Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Friday, November 14, 2014

Goal Hall of Fame: Diego Maradona


"El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), Diego Maradona led Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup, and scored two of the most of famous goals of all time against England, "The Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century".

Monday, September 15, 2014

Welbeck leads England's resurgence

After facing a barrage of criticism for their display against Norway last Wednesday, England were given little room for error in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland.

But Roy Hodgson’s side rose to the task with an assured display and sealed a 2-0 victory at St Jakob-Park following Danny Welbeck’s second-half double.
Tuesday, 9 September 2014 12:00

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Hodgson can’t stop swearing

England manager Roy Hodgson sought to play down reports after he responded angrily to a question from a journalist after his side’s 1-0 win over Norway.

The Three Lions boss was furious after it was claimed his side only had two shots on targets in the match, responding, “that is absolute f***ing b*****ks, I'm sorry”.

However, Hodgson has played down his outburst and cannot understand why there has been so much reaction to his words.

“I swear all the time. I swear in front of my wife – I never used to when I was a kid but I do now, so there you go,” he said. “It’s 2014. People swear – and I swear.”
Monday, 8 September 2014 11:46

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Retiring Gerrard fails to show Liverpool best for England

Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from international football on Monday, drawing the curtain on an England career that began back in May 2000.

But despite such a long and distinguished association with England, scoring 21 goals in 114 appearances for his country, the Liverpool skipper never managed to replicate his Anfield form for the Three Lions.

The 34-year-old is the last of England's so-called Golden Generation to retire, but leaves having failed to challenge in major tournaments despite consistently carrying Liverpool towards multiple successes, bagging two FA Cups, the Champions League and a host of other titles.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014 10:45

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Royal Rumble: Balotelli fails England

Mario Balotelli rallied English supporters on Friday, declaring on Twitter: "If we beat Costa Rica i want a kiss,obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen."

It seemed a fair trade, all told, as England's slim hopes of qualifying from Group D depended entirely on Italy winning both of their remaining group stage matches.

What a pity then - for Queen and country - that Balotelli missed a series of chances against Costa Rica as the Azzurri stumbled to a 1-0 defeat - eliminating England in the process. No royal kiss for Mario.
Saturday, June 21, 2014 11:56

Friday, June 20, 2014

Suarez pushes England towards World Cup exit

A World Cup campaign that began with cautious optimism appears to be over after just one week and two games for England, as a double from Luis Suarez in Sao Paulo consigned the Three Lions to their second successive 2-1 defeat in Brazil.

Roy Hodgson's men are not quite out of the tournament just yet, but now require a miracle to progress from a competitive Group D. England must hope Italy can beat both Costa Rica and Uruguay, while must overcome the former themselves in their final match.

But no side has ever lost their first two group games at a World Cup and still progressed to the knock-out rounds, while only one team - Chile in 1998 - has qualified with just three points (since three points were awarded for a victory). Thus, Suarez's brace appears to have handed England a premature flight home.
Friday, 20 June 2014 13:00

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Stark reality bites in Spain's Roja wedding

It's over, it's finally over. Spain, reigning world and European champions have been dumped out of the World Cup thanks to a colossal performance from Chile.

Jorge Sampaoli's side, also nicknamed La Roja, scored twice in the first half in a frantic end-to-end game of football in Rio de Janeiro.

And for Vicente del Bosque's team it was very much a case of one tournament too far for a group of players who have defined an era. There will be casualties from this exit, not least if they fail to even take home the wooden spoon in their final game against Australia.
Thursday, 19 June 2014 12:46

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Perfect Pirlo hands out lesson to England's youngsters

England were made to pay for their missed chances as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Italy in their opening Group D fixture.

Claudio Marchisio opened the scoring in Manaus but while Daniel Sturridge was quick with England’s leveller, Mario Balotelli had the final say with his second-half header.

Andrea Pirlo put in another masterclass performance as his superb distribution was capped by a cute dummy in the build-up to Marchisio’s strike.
Sunday, June 15, 2014 12:00

Monday, June 16, 2014

Messi follows in Maradona's foosteps

Lionel Messi began his World Cup campaign in fine style with a thrilling goal to secure a 2-1 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Argentina’s opening game in Brazil.

The South American side have not won the World Cup since 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired his country to victory in Mexico with Messi out to emulate the Argentina legend.

Of course the 1986 tournament is famously remembered for Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England which was followed by a superb, individual second goal as Argentina won 2-1 on their way to being crowned world champions.
Monday, June 16, 2014 12:01