Bench Cristiano Ronaldo for initial Euro 2024, Paul Merson tells Portugal – Newstrends
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Bench Cristiano Ronaldo for initial Euro 2024, Paul Merson tells Portugal

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9 months ago

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Cristiano Ronaldo

Bench Cristiano Ronaldo for initial Euro 2024, Paul Merson tells Portugal

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has urged Portugal manager Roberto Martinez to bench captain Cristiano Ronaldo for their first two matches at Euro 2024. Merson suggests that Martinez should prioritize securing qualification to the knockout stages before considering the Al-Nassr forward for their final group game.

The Euro 2024 tournament kicks off this Friday in Germany, with Portugal placed in Group F alongside Turkey, Czech Republic, and Georgia.

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Discussing Portugal’s prospects, Merson told Sportskeeda, “Portugal are an aging team but they have a lot of experience within the squad. Ronaldo is still their captain and banging in the goals in Saudi Arabia, but I think they will see what he is like in the camp and take a call on his selection. I would personally leave him out of the first two games and get qualification sorted before bringing him back for the final encounter.”

Bench Cristiano Ronaldo for initial Euro 2024, Paul Merson tells Portugal

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Chelsea 1-0 victory against Leicester boosts top four hopes

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22 hours ago

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March 10, 2025

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Chelsea 1-0 victory against Leicester boosts top four hopes

Chelsea boosted their bid to qualify for the Champions League as Marc Cucurella’s rocket sealed a 1-0 win over Leicester.

Cucurella struck in the second half at Stamford Bridge to lift Chelsea above Manchester City into fourth in the Premier League.

The Blues are two points ahead of City in the race for the top four finish that guarantees a Champions League berth.

It was only Chelsea’s fourth victory in their last 12 league games as they responded to boss Enzo Maresca’s challenge to win all their remaining home matches.

Maresca believes that should be enough to ensure Champions League action, but Chelsea will have to improve on a spluttering performance against second-bottom Leicester.

Cole Palmer missed a penalty for Chelsea and was later substituted, making it seven league games without a goal or assist amid criticism of the England forward’s frustrated body language.

Maresca left Leicester at the end of last season after leading them to promotion and the Foxes look destined to return to the Championship without him.

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Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side have lost five successive league games and sit six points from safety.

Chelsea legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Dennis Wise, Kerry Dixon and Ron Harris were on the pitch before kick-off to celebrate the club’s 120th anniversary.

This was far from a highlight moment in Chelsea’s illustrious history however.

Victor Kristiansen’s clumsy challenge pole-axed Jadon Sancho, earning Chelsea a first half spot-kick.

Usually such a ruthless penalty taker, Palmer seized the ball as he looked to end his drought, only for Mads Hermansen to deny him with a superb save.

It was the first penalty miss of Palmer’s career and Leicester almost made him pay immediately.

Error-prone Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez completely missed James Justin’s cross and Tosin Adarabioyo’s miscued headed clearance thudded off the woodwork.

Chelsea finally took the lead in spectacular fashion on the hour when Spanish defender Cucurella drilled into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Chelsea 1-0 victory against Leicester boosts top four hopes

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Flamingos defeat South Africa 3-1 in U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier

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2 days ago

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March 9, 2025

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Flamingos

Flamingos defeat South Africa 3-1 in U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier

Nigeria’s Flamingos secured a 3-1 victory over South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday in the first leg of the second round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Harmony Chidi netted a brace, while Shakirat Moshood also found the back of the net, putting the Flamingos in a strong position to advance to the final qualifying round.

Moshood opened the scoring in the 20th minute, before Chidi doubled the lead in the 41st minute from the penalty spot.

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South Africa were awarded a penalty of their own, which Katlego Malebana converted in the 47th minute to make it 2-1.

The Flamingos will host South Africa in the second leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on March 15.

The winner of the tie will move on to the final qualifying stage, where they will face either Botswana or Algeria.

Four African teams will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2025.

 

Flamingos defeat South Africa 3-1 in U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier

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EPL: Amorim’s wife unhappy in Manchester United

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4 days ago

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March 7, 2025

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Amorim’s wife unhappy in Manchester United

EPL: Amorim’s wife unhappy in Manchester United

Maria João Diogo, the wife of Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, is reportedly unhappy with her life after swapping Lisbon for Manchester, according to The Sun.

She married Amorim in 2013 and relocated to England with their two children when he succeeded Erik ten Hag in November.

However, Maria has struggled to acclimate to life in the north-west of England.

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According to reports from the United training ground, Maria, a renowned interior designer and businesswoman in her own right, is having difficulty adjusting to Manchester owing to the rain, wind, and dark evenings.

She is not the first partner of a player or staff member at the club to express dissatisfaction with the city.

After joining Manchester United for £59.7 million from Real Madrid in 2014, Ángel Di María’s wife, Jorgelina Cardoso, had a negative view of the club after only 11 months.

 

EPL: Amorim’s wife unhappy in Manchester United

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