Sports

Mexico exit World Cup despite beating Saudi Arabia

Published

2 years ago

December 1, 2022

Mexico suffered an agonising exit from the World Cup on goal difference on Wednesday despite beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a dramatic finale to Group C.

Second-half goals from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez secured victory for Mexico but they finished third behind Poland after Salem Al-Dawsari’s late strike.

Mexico desperately pushed for a third goal in an effort to improve their goal difference as they faced elimination on FIFA fair play rules.

Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina in their opening match was one of the World Cup’s great upsets, but they crashed back down to earth with a 2-0 loss to Poland in their second game.

Coach Herve Renard urged his players to show that was no flash in the pan and write themselves into Saudi football history by reaching knockout rounds for the first time since 1994.

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Having failed to win either of their first two group games for the first time in 44 years, Mexico knew victory was essential if they were to stand a chance of reaching the last 16 at an eighth successive World Cup.

Mexico boss Gerardo Martino ditched the back five he used in the 2-0 loss to Argentina and brought in Martin to lead the attack.

It almost reaped immediate rewards but Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais raced out to block Alexis Vega after he was slipped in behind the defence by Hirving Lozano.

Al-Owais, one of the heroes of the 2-1 win over Argentina, tentatively palmed away a bouncing cross ahead of a lunging Martin and held weak attempts by Chavez and Orbelin Pineda.

Mohamed Kanno whipped a free-kick just over for Saudi Arabia, who saw defender Ali Al-Bulayhi forced off with injury — adding to their mounting casualty list.

Mexico continued to attack without success and Ali Al-Hassan nearly sent the bulk of the largely Saudi crowd wild late in the first half with a diving header that flashed wide of the far post.

Chavez tested Al-Owais right after the interval and Martin soon broke the deadlock as he turned in from close range following Cesar Montes’ clever flick-on at a corner.

Mexico’s second goal arrived just five minutes later when Chavez sensationally curled a free-kick into the top corner from 30 metres.

Keeping an eye on the score between Argentina and Poland, Mexico pushed relentlessly for a third goal, with Lozano’s effort ruled out for a tight offside.

Martin blazed over when he had a glorious chance and Chavez had another free-kick turned away by Al-Owais, who also sprawled to his right to claw out a drive from Lozano.

Uriel Antuna then had another goal disallowed for offside before Al-Dawsari’s late strike put an end to the drama.

AFP

Sports

Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal

Published

4 hours ago

April 5, 2025

Trends Admin

Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the second half, including a penalty, to guide Al-Nassr to a 3-1 win over Al-Hilal in the race for the Saudi Pro League title on Friday.

Al-Nassr remain in the third place with 54 points but they are now three points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and seven off leaders Al-Ittihad, who visit Al-Ahli on Saturday.

Al-Nassr opened the scoring before the interval when Ali Al Hassan curled a shot past goalkeeper Yassin Bono.

Ronaldo made it 2-0 two minutes after the break with a precise shot after a pass from Sadio Mane.

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Reigning champions Al-Hilal tried to fight back playing on the counter attack and reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute through Ali Al Bulayhi’s close-range header after a corner.

However, Ronaldo wrapped up the points for Al-Nassr with a penalty in the 88th minute awarded for a handball by substitute Mouteb Al-Harbi following a VAR review.

“The team effort was crucial to this win and me scoring is important but it’s more important to win” Ronaldo told SSC.

“I work hard to help the team in the SPL and Champions League and don’t concentrate on individual records” he added.

Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal

Sports

Wife of Manchester United goalkeeper, Onana, robbed of £62,000 handbag, Rolex

Published

4 hours ago

April 5, 2025

Trends Admin

Andre Onanaa and wife, Melanie Kamayou

Wife of Manchester United goalkeeper, Onana, robbed of £62,000 handbag, Rolex

The wife of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was reportedly the victim of a luxury theft involving a £62,000 Hermes Birkin handbag and a Rolex watch.

Melanie Kamayou, a model and businesswoman, had the valuable items snatched during an incident outside an Italian restaurant in the Cheshire village of Alderley Edge on March 29.

According to The Daily Mail, 25-year-old Liam Ross, from the Wibsey area of Bradford, has been charged in connection with the robbery. He also faces a separate charge of supplying cannabis. Ross appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday and is due to appear again at Chester Crown Court in May.

Kamayou, who identifies as a pharmacist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, frequently shares photos of her luxury lifestyle on social media. Among her collection is the Hermes Birkin handbag taken during the alleged theft—one of the most exclusive fashion items in the world. Some Birkin bags have been known to fetch prices in the hundreds of thousands of pounds, with the most expensive on record selling for over £1.5 million.

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Melanie has been married to Cameroonian international Onana since 2023, and the couple reportedly share a son. They relocated to the UK following Onana’s transfer to Manchester United from Inter Milan last summer.

Since joining the Premier League club, Onana has made 92 appearances, including in United’s recent 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

The couple resides in Alderley Edge, an affluent area known for its celebrity residents and luxury lifestyle. The village—often dubbed “the Knightsbridge of the North”—has long been a magnet for footballing elite, with former and current stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk all associated with the area.

Wife of Manchester United goalkeeper, Onana, robbed of £62,000 handbag, Rolex

Sports

Liverpool leap closer to title with narrow Everton win

Published

2 days ago

April 3, 2025

Trends Admin

Liverpool leap closer to title with narrow Everton win

Liverpool claimed bragging rights on Merseyside with victory over rivals Everton and edged closer to lifting the Premier League title.

Arne Slot’s men require only 13 points from a possible 24 available to guarantee a deserved and record-equalling 20th top-flight triumph.

The Reds were being frustrated by Everton’s backline sitting deep, but claimed the three points courtesy of a moment of magic from Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese forward was on the periphery of the game but collected Luis Diaz’s cute backheel before showcasing dancing feet by jinking past challenges and slotting home.

Before the deadlock was broken, a moment of controversy was the main talking point with Everton defender James Tarkowski incredibly fortunate to stay on the pitch.

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Tarkowski received only a yellow card early on when he won the ball with a sliding challenge but caught Alexis Mac Allister on the knee with his studs with the follow-through.

The video assistant referee (VAR) decided not to upgrade the tackle to a red card and Dominik Szoboszlai curled the resulting free-kick narrowly wide, while the in-form Mohamed Salah headed straight at Jordan Pickford at the back post.

Beto had the Liverpool backline rattled and saw a goal ruled out for offside after outmuscling Virgil van Dijk.

The striker got the better of the Reds captain again, but this time could only hit the post when one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher.

Liverpool and their supporters looked to up the ante in the second period and Ryan Gravenberch’s stinging drive from range was pushed away by Pickford, but Jota’s 56th-minute strike made the difference.