football
Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
Spain won its first Women's World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona's first-half goal.
Spain's first major international trophy made it the first European team to win the Women's World Cup since Germany in 2007.
Also read : Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
At the final whistle the Spanish players piled on each other in front of their goal.
Carmona's left-foot shot in the 29th minute went into the far corner of the net and just out of reach of diving England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Also read : Australia edge France on penalties to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals, will face England
In celebration she raised her jersey to reveal the word "Merchi" scrawled in ink on her undershirt, an apparent nod to her former school.
Carmona also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of Spain's 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Also read : The future is uncertain for the United States after crashing out of the Women's World Cup
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th but Jenni Hermoso's penalty attempt was saved by Earps, who anticipated perfectly and dived to her left.
Spain's victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year. Fifteen players said they were stepping away from the national team for their mental health while also calling for a more professional environment.
Three of those players — Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey — reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup.
England had momentum going into the tournament after winning the European Championship at home last summer. But three of the team's best players, captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead, all had knee injuries that kept them off the World Cup squad.
England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. She led the Netherlands to the final in 2019, but fell 2-0 to the United States. She's now 0-2.
England was coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal. Lauren James, who was the team's top scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to sit out two matches because of a suspension for stomping on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie to open the knockout stage.
While James was available for the final, Wiegman started Ella Toone. James came into the match to start the second half.
The game was briefly interrupted in the 25th minute by a person who raced onto the field but was quickly tackled by security.
One of England's best chances was in the 16th when Lauren Hemp's blast caromed off the crossbar. A minute later, Salma Paralluelo raced to the goal but couldn't get a clean shot and Earps stopped Alba Redondo's attempt in the scramble in front of the net.
Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the game-winner in extra time over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Paralluelo's nearly scored seconds from half time but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who had a cut above her eye.
Hemp had another chance in the 54th but sent it wide. A minute later she was handed a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina.
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th after a video review awarded a penalty after Keira Walsh's handball. But Earps kept England in the game, as she did with a succession of saves late.
Coach Jorge Vilda had a challenge in working around two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still working her way back from a torn ACL last year. For the final, Putellas was on the bench at the start.
Putellas went into the game with 15 seconds left in regulation, but there were 13 minutes of stoppage time.
There were 75,784 fans at the final at Stadium Australia, including tennis great Billie Jean King.
The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals of the Euros, with England coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in extra time on Georgia Stanway's goal.
Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final
Lionel Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot in penalty kicks as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night.
Messi scored midway through the first half, his 10th goal in seven games since joining Inter Miami — all in the Leagues Cup competition — as his new team claimed its first trophy.
Messi also opened the penalties by converting his shot. The penalty kicks ended in the 11th round in a showdown between the goalkeepers. Drake Callender scored his penalty for Miami and then made the title-clinching stop on a shot by Nashville's Elliot Pannico.
Also read: Messi scores early in 1st game outside Florida for Inter Miami at FC Dallas
Miami players hoisted Messi on their shoulders and had an extended celebration on the field long after the trophies had been handed out.
Miami Coach Tata Martino credited the new group of newcomers like Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, quickly gelling with the team.
"We had to incorporate a lot of new players but I'm very impressed how it came together," Martino said through a translator.
Also read: Lionel Messi makes it official by signing with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer
"I remember the first days (in charge)," Martino continued. "We needed to do more trainings to give shape to the team and I was thinking, how convenient it is to move on in this tournament because we can take advantage of this month to play more. But after this month, we are champions"
Martino's postgame press conference ended when Miami players burst into the room, singing and spraying champagne on the coach. But the team won't have long to celebrate. Miami faces Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday.
Nashville coach Gary Smith tipped his hat to Messi.
Also read: Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS
"You're looking at a game with the greatest player on the planet possibly being the difference in what went on today," Smith said.
Callender was proud of the role he played in helping Inter Miami claim the tourney crown.
"It's a huge honor to play a role in our first win in a final," Callender said. "It's pretty surreal. Very emotional. This team works so hard day-in, day-out to be able to perform like this on a night like this. And to have it come down to the very end, it was amazing to see the grit, just the belief of what we're capable of. It's something special and I'm just blessed to be a part of it."
Callender said he tried to stay as calm as possible through the numerous kicks.
"I just had to stay focused, breathe through it, stay as calm as possible," he said. "I mean, this atmosphere here tonight is electric. So I embraced the moment and I just believed in the work that I put in and the repetitions I put in leading up to that moment and it just ended up going our way."
Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. The ball landed at his feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked. Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and unleashed a bending shot from just outside the penalty box into the top left corner of the goal. A diving Panicco had no chance at playing the ball.
"It's one of those things where the bounces don't go your way and his ability to put it in the top corner is what makes him a special player," Zimmerman said. "No mistakes were made on that play. It was a good challenge and a little unfortunate bounce there."
Messi wasn't particularly influential before he scored the goal, and the crowd showered him with boos each time he touched the ball. But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year scored.
Nashville tied the game in the 56th minute when Fafa Picault's header off a corner kick ricocheted off Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi and into the net off goalkeeper Callender.
Messi had a shot from the area he had scored from earlier in the 71st minute, but hit the post as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation.
Miami striker Leonardo Campana had a chance to win the game in the last play in regulation, but his sliding shot on an open goal hit the post. Messi held his head in his hands when the ball trickled out of play.
Messi mania had gripped Music City after Nashville SC advanced to the final against Miami with a win against Monterrey of the Mexican league on Tuesday. Ticket prices skyrocketed after they went on sale the following day but eased somewhat in the days before the game. The cheapest seats still cost several hundred dollars. A capacity crowd of 30,109 filled Geodis Park.
Nashville native Reese Witherspoon brought out the game ball and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo took some shots on goal before the game. Both are minority owners of Nashville SC.
Liverpool overcome an early goal and a red card to beat Bournemouth 3-1 in EPL
Liverpool overcame an early deficit and a disputed red card to beat Bournemouth 3-1 at Anfield in the English Premier League on Saturday for its first win of the season.
Bournemouth stunned the host by taking the lead through Antoine Semenyo in just the third minute after Liverpool turned the ball over cheaply deep inside its own half. But Luis Diaz equalized with an acrobatic volley in the 28th and Liverpool was awarded a penalty when Joe Rothwell made light contact with Dominik Szoboszlai just inside the area, and the midfielder fell theatrically to the ground.
Mohamed Salah’s spot kick was saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto, but the Egypt striker slotted in the rebound to put Liverpool ahead.
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Alexis Mac Allister was then shown a straight red card in the 58th for kicking Ryan Christie’s leg after a mistimed challenge for the ball, giving Bournemouth hopes of a comeback.
But going a man down seemed to only galvanize Liverpool, and Diogo Jota was on hand to turn in the rebound after Szoboszlai’s deflected shot was palmed away by Neto in the 62nd.
After opening the season with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea last weekend, Liverpool has four points from its opening two games, while Bournemouth has one point.
Salah’s goal put him past Steven Gerrard into fifth place among Liverpool’s all-time leading scorers, with 187.
Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan signs for Argentine Club
Captain of Bangladesh national football team Jamal Bhuyan signed contract to play for Argentine 3rd Division Football Club" Sol De Mayo" on Friday.
The Denmark- born Bangladesh origin professional player Jamal Bhuyan will be the first Bangladeshi footballer to play in a competitive league in the World champions Argentina.
According to a live video posted on Jamal's social media page, Jamal was seen standing beside club officials in front of a table with a number of Bangladesh flags and his new jersey before signing the contract on Friday night.
Jamal Bhuyan made his first appearance in the Bangladesh National Football team in 2013 and played a record number of 75 football matches for Bangladesh.
Jamal Bhuyan, who served Bangladesh national team as captain for about five years, guided Bangladesh to the 2nd round of the Asian Games Football for the first time in 2018 scoring a brilliant goal to beat stronger Qatar in the continental meet.
Jamal Bhuyan, who played for Sheikh Russel KC in the last BPL, also played for Sheikh Jamal DC,Saif SC and Chittagong Abahani in BPL and for Kolkata Mohammedan SC in Kolkata league.
However, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) included him in the preliminary national squad to play two FIFA international Friendlies against Afghanistan on September 4 and 7.
In a video post on Friday, the 33-year-old medio said. "I came here to represent Bangladesh. I'm signing for Sol de Mayo today. I hope you follow me,"
"Bangladesh is my love. As a Bangladeshi I'm really proud. I want to show my skills and performance. If I play well here I hope two-three or more Bangladeshis will come and play here".he added.
"I can utilize my experience as I have played a lot of international matches, I can provide new energy. I hope I can take Sol de Mayo to the next level."
Butterflies for Kane on Bundesliga debut but he scores as Bayern routs Bremen
Harry Kane said he had "a few butterflies" before his Bundesliga debut. They didn't show.
The England captain scored one goal and set up another as Bayern Munich routed Werder Bremen 4-0 away in the opening game of the season on Friday.
Also read: Lewandowski record as Bayern moves top in Bundesliga
Kane, who finally completed his protracted transfer from Tottenham last weekend, showed straight away why Bayern reportedly paid more than 100 million euros ($110 million) for the forward.
"There was a bit of nervous excitement to play the game," Kane said. "New surroundings for me, extremely excited to get the season started with my new club and a massive club. So for sure there was a few butterflies. But as always, I feel once I get on the pitch, you know, instinct takes over and I just play my normal game."
Also read: What can Ronaldo expect from Saudi Pro League soccer?
Kane needed only three minutes to set Leroy Sané free for the opener, before he finally beat Bremen's Jiří Pavlenka with a low shot in the 74th. A Bremen defender's studs deflected the shot slightly inside the left post.
The England captain went off shortly afterward with what looked like a cramp, one of three late changes by Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.
Also read: Messi scores early in 1st game outside Florida for Inter Miami at FC Dallas
Substitute Thomas Müller set up Sané for the third goal in the final minute then Alphonso Davies set up Mathys Tel, another substitute, to complete the scoring in injury time.
The home team's best period was just after the halftime break.
"They came out in the second half and had a few chances, made it difficult, but then it was nice to get that second goal, and then the boys off the bench come on and finished the job for us," Kane said.
It started with Kane dinking a clever ball forward into space from inside his own half to set Sané free to open the scoring on a counterattack. Bremen's defense should have done better.
"We had a few more chances in the first half that we probably could have done a bit better with, to kind of put the game away early. But then we defended better," Kane said. "We were a lot better getting the first contact, and we spoke about that. If we want to be a competitive team this season in all competitions, set-pieces are a big part of that. So really happy with a clean sheet as well. It's going to be important going forward for the rest of the season."
Fellow summer signing Kim Min-jae also made his first league start for Bayern, which is bidding to extend its record of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles.
There was a minute's silence before the game for former Bremen player Horst-Dieter Höttges, who died in July. Höttges was a member of West Germany's victorious 1974 World Cup squad.
Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
The rallying cry "It's Coming Home" is one game away from reality and the end of England's 57-year drought in global soccer.
Also read: 4 women, nat’l women's football team receive Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Padak-2023
The World Cup trophy can return this Sunday to the birthplace of soccer for the first time since 1966. But if it happens, the journey back to England will be with the women's national team and not the men's.
The Lionesses have roared their way into their first Women's World Cup title game, Sunday against Spain. It is the first all-European final since 2003, when Germany beat Sweden.
Also read:Bruised Ronaldo scores twice to edge showdown with Messi
It has been a magical ride for both teams: England has been on top of the global game since winning the European Championship last summer, and Spain is in its first final less than a year since 15 players quit the team in protest.
But England was expected to be here, and all around the world, in pubs and at viewing parties, England supporters have been singing "It's Coming Home," the unintentional reminder that the soccer team hasn't won the World Cup since 1966. The men's team was the winner that year, and the Lionesses' appearance in Sunday's title game is England's first finale in the 57 years since.
Also read:Messi scores early in 1st game outside Florida for Inter Miami at FC Dallas
England's return to prominence has been led by coach Sarina Wiegman, who was hired in late 2021 as the team's first non-British manager. Wiegman is now back in her second consecutive finale, and the only coach in the history of the tournament to take two nations to the final.
Wiegman was coach of the Netherlands when the Dutch lost 2-0 to the United States in 2019.
"Every step has been really, really hard. But again, we find a way," she said. "And I think the opponents, the women's game has grown so much that it's really hard to get through. So I know it's very, very special and that's how it feels, too."
Wiegman is after he second major trophy at the helm of England after guiding the Lionesses' to their first European championship last year.
England is coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal, the second consecutive game played without leading scorer Lauren James. She was suspended against Colombia and Australia for stomping on a Nigerian player following a tackle in the knockout round.
The 21-year-old has three goals and three assists in this World Cup and apologized to her teammates for the split-second play on field that forced England to push its way through the tournament without the Chelsea midfielder.
Spain, meanwhile, has defied expectations in the World Cup by reaching the final despite a near-mutiny by players last fall. Spain saw 15 players quit the national team citing mental health concerns. The players called on the federation to create a more professional environment.
Three of those players — midfielder Aitana Bonmati, forward Mariona Caldentey and defender Ona Batlle — reconciled with the federation and are back for the tournament. Jorge Vilda has thanked the federation for its support of the coach repeatedly during the tournament, and his players have said they are focused on the present.
Spain earned its spot in the final with a 2-1 victory over Sweden on Tuesday. Salma Paralluelo ended a scoreless stalemate with a goal in the 81st minute. After Sweden tied it, Olga Carmona scored the game winner in the final minute of regulation.
At the start of practice on Friday, 19-year-old Paralluelo was treated for what appeared to be a cramp in her left leg. Also absent was forward Alba Redondo, who was riding a stationary bike off to the side.
"We have all the squad ready for the final. We are going to be 100% ready, everyone is ready for the game. It's nothing to worry about," Batlle said.
In addition to the breakthrough goal against Sweden, Paralleulo scored the extra-time winner over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
"I play against her everyday in training. I knew what she was capable of before this tournament so seeing her do so well for Spain, I have seen that in training," said England's Lucy Bronze, a teammate of Paralleulo's on Spanish club Barcelona. Nine of the Spanish players are on Barcelona's squad, as well as two of the Lionesses.
Spain has not seen consistent play during the World Cup from two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who tore her ACL before the 2022 European Championship and is still returning to form. But Bonmati's playmaking has helped in her absence.
La Roja also have the opportunity to bring home a new trophy, after the men's team won the World Cup in 2010. Spain's women have never won a major tournament.
"Now we have the chance to do it," Bonmati said. "It's magic. Unique."
AFC Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani to play Kolkata Mohun Bagan in play- off match on Aug 22
Six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Dhaka Abahani Limited will play Mohun Bagan Super Giant of Kolkata in the play-off match of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24 on Tuesday (August 22) .The match between Kolkata super league side Mohun Bagan Club and Dhaka giant Abahani Limited will kick-off at 7:30 pm (Bangladesh time)at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The winners of the match will qualify for the final round (Group Stage) of the 19th edition of the Asia's secondary club football tournament, will begin on September 18.
Read: BFF to increase salary of women footballers
Earlier in the preliminary round, Dhaka Abahani advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goal at the Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
On the other hand, Kolkata Mohun Club eliminated Machhindra FC of Kathmandu beating them by 3-1 goal at the Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium Wednesday evening.
Read: AFC Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani advance to play- off stage eliminating Club Eagles of Maldives 2-1
In their last meeting, Kolkata Mohun Bagan beat Dhaka Abahani Limited by 3-1 goals in the AFC Cup play-off match in Kolkata April last year.
BFF to increase salary of women footballers
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has signed an agreement with the players of the national women's team to increase their salaries, initially for six months.
In this regard, a contract signing ceremony was held today (Wednesday) at the BFF House in motijheel in presence of BFF president Kazi Md Salahuddin and Bangldesh women's team captain Sabina Khatun.
Thirty one national footballers have been taken under the BFF contract for six months with a highest monthly salary of Tk 50,000 effecting from September 1 next.
Although the details of the contract yet to be disclosed, but it was learnt that 15 senior players will get Tk 50,000 each, next 10 players will receive Tk 30,000 each while the remaining six players will get Tk 20,000 each per month.
Read: BFF picks 30 footballers for SAFF Championship, FIFA Friendly match
But, the contracted players has to follow the BFF Code of conduct strictly.
Some 70 senior and junior players are now in the BFF residential camp.
They got a monthly salary of average Tk 10,000 each based on their performance and seniority.
But, some senior player including captain Sabina Khatun, reportedly got a monthly salary of Tk 20,000 each while the lowest amount was Tk 5,000.
Read: Writ petition filed seeking investigation into graft allegation against BFF president, others
In the recent past days, the women's players took part in a good number of protest rallies, absent in the training program demanding increase of salaries, other benefits, including better food, accommodation and sports kits.
They also met the BFF high-officials several times demanding a monthly salary of Tk 50,000, but they failed.
Read more: BFF decides to arrange Women's Franchise Football League
AFC Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani advance to play- off stage eliminating Club Eagles of Maldives 2-1
Six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Dhaka Abahani Limited advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football' 2023-24 eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goal in a preliminary round match at the Sylhet District Stadium on Wednesday.
The winners dominated the first half by a solitary goal in a rain soaked muddy ground playing a comparativly good football, but the match was well contested in the 2nd half, when Club Eagles played a good match.
With the day's feat, popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Dhaka Abahani smartly reached the play-off stage of the Asian South Zone to play the winners of Kolkata Mohun Bagan and Machhindra FC of Kathmandu on August 22.
Read: AFC Champions League: Bashundhara Kings to play Sharjah FC on Tuesday
Kolkata Mohun Bagan of India and Machhindra FC of Kathmandu scheduled meet each other on Wednesday (August 16) night in a preliminary round match of the AFC Cup.
In the day' s vital match, St.Vincent and Grenadines striker Cornelius Ezekiel Stewart put Dhaka Abahani ahead in the 21st minute by a header from danger zone, capitalizing an acute right wing cross from David Fegwu (2-0).
Eagles Captain cum forward Ahmed Rizuvan restored parity for the Maldives team by a running shot, off a free kick of his mate in the 63rd minute (1-1).
Read: Dhaka Abahani reaches Sylhet to play AFC Cup Vs Club Eagles of Maldives
Brazilian defender Danilo Augusto scored the match- winning goal for Abahani just one minute before the final whistle by a good header from goalmouth melee, off a left corner of Uzbek medio Muzaffarjon Muzaffarov (2-1).
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Bashundhara Kings was eliminated from the preliminary round of the Asian top tier club meet, the AFC champions league, losing to their much superior Sharjah FC of UAE by O-2 goal at the Sharjah Stadium Tuesday (Aug 15).
Read more: AFC playoff: Maldivian club Eagles start practising in Sylhet
Neymar completes Saudi move to Al Hilal after 6 seasons with Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar became the latest superstar soccer player to take the riches on offer from the Saudi Pro League, completing a move to Al Hilal on Tuesday after six seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.
The clubs reached an agreement on the transfer of the Brazil forward for a reported 90 million euros ($98 million), a record for a league that is now financially backed by the oil-rich state.
Al Hilal, a record 18-time national champion, is one of four Saudi clubs effectively nationalized by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund that claims assets of about $700 billion.
The 31-year-old Neymar signed a two-year contract that is expected to earn him an annual salary of about $100 million. That would be around half of the reported salary being taken home by Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr and whose move to Saudi in January sparked a slew of transfers to the kingdom by players like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Jordan Henderson.
Read: Neymar’s publicity representative Robin Miah meets Brazilian envoy in Dhaka
“I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said in the club's announcement. “I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment.”
PSG confirmed the departure of Neymar in a statement, with president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi describing him as “one of the best players in the world.”
“I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, and what he has contributed to our club and our project over the last six years," Al-Khelaïfi said. “We have had great moments and Neymar will always be a big part of our history.”
Read: Spanish court acquits soccer star Neymar in fraud trial
Yet he never won the Champions League with PSG after his move from Barcelona for 222 million euros (now $244 million), which remains a world-record transfer fee in soccer.
Neymar reportedly wanted to rejoin Barcelona but the Spanish club couldn't afford the financial package required for the transfer. No other top European club was willing — or wealthy enough — to sign Neymar, who has struggled with injuries in recent years.
He was an undoubtedly talented yet often frustrating figure at the PSG, which put together a star-studded forward line of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi and now only has one of them left.
Messi joined Inter Miami this offseason and Mbappe has one year left on his deal, after which he is likely to move to Real Madrid.
Mbappe has been mired in a transfer standoff with PSG and was the subject of an offer by Al Hilal, which he turned down. The French club said Sunday it has had “constructive and positive talks" with Mbappe.
Al Hilal also has Brazilian winger Malcom, Portugal midfielder Rúben Neves and Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly in its squad.
Malcom and Neves were the subjects of the two previous most expensive transfer fees paid by a Saudi club — at a reported 60 million euros ($65 million) and 55 million euros ($60 million) from Wolverhampton, respectively.