Sports
How Argentina win Qatar 2022 World Cup amid drama
How Argentina win Qatar 2022 World Cup amid drama
Lionel Messi crowned his glittering career with victory in the World Cup on Sunday as Argentina beat France on penalties in a final for the ages, triumphing 4-2 after Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick ensured the game ended level following extra time.Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the deciding penalty to give Argentina their third World Cup and prevent France from becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.But a truly remarkable game saw Messi and Mbappe both live up to their billing, with Messi scoring twice and Mbappe becoming the first player since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a World Cup final hat-trick in a game that ended 3-3 after extra time.
Messi had opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half before Angel Di Maria doubled Argentina’s lead at the end of a brilliant counter-attack in the 36th minute.
But the astonishing Mbappe breathed life into the holders as he pulled one back from the penalty spot with 10 minutes to go before equalising in stunning fashion just 60 seconds later to force extra time.
Messi then seemed to have decided the contest in Argentina’s favour once and for all when he converted a rebound in the 109th minute, only for Mbappe to net from another spot-kick, bringing the game level at 3-3 and forcing a shoot-out.
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The third World Cup final penalty shoot-out started with Messi and Mbappe both scoring, but Kingsley Coman’s next kick for France was saved and Aurelien Tchouameni then crucially missed the target.
It is the second time in five World Cups that France have lost the final on penalties after they were beaten by Italy in 2006, and it is Argentina who are champions for the first time since 1986.
The win allows Messi, at 35, to complete his glorious career by emulating Diego Maradona, and this will be remembered as his tournament despite the best efforts of Mbappe, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer on eight goals, one more than his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Messi.
France’s quest for history had been threatened by a virus in the days leading up to the final and they appeared sluggish before Argentina went ahead.
France conceded a penalty for the fourth time this tournament when Di Maria was clipped by Ousmane Dembele, and Messi stepped up to score from the spot for the fourth time in Qatar, his 12th World Cup goal allowing him to equal Pele’s tally.
The expected response from the defending champions was not forthcoming and Argentina increased their lead in the 36th minute.
Messi and Julian Alvarez combined to release Alexis Mac Allister bursting through the middle, and he played a first-time ball to the back post for Di Maria to finish.
Having hardly featured in the knockout rounds due to injury, Di Maria had returned here and appeared tearful as he celebrated his goal, which was a World Cup final classic.
France had not even mustered a shot and Deschamps moved before the interval to replace Olivier Giroud and the struggling Dembele.
On came Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram, as Mbappe moved into the middle of the attack.
Argentina had famously blown a two-goal lead before eventually emerging victorious in their last World Cup final triumph 36 years ago, but there appeared little prospect of a repeat of that scenario.
However, the French were suddenly given hope when they won a penalty 10 minutes from time as Kolo Muani was brought down by Nicolas Otamendi.
Mbappe smashed the spot-kick into the net and the watching French President Emmanuel Macron rose to his feet. France had hope, and within another minute they were level.
Messi was robbed of possession by Coman in the lead-up before Mbappe found Thuram and then met his partner’s knockdown with a stunning volley.
It will go down as one of the most dramatic moments in World Cup history, and the French players on the bench raced across the pitch to celebrate with their teammates.
Argentina, who lost the 2014 final in extra time, looked shattered, and yet it seemed again that they had won it when Messi followed up to score early in the second extra period after Lautaro Martinez’s shot was saved.
But France were again saved by Mbappe as he converted another penalty following a Montiel handball.
It was end to end, and Argentina needed a brilliant Martinez save from Kolo Muani to take it to penalties and Montiel’s kick proved decisive to sparking wild Argentinians’ celebrations.
AFP
News
WAFU Qualifiers: Mailantarki Care FC beat Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0
WAFU Qualifiers: Mailantarki Care FC beat Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles …
The Nigeria National team U-20 (Flying Eagles) suffered a defeat in the hands of Mailantarki Care FC in one of its series of preparatory games on Wednesday in Abuja.
The reigning Champions of the 2024 International Youth Championship in Denmark (Dana Cup) produced an all-around performance against the Nigeria National team outfit, the Flying Eagles at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of the MKO Abiola Stadium.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s U-20 team began preparation last week ahead of the upcoming WAFU Championship scheduled in Togo, where the representatives of the zone in the 2025 U-20 nations cup will emerge.
Sensational wing wizard Miko Dalha scored the only goal of the game following a delightful footwork before smashing into the near post before the break.
The host could have equalized from the spot deep into the game just for Mailantarki goalie Abbati Muhammed to punch away the penalty kick. However, the Flying Eagles defeated Water FC 1-nil in its first game courtesy of Bayelsa United forward Rabiu Abdullahi.
News
Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Man United Manager Erik ten Hag’s Leadership
Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Man United Manager Erik ten Hag’s Leadership
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has openly criticized Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for his approach since taking over the club.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Al-Nassr star voiced his frustrations over Ten Hag’s management style and mentality as the United boss.
Ronaldo, who spent two spells at Manchester United, emphasized the need for the club to have a winning mindset. “As a Manchester United coach, you cannot say you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. Even if you don’t have the potential, you must try,” Ronaldo stated.
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While acknowledging that the appointment of the Dutch manager was a step in the right direction, Ronaldo suggested that Ten Hag needs to listen more to former players and club legends to rebuild the club effectively. “People like Rio [Ferdinand], Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Sir Alex Ferguson understand the club and how to handle players. Their experience is crucial for the club’s improvement,” Ronaldo added.
Since Ten Hag’s tenure began, Manchester United has seen mixed results, including a third and eighth-place finish in the Premier League and victories in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
However, Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford ended on a sour note following a public falling-out with Ten Hag, which led to the termination of his contract. Ronaldo later expressed feeling “betrayed” by the Dutch manager.
Ronaldo remains a United icon, having scored 145 goals in 326 appearances and won nine trophies with the club across his two stints.
Sports
Eguavoen Eyes Victory as Super Eagles Arrive in Kigali for AFCON Qualifier
Eguavoen Eyes Victory as Super Eagles Arrive in Kigali for AFCON Qualifier
Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed confidence in his squad’s “momentum” as they prepare for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Eguavoen praised the team’s mindset following their dominant 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo, stating that the players are eager to maintain their winning form. “We have the right mentality now, and the mood in camp is excellent. Everyone is focused on securing the three points against Rwanda to stay on top of the table,” he said.
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The Nigerian delegation, including 23 players and officials led by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, arrived in Kigali on Sunday afternoon ahead of Monday’s training session. Team captain William Ekong emphasized the team’s determination, saying, “Our goal is simple – get the three points. We know Rwanda will be tough, but we are prepared to give our best from the start.”
The Super Eagles face a Rwanda team that earned a 1-1 draw against Libya in their opening match. Tuesday’s game will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigeria time).
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