Sports

Brighton picks a point against Marseille

Published

1 year ago

October 6, 2023

Brighton picks a point against Marseille

Joao Pedro scored a late penalty as Brighton fought back from two goals down to earn their first point in European football with a battling Europa League draw at Marseille.

The Seagulls were looking to bounce back after they were thrashed 6-1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

Two goals in as many first-half minutes gave them a mountain to climb as former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba swept in before Jordan Veretout took advantage of a mistake by Brighton captain Lewis Dunk to add a second moments later.

Brighton thought they were awarded a penalty by the video assistant referee (VAR) soon after, with the referee appearing to point to the spot after consulting the pitchside monitor, but instead a free-kick for a foul was given to Marseille.

The visitors overcame that disappointment to pull a goal back early in the second half when Pascal Gross drove in from a Kaoru Mitoma cutback, before Pedro kept his cool to complete the impressive recovery.

After conceding two quick goals, a point looked unlikely for Brighton, who were far from their best in the opening 45 minutes.

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They struggled to produce their usual free-flowing football and were making mistakes in defence, with Mbemba given far too much space for the opener before an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration by Dunk.

When VAR confusion led to Brighton not getting a penalty they thought they had been given before the break, it looked like it would not be their night.

But Roberto de Zerbi’s side came out for the second half much improved as they attacked with pace and a directness that Marseille struggled to deal with.

Gross’ goal gave Brighton hope and when Tariq Lamptey was brought down inside the box, Pedro stepped up to score his third goal in Europe.

There remain concerns over Brighton defensively – they have conceded 20 goals in 10 games in all competitions this season – but they will rightly celebrate this historic point.

With Brighton 2-0 down at half-time, De Zerbi could have been forgiven for fearing a repeat of the Villa game, but his side produced a response to be proud of.

“I’m really proud of the performance today, of the players,” he said.

“After the defeat 6-1 at Villa Park and the second goal to close the first half at 2-0, this reaction is incredible. For it I am very happy.

“It’s important playing with heart, passion and the right behaviour.”

Brighton picks a point against Marseille

BBC

Sports

Real Madrid outclass Pachuca to win FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Real Madrid outclass Pachuca to win FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Kylian Mbappe’s first-half strike at Lusail Stadium – the venue where he scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final exactly two years ago – set Real Madrid on their way before Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr scored after half-time.

Mbappe gave Madrid the lead late in the first half, tapping home from close range after Vinicius had rounded Carlos Moreno in the Pachuca goal.

Rodrygo doubled Madrid’s lead seven minutes into the second half with a sublime curling striker from the edge of the box.

The goal stood following a pitchside monitor review, with referee Jesus Valenzuela deciding that Jude Bellingham had not interfered with play while standing in an offside position.

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Pachuca captain Salomon Rondon had Thibaut Courtois stretching to save a long-range free-kick, before the former West Brom and Everton striker, 35, sent a header narrowly over the crossbar.

A day after being named men’s player of the year at the Fifa Best awards, Vinicius added a third from the penalty spot after Lucas Vazquez was brought down by Oussama Idrissi.

The inaugural edition of the Intercontinental Cup – essentially a replacement for the Fifa Club World Cup, which will instead take place next summer – involved the winners of five continental club competitions taking part in a straight knockout tournament.

Pachuca, winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup, defeated Caf Champions League holders Al-Ahly of Egypt to reach the final. Uefa Champions League winners Madrid did not take part in the previous rounds.

Real Madrid outclass Pachuca to win FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Sports

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. crowned FIFA Player of the Year

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Vinicius Jr

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. crowned FIFA Player of the Year

Vinicius Jr, the electrifying Real Madrid and Brazil winger, has soared to football’s pinnacle, clinching the coveted FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award at the prestigious ceremony in Doha.

The 24-year-old maestro, who famously skipped the recent Ballon d’Or gala after missing out to Manchester City’s midfield dynamo Rodri, turned the tide with this glittering accolade.

It’s a triumph well-earned—Vinicius dazzled in Real Madrid’s sensational Champions League and La Liga double-winning season, netting 24 goals and crafting 11 assists in the 2023-24 campaign.

Draped in glory, Vinicius reflected on his meteoric rise with heartfelt humility: “It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of São Gonçalo, and now I’m here.”

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The moment carried added sweetness for Vinicius, marking his first-ever FIFA Best award—a golden consolation following Real Madrid’s bold boycott of the Ballon d’Or.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s midfield magician Aitana Bonmatí claimed the Women’s Player of the Year title for the second consecutive year, further cementing her dominance on the global stage.

According to BBC, The award, recognising performances from August 2023 to August 2024, was decided through a mix of votes—public input, a journalist from each country, and the captains and coaches of national teams. Each group’s vote carried equal weight, blending opinion and expertise.

Rodri, the architect of Spain’s Euro 2024 success, settled for second place, while Real Madrid’s sensational England star Jude Bellingham completed the podium in third.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. crowned FIFA Player of the Year

Sports

Rashford hints at Man United exit

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Rashford hints at Man United exit

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford appears set to leave the club after claiming he is “ready for a new challenge.”

Rashford was controversially dropped from the squad that faced rivals Manchester City on Sunday fueling speculation over his future.

In a wide-ranging interview published on Tuesday, he told Henry Winter that “personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”

“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’,” he said. “You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

“If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person.

“When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.”

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Rashford made his senior debut in 2015 after rising through the club’s academy and has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances.

He has won two FA Cups and the Europa League for the Red Devils but his form has suffered over the past 18 months, scoring only 15 goals in all competitions since the end of the 2022/23 season.

He was also frozen out of the England squad for Euro 2024 and was reportedly put up for sale on Monday.

“I’m halfway through my career,” he added. “I don’t expect my peak to be now. I’ve had nine years so far in the Premier League and that’s taught me a lot, that’s helped me grow as a player and as a person.

“I don’t have any regrets from the last nine years. I won’t have any regrets going forward because I take things day by day and sometimes bad things happen, sometimes good things happen. I just try and keep a fine balance.”

When asked if the best is yet to come, Rashford replied: “100%. That’s my mentality.”