Sports

Rodrygo scores as Brazil beat Ecuador in World Cup qualifier

Published

2 weeks ago

September 7, 2024

Rodrygo scores as Brazil beat Ecuador in World Cup qualifier

Brazil got back to winning ways in the South American World Cup qualifiers with a drab 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday thanks to first-half goal by Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

After its first streak of losses in three successive qualifiers, Brazil did just enough to earn the win that lifted the struggling five-time World Cup champions to fourth in the standings with 10 points.

They are eight points behind leaders Argentina and only two points over Ecuador in sixth, the last spot guaranteed a berth at the 2026 finals.

Playing their first match after a disappointing Copa America defeat to Uruguay in the quarter-final, Brazil had another lacklustre performance, dominating possession but failing to create clear chances throughout the match.

Brazil misplaced too many passes and struggled to connect up front, out of ideas on how to beat Ecuador’s rock solid defensive block.

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Ecuador were relentless while applying a physically aggressive pressure high with three hardworking forwards, making the locals uncomfortable when putting the ball in play. They Brazil almost no room to get inside their box either, forcing them to roam the ball horizontally around their penalty area and resort to strikes from long range.

Brazil’s only two shots on target on the first half were made by Rodrygo, who, after stinging the goalkeeper’s hands from a free kick early, were lucky to break the deadlock in the 29th minute. His effort fired from the edge of the box deflected off a defender and arched around the wrong-footed goalkeeper before hitting the right post and finding the back of the net.

Ecuador almost levelled in a counterattack right before the break, but defender Gabriel Magalhaes denied Moises Caicedo’s effort with a last-minute goal-line clearance.

Brazil came back even worse in the second half, with an uninspired Vinicius Jr creating their only shot on target in an absolutely morose 45 minutes, with boos greeting the final whistle.

“We needed this win, doesn’t matter if it was ugly or not. I’m happy with the victory and to have scored, and I hope it helps us getting better and progressing to the level that we want to reach moving forward,” Rodrygo told Brazilian TV Globo.

Rodrygo scores as Brazil beat Ecuador in World Cup qualifier

Sports

Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game

Published

17 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game

Manchester United enjoyed a dominant performance in the EFL Cup, securing their biggest victory under manager Erik ten Hag with a crushing win over League One side Barnsley.

United sailed into the last-16 of the competition, delivering an emphatic 7-0 win.

Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and veteran midfielder Christian Eriksen each scored twice, while Brazilian winger Antony converted a first-half penalty, contributing to the rout.

This win marked United’s most significant victory since their 9-0 demolition of Southampton in February 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions kept the stands empty.

For Ten Hag, this match was a milestone as it was the first time his team scored five or more goals since his appointment. Eriksen’s late brace further added to the celebratory mood, capping a night that the Dutch manager described as “perfect.”

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“For the team, this is the perfect night,” said Ten Hag. “We did everything we planned—winning to reach the next round, scoring some great goals, entertaining the fans, and working on our game model, so we are happy.”

Despite the vocal support from Barnsley’s traveling fans, Darrell Clarke’s side was thoroughly outmatched.

Their most notable moment came when Clarke himself showed a brilliant touch to control a ball that had gone out of play, earning applause from both sets of supporters.

United also handed a first start to their £50.5 million signing, Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder looked assured throughout the game, giving Ten Hag confidence that his team is nearing the complete squad he envisioned when he took over in 2022.

Despite the victory, Ten Hag remains grounded. “I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool, and I’m not celebrating now. We will see where we are in May because then we have to be good,” he said, emphasizing the long-term goals for the season.

Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game

Sports

Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy

Published

18 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy

A 51-year-old Irish Liverpool fan tragically lost his life on Monday night while attempting to cross the A4 highway near Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo, Italy.

Reports from multiple Italian media outlets indicate that the unnamed fan had just arrived in Italy from Manchester when he was struck by a vehicle.

Local authorities found the man’s body near the airport, with no sign of the two individuals who had accompanied him on the trip.

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According to the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, the deceased was a devoted Liverpool supporter and held a ticket for the highly anticipated Champions League match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the San Siro stadium.

The unfortunate incident occurred as he was trying to reach the NH Hotel, where he was set to stay before the big match.

Investigations are currently underway, and the tragic death of this Liverpool fan has cast a shadow over what was meant to be an exciting European adventure for supporters.

Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy

Sports

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Luis Castroa and Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach

Saudi Arabian outfit, Al Nassr on Tuesday sacked Luis Castro as coach of the club.

The Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday that Castro had been dismissed from his role following weeks of speculation over his future.

“Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club,” read a club statement, posted on X.

“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”

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Castro, 63, leaves Al Nassr seventh in the Saudi Pro League, three games into the new season.

Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to take charge of the Saudi club instead, with a deal “on the verge” of being agreed.