Author: Barkha Roy

Former Spain manager Luis Enrique stated that Lionel Messi lifting the trophy would be befitting of the Argentine’s stature in the game. Spain got off to a fast start in Qatar, thrashing Costa Rica 7-0. But the 2010 champions then lost their next three games and were eliminated on penalties by Morocco in the last 16. It cost Enrique his job, as La Roja replaced him with Luis de la Fuente, their former youth level coach. Credit: Visionhaus Enrique reflected on Spain’s campaign, saying he wished he had left one of his preferred players out of the squad and that he should have used winger…

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif is of the opinion that it is too early to judge the current Indian skipper as captain of the national team. After Virat Kohli stepped down as Test captain following India’s series loss to South Africa in January, Rohit Sharma took over as full-time captain in February. Rohit, who has over 16000 international runs, was named white ball captain in December last year. Rohit has already demonstrated his white-ball captaincy credentials in the India Premier League, leading Mumbai Indians to a record five titles. He was expected to continue his trophy-winning streak in India colours as well.…

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has recovered from a thigh injury and could return to Qatar to join the France squad ahead of their World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday. The Ballon d’Or winner was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a thigh injury and returned home to Madrid to begin his recovery as his chances of competing in the tournament appeared to be over. The 34-year-old’s muscle tear was given a three-week recovery period, and he left Doha thinking he would be replaced in the squad. Injuries forced him to miss the event alongside Paul Pogba, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe,…

Women refereeing at the men’s World Cup for the first time “opened up possibilities” that must be capitalised on, according to Yoshimi Yamashita, who was one of three women named to the list of 36 referees for the tournament. She did not referee a match but served as the fourth official for six first-round games. Stephanie Frappart of France made history as the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match when she officiated the match between Germany and Costa Rica in Group E. https://twitter.com/goal/status/1598642943270785025 She was part of an all-female refereeing team for the match, which included assistants Neuza Back of Brazil and Karen Diaz Medina of Mexico. …

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has issued a challenge to France ahead of his team’s 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal match on Wednesday. In the last 16, the Atlas Lions defeated 2010 World Cup winner Spain on penalties. In the last eight, they defeated 2016 UEFA European champions Portugal 1-0. Morocco will now face the reigning champions. Regragui was upbeat ahead of the match at Al Bayt Stadium. In a pre-match press conference, he stated that Morocco will not be satisfied with making it to the last four, saying: “We want to go to the final and win. We are ready to do anything…

Real Madrid star Toni Kroos believes Croatian hero Luka Modric could play until the 204 European Championship despite retirement rumours following his team’s semifinal exit from the ongoing World Cup. Argentina defeated the Croats 3-0 on Tuesday, effectively ending their hopes of reaching back-to-back World Cup finals. Modric, who starred for the 2018 finalists once again in the tournament with his midfield brilliance, is 37 years old now, and there are rumours that he may retire from international football. Kroos, his Real Madrid teammate, believes he can play for his country for a few more months until the next European…

Former Real Madrid and Brazil striker Ronaldo says he cannot support his country’s great sporting rivals Argentina in the World Cup, and instead believes France are “big favourites” to retain their title. Переглянути цей допис в Instagram Допис, поширений Ronaldo (@ronaldo) Lionel Messi may have one more chance to win the only major trophy he lacks, but Ronaldo will not be rooting for La Albiceleste in Tuesday’s semifinal against Croatia. “I’m not going to be a hypocrite and say I’ll be happy for Argentina if they win the World Cup. But I see football as a romantic. And I will appreciate any champion.”“Since…

Following England’s defeat to France in the FIFA World Cup on Saturday, December 10, midfielder Jude Bellingham slammed referee Wilton Sampaio, a Brazilian referee. The Borussia midfielder claimed that officials, like players, can have bad days, and Sampaio had a bad day. “Not great if I’m being honest, not great. Anyone can have a bad game, players and referees. I think he wasn’t where he should have been today in terms of the level for a game like this,”he said. The Englishman claims that if the Three Lions had been given free kicks around the box, they could have punished…

AC Milan’s star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has stated that Morocco’s incredible run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup has not surprised him. Few could have predicted the Atlas Lions’ trip to Qatar. They are the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, where they will face reigning champions France on December 14. While Morocco’s journey has taken many by surprise, Ibrahimovic has stated that he knew they were a strong team before the FIFA World Cup began. During a recent interview, the former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain striker stated: “I don’t think it’s a surprise because I knew they…

The governing body of football has opened a disciplinary case against Argentina’s Lionel Messi-led team for on-field clashes during Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal match against the Netherlands. The South American team advanced to the semifinals after defeating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after the score was tied at 2-2 after extra time. Nahuel Molina gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute, which was extended to 2-0 when Messi scored on a penalty in the 73rd minute. Wout Weghorst of the Netherlands, however, scored twice in the 83rd and 90+11′ minutes to tie the game at 2-2 and force a penalty shootout. Several…