Sports
U-20 Women’s W’Cup: Nigeria loses 1-3 to Germany, face Venezuela
U-20 Women’s W’Cup: Nigeria loses 1-3 to Germany, face Venezuela
Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, suffered a 1-3 defeat against Germany in their second group match of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Bogotá on Wednesday night.
Germany took the lead in the 17th minute with a header from 17-year-old Alara Sehitler, but Chiamaka Okwuchukwu equalised in the second half with a close-range finish. However, Sehitler restored Germany’s lead on the hour mark, and Sarah Ernst sealed the win with a third goal in stoppage time.
With this victory, Germany secured their spot at the top of Group D and advanced to the second round, while Nigeria must earn a win against Venezuela in their final group match on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.
The Nigerian team, coached by Chris Danjuma, missed several scoring chances that could have altered the outcome. In the second minute, striker Okwuchukwu broke away from her markers, but Germany’s goalkeeper made a superb save with her right foot.
Germany posed an aerial threat throughout the match. In the 28th minute, Marie Steiner nearly doubled Germany’s lead, narrowly missing from five meters out. One minute later, Nigeria’s Flourish Sabastine delivered a promising cross from the left flank, but it was just beyond Okwuchukwu’s reach.
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Nigeria also suffered from defensive errors. In the 30th minute, Philomina Yina made a crucial block after a miscommunication between goalkeeper Shukura Bakare and defender Shukurat Oladipo. Germany came close again in the 36th minute when Lisa Baum missed a close-range opportunity. Just before halftime, Rofiat Imuran’s shot went directly to Germany’s keeper, Rebecca Adamczyk, wasting another chance for Nigeria.
Early in the second half, a mix-up between Germany’s Jella Veit and Adamczyk gifted Okwuchukwu a golden opportunity to equalise, which she capitalised . Germany’s second goal came from poor defending, as Nigerian captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem was out-muscled by Cora Zicai, allowing her to send in a cross that Sehitler tapped home in the 62nd minute. This mirrored Germany’s first goal, which came from Zicai overpowering Ohaegbulem.
Okwuchukwu briefly thought she had levelled the score a minute later, but her strike was ruled out for offside. Coach Danjuma made a tactical substitution in the 70th minute, bringing on Opeyemi Ajakaye for Imuran, but Germany continued to pressure Nigeria’s defense,
Substitute Sophie Nachtigall went past Ohaegbulem in the 75th minute, but Zicai headed the resulting cross over the bar. In the 83rd minute, Okwuchukwu fired a shot from inside the box, but it lacked power.
Another German substitute, Sarah Ernst, headed home Germany’s third goal in the second minute of stoppage time to complete the victory.
As Germany celebrated on the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo pitch, Coach Danjuma now faces the challenge of shoring up Nigeria’s defence, particularly on the left flank, where all three German goals originated. He must also find ways to improve the team’s attacking efficiency, which proved to be the decisive factor between earning a point and suffering a defeat.
U-20 Women’s W’Cup: Nigeria loses 1-3 to Germany, face Venezuela
Sports
Arsenal climb to second in EPL with 1-0 win over Ipswich
Arsenal climb to second in EPL with 1-0 win over Ipswich
LONDON: Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 1-0 home win against Ipswich on Friday.
Mikel Arteta’s side is six points behind leader Liverpool, which has a game in hand.
Second-bottom Ipswich had won two of its last three away games but was up against it from the start at the Emirates.
The visitors did not have one touch in the Gunners’ box during the first 45 minutes and, although Ipswich showed signs of life after the break, it was Arsenal which continued to dominate the game, marshaled by Declan Rice in midfield.
Kai Havertz got the only goal midway through the first half when he knocked in a cross from Leandro Trossard.
Havertz, Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus all had chances but none of them could add to Arsenal’s tally.
“It’s so tough, every team is tough to break down,” Havertz said. “They fight for each other and at the end we’re very proud for the win.”
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Arsenal is a point above third-place Chelsea and two points clear of season surprise team Nottingham Forest in fourth.
Seagulls and Bees share the points on south coast
Brighton had most of the chances but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Brentford that extended the south coast club’s winless run to six league games.
It was a frustrating night for the home side and especially Julio Enciso. The Paraguay striker had a host of opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count.
Along with Southampton, Brentford has the worst away record in the league with seven losses and two draws and it was easy to see why in this toothless performance.
Brentford had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside and, although it came a bit more into the game in the second half, it failed to pressure Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut eight minutes before halftime when Mark Flekken went off with a thigh injury.
One bright spot for the home side was the return of winger Solly March. He came on as a late substitute to make his first appearance for Brighton since injuring a knee against Manchester City 14 months ago.
The result leaves Brighton in 10th place with 26 points, one spot and two points ahead of the Bees.
Arsenal climb to second in EPL with 1-0 win over Ipswich
Sports
Ronaldo, Vinicius, Yamal win big at 2024 Globe Soccer Awards [Full list of winners]
Ronaldo, Vinicius, Yamal win big at 2024 Globe Soccer Awards [Full list of winners]
The winners of the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards were unveiled Friday evening in Dubai, celebrating outstanding achievements in football over the past year.
The event honored players, managers, and clubs across various categories.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior stole the spotlight, clinching both the Best Player and Best Forward of the Year awards, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s finest talents.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Al Nassr captain, added another accolade to his storied career by securing the Best Middle Eastern Player Award, while Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was recognized as the Best Emerging Player of the Year.
Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was awarded Best Coach of the Year, and Jorge Mendes received the Best Football Agent Award, further cementing their influence in the football world.
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2024 Globe Soccer Award categories and winners
Alongside the standout men’s and women’s categories, here is a rundown of the other winners:
Best Men’s player (18 finalists): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Best Midfielder (11 nominees): Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Best Forward (10 nominees): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Best Women’s player (12 finalists): Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
Best Men’s club (10 finalists): Real Madrid
Best Women’s club (4 finalists): Barcelona
Best Coach (7 finalists, all in men’s football): Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Best Emerging player (7 finalists, all men): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Best Agent (7 nominees): Jorge Mendes
Best Sporting Director (6 nominees): Piero Ausilio (Inter Milan)
Best Middle Eastern player (5 finalists): Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Best Middle Eastern coach: Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal)
Best Middle Eastern club (4 finalists): Al Ain
Revelation award: Olympiacos
Maradona Award: Jude Bellingham
Ronaldo, Vinicius, Yamal win big at 2024 Globe Soccer Awards [Full list of winners]
Sports
Vinicius should have won Ballon d’Or, not Rodri – Ronaldo
Vinicius should have won Ballon d’Or, not Rodri – Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited controversy surrounding the 2024 Ballon d’Or, accusing the organisers of unfairly denying Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior the prestigious honour.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Friday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner openly criticised the decision to crown Manchester City’s Rodri as the year’s top player.
“In my opinion, he [Vinícius] deserved to win the golden ball [Ballon d’Or award],” Ronaldo declared on stage.
“It was unfair in my opinion. I say here in front of everybody. They give it to Rodri, he deserved it too, but they should have given it to Vinícius because he won the Champions League and scored in the final.”
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Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win, attributed to his pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning season, has sparked ongoing debates.
Ronaldo’s remarks have added weight to criticisms that the award often overlooks key performances in favour of broader narratives.
Vinicius’ absence from the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris this October, along with his Real Madrid teammates, was widely interpreted as a silent protest against perceived biases in the voting process.
Despite missing out on the Ballon d’Or, Vinícius has enjoyed an exceptional year.
The 24-year-old Brazilian winger was crowned FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player earlier this year and was recently named the Best Men’s Player at the Globe Soccer Awards.
His consistent performances, including his decisive goal in the Champions League final, have cemented his reputation as one of football’s most dynamic players.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who received the Best Middle East Player Award during the ceremony, praised the Globe Soccer Awards for their fairness and transparency.
Vinicius should have won Ballon d’Or, not Rodri – Ronaldo
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