Month: March 2023

Brazil’s first game under interim boss Ramon Menezes ended in defeat as Morocco claimed a 2-1 win in Tangier.

Menezes is in temporary charge after Tite’s reign ended in the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup.

And his debut in the Selecao dugout proved a frustrating one against the surprise World Cup semi-finalists, as Brazil saw several chances go begging and were ultimately undone by Abdelhamid Sabiri’s 79th-minute winner.

Sofiane Boufal had initially put Morocco ahead, with Casemiro levelling for Brazil courtesy of Yassine Bounou’s dismal error before Sabiri delighted the home crowd

Brazil wasted a gilt-edged chance in the 13th minute when Rony fired over from point-blank range and was again frustrated as, after Noussair Mazraoui fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box at the other end, Yassine Bounou pulled off a remarkable double save.

Having inexplicably passed the ball straight to Rony, Bounou denied him and Andrey Santos in quick succession, and his flushes were spared again when he sliced an attempted clearance straight to Vinicius Junior to lob home, only for the Real Madrid man to be denied by the offside flag.

That reprieve was made all the more important when Boufal tucked into the bottom left corner on the turn after linking up superbly with Bilal El Khannouss. 

A Rodrygo volley drew an eye-catching Bounou save three minutes after the restart but the Morocco keeper was finally left red-faced in the 67th minute when he allowed Casemiro’s tame long-range effort to squirm under his body.

Sabiri would not allow Bounou’s error to be decisive, though, and he lashed a volley in off the underside of the crossbar to seal victory with an emphatic finish.

What does it mean? – New-look Brazil misfire

Menezes picked a much-changed squad for this game featuring a host of uncapped players, but the mix of inexperience and established stars like Casemiro and Vinicius did not pay off as the Selecao paid the price for failing to take their chances.

For Morocco, this victory was another demonstration of the fortitude and international pedigree that was on show at the World Cup.

Profligacy punished

Brazil finished the game with an xG of 1.42 compared to 0.63 for Morocco. The better openings consistently fell the way of Brazil, but Morocco were rewarded for cutting edge the Selecao lacked.

Bounou’s eventful evening

Bounou committed one error leading to a goal and was fortunate not to be the cause of at least one more for Brazil, but he recovered brilliantly to atone for his misplaced pass in the first half and his horror show for Brazil’s equaliser eventually proved immaterial.

What’s next?

Morocco host Peru on Tuesday. Brazil are not in action again in this international window.

Germany’s first game following their World Cup disappointment ended in a routine 2-0 friendly victory over Peru, though Kai Havertz faltered from the penalty spot.

Hansi Flick’s team bowed out in the group stage in Qatar but began their preparations for Euro 2024 in convincing fashion on Saturday.

Niclas Fullkrug’s double had put Germany into a commanding lead in Mainz by the time Havertz hit the upright with a 75th-minute spot-kick.

His finish on the rebound was disallowed due to no other player touching the ball, though it was merely a small blot on an otherwise accomplished Germany display.

Havertz and Fullkrug were rare bright sparks from the World Cup and it was the duo who combined for the opening goal, when the latter finished crisply from the Chelsea forward’s knockdown.

Having just denied Matthias Ginter, Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese could not keep out Fullkrug’s crisp finish after Havertz had chested the ball into the striker’s path.

Germany seemed certain to be 2-0 up when Havertz and then Timo Werner had acres of space to shoot from close range, yet Gallese’s superb double save kept them at bay.

Gallese was helpless to prevent Fullkrug tucking home his second just after the half-hour — the striker turning in from Marius Wolf’s excellent cross.

Luis Advincula’s block denied Fullkrug a third before the break, while Serge Gnabry struck the crossbar with an audacious overhead attempt on the hour mark.

Nico Schlotterbeck had a valid penalty appeal dismissed soon after — but referee Maria Ferrieri Caputi changed her decision after consulting the pitchside monitor.

Havertz failed to capitalise, with much of the crowd seemingly unaware as to why exactly his finish at the second attempt had been disallowed, though Peru never looked likely to make Germany rue that ruling.

Joselu scored two late goals on his international debut as Spain opened Euro 2024 qualification with a 3-0 win over Norway at La Rosaleda in Luis de la Fuente’s first game in charge.

Spain were by no means impressive, with the Erling Haaland-less visitors wasting several fine opportunities, but Joselu repaid De la Fuente’s faith towards the end.

De la Fuente — appointed Luis Enrique’s successor after World Cup elimination — named an unfamiliar-looking starting XI yet saw his side take an early lead through Dani Olmo.

They held Norway at bay through some excellent Kepa Arrizabalaga saves and a big miss from Alexander Sorloth, and substitute Joselu punished them with two goals in as many minutes.

It took Spain just 13 minutes to get the first goal of their new era, Alejandro Balde’s cross-cum-shot flicked home by Olmo.

They needed a brilliant save from Kepa just before the half-hour to remain ahead, however, the goalkeeper turning Fredrik Aursnes’ blistering close-range volley over.

Mikel Merino went close in similar circumstances a minute later, only for Orjan Nyland to tip the ball around the post.

Chances aside, Spain were second best for significant periods and had another fortunate escape early in the second half.

Marcus Pedersen’s goal-bound effort was crucially deflected by Nacho Fernandez and Kepa got back to hook the careering ball off the line.

Sorloth then volleyed off target in the 80th minute and Spain duly capitalised.

Joselu nodded in Fabian Ruiz’s cross from deep, before smashing home from close range when Mikel Oyarzabal’s shot was deflected into his path, capping a memorable night for the Espanyol striker.

Nathan Broadhead struck a stoppage-time equaliser on his debut as Wales began the post-Gareth Bale era with a 1-1 draw against Croatia.

Andrej Kramaric’s first-half strike looked as if it would be enough to give group favourites Croatia a winning start to Euro 2024 qualifying in Split.

But Wales levelled in the most dramatic fashion in the third and final minute of stoppage time when Croatia struggled to clear Connor Roberts’ long throw and substitute Broadhead squeezed home at the far post.

The draw stretched Wales’ winless run to nine games since beating Ukraine in June to reach the World Cup, but it will feel like a victory to Rob Page’s side after they had been forced to soak up pressure for long periods at the Stadion Poljud.

Broadhead’s effort was Wales’ first attempt on target, placing the lack of goal threat into sharp focus after the loss of talismanic captain Bale following the World Cup.

Bale called time on his trophy-laden career after scoring 41 goals and winning 111 caps for Wales – both national-team records – while fellow Euro 2016 heroes Chris Gunter, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams also ended their international careers.

Aaron Ramsey resumed the role of captain 11 years after the armband had been taken away from him.

There had been much talk of a new era for Welsh football but, in the event, every member of Page’s starting line-up had played at the World Cup. Six uncapped players were on the bench.

With Armenia, Latvia and Turkey lying in wait in Group D, Wales’ first task was by far the toughest examination.

Croatia finished third in Qatar, had never lost a European Championship qualifier on home soil – a total of 35 matches – and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric was still pulling the strings in midfield and testing Danny Ward after only three minutes.

That opportunity set the tone of a first half that Croatia dominated from start to finish, with Ward coming to the rescue again to push out Kramaric’s well-struck effort.

Marcelo Brozovic skied over before Ivan Perisic thought he had provided the lead with a deflected strike only for Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro to spot a push on a Welsh defender.

Sadly for Wales, their reprieve lasted a matter of moments as Croatia took a 28th-minute lead.

Weak defending from Joe Rodon and Neco Williams afforded space for Kramaric to find the bottom of Ward’s net from 20 yards.

It might have got worse for Wales but Modric and Kramaric were wayward and Ward clung on to Borna Sosa’s shot.

Wales offered nothing in attack until two minutes before the interval when Josko Gvardiol needlessly went into the back of Harry Wilson.

It was an inviting position for Wilson, 20 yards out and central to the goal, but his attempt just cleared the crossbar.

Mateo Kovacic blazed over just after the restart but Wales were much improved and fashioned their first clear opening after an hour.

Wilson located Daniel James unmarked at the far post but the winger snatched at his volley and failed to find the target.

James, Ramsey and Wilson exited in a triple substitution four minutes later as Page’s thoughts seemingly turned to Tuesday’s must-win home game against Latvia.

The switch appeared to rob Wales of any momentum they were building and Perisic struck the crossbar eight minutes from time.

But Wales were not done and Ipswich striker Broadhead was the hero as he timed his run to the far post to perfection.

Lucia Garcia bagged a double as Manchester United beat West Ham 4-0 at Old Trafford to go top of the table. 

United were frustrated during the first period and it took Katie Zelem’s penalty seven minutes into the second half for Marc Skinner’s side to make the breakthrough. 

Garcia doubled the lead shortly after the hour mark and a late surge ensured a one-sided scoreline, with Hayley Ladd adding a third before Garcia grabbed her second in stoppage time. 

The win was enough for United to move a point clear of Women’s Super League champions Chelsea, albeit having played two games more, with Emma Hayes’ side facing fellow title contenders Manchester City on Sunday.

Despite the impressive result, Red Devils star Elle Toone is not getting carried away as the four-horse battle for WSL glory rages on. 

She said: “For us at club level it’s about taking each game as it comes and going out each week to prepare as best as we can. 

“It’s about enjoying it, enjoying football as much as we can. The focus is on learning.”

United boss Skinner added: “We are usually very calculated, calm and focused, but we had to have choice words [at half-time]. 

“We weren’t good enough in the first half. It was a little bit slow, especially our build-up. We didn’t progress quickly on the flanks because West Ham were blocking the centre.

“We got the Manchester United energy in the second half but it sends a message to us as a team not to waste 45 minutes.

“If we look after what we can do, there’s a chance you can end up where you want to be at the end of the season. That’s something we can learn from.”

Although West Ham remain comfortable in seventh, Hammers boss Paul Konchesky was disappointed to see his side slip to a third successive league defeat.

He said: “We knew United were going to be strong throughout the game. 

“But when you take them to 0-0 at half-time, we knew they would probably get a rocket and come out quick. 

“We held it for 55 minutes and after conceding the first goal it was always going to be tough to bounce back. 

“We caved in a little bit and conceded more goals than we wanted to. 

“Three out of four goals were probably our fault. We need to stop making mistakes and be more ruthless, especially in defence and when we go forward.

“We need to start picking up points and hopefully get back to winning ways next week at home to Liverpool. 

“We need to stick together. It’s a tough time but once we get up and running we’ll be OK.”

Roberto Martinez has told Thomas Tuchel that Anthony Barry will remain part of Portugal’s coaching staff even if he swaps Chelsea for Bayern Munich. 

Tuchel revealed at Saturday’s unveiling as Bayern’s new head coach that he is hoping to add Barry, who he worked with at Chelsea, as one of his assistants.

Highly regarded Barry has also spent the past year working alongside Martinez at international level, first with the Belgium national side and now Portugal.

And regardless of whether the 36-year-old stays at Stamford Bridge or joins Tuchel in Germany, Martinez expects him to remain as part of his own coaching set-up.

“I’ve been with Anthony for many years. What happens in international football has nothing to do with club football,” Martinez said. “If there’s a change, it’ll be from club to club.”

Martinez’s tenure as Portugal boss got off to a positive start with a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein in Thursday’s opening Euro 2024 qualifying fixture.

Portugal fielded a strong line-up for that game that included Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice on the day he became the most-capped player in men’s international football.

Bernardo Silva was also on the scoresheet, but he has warned his team-mates not to take next Group J opponents Luxembourg lightly, even if they are ranked 92nd in the world.

“The truth is we don’t know what to expect because teams can change depending on what they see in the games we’ve been playing and they can adapt to our game,” Silva said. 

“We expect a difficult game. The last time we came here we went through a lot of difficulties. The team has improved a lot. If I’m not mistaken, they haven’t lost in seven games. 

“We know that the game can be difficult at times. We have to fight against that, dominate the game and create opportunities to score goals and win.”

Martinez is still getting to grips with his squad, having only replaced Fernando Santos two months ago, and he suggested changes will be made against Luxembourg.

“It’s very important to have fresh people,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “Three days after the game with Liechtenstein, it’s important that everyone is physically well. 

“We’ve been together for three days. I’ve been delighted with the level of unity, ambition and commitment I’ve seen. The quality of the squad is exceptional. 

“We’re just at the beginning of the journey; we have to grow together. But it’s always easier when you win. Our last win was important from that point of view.”

A collective of Paris Saint-Germain ‘ultras’ made a fresh request on Saturday to meet with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, while complaining about the “compulsive purchase of flashy names” and demanding a return of the team’s famous Hechter shirt design.

In a press statement, the Collectif Ultras Paris complained the club have put marketing above sporting priorities, and warned the churn of personnel on and off the pitch was bringing the same results each season.

Some would argue PSG have never had it so good, with their success during the Qatar Sports Investments era – since 2011 – far exceeding anything previously achieved. They have won eight of the last 10 Ligue 1 titles, having only been champions twice before, while in 2020 they reached the Champions League final.

It is not winning over the ultras, however, with the club’s most hardcore supporters insistent the club have underperformed.

An 11th Ligue 1 title this year would make PSG the most successful team in the competition’s history, as they currently share the record of 10 with Saint-Etienne.

The ultras said in their statement: “Seasons pass and look the same. Players, coaches and sports directors follow one another and the same causes produce the same effects. Once again, our club has not lived up to its national and European objectives.”

The group pointed to an early Coupe de France exit at the hands of fierce rivals Marseille, a “flat-lining” Champions League last-16 defeat to Bayern Munich, and a struggle to dominate in the domestic league.

PSG hold a seven-point lead over Marseille with 10 rounds of Ligue 1 games remaining.

The club have been able to attract major stars such as Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Marco Verratti, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma, but the goal of becoming champions of Europe remaining frustratingly out of reach.

The ultras said: “However, we have decided to maintain our support in the stands for the time being, the players not intended to be the scapegoats of a poorly constructed squad, a sports policy without real direction, the compulsive purchase of flashy names without worrying about the balance of the team, and the policy of a club where marketing seems to have taken precedence over sport.

“We will therefore continue our support until the 11th title of champion of France, which is meant to be historic, is acquired to our club.”

The group added: “We ask for the umpteenth time to meet quickly with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to explain to him orally the many problems that we have identified in and around the club, sporting and non-sporting, for many years.”

They want to raise a ticketing issue that the group says favours “tourists and other VIPs”, and are up in arms about PSG abandoning the shirt style pioneered by fashion designer Daniel Hechter, who had a stint as club president in the 1970s.

That home shirt design featured a thick red strip, with thin white lines at either side, down the middle of a largely dark blue shirt.

This season it has been inverted, with a thick white strip and thin red lines, and the fans are revolting, also calling for PSG to stay at the Parc des Princes amid concerns about a possible move to the Stade de France.

“We want profound changes and guarantees concerning the permanent return of the Hechter jersey,” the ultras said.

They added: “Our love of the club is limitless, not our patience.”

Matt Bloomfield admitted his Wycombe side were “pleased with a point” as they snatched a 1-1 draw with in-form Charlton at the Valley.

Chris Forino’s free header found the bottom corner nine minutes from time to keep the Chairboys in hot pursuit of the play-off places.

Miles Leaburn had fired the Addicks in front after 15 minutes to extend Charlton’s unbeaten run to four games, but his strike was not enough to earn a first home win since mid-January.

Wycombe boss Bloomfield said: “We have to respect a point. I am pleased to get a point here, it’s a difficult place to come, especially when you have to come from 1-0 down.

“I don’t think frustration is a good emotion, I know you’ll feel it from time to time, but it’s not always helpful. I felt plenty of frustration in the second half, but we still have plenty of games to play.

“Eight games left, plenty of points to play for.”

Forino, a recent regular starter under Bloomfield, scored his third goal of the season and his manager was delighted with the defender’s contribution.

He said: “I thought he did a lot of good stuff. We forget, because he is established in the team at the moment, he is still very young, he is still learning his game and took his goal really well.”

Charlton boss Dean Holden felt his team should have taken all three points after a positive first-half showing.

“I am disappointed,” he said. “I thought we were the better side.

“I think the first period of the game was a bit scruffy and scrappy, but after that we got into our game. We got into our flow and our rhythm, we managed to get a two on one for the goal and Miles is there at the back post.

“After that we created chances. They had their chances as well. We have to accept that, but ultimately I’m disappointed we didn’t go in (to the break) at 2-0. There really is nothing in the game when they score, so to concede from another set-piece means we have to improve.

“We have conceded too many goals from set-pieces this season. It’s a fact and we need to improve it.”

Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun is keeping all options open with regards to his future after starring on loan at Reims.

Balogun has scored 18 goals in 29 appearances for the French side, making him the highest-scoring player aged 21 or under across Europe’s top five leagues this season.

The Arsenal academy product has made just two Premier League appearances for his parent club, who already have strikers Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah on their books.

He still has two years to run on his contract at Emirates Stadium, but Balogun is unsure where he will be playing his football in the 2023-24 campaign.

“Contractually I have to go back. The loan was for one year so that was always the agreement,” he told Ligue 1’s website. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the future. 

“A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we’ll see what happens.”

Balogun has 17 goals in Ligue 1 this season and is the only player to have scored against Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Lens, Monaco and Rennes, who make up the top five.

Asked if he would be interested in staying on at Reims for another year, Balogun said: “Yeah. I mean there’s no door that’s closed. 

“Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. I don’t know what the future will bring. 

“But I would definitely advise young players to come out here. It’s a really, really tough league, a league that will help you to improve. 

“You get to play in crazy atmospheres. If you’re ready to take yourself out of your comfort zone, I would advise any young player, I would advise any young player to come here.”

Jonas Eidevall hopes Arsenal take great confidence from their 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham ahead of a season-defining week for the Women’s Super League title contenders. 

The Gunners bounced back from Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals with a five-star showing at Brisbane Road. 

Caitlin Foord hit a brace with Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little and Frida Maanum also on target for the visitors to ensure Bethany England’s first-half penalty for Spurs was merely a consolation. 

It was the perfect preparation ahead of the decisive second leg with Bayern at the Emirates on Wednesday before a home clash with fellow title rivals Manchester City four days later. 

Eidevall, 40, said: “Hopefully we go into the game on Wednesday with a good bit of self-confidence and I think we should have that from our performances. 

“Our performance against Chelsea in the Conti Cup final was very strong. Then both Liverpool and Reading was good in the league. 

“Our second-half performance against Bayern was very good and today was also strong.

“We have built good momentum coming into these two games against Bayern and City. Now it is up to us to execute it.”

Given this fixture was sandwiched between two crucial Champions League ties, Arsenal could have taken their eye off the ball but they put Spurs to the sword to stay in contention for the treble. 

Blackstenius’ explosive fifth-minute opener set the visitors on their way before Foord curled home from range. 

England reduced the deficit before half-time but Little’s 65th-minute spot-kick made the points safe. 

Arsenal refused to let up and Foord grabbed her second from close range while Maanum’s deflected lob was the icing on the cake. 

Eidevall added: “You can’t prioritise one or the other because we’re at the stage with this league where it’s so competitive. 

“You need to try to do your very best to win these games. Playing here is always going to be a challenge so you need to be on top of your game.”

Spurs interim boss Vicky Jepson was frustrated by her side’s second-half showing.

She said: “When they went 3-1 up, it was probably the nail in the coffin. Then they built momentum and we had to ride the storm. 

“We didn’t do it as well as we would like and ended up 5-1 down. It’s just one of those things. 

“The first half we showed character, we showed grit and we created opportunities to get us back in the game. 

“But as a collective, we’re all disappointed with the second half. 

“We feel sorry for the fans because it should never be that scoreline in a North London derby.”