VIVA ZAPATA!

Cristián Eduardo Zapata Valencia is a Colombian professional footballer. He currently plays for Italian Serie A club Milan as a defender, usually as a centre back. Wikipedia

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Lethal Suarez sinks Spurs

Luis Suarez was the star once again for Liverpool as the Reds destroyed Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The Uruguay international scored twice as Brendan Rodgers' men thrashed Spurs 5-0 to close to within two points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Suarez, named captain for the day in the Steven Gerrard's absence, was the star of the show and the controversial striker has now scored 17 goals in 11 appearances this season, to prove he is one of the league's deadliest strikers.

Monday, 16 December 2013 13:14

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Nightmare Before Christmas! Moyes loses Van Persie to injury

The festive season is upon us, but Manchester United boss David Moyes is hardly likely to be full of cheer as Christmas approaches.

The Scot confirmed that Robin van Persie will be out of action for a month after picking up a thigh strain whilst taking a corner against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Dutchman had only recently returned to training after struggling with toe and groin problems, and could now miss games against Aston Villa, Stoke, West Ham, Hull, Norwich, Tottenham and Swansea.

The injury leaves Moyes with selection issues in attack, with Wayne Rooney proving to be the club's only other consistent goal threat so far this season.

Saturday, 14 December 2013 08:30

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Manchester City part the red sea to thrash Arsenal

OK, maybe it wasn't as much a sea as a gentle stream, but the Arsenal defence were breached time and time again by Manuel Pellegrini's vibrant charges on Saturday lunchtime.

The Gunners contributed to their own downfall on a couple of occasions, twice presenting Fernandinho with the ball to allow the Brazilian to score his first of two goals and set up a last-minute penalty.

Yaya Toure stroked the spot-kick home to add to goals from Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo, David Silva and that Fernandinho double to send City three points behind Arsenal in the table with a swashbuckling display. Who can stop them?

Sunday, 15 December 2013 10:00

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AC Milan Yin Yang

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Rosell warns rivals off Messi

Lionel Messi may be out of action with injury, but the Barcelona star is never far from the news.

The Argentina star - one of three players in the running for the Ballon d'Or alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery - is said to have asked for improved contract terms following the arrival of Neymar, despite having a deal which runs to 2018.

And while Sandro Rosell confirmed there are currently no plans to open new talks with Messi, the club president also indicated that the 26-year-old will not be leaving while he is in charge.

"While I am president, I think it would be extremely difficult for Messi to leave the club, if not impossible," Rosell said.

Friday, 13 December 2013 12:30

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Higuain in tears as Napoli miss out on last 16

Napoli agonisingly missed out on a place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Despite beating Arsenal 2-0 with goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon, the Italian side were eliminated after Borussia Dortmund defeated Marseille, meaning the Bundesliga outfit progressed top of Group F, with the Gunners finishing second by virtue of a superior goal difference.

And it was all too much for goal scorer Higuain, who could not hide is disappointment after the game.

"Not going through is incredible," he said. "It is an injustice, really.

"Going out with 12 points – winning four games in such an immensely difficult group with two sides as strong as Arsenal and Dortmund - when you see teams going through with only one or two wins, with six or seven points, it's disappointing.

"It cannot be anything else but bad luck because to win four games out of six and be eliminated is not something that happens often."

Thursday, December 12, 2013 12:00

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تقرير قناة الجزيرة عن عمر المومني

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Dzeko, Drogba, Eto'o, Toure and my cartoons

I was extremely happy to see my Goal.com cartoon " Elephants and Lions join Super Eagles in Brazil"
been shared and tweeted by famous players especially when they are the recent winners of the African Player of the Year. Didier Drogba the Ivorian star and the (2006-2009) player of the year first shared it with his Instagram.

http://instagram.com/p/g3y5-1OjIU/

Later on the Cameroonian lion and Chelsea star Samuel Eto'o (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010 African Player of the year) tweeted and shared it with his Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=574857622585535&set=pb.469664676438164.-2207520000.1386842607.&type=3&theater

Me and Eto'o had a brief reply on Twitter.

Yaya Toure the last winner of the African Player of the Year and also won it in 2011 retweeted it from Eto'o.

Manchester City Bosnian star Edin Dzeko months ago also shared one of my special cartoon on Bosnia's historical qualify to the World Cup.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=614109271980466&set=pb.237510419640355.-2207520000.1386843245.&type=3&theater

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Hell freezes over! Galatasaray - Juventus clash abandoned

Galatasaray fans are famous for giving opposition teams a fiery reception in Istanbul, displaying banners reading 'Welcome To Hell'.

But the atmosphere was anything but hot on Tuesday night as a severe snowstorm struck, causing their Champions League clash with Juventus to be canceled.

The match has plenty riding on it, with second spot in Group B and a place in the knockout stages up for grabs for both sides.

But with Galatasaray needing to win and a point enough for Juventus to advance, the Italians might attempt to make the most of the frosty conditions.

The match is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 10:45

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Mirror image Moyes is Fergie 2.0

Sir Alex Ferguson may have given up the seat of power at Manchester United but his spirit lives on in the dugout through replacement David Moyes, according to Ryan Giggs.

The former Everton boss has endured an indifferent start to the Premier League season, though he has impressed in the Champions League group stages.

And when asked on Absolute Radio whether he had noticed big differences between the two Scots, Giggs replied: “No, not really. I think they're both quite similar.

“Of course the manager's come in to the champions, he doesn't want to change too much but he's going to want to put his own stamp on it.

“I think slowly over time, it will probably change a little, but at the moment, not a lot's changed.”

The rest of the Premier League will be left ruing Giggs' words if Moyes goes on to match Ferguson's astonishing record of success at Old Trafford.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013 12:21

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You’re fired! Villas-Boas hits back at Lord Alan Sugar

Andre Villas-Boas has angrily hit back at former Tottenham chairman Lord Alan Sugar after the 66-year-old claimed to be “baffled” by the Portuguese’s tactics at Spurs.

Star of television show ‘The Apprentice’ Lord Sugar also said he would be happy to see Sir Alex Ferguson come out of retirement and take over at White Hart Lane.

However, speaking after Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United Villas-Boas responded to Lord Sugar claiming he has an “agenda” before also lashing out at the media, demanding more respect.

Monday, December 2, 2013 11:45

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Ramsey the dragon fires up Arsenal

Aaron Ramsey struck twice on his return to Cardiff City, the club where he began his career, as Arsenal increased their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-0 win in the Welsh capital.

The 22-year-old joined the Bluebirds at the age of eight, rising up the club's ranks before earning a £5 million move to north London in 2008, and has since established himself as a regular for Wales, who are nicknamed 'the Dragons'.

Despite his ties to Cardiff, Ramsey did not let up as his hot streak in front of goal continued with a fine double. The first was a well executed header, the second a powerful finish to wrap up the victory.

Out of respect for the club that nurtured his development, Ramsey opted not to celebrate as he brought his tally for the season up to 13 goals, underlining his status as the Premier League's most in-form player.

Sunday, 1 December 2013 09:00

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Stubborn mule Mourinho refuses to budge on failing forwards

Jose Mourinho has insisted Chelsea will not sign a striker when the transfer window reopens in January and says that he is happy with the club's current forward line.

Blues strikers Demba Ba, Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres are conspicuous by their absence in the Premier League's topscorer list with Oscar currently the club's top marksman in the league with six goals.

Rumours have linked the club with a big-money move for Jackson Martinez, but Mourinho has dismissed claims he could sign the Porto man and looks set to dig his heels over his misfiring forward line.

Saturday, November 30, 2013 10:03

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AC Milan now and then

AC Milan in the era of Galliani and now with Barbara Berlusconi who wants to take control

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One thousand eyes on Real Madrid’s attack

Real Madrid take on Valladolid on Saturday with coach Juan Ignacio Martinez claiming his side will need "1,000 eyes" to handle los Blancos star-studded attack.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have scored 40 league goals already this season and a staggering 20 in their last four Liga games and Martinez is wary ahead of the clash.

"Madrid leave you with very few options,” he was quoted as saying by Marca.

“It's clear they are superior and we know it will be difficult, but in football nothing is impossible, although we will have to go out there with a thousand eyes because in the game last Wednesday they scored four goals with one less player".

Friday, November 29, 2013 11:41

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Guardiola & Rummenigge turn Sherlock & Watson to seek out the Bayern spy

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has revealed his frustration after discovering tactics and information have been leaked to the press.

German newspaper Bild revealed Guardiola's tactical plan for Borussia Dortmund prior to the game and have also been exact with their predicted line-ups in recent months.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has warned any player found to be responsible will be in “big trouble” with the duo set to turn into Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson mode in order to detect their mole.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013 11:45

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Men in the mask: Real Madrid spook Gala with Ronaldo facade

Real Madrid were without Cristiano Ronaldo for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray but the star man's presence was still felt as los Blancos romped to a 4-1 win over Roberto Mancini's men.

Approximately 45,000 supporters inside the Bernabeu wore masks of the man himself, to show support for Ronaldo's bid to win this year's Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo has scored a staggering 25 goals for Real already this season but his absence did not stop the goals flowing with Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa, Angel Di Maria and Isco all on target.

Thursday, November 28, 2013 11:56

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Klopp, Wenger & Benitez struggle with Group of Death permutations

The final round of group fixtures in Champions League Group F sees Arsenal, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund all still in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Arsene Wenger’s men lead the way with 12 points following their 2-0 defeat of Marseille and travel to Italy in their final game to take on Rafael Benitez’s Napoli.

Dortmund lie second on nine points, and face Marseille, yet to score a single point, in their fixture making them heavy favourites to progress.

Yet Napoli also have nine points and know that a three-goal victory over Arsenal will also send them through with a nerve-jangling night of action in prospect.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013 09:29

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Spurs sink under Man City's wave

Tottenham were the latest team to feel the full force of Manchester City's stunning home form as Andre Villas-Boas' charges collapsed to a 6-0 defeat.

Doubles from Jesus Navas and Sergio Aguero, along with a Sandro own goal and Alvaro Negredo's strike made it six wins out of six for Manuel Pellegrini's men at home in the Premier League this season, while defeat has left Spurs ninth in the table, but only two points behind fourth place.

Monday, November 25, 2013 12:00

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Gotze leaves jilted bride Klopp in tears

After leaving Borussia Dortmund for Bundesliga title rivals Bayern Munich in the summer, it was almost inevitable that the Germany international would eventually come back to haunt his old club.

And, just over four months after moving the the Allianz Arena, Gotze made a telling contribution on his return to Signal-Iduna Park.

The 21-year-old came off the bench to a chorus of boos and broke the deadlock shortly after, firing past Roman Weidenfeller.

Bayern completed a 3-0 win thanks to Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben, but it was Gotze who Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp believed to have changed the game.

"I do not care how badly we lost," he said. "The second and the third goal do not represent this match.

"Bayern played differently. They played many long balls and they were very patient. We had the bigger chances until the 1-0 and we had a huge chance for the 1-1.

"But you have to convert these chances. After the second goal you could see the team had a crack. I don't care about the third goal."

Sunday, November 24, 2013 12:30

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Merseyside gears up for demolition derby

Everton host Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime in what is sure to be a feisty affair.

Last season, Luis Suarez was credited with two goals and celebrated by diving in front of the Toffees' then manager David Moyes. The Uruguayan then had a last-minute winner incorrectly ruled out to leave the Reds furious.

Both sides have started the current campaign in fine form, and victory would mean third place for Everton or first place for Liverpool - ahead of the 3pm kick-offs, anyway.

With so much at stake, it's sure to be chaotic.

Saturday, November 23, 2013 08:30

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DRAXULER! Schalke star seduces top bosses

The race for Schalke star Julian Draxler is hotting up - and doesn't he know it!

The Germany international has emerged as one of Europe's most exciting young prospects in recent years, with the likes of Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea strongly linked, as well as Real Madrid.

But the latest twist in the saga, after Goal had exclusively revealed David Moyes' side had joined the race for his signature, has resulted in Draxler fluttering his eyelashes in Arsenal's direction.

With more twists and turns still to come, you can count on the Draxuler saga being one you can sink your teeth into!

Friday, 22 November 2013 12:00

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Missing superstars make World Cup plans

So that's it. Uruguay became the 32nd team to qualify for next summer's World Cup, completing the line-up ready to compete for football's biggest prize in Brazil.

But spare a thought for the stars of the game that will miss out on a trip to South America after their qualification campaigns ended in failure.

Ice cream and tissues will undoubtedly be at the ready for the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gareth Bale and Robert Lewandowski, who will all be forced to watch the action unfold from the comfort of their sofas.

Thursday, 21 November 2013 12:00

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Zlatan, Blatter & the football world bow to mighty Ronaldo

Just when it looked like Zlatan Ibrahimovic might have sparked an incredible comeback for Sweden, Cristiano Ronaldo blew him out of the water with a magnificent hat-trick that sent Portugal through to World Cup 2014.

The Real Madrid superstar delivered three finishes of the utmost quality to roar back into the Ballon d'Or race.

Despite any mickey-taking from Fifa president Sepp Blatter, Ronaldo's performance - which saw him equal Pauleta's national record of 47 goals for the Seleccao - made the world stand up and take note.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 08:19

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Fat Chance! Bendtner won't get Barca or Madrid move

After missing out on a move to Crystal Palace because he was deemed overweight, it is fair to say that Spain's two biggest clubs won't be knocking on Nicklas Bendtner's door any time soon.

The striker said he would like to move to Barcelona or Real Madrid after he leaves Arsenal, and even though both clubs are in the market for a striker you would not bet on Sandro Rosell or Florentino Perez being seduced by the Great Dane.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 08:00

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Elephants and Lions join Super Eagles in Brazil

The 2014 World Cup continues to take shape, with more nations booking their places in the tournament next summer.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast secured their spot in Brazil with a two-legged victory over Cameroon on Saturday, as Salomon Kalou killed off the challenge from Senegal in stoppage time of the second leg.

And on Sunday, Cameroon's Indomitable Lions thrashed Tunisia after a goalless draw in the first leg to ensure Samuel Eto'o and Co. will be heading to South America.

Both sides will be joining the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who edged past Ethiopia, with the likes of Sweden and Portugal still battling it out for a place at the World Cup.

Monday, November 18, 2013 12:00

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Super Eagles book World Cup spot

Nigeria are one of the latest teams to have booked their place at next summer's World Cup following a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia on Saturday.

The Super Eagles secured their spot in Brazil thanks to Victor Moses' penalty and Victor Obinna's late free-kick.

Stephen Keshi's men will also be joined by Ivory Coast, who eased to a 4-1 aggregate victory over Senegal.

Sunday, November 17, 2013 12:00

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Zozulya plucks France feathers

Roman Zozulya and his mates conqured France on the final European round of the World Cup qualifications. Ukraine beated France 2-0 to make things harder for the French team to qualify.

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Ronaldo lands crucial blow in Ibrahimovic battle

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the first crucial blow in the battle between Portugal and Sweden for a place in the 2014 World Cup.

Much of the talk prior to the game surrounded which of football's superstars in Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic would come out on top.

And it proved to be the Real Madrid star, who scored the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute, and he might have had a second but was denied by the woodwork.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, cut a peripheral figure in Lisbon and was unable to influence the game in his own inimitable style.

There is still plenty of time for the Paris Saint-Germain man to strike back however, with the second leg on home soil for the Swede.

Saturday, November 16, 2013 12:45

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Round One: Zlatan & Ronaldo fight for World Cup place

They are two of the biggest stars in world football, but only one can go to the 2014 World Cup - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo will go head to head for a trip to Brazil next summer.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker and Real Madrid giant are expected to line up for Sweden and Portugal respectively in Lisbon on Friday night in the first game of a two-legged qualifier.

And while both coaches - Paulo Bento and Erik Hamren - have insisted there is more to the clash than just Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo, they have also conceded the pair are potential match winners.

Can either land a crucial blow in the first leg ahead of the return tie in Sweden?

Friday, November 15, 2013 11:30

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Moyes left to balance Manchester United injuries

David Moyes has been given little time to enjoy Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Scot saw Robin van Persie pull out of the Netherlands' friendlies against Japan and Colombia due to ongoing problems with his toe and groin.

Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck, meanwhile, have also been forced to withdraw from international duty with England, who face Chile and Germany over the coming days,

The trio of injuries could leave Moyes balancing his options at Manchester United after the international period and hoping their good form in recent games does not fall apart.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 08:00

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