Sports
Ramos bags hat-trick as Portugal reach W’Cup quarter-finals
Goncalo Ramos justified the shock decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring a hat-trick on his full debut as Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to power into the World Cup quarter-finals.
The 21-year-old Ramos, who started instead of Ronaldo, became the youngest player to strike three times in a World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958.
Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao were also on target for a rampant Portugal, who booked a showdown with Morocco on Saturday for a place in the last four in Qatar.
Ronaldo, 37 and now without a club after his departure from Manchester United, has hogged the headlines during the tournament while looking a shadow of his former self.
The only man to score at five World Cups, Ronaldo was left out by coach Fernando Santos against the Swiss following his angry response to being substituted in the last group game.
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It was a bold call to omit a player with a record 118 international goals in favour of giving a full debut to Ramos, the Benfica striker who had played just 33 minutes across three previous appearances.
But it took just 17 minutes for Ramos to reward Santos’ faith, and to achieve something Ronaldo has never done — score in a World Cup knockout game.
Joao Felix clipped delicately into the feet of Ramos, who quickly swivelled past Fabian Schaer and rifled into the roof of the net past a stunned Yann Sommer.
Otavio, who returned to the Portugal midfield after injury in their opening match, shot straight at Sommer before Ramos did likewise moments later.
Xherdan Shaqiri drew a fingertip stop from Diogo Costa with a dipping free-kick from distance, but Portugal soon had their second.
Bruno Fernandes whipped in a corner and the 39-year-old Pepe towered above the Swiss defence to powerfully head home.
Diogo Dalot hacked Remo Freuler’s header off the line after Diogo Costa failed to properly deal with a cross, but the Swiss simply had no answers against an irresistible Portugal.
Ramos turned in his second from close range six minutes into the second half from Dalot’s cross down the right.
He then turned provider by playing in Guerreiro to lash in another just four minutes later as the Swiss defence was ruthlessly ripped apart.
It was also Ramos who inadvertently glanced a corner towards Manuel Akanji at the far post as the Manchester City centre-back pulled one back for Switzerland.
Ramos completed his treble after more outstanding work from Felix, nonchalantly dinking over Sommer with one of his final touches before making way for Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s introduction elicited the biggest roar of the night. Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for a clear offside.
Leao capped off a sensational Portugal performance with a terrific curling strike in stoppage time.
AFP
Sports
Manchester United beat Liverpool in FA Cup seven-goal thriller
Manchester United beat Liverpool in FA Cup seven-goal thriller
Substitute Amad Diallo scored the winner as Manchester United beat rivals Liverpool 4-3 in an FA Cup quarter-final clash at Old Trafford.
United took an early lead thanks to Scott McTominay’s opener but Liverpool drew level when Mac Allister struck. Mohamed Salah gave the visitors the lead and it looked like there were going to win it until substitute Antonio struck in added time.
The match went into extra-time and Harvey Elliot scored for the visitors. Again, it looked like Liverpool had done enough to win the tie when Marcus Rashford who had wasted two glorious chances drew the home team level.
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Amad had the final say. A counter-attack by Manchester United gave the Ivorian a glorious opportunity to steal the limelight and he did, scoring the winner in 120th minute.
Amad was shown a second yellow card for taking off his jersey as his team battled on with 10-men to secure passage to the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Manchester United beat Liverpool in FA Cup seven-goal thriller
Sports
Kane sets new record as Bayern beat Darmstadt
Kane sets new record as Bayern beat Darmstadt
Harry Kane set a new personal best of 31 league goals in a season as Bayern Munich beat Darmstadt to close the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen to seven points.
Darmstadt took the lead through Tim Skarke before Jamal Musiala levelled.
Kane’s diving header put Bayern in front and Musiala dribbled past the Darmstadt defence for his second.
Substitute Serge Gnabry and Mathys Tel made it five for Bayern with Oscar Vilhelmsson scoring Darmstadt’s second.
Despite being bottom of the table, Darmstadt gave Bayern a few scares in the first half but tired in the second period as Bayern exerted their control.
There was one moment of concern for England captain Kane in the second half when he appeared to injure his ankle colliding with a goalpost.
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Kane was substituted after the incident in the 82nd minute and Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel was unsure how serious it was.
“He slipped and fell into the net and twisted his ankle,” said Tuchel. “He’s cooling it down with ice and we don’t have a diagnosis yet.
“When Harry goes off it’s never a good sign because Harry never goes off when there’s still goals to score.”
Kane had previously scored 30 goals in two Premier League seasons while at Tottenham Hotspur.
He has also set a new record for the most goals in a Bundesliga debut campaign, overtaking the previous record set by Uwe Seeler (30) for Hamburg in 1963-64 – which was the first season of the Bundesliga.
He will return to England for the Champions League quarter-finals next month when Bayern face his old foes Arsenal – he has scored 14 goals against the Gunners in 19 appearances.
The first leg takes place at Emirates Stadium on 9 April with the return leg a week later on 17 April.
Kane sets new record as Bayern beat Darmstadt
Sports
FA Cup: Manchester City, 1 other team qualify for semi-finals
FA Cup: Manchester City, 1 other team qualify for semi-finals
Two teams have booked their places in this season’s FA Cup semi-finals.
They are Coventry City and Manchester City.
The Championship side stunned Wolves with two injury-time goals to win 3-2 at the Molineux on Saturday.
US forward Haji Wright’s strike booked Coventry’s place in the last four for only the second time in the club’s history.
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At the Etihad, Bernardo Silva scored twice in the first half, as City beat Newcastle United 2-0.
The last two spots will be decided on Sunday, when Chelsea host Leicester City and Manchester United clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
FA Cup: Manchester City, 1 other team qualify for semi-finals
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