Tag: Lionel Messi

Match coverage

Argentina 3-3 France (4-2 on pens): Montiel ends frenzied final in shootout after Mbappe hat-trick

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Lionel Messi of Argentina and team celebrate after winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium...

Argentina found themselves just 10 minutes from glory. Kylian Mbappe scored twice in 97 seconds to equalise. Lionel Messi made it 3-2 in extra-time, yet his club teammate completed his hat-trick from the spot during a frantic finish. Into a penalty shootout they went and Sevilla fullback Gonzalo Montiel had the final say: sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way, finishing a remarkable World Cup Final with a dramatic win over the defending champions last night. Continue reading “Argentina 3-3 France (4-2 on pens): Montiel ends frenzied final in shootout after Mbappe hat-trick” →

Match coverage

World Cup 2022: Messi’s masterful display, Alvarez brace propels Argentina into Sunday’s final

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Josko GVARDIOL of Croatia and Lionel MESSI of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Semi Final match between Argentina and Croatia at...

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates will play defending champions France or African record-breakers Morocco on Sunday afternoon in the World Cup Final after ultimately easing to a 3-0 win over Croatia in the tournament’s first semi-final. Turns out, Nicolas Tagliafico’s pre-match comments on the PSG man’s presence aged well here. Will they again this weekend?
Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Messi’s masterful display, Alvarez brace propels Argentina into Sunday’s final” →

Match coverage

World Cup 2022: Nicolas Tagliafico praises Messi’s presence before tonight’s semi-final against Croatia

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Lionel Messi of Argentina during the Argentina Training Session at on December 12, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Ahead of tonight’s World Cup semi-final against Croatia, Lyon left-back Nicolas Tagliafico praised Lionel Messi’s presence as one that will give their Argentina side a special advantage as they prepare to face the tournament’s runners-up from Russia 2018. Who will outlast the other? Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Nicolas Tagliafico praises Messi’s presence before tonight’s semi-final against Croatia” →

Archives

Real Madrid (3) 3-1 (2) PSG: Benzema’s second-half hat-trick secures unlikely comeback

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Karim BENZEMA of Real Madrid celebrates his third goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Paris at Estadio Santiago...

Karim Benzema’s 17-minute hat-trick sent the Bernabeu into raptures, as Real Madrid produced the seemingly improbable: recovering from 1-0 down on the night, and 2-0 on aggregate, stunning PSG to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals. The visitors, ahead after Kylian Mbappe’s near-post finish six minutes before half-time, capitulated again. Continue reading “Real Madrid (3) 3-1 (2) PSG: Benzema’s second-half hat-trick secures unlikely comeback” →

Archives

PSG 1-0 Real Madrid: Mbappe’s stoppage-time magic sinks Los Blancos in tense first leg

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Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between...

Kylian Mbappe scored his second stoppage-time winner in four days, ensuring PSG hold a slender first leg lead in their Champions League last-16 clash with La Liga leaders Real Madrid. The visitors defended stoutly with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois producing saves galore – including a Lionel Messi penalty – but had no chance stopping a magical moment at the death.
Continue reading “PSG 1-0 Real Madrid: Mbappe’s stoppage-time magic sinks Los Blancos in tense first leg” →

Archives, Specials

Sergio Aguero’s abrupt retirement, aged 33, is upsetting but tinged with relief

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Kun Aguero of FC Barcelona announces his retirement from football due to a heart condition during a press conference at Nou Camp on December 15, 2021...

Less than six months into his Catalan adventure, Manchester City’s all-time top goalscorer wept during the announcement as he explained what we’ve known for a few weeks now: having to retire prematurely with a heart condition. But as we reflect on his greatest moments and angrily wonder what could’ve been, I’m relieved he’s okay at a time where nothing is certain. Continue reading “Sergio Aguero’s abrupt retirement, aged 33, is upsetting but tinged with relief” →

Archives, Specials

Meticulous planning, irreparable damage and cruel irony: Lionel Messi at PSG

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Lionel Messi poses with the Paris Saint-Germain jersey after signing a 2 year contract at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2021 in Paris, France.

Lionel Messi’s 21-year association with Barcelona, where he became the greatest player of his generation, ended yesterday. The Argentine joins a stacked PSG side whose pursuit of an elusive Champions League triumph has become clearer in recent months with their summer business. But while the seeds had been sown for a decade, even they wouldn’t have expected this…
Continue reading “Meticulous planning, irreparable damage and cruel irony: Lionel Messi at PSG” →

Specials

City career complete, Sergio Aguero’s Catalan adventure begins

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After a forgettable end to his illustrious Manchester City tenure at the weekend in their Champions League Final loss, Sergio Aguero returns to La Liga where he’ll partner Lionel Messi at Barca – a decade after departing the country’s new champions Atletico Madrid for England. Continue reading “City career complete, Sergio Aguero’s Catalan adventure begins” →

Archives

Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves

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Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City signs a new contract extension at the club at Manchester City Football Academy on April 07, 2021 in Manchester,...

Less than 12 hours removed from his decisive display to help Manchester City overcome a relentless Borussia Dortmund effort in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, the news was finally announced: the Premier League leaders had agreed a two-year contract extension with their creator-in-chief to keep him at Eastlands until the summer of 2025. Continue reading “Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves” →

Archives

UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar

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Pirlo endured a forgettable evening on the sidelines, seeing his Juve side limp to defeat against Barcelona

Read on for two Champions League MD6 match previews ahead of a pivotal Group G clash between Spanish giants Barcelona and Serie A champions Juventus with top spot not yet confirmed, while Frank Lampard’s unbeaten Chelsea side expect to finish with a flourish when entertaining Russian side Krasnodar elsewhere tonight in Group E. Are we in for some surprises? Continue reading “UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar” →

Archives

Saturday previews: Barcelona travel to Cadiz, Juventus host Torino in derby clash

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Juventus beat Dynamo Kiev and will decide first place in Group G in the last round against Barcelona | Time24 News

Ahead of their eagerly-anticipated UCL clash on MD6 next, La Liga giants Barcelona and Serie A champions Juventus face potentially stiff opposition during their brief return to domestic action on Saturday. Barca travel to sixth-placed Cadiz, after Juventus entertain determined strugglers Torino in the Derby della Mole as they look to close the gap on their title rivals. Continue reading “Saturday previews: Barcelona travel to Cadiz, Juventus host Torino in derby clash” →

Archives

Juventus 0-2 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points as Dembele, Messi pile early pressure on Pirlo

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Barcelona players celebrate after Messi's penalty helped seal all three points against an under-fire Juventus

Goals from Ousmane Dembele and a Lionel Messi penalty helped Barcelona to a morale-boosting 2-0 Champions League group stage win over Serie A champions Juventus. What were five talking points as Ronald Koeman’s men bounced back from their 3-1 El Clasico defeat to record a first victory in Turin, continuing their 100% record to begin this season’s UCL? Continue reading “Juventus 0-2 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points as Dembele, Messi pile early pressure on Pirlo” →