Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been slammed for his "embarrassing" tears after missing a penalty against Slovenia.
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Ronaldo failed to convert from the spot
Broke down in tears after the miss
Didi Hamann blasted Ronaldo's reaction
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo's extra-time penalty was saved by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The 39-year-old Portuguese forward was visibly distraught at half-time in extra time, with team-mates attempting to console him after the miss.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite Ronaldo's missed opportunity, Portugal eventually triumphed in a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Diogo Costa saving all three of Slovenia's penalty attempts. The Al-Nassr forward managed to convert his own penalty during the shootout and subsequently apologised to the fans for his earlier miss, but his actions did not go well with former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann.
WHAT HAMANN SAID
Working as a pundit for Irish TV station , Hamann said: "Thirty-nine-year-old plays 120 minutes, he misses a penalty and I've got to say, I bought into all that 'Ronaldo has turned into a team player because he needs the team more than he used to'. I bought into that nonsense as well, but I think he showed his true colours again tonight.
"Missing the penalty, he starts crying on the pitch, he starts crying at half-time in extra-time. And I'm thinking 'it's all about you'. There's a squad of 26 players, there's 20 staff, there's 30 or 40,000 fans in there, it's not about you. You try to be mutual, but I was cheering Slovenia on because I thought the reaction was embarrassing, I thought it was out of order. I've never seen anything like it, because once you show emotions, once you get emotional, it's the end of it. So that was the point where the manager had to say, 'you've got to come off because you're not in the right frame of mind to carry on playing'.
"Credit to him he took the first penalty and he took it well, it was a very good penalty, but as I said I bought into all that 'Ronaldo's turned into a team player', it's absolute nonsense. All he thinks about is himself. He scores the penalty and apologises to the fans, he doesn't need to apologise. He will start the next game but I can't see any other outcome than a France win."
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WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?
Ronaldo's performance in Euro 2024 has been under scrutiny, as he has yet to score in the tournament and has now gone eight matches without a goal for Portugal in major competitions. He will look to end his goal drought when Portugal will lock horns with France in the quarter-finals on Friday evening in Hamburg.
Recently retired Hashim Amla advised the entire South African team to buy into the idea of batting out 98 overs
Firdose Moonda05-Oct-2019Whatever happens on the final day of the Vizag Test, there is one thing South Africa will not be complaining about. The pitch.Watch cricket on ESPN+
India v South Africa is available in the US on Hotstar and ESPN+. Subscribe to ESPN+ and tune in to the three Tests.
After the raging turners of 2015, which saw only one of the three non-rain affected Tests go into a fourth day, the visitors have been pleasantly surprised with the surface so far and as a result, are hopeful they can add to their history of hard-fought draws.”The last time we came here, the wickets were a lot worse,” Vernon Philander said at the press conference. “But you can still bat on there. Their batters showed it today. Guys have to get in. Hopefully two guys can get in and can get big hundreds for us.”While there is ample evidence of uneven bounce and further deterioration, which will bring India’s spinners into play, Philander’s optimism is not entirely deluded (or it may be PR nonsense). South Africa, and in particular their captain Faf du Plessis, thrive in this kind of scrap. They batted out 148 overs to draw the 2012 Test in Adelaide, 136 overs to share spoils with India at the Wanderers in 2013 and 111 to deny Sri Lanka victory in Colombo in 2014. At Vizag, they ‘only’ need to last 98 overs.Recently retired Hashim Amla, who is now an analyst for the broadcaster , said he had “strong belief” that South Africa could hold out, provided they approach it in the right way. Amla’s broad-brush advice was to have the common goal of surviving 98 overs but to leave it up to individual batsmen to decide how they would go about it.ALSO READ: Dean Elgar to Keshav Maharaj, 10 seriously underrated cricketersWhen asked what he would do personally, Amla said, “I would try and block every ball dead.” He did just that five years ago at the SSC, absorbing 171 balls for 25 runs to ensure a 1-0 series victory. Amla said strike rotation did not even come into consideration because all he sought to do was “minimise the risk of getting out”. He added that even someone like AB de Villiers, who has “every shot in the book,” went into a super-defensive bubble when trying to play for the draw but also acknowledged that not all players would be able to maintain such stoicism.Though Dean Elgar has been dismissed, Amla used the opener as an example for how South Africa’s batsmen should approach the final day’s play tomorrow. “He might hit one or two over the top, to get a man sent back and then there are not so many fielders in his space,” Amla said, indicating how the score could still tick over even when accumulating runs was not the primary objective.
I would try and block every ball deadAmla’s gameplan to draw the Vizag Test
Quinton de Kock is a player who may look to be more aggressive than Amla may like but that could work to his, and South Africa’s advantage. So too, could the team composition. South Africa bat competently all the way to No.11, where Kagiso Rabada has proven he is no bunny. That, however, may be the only benefit of leaving wicket-takers like Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje on the bench and South Africa will still have to address whether they went into this Test with their best XI, considering how Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy have struggled to make an impact.Philander defended his team-mates, saying South Africa were simply outplayed by quality batsmen. “The seamers have only taken four wickets for both teams. You can say it this way or that way but I think three spinners was the right call to have made. They have played our spinners really well and credit to them.”
Manchester United are thought to be in talks to sign a new "monster" midfielder for Erik ten Hag, with just hours remaining of the January transfer window.
Man Utd transfer rumours
The Red Devils and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are yet to make a marque signing in 2024, with the focus this month being on sending a number of players out on loan. Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho and Hannibal Mejbri have left Old Trafford on temporary deals, joining Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla respectively.
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The club have lived up to their promise of being quiet in the January market, with Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche saying last month:
"We are not expecting it [the January transfer window] to be particularly busy. There will always be the possibility of deals around the edges of the squad, particularly in terms of finding opportunities for players who are not playing as much football as they would like.
"However, we have always been consistent in saying that we do not see January as the optimal time to do business and our recruitment strategy remains focused on summer windows.”
Despite these comments, it looks as if discussions are open over a possible big-money deal for a new midfielder, with time still left to pursue a late January transfer, as shown following rumours about a move for Espanyol striker Martin Braithwaite advancing.
Man Utd in Morten Hjulmand talks
According to reports from Record in Portugal, relayed by CaughtOffside, Man Utd are in talks over a move for Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who has a £68m release clause.
They claim that the Red Devils, and by extension Ratcliffe and INEOS, understand the conditions of a deal, however, Sporting are even thinking about making Hjulmand captain as they aim to persuade him to stay in Portugal.
Hjulmand, a Denmark international, can play as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder, so would offer plenty of versatility to Ten Hag’s options, should a move materialise either now or in the summer.
The 24-year-old came through the FC Copenhagen academy and has gone on to ply his trade in Austria and Italy with Admira Wacker and Lecce. He moved to Sporting in the summer and has gone from strength to strength, with his Transfermarkt valuation currently standing at a career-high €26m.
Journalist Zach Lowy called him a "monster" when it comes to recovering possession earlier in the season, saying he appears to be a perfect replacement for Manuel Ugarte, who left Portugal for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
Therefore, the Red Devils could see Hjulmand as a long-term replacement for Casmeiro, who will turn 32 next month, and by the looks of things, a deal is one to keep an eye on.
Tottenham Hotspur are now willing to green-light an exit for another defender after they reached an agreement to loan out Sergio Reguilon to Brentford.
Reguilon leaving Spurs after deal reached
The Spaniard spent a few months on loan at Man United before Erik ten Hag's side pulled the plug and sent him back to north London, but it appears he's on the move yet again.
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Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Tuesday evening that Spurs and Brentford reached a full agreement for Reguilon to join the Bees on a six-month temporary deal with no buy option. The former Sevilla starlet will make his move today and medical tests are scheduled to take place, coming after Tottenham gave their final green light to the transfer.
Reguilon will shore up Brentford's full-back options to no end, with Frank currently missing star defenders Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry through injury. The 27-year-old doesn't appear to have a future at Spurs as things stand, as Italy international Destiny Udogie thrives in the Tottenham left-back area under Ange Postecoglou.
As we go over the halfway point of this January transfer window, there have been reports that Spurs could make a third January signing after Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin.
Eric Dier to Bayern Munich
Loan
Radu Dragusin to Tottenham
Permanent
Timo Werner to Tottenham
Loan
Djed Spence to Genoa
Loan
Ashley Phillips to Plymouth Argyle
Loan
Postecoglou is believed to be keen on a new midfielder, including Chelsea star Conor Gallagher, but the club may have to make squad space and free up funds by selling first. As a result, more players could depart after Reguilon, and one of the candidates to leave is defender Ryan Sessegnon.
Tottenham ready to green-light Sessegnon exit
According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, Spurs "will sanction" a loan exit for Sessegnon in January – if they receive an offer.
After signing from Fulham in 2019, the Englishman has suffered from a plague of injury problems – unable to showcase his best form on a consistent enough basis.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Sessegnon.
Resultingly, the Lilywhites could look to trim him off Postecoglou's squad for the remainder of 2023/2024, even if Sessegnon can turn it on when available and at his very best. Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has called him an "outstanding player", but flashes of the 23-year-old's excellence have been few and far between.
Perhaps some time away can help Sessegnon rediscover his best form and get much-needed game time, provided he stays injury-free.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic has generated rumours of romance after linking up with golf star Alexa Melton at the 2024 US Women’s Open.
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Milan forward in the States for Copa AmericaTook in major tournament at Lancaster Country ClubMingled with LPGA rookie in native PennsylvaniaGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Melton, as a 23-year-old rookie on the LPGA Tour, was taking part in that event for the first time. She made the most of the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best in the world, but failed to make the cut after posting a disappointing score of +21 through her opening two rounds.
AdvertisementDID YOU KNOW?
Melton was, however, still all smiles on and off the course – particularly when crossing paths with United States international Pulisic. The AC Milan forward was able to take in the tournament – which took place in his native Pennsylvania – after sitting out the Rossoneri’s post-season trip to Australia.
THE GOSSIP
It is now being suggested that Pulisic and Melton may be more than just friends, with two sporting stars that have reached the top of their chosen professions appearing to enjoy one another’s company. Pulisic has poked fun at himself when replying to an Instagram post from Melton, with the 25-year-old suggesting that the image in question has him wearing a “crop top”.
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WHAT NEXT?
Melton did play a lot of soccer herself when growing up, while also showing promise in softball, but eventually opted to focus her attention on golf. It may be that she gets the chance to return the favour with Pulisic over the coming weeks and watch him in action at the Copa America – which will take place on U.S. soil and gets underway on June 20.
Despite spending Christmas Day atop the Premier League, Arsenal currently find themselves in fourth place, five points off first-place Liverpool and three behind Manchester City in second place.
Mikel Arteta saw his side lose back-to-back league games against West Ham United and Fulham before crashing out of the FA Cup against Liverpool, with only the winter break putting a stop to the Gunners' slide.
While much of this current slump can be blamed on the frontline – one goal in 63 shots is hard to ignore – the rest of the team hasn't been great either.
So, it is unsurprising that the latest player touted for a move to N5 could come in and provide the perfect competition for Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal considering move for former Chelsea youth star
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are among several Premier League clubs incredibly interested in Bayern Munich's outrageously talented youngster, Jamal Musiala.
The report names Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool as the other interested parties alongside the Gunners and comes off the back of transfers expert Fabrizio Romano (via Caught Offside) confirming that the former Chelsea youth product has yet to agree terms for a new deal with Bayern.
While the lack of progress on a new deal might help the interested parties somewhat, the fact that the 20-year-old still has over two years remaining on his deal certainly does not.
Jamal Musiala
These two and a half years combined with his importance to the Bavarian giants means that this won't be a cheap deal to complete, with TEAMtalk reporting that he is valued at around €100m – £87m – by the Germans.
That said, Edu and Co have shown that they are happy to spend big for the right player, and Musiala could be the perfect rival for Odegaard, and if anything, he could even eventually replace him.
How Jamal Musiala compares to Martin Odegaard
Odegaard was named Arsenal captain in the summer of 2022, and in the year and a half since, he has wholly justified the club's decision. The Norwegian international was already the captain of his national team, and his impressive match intelligence and leadership qualities seamlessly transferred from country to club.
However, while he was outstanding for the Gunners last season – scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists – he has been rather underwhelming this season, scoring just four goals and providing three assists in 17 league starts.
That is where Musiala could come in and either provide some much-needed competition in the attacking midfield area or outright replace the former Real Madrid man if he cannot raise his level.
The German "genius", as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has only started eight Bundesliga games this season but has already matched Odegaard's overall league goal contributions with five goals and two assists.
He was even more potent last season, registering 22 goal involvements – 12 goals and ten assists – in just 26 Bundesliga starts for the German behemoths.
That said, how do the pair compare when looking at their underlying numbers? Well, when it comes to the most relevant metrics for players in their position, it is hard to pick an outright winner.
Stats per 90
Musiala
Odegaard
Non-Penalty Goals + Assists
0.64
0.35
Progressive Passes
5.24
8.44
Progressive Carries
4.63
2.93
Passing Accuracy
81.2%
84.7%
Shot-Creating Actions
5.51
6.10
Goal-Creating Actions
1.10
0.48
Successful Take-Ons
3.90
0.96
All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season
For example, Odegaard edges it in progressive passes, passing accuracy and shot-creating actions per 90. In contrast, Musiala comes out on top for non-penalty expected goals and assists, progressive carries, goal-creating actions and successful take-ons per 90.
The clear advantage the young German has on his side is age, as at just 20, he is five years the Arsenal star's junior, and if talent scout Jacek Kulig is correct that Musiala is "destined for greatness", then he could well surpass Odegaard's output when he reaches his age.
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At the end of the day, Arsenal are in a poor run of form, and their captain has not been at his best either, so if they can find the money, signing Musiala could be the perfect way to coax him back to his best or have a ready-made replacement if he doesn't improve.
O Palmeiras foi derrotado, nesta quinta-feira (25), pelo Atlético-MG por 2 a 0, no Mineirão, em jogo válido pela última rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro de 2020. Após o jogo, Abel Ferreira concedeu entrevista coletiva e falou sobre a escalação alviverde que entrou em campo contra a equipe mineira.
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>>Flamengo de 2019 ou Palmeiras de 1993? Quem é o melhor? LANCE! compara posição por posição
– Os jogadores, no modo geral, tiveram um bom comportamento. Gostei dos jogadores da base, que têm jogado menos, mas volto a dizer: essa é a nossa segunda força. São as nossas segundas linhas.
O treinador também enfatizou que os atletas relacionados para essa partida serão os escalados para disputar o Campeonato Paulista.
– Essa equipe que vocês viram aqui vai ser a do Paulistão. São esses jogadores, não temos outros. Que fique aqui bem claro. Essa, seguramente, será a equipe que vai disputar o Paulistão.
O Palmeiras estreia no Paulistão 2021 na próxima quarta-feira (03), às 19h, contra o Corinthians, na Neo Química Arena. Antes do Dérbi, o Maior Campeão Nacional viaja a Porto Alegre para enfrentar o Grêmio no jogo de ida da final da Copa do Brasil, em partida marcada às 16h de domingo (28).
Former USA star Alexi Lalas pointed out what 'success' would mean for the USMNT at the upcoming Olympics.
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Lalas reveals what success will be for USMNT at the OlympicsWants young players to prove themselves before World CupUSMNT to face Colombia & Brazil in June WHAT HAPPENED?
The former USA international and LA Galaxy defender suggested that he would love to see some young American players making a name for themselves in the Olympics and make a strong case for themselves to be selected in the final United States men's national team squad for the 2026 World Cup.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Established, young stars such as Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna, could travel with the team to Paris, while three overage players will be allowed to take part in the competition too. However, the USMNT's priority remains the Copa America which they consider to be a bigger test before the home World Cup.
WHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID
Replying to an X user, the 53-year-old wrote: "For the US men’s Olympic team, all I want to come out of the Olympics this summer are a few players who show they can legitimately challenge for places on the full USMNT before 2026. That’s success."
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?
Gregg Berhalter's side will be next seen in action on June 8 as they face Colombia in an international friendly before taking on Brazil four days later. It remains to be seen which players will be taken to Paris this summer.
One Tottenham star is now hoping to make his injury comeback in December, which could ease another imminent blow for manager Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs absentee list growing
Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, in what was a hammer setback for the Uruguayan, sustained ankle ligament damage in Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. Bentancur is now expected to be sidelined till February, just weeks after he returned to the field from a lengthy nine-month lay-off.
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The 26-year-old joins a long list of currently unavailable Spurs players, including the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Richarlison.
Spurs are also facing the imminent absences of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min – who are all away on international duties at the very start of January.
They travel to represent their nations at AFCON and the Asia Cup respectively, a scenario which seems nightmarish for Postecoglou given the Spurs manager's real lack of options.
Tottenham have a tough festival schedule to contend with in the mean time, with league champions Man City, rivals West Ham and high-flying Newcastle awaiting them soon.
Richarlison hoping for December comeback
According to The Evening Standard and journalist Dan Kilpatrick, though, one injured Spurs star in Richarlison is hoping to ease the pressure on Postecoglou with a December return.
Indeed, Richarlison is aiming for an injury comeback before 2024 after undergoing surgery on his pubic bone, which would "ease the blow" of Son going away mid-season. The Brazilian, who's racked up a goal and three assists in 10 Premier League appearances this season, hasn't featured since Spurs' 2-1 win away to Palace in October.
brennan-johnson-richarlison-tottenham-opinion
He was on the bench for their first defeat of the season against Chelsea at the start of this month, but has since been sidelined following his treatment. While Richarlison has suffered his fair share of criticism since joining Spurs from Everton in 2022, the forward provides a different option for Tottenham.
Able to play both as a central striker and on the wings, having him back for what is a tough Christmas schedule will be a breath of fresh air for the Lilywhites with so many out right now.
Gets fouled often
Likes to cut inside
Indirect set-piece threat
Likes to tackle
Speaking after Richarlison's heroics during a 2-1 win over Sheffield United earlier this season, Postecoglou praised the "fantastic footballer".
“We’ve got to maintain a balance in life and even for him," said Postecoglou, via TEAMtalk. "He needs to understand his football is still good, he’s a fantastic footballer, he’s got so much to give and that can help ease the burden he’s feeling in other parts of his life, like so many of us.
“I’m really pleased for him – I thought he did really well. We were obviously chasing a goal and getting some balls in the box and he’s always a threat in the air.”
The allrounder has been suspended for two matches for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during USA’s win over Singapore on the final day of WCL Division Three
Peter Della Penna27-Nov-2018
Jannisar Khan executes a sweep behind square•Peter Della Penna
USA allrounder Jannisar Khan has been suspended for two matches and given four demerit points after being found guilty of breaching the ICC’s code of conduct. This is the first time a USA player has been suspended under the ICC’s current demerit points system and puts a cloud over his selection status for ICC WCL Division Two in Namibia next April.USA need a top-four finish in the six-team event to guarantee ODI status through 2021. The tournament consists of five round-robin matches which determine if USA finishes in the top four, before a final-day playoff match that has no bearing on ODI status. It means Jannisar would be guaranteed to miss 40% of the pivotal round-robin stage if USA decide to include him in their 14-man squad for the event.An ICC media release said Jannisar was charged with violating article 2.8 of the code of conduct, which relates to “showing dissent at a decision during an international match”. The release goes on to state that Jannisar “appeared to show dissent at the decision and directed abusive language towards the umpire and his decision.”The incident occurred during USA’s win over Singapore on the final day of WCL Division Three in Oman last week. Jannisar was given out caught behind for 24 with USA needing one run to achieve their target of 162.The match was live-streamed on USA Cricket’s YouTube page. Footage from the dismissal shows Jannisar throwing his hands up after being given out caught behind upon missing a cut shot to legspinner Anantha Krishna. Audio of the feed then clearly records Jannisar shouting, “Oh, come on, man! Oh, what the f***, man!” Jannisar then starts to walk off before the audio records him shouting, “S***, man!”Jannisar pleaded not guilty to the charge laid by on-field umpires Vinay Kumar Jha and Rahul Asher, and third umpire Akbar Ali Khan. The plea was apparently done under the premise that Jannisar’s language was expressed in general frustration at the decision rather than specifically directing abuse at the umpires.After a hearing, ICC match referee V Narayanan Kutty found Jannisar guilty and issued four demerit points, which equates to a two-match ban for USA’s next two T20Is or 50-over matches, whichever comes first. At the moment, USA have no matches scheduled prior to WCL Division Two in Namibia, due to be held from April 18 to 28.Jannisar, 37, is a former Pakistan Under-15 and Under-19 player belonging to the same batch that produced future Pakistan internationals such as Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq and Taufeeq Umar, and the future South Africa legspinner Imran Tahir. He migrated to Houston, Texas several years ago where he plays his club cricket and also works as a youth academy coach. He made his USA debut in September after qualifying to play for his adopted country under the ICC’s three-year residency rule.Jannisar was the third USA player found guilty of a code-of-conduct violation during WCL Division Three. Monank Patel was handed one demerit point for a level one violation after pleading guilty to giving batsman Irfan Karim a send-off during USA’s win over Kenya. Timil Patel was given one demerit point after pleading guilty to giving batsman Saif Ahmad a send-off during USA’s win over Denmark.