..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

'Messi is human' - Aguero supports Argentina star after penalty miss


Sergio Aguero was quick to jump to Lionel Messi's defence after his penalty miss cost Argentina the chance to make a winning start to the World Cup.

Aguero opened the scoring in Argentina's Group D 1-1 draw against Iceland in Moscow on Saturday before Alfred Finnbogason hit back with Iceland's first World Cup goal.It was also Aguero's maiden strike at the tournament, but Argentina could not claim all three points, Messi seeing a second-half penalty saved by Hannes Thor Halldorsson.

Messi had 11 shots without scoring - setting a new Argentina record for the World Cup - and was dejected at the final whistle.A Messi hat-trick in a qualifier against Ecuador booked Argentina's place at Russia 2018 and Aguero offered his support to his fellow forward.

"Leo is normal, he is human," the Manchester City striker told TyC Sports.
"Today we have to be with him, we know that at any moment he can define a match."The first match is always difficult. Argentina want to win against everyone.
"I hope that the Croatia game can be better."

Javier Mascherano indicated Iceland's defensive tactics caused problems for Jorge Sampaoli's side."It's not the best feeling," Argentina's record appearance holder said."We wanted to win, we tried everything and we could not. It's never easy to play the first game, but you have to keep going.

"This is just beginning, it's not allowed to fall, but it has not been our day."We knew of the difficulty with a rival who defends with people back, very close."We made it all uphill, we thank the fans and we ask them to continue supporting us. we are going to need them."

 

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Croatia 2 Nigeria 0: Etebo own goal, Modric penalty settle tight clash

Croatia claimed pole position in Group D with a hard-fought 2-0 win against Nigeria thanks to an own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo and a Luka Modric penalty.

Midfielder Etebo, who joined Stoke City for €7.2million on Monday, turned a Modric corner into his own net after Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic both flicked the delivery on.Nigeria's previous goal conceded at the World Cup in 2014 was also an own goal, defender Joseph Yobo the unfortunate player to put through his own net in a last-16 defeat to France.




And when William Troost-Ekong needlessly dragged Mandzukic down in the box, captain Modric coolly converted the 71st-minute penalty to give Croatia a winning start on their fifth appearance at the finals.Croatia had the better of a close contest light on chances in Kaliningrad, with Mandzukic's aerial power causing plenty of problems for Nigeria, who have the youngest squad at the World Cup.

Gernot Rohr's men were unable to create a clear opportunity of their own and sit bottom of Group D following the first round of fixtures, Argentina and Iceland having drawn in Moscow earlier on Friday after Lionel Messi missed a penalty.


After a cagey opening, Perisic fired Croatia's first shot in the 13th minute, narrowly clearing the crossbar after Mandzukic's strength created the opportunity to shoot.More solid hold-up play from Mandzukic fed Ante Rebic, whose effort deflected wide, with Croatia scoring the opening goal from the resulting set-piece in the 32nd minute.

Perisic and Mandzukic both got a touch on a right-wing Modric corner but the crucial contact came at the back post from Etebo, who could only divert the ball past teenage goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

Alex Iwobi was proving a lively presence in attack for Nigeria but after wriggling into space on the left side of the box, he hit a shot directly into a Croatia defender.Rebic should have doubled Croatia's lead, firing over from Perisic's perfect left-wing centre, with Odion Ighalo's tame header recording the match's first shot on target in the 59th minute.

Nigeria's lack of quality in the final third was evident and after Troost-Ekong was penalised for holding Mandzukic in the penalty area, Modric sent Uzoho the wrong way from 12 yards for his first World Cup goal.A fightback from the Super Eagles never looked likely, Danijel Subasic given a comfortable outing in the Croatia goal with Kelechi Iheanacho and Etebo missing chances to register.

Croatia next face Messi's men on Thursday, while Nigeria are in action the following day against World Cup debutants Iceland.

 

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France 2 Vs 1 Australia

Group C Match in Pictures

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Argentina 1 Vs 1 Iceland

Group D Match in Pictures

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Peru 0 Vs 1 Denmark

Group C Match in Pictures

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Croatia 2 Vs 0 Nigeria

Group D Match in Pictures

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France v Australia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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Peru v Denmark - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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Argentina v Iceland - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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Croatia v Nigeria - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.17

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.17

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Group E
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Costa Rica Vs Serbia

Brazil Vs Switzerland

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Group F
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Germany Vs Mexico

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[Mal Baba]

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.17

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Group E
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Costa Rica Vs Serbia

Brazil Vs Switzerland

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Group F
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Germany Vs Mexico

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Brazil
N Jr

 

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Brazil
N Jr

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[Sachira123]

මෙයා කවුද opening එක බලපු අය කියන්ඩෝ නම ටමා ඕනෙ.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

මෙයා කවුද opening එක බලපු අය කියන්ඩෝ නම ටමා ඕනෙ.

"Natalia Vodianova" wenna one.
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[Sachira123]

"Natalia Vodianova" wenna one.
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Ela ela bro!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea hold Lewandowski dream but Bayern hurdles could prove impossible


Chelsea face a struggle to convince Bayern Munich to sell Robert Lewandowski, despite holding a long-term interest in the want away forward.Both Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi are attracting strong interest from other clubs, while Poland international Lewandowski has been a target for over a year at Stamford Bridge.

As first revealed on Goal , Chelsea were considering Lewandowski ahead of the transfer window last summer. His former agent was sounded out by the club, although a move was deemed too difficult to secure leading the club’s director Marina Granovskaia to pressure other targets.

Lewandowski wants out of Bayern Munich and he has since hired a new agent in Pini Zahavi, but a move away from the Allianz Arena could still prove difficult with the Bavarians ruling out a sale and holding him to a lucrative contract that is signed until 2021.Morata eventually joined Chelsea for £60 million ($80m) last season, which could rise to £70m in add-ons, after the club lost out to Manchester United in its approach to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton.

The Spain international has had a mixed season which has led him to being left out of his country’s squad for the World Cup. This hasn’t stopped clubs spotting an opportunity to sign him, though, with Juventus publicly stating an interest in bringing back the 25-year-old.

AC Milan and Inter have also held meetings with Morata’s agent and could make moves , although it appears unlikely that Chelsea would break even on his sale to an Italian club.Michy Batshuayi is also a serious target of Borussia Dortumund and he would be interested in discussions after the World Cup over a move, following his successful loan spell with the German giants.

Chelsea could raise funds for Lewandowski, but Bayern Munich hold great leverage in the situation which may deter the Blues for another summer, as the Bavarians are unlikely to talk to clubs for less than £200m.It may be a case of now or never for the 29-year-old, who is keen on a move to either England or Spain, after winning four consecutive Bundesliga titles at the dominant club.

Chelsea also have Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham among their pool of possible strikers to use next season but decisions on loanees have been delayed with the club’s managerial situation still unresolved.

 

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'A journey I didn't want to be on' - Southgate didn't expect to be England's World Cup manager


England manager Gareth Southgate said he never expected to lead his country into a World Cup, but is now excited by the prospect of doing it in Russia.

Southgate was promoted from the under-21 set up to guide England through qualifying when Sam Allardyce's short reign was ended after one game in charge.The 47-year-old has been impressive during his tenure as three lions boss so far, but admits he had reservations about taking the job given the circumstances.

"It's a journey I didn't expect or want to be on," Southgate told BBC Sport . "I was hoping that in the last Euros the team was going to do really well and Roy [Hodgson] would still be there.
"When Sam Allardyce was appointed, I was under-21 coach and there to support him."I have said from the off I wasn't comfortable with the manner in which I took the reins, but I have enjoyed the responsibility.

"I've enjoyed having the role and I think I was the best qualified person with the best experiences to take it at the time it came up." England get their tournament underway on Monday when they face Tunisia in their opening Group G fixture.

 

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Paul Pogba: It felt like we were playing in Australia


Just under 12,000km separate Australia and Kazan, but an estimated 10,000 Socceroos fans turned the Russian city into a fortress against France on Saturday.

While they came close to seeing an upset only for the French to sneak away with a controversial 2-1 win, the Aussie fans have left some impression.France's Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba admitting post-match that he felt like the game was a home one for the Socceroos."It was intense," Pogba said."The Australian fans were shouting, they were even booing our players so we felt like we were playing in Australia."

Pogba struck the winning goal against Australia with his effort passing the goal-line by a matter of centimetres.It added to France's earlier fortune when they were awarded the first ever World Cup penalty by VAR - a controversial decision to say the least.

While sheepish in victory, Pogba made a special note to praise a Socceroos side who were widely dismissed heading into the game. "I guess we were lucky, but we create luck," he said.

"You can see today they (Australia) play very well, defend very well, they play altogether."That is not a small team."Australia will play Denmark next in their now up-hill battle to escape Group C, while France will take on Peru.