Published

6 years ago

July 1, 2018

Eric

Two goals – one in each half from Edinson Cavani — gave Uruguay a 2-1 win over Portugal. Even though the Uruguayans conceded for the first time in the 2018 World Cup, they march to the quarterfinal against France.

This could be the end of Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 33, must know he can not get his hands on the biggest football prize anymore and he still failed to score in the second round of the FIFA World Cup.

Uruguay were ahead as early as the seventh minute when Cavani and Luis Suarez exchanged passes from one end of the pitch to the other.

Suarez shimmied and produced a lovely cross right unto Cavani’s shoulder cum head and his effort eluded Rui Patricio for the opening goal. That was Suárez’s 12th assist for Cavani in his 44 goals for Uruguay.

Ronaldo almost had a chance at goal on 20 minutes but a timely clearance by Gimenez six yards was enough to keep Ronaldo at bay. Suarez made Patricio produce a one-handed save from a free kick in the 22nd minute.

Uruguay were quite comfortable, keeping the Portuguese at bay in the first half with constant running and tackling from Lucas Torreira, Matias Vecino, and Nahitan Nandez.

Portugal were level as from a short corner worked to Raphael Guerreiro in the 55th minute as Ronaldo took Godin away. It was a towering header from an unmarked Pepe – his sixth for his country.

Then the experienced defender had a head in gifting Uruguay the winner on 62 minutes. Bentancur got the ball off an errant header from Pepe and ran at the defence before picking out Cavani, who finished with a sumptuous curling shot.

Cristhian Stuani came on for Cavani, who was helped off the pitch by Ronaldo. Portugal’s captain then picked up the only yellow card of the match when he got in the face of Mexican referee, César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos in the fourth minute of added time.

On the same day, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi exited the World Cup without having ever scored in the second round of the competition.

Sports

CAF Crowns Ademola Lookman As African Footballer of the Year

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Eric

Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.

Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.

The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.

The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.

Sports

Panel Clears Mbappe of Rape Allegation

Published

2 weeks ago

December 13, 2024

Eric

The Swedish Prosecution Authority announced today that the inquiry into rape allegations against French footballer Kylian Mbappé has been closed due to a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed.

This is according to multiple reports on Thursday morning.

The allegations had drawn international attention, casting a shadow over the football star’s career.

Mbappé, who had consistently denied the allegations, has yet to make an official statement regarding the decision

His legal team had previously emphasised his commitment to due process.

Mbappe was “linked to rape investigation in Sweden” and that he intended to reserve any explanations for the Swedish justice system “if necessary,” according to his lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard.

“He prioritises providing his explanations, if required, to the Swedish judiciary,” Canu-Bernard told AFP, while strongly condemning “media allegations suggesting that Kylian Mbappé had commented on the events of his trip to Stockholm.”

The case, which began earlier this year, involved accusations stemming from an alleged incident in Stockholm. The prosecutor’s decision not to press charges marks the end of months of scrutiny and speculation.

Sports

Man United Engage van Nistelrooy on Interim Basis As Ten Hag Gets the Boot

Published

2 months ago

October 28, 2024

Eric

Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.

The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”