Author: Barkha Roy

Portugal centre-back Pepe and midfielder Bruno Fernandes blamed their country’s World Cup exit on the Argentine referee and Lionel Messi’s complaints. Morocco defeated Portugal 1-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal. The tournament will almost certainly be the last for a number of Portugal’s ageing stars, including Porto defender Pepe, who became the World Cup’s second-oldest scorer ever in a previous victory over Switzerland. “We conceded a goal that we weren’t expecting but I have to say this is bigger than me and I’m going to have to…

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the Board of Control for Cricket in India treating the Indian Premier League on par with international cricket is the reason why all players are available for the franchise-based tournament while taking a break from the national team. Chopra was asked about his thoughts on India’s players being rested for the national team but available for the IPL in a video posted to his YouTube channel, to which he responded: “The overarching theme in this is that ultimately our cricket board has to decide what is important for us. The Indian cricket board…

Former Indian cricketer Reetinder Sodhi believes that, despite Ishan Kishan’s incredible knock on Saturday, fans should not rush to make a decision about the ODI World Cup in India next year. https://twitter.com/ReetinderSodhi/status/1584793532153597952 Ishan scored 210 runs in just 131 balls, the fastest double century in ODI history. However, this was a one-off game, and Sodhi believes that if the youngster is to displace the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, he will need to consistently produce big scores. “Ishan has played an incredible knock and has put himself firmly in the reckoning for the 50-over World Cup. But we also shouldn’t get carried…

Manuel Neuer, captain of Germany and Bayern Munich, is set to miss the rest of the season after fracturing his lower leg while skiing. Переглянути цей допис в Instagram Допис, поширений Manuel Neuer (@manuelneuer) In an Instagram post on Saturday, the goalkeeper revealed that he had surgery on Friday. The post includes a photo of Neuer, who appears to be in a hospital bed with his right leg in a cast and his left hand bandaged. “What can I say, the end of the year could have definitely gone better. “While I was trying to get my head clear while…

Following India’s second consecutive ODI series defeat in less than a month, concerns have been raised about their preparations for the World Cup next year. Bangladesh defeated Team India by five runs in the second ODI in Dhaka on Wednesday, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Fingers are being pointed at the practice of regularly resting senior cricketers, with the Indian team management now accused of over-experimenting, which has resulted in inconsistency. Workload management has had a direct impact on an in-form Virat Kohli, who was in fine form during the T20 World Cup 2022. Along with a number…

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez acknowledged his home fans’ passion following his country’s 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands on December 9. In the 35th minute, La Albiceleste took the lead through Nahuel Molina, who was set up by a sublime Lionel Messi pass. The playmaker for Paris Saint-Germain scored from 12 yards out with 17 minutes remaining to give his team a two-goal lead. Lionel Scaloni’s men nearly lost the game after two late goals by substitute Wout Weghorst forced extra time and, eventually, a penalty shootout. Aston Villa custodian Martinez saved Virgil van Dijk’s penalty to give the Oranje the worst possible start. https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1601347458004652032 Messi…

Brazil were eliminated from the World Cup after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Croatia on Friday. Tite’s team were frustrated for much of the game by a dominant performance from Croatia’s midfield trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, and Luka Modric, as well as some inspired play from goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, in a cagey affair that was sent to extra time when the deadlock could not be broken in regulation time. Neymar Jr, who had been quiet until then, thought he had scored an extra-time winner when he skipped past Livakovic and powerfully fired into the roof of the…

La Albiceleste won a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands on Friday to advance to the World Cup semifinals after blowing a two-goal lead in regulation time. In the shootout, Emiliano Martnez saved two attempts whule Lautaro Martinez converted the game-winning penalty. After extra time, the score was 2-2, with Lionel Messi scoring one goal and setting up another. In the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time, Oranje equalised thus taking the game to extra time. Argentina took the lead in the first half thanks to a superb assist from Messi, who threaded a delicate pass to Nahuel Molina, who slotted…

Spain has chosen Luis de la Fuente as their preferred candidate to succeed Luis Enrique as head coach of the senior men’s team. Things did not go as planned for La Roja under Enrique at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as the team did not advance past the Round of 16. After finishing second in Group E, the 2010 world champions advanced to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup, but they were eliminated after losing on penalties to Morocco in the knockout phase. Spain’s exit from the FIFA World Cup raised questions about Enrique’s future as head coach. These fears…

India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik is of the opinion that batter Shreyas Iyer will the best thing in Indian cricket and try to emulate Virat Kohli’s habit of finishing games as per a report. With their batting heroics, Rohit Sharma and Iyer led India’s remarkable comeback, but Bangladesh dashed the visitors’ hopes by winning the final-over thriller at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday. Despite suffering a thumb injury in the series finale, Rohit batted brilliantly against Bangladesh. Senior gloveman Karthik praised the Indian captain, saying that batting in injury has earned him a lot of respect as a leader. He also discussed…