Suárez scores twice in second half, leading Miami past DC United without Messi

Suárez scores twice in second half, leading Miami past DC United without Messi
Luis Suarez of Inter Miami celebrates after scoring a goal against the D.C. United during the second half at Audi Field on Mar. 16, 2024 in Washington. (AFP)
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Updated 17 March 2024
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Suárez scores twice in second half, leading Miami past DC United without Messi

Suárez scores twice in second half, leading Miami past DC United without Messi
  • Suárez did not start on Saturday but subbed in at the 62nd minute
  • It took him only 10 minutes to connect on the go-ahead goal

WASHINGTON: Luis Suárez scored the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute and added another in the 85th minute, lifting Inter-Miami to a 3-1 victory over DC United on Saturday, despite the absence of Lionel Messi.
Messi was held out of Sunday’s 3-2 MLS loss to Montreal and was subbed off early in the second half of Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Nashville in the Concacaf Champions Cup second leg. Messi is reportedly resting a right leg injury.
Suárez did not start on Saturday but subbed in at the 62nd minute. It took him only 10 minutes to connect on the go-ahead goal, scoring with a left-footed shot from close range to the bottom left corner. The goal was assisted by Leonardo Campana following a fast break.
Suárez struck again in the 85th minute when he left-footed a shot from the center of the box to the high center of the goal.
With Messi sidelined and Suárez not in the starting lineup, United took an early advantage. Jared Stroud scored when he delivered a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner in the 14th minute. The assist went to Mateusz Klich.
Inter Miami countered in the 24th minute on Leonardo Campana’s left-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner. The assist went to Federico Redondo.
D.C. United’s Pedro Santos drew a red card in the final minute of regular time.
Drake Callender made six saves in goal for first-place Miami (3-1-1), and Alex Bono stopped four for United (1-0-3).


Undav scores twice for Germany in Nations League and Hungary hold Dutch to draw

Undav scores twice for Germany in Nations League and Hungary hold Dutch to draw
Updated 12 October 2024
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Undav scores twice for Germany in Nations League and Hungary hold Dutch to draw

Undav scores twice for Germany in Nations League and Hungary hold Dutch to draw
  • In the absence of several stalwarts, the Germans played with confidence, developed complex attacking moves and gave the impression of enjoying themselves
  • Georgia’s unbeaten record was ended by Ukraine in Group B1

LONDON: Germany’s rebuilding appears to be on the right track.

Denis Undav scored twice and the four-time World Cup winners extended their unbeaten record in the Nations League to three matches after a convincing 2-1 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.

Reduced to 10 men, the Netherlands managed a 1-1 draw in Hungary.

Following the retirements of Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos, Germany started a new cycle and their clean and fluid display against a spirited Bosnia side bodes well for the future.

The Germans top their group after also thrashing Hungary 5-0 and drawing in the Netherlands 2-2.

In the absence of several stalwarts, the Germans played with confidence, developed complex attacking moves and gave the impression of enjoying themselves. They had plenty of chances to score more and had a couple of goals disallowed for offside.

“I knew that Bosnia and Herzegovina are good defensively but you have to keep in mind that we had many chances,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. “That’s why Bosnia and Herzegovina stayed in the game.”

The only downside was the defensive lapse when Hungary’s Edin Dzeko pulled one back 20 minutes from time.

The visitors took the lead in the 30th minute at the conclusion of a move that showcased Florian Wirtz’s cleverness. The unmarked midfielder collected a lofted pass in the box and, instead of trying his luck, cut an unexpected back pass to Undav, who calmly finished the move.

Undav, who marked his first start for Germany with a goal against the Netherlands, was clinical on Friday.

His Stuttgart clubmate Maximilian Mittelstadt was the provider six minutes later with an excellent cross, and Undav doubled Germany’s lead with a clean tap-in from close range.

Bosnia’s Ermedin Demirovic, another Stuttgart player, hit the woodwork in the 35th, but Dzeko scored in the 70th with a header from a corner, his 67th goal for the national team.

Hungary hold the Netherlands

The Dutch’s unbeaten run was almost stopped at Puskas Arena.

The Netherlands won all nine previous meetings with Hungary and enjoyed most of the possession in the first half. But it could not find an edge to get past the staunch Hungarian defense. Roland Sallai put the hosts in the driver’s seat in the 32nd with a close-range finish from Zsolt Nagy’s cross.

The Dutch looked set for a dreadful evening when defender Virgil van Dijk was sent off for a second yellow card but Denzel Dumfries earned a point for the visitors with a header from Cody Gakpo’s curled free kick in the 83rd.

“Even with 10 men, we tried to put pressure forward,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said. “I did have the idea: we’re going to score. If you have a man less, you are relieved that you still (finish) 1-1.”

Germany opened a two-point lead over the Netherlands at the top of the A3 Group. Hungary were third ahead of Bosnia.

Ukraine down Georgia 1-0

Georgia’s unbeaten record was ended by Ukraine in Group B1.

Georgia, the surprise of this year’s European Championship, won their first two games and remained at the top of the group despite the loss. Mykhailo Mudryk scored the winner for Ukraine, earning the war-torn country its first points in the tournament.

The Czech Republic won against Albania 2-0.

Other results

Iceland erased a two-goal deficit to draw with Wales 2-2. Brennan Johnson scored in a seventh consecutive game for club and country as the Tottenham winger put Wales ahead with the opener. Turkiye defeated Montenegro 1-0 in the other Group B4 game. In League C, Estonia won against Azerbaijan 3-1 while Sweden drew at Slovakia 2-2.
 


‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach
Updated 11 October 2024
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‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach
  • “If Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference
  • “He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin”

MADRID: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente backed midfielder Martin Zubimendi on Friday to deputise for injured star Rodri Hernandez in the months ahead.
Manchester City’s Rodri, a key player for his country, suffered a severe knee injury in September and will be out for the rest of the season.
Rodri was vital in holding midfield as Spain clinched Euro 2024 victory this summer but Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi, 25, also made a big impact in the final.
Zubimendi replaced the injured Rodri at half-time against England in the Berlin final as La Roja triumphed 2-1 with two goals after the break.
“Zubimendi has been playing (brilliant) games for a long time, if Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference.
“He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin.
“Martin doesn’t get nervous... he’s a very mature player, so calm... Zubi is a sure bet, who never fails.”
Nations League champions Spain, second in group A4, host leaders Denmark on Saturday in Murcia, before welcoming Serbia to Cordoba on Tuesday.
They are also without Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, who is also set to miss the season with a knee injury, and explosive winger Nico Williams with a minor knock, among others.
“We’re not going to cry, we’re not going to make excuses about missing players, the ones who are here are very good too, also the best (players in the world) for me,” continued the coach.
“Whoever is playing tomorrow in the place of Nico, or Rodri, or Dani, are absolutely great... they will give us more tactical richness.
“We’re not going to change anything in terms of our plan or our idea of football... the idea is very clear.”
De la Fuente said injuries were the “ugliest” part of football, but they also created opportunities.
“Nobody is irreplacable... those who get the chance, albeit for unfortunate reasons, it’s the time to take advantage of it,” added De la Fuente.


Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Saudi’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday

Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Saudi’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday
Updated 12 October 2024
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Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Saudi’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday

Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Saudi’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday
  • Green Falcons resumed training on Friday evening at their camp

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s head coach Roberto Mancini has called up Al-Ahli’s defender Ali Majrashi for his side’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain on Tuesday.
After losing 2-0 to Japan in Jeddah on Thursday — their first defeat in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup — the Green Falcons resumed training on Friday evening at their camp in preparation for the Bahrain clash.
The two Gulf national teams face each other at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
It is believed that Mancini called up Majrashi as right-back Saud Abdulhamid will be unavailable due to suspension after receiving two yellow cards.
Mancini divided the players into two groups during training on Friday. The first group consisted of the players who had started the match against Japan, and they were assigned recovery exercises in the gym.
The second group included the rest of the players, who trained at the King Abdullah Sports City with warm-up exercises and passing practice. The players then went on to various tactical exercises and stretches.
The national team will continue their preparation program on Saturday with a closed training session at King Abdullah Sports City at 6 p.m.


Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee
Updated 11 October 2024
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Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee
  • The Spanish club called the surgery successful
  • The player would start his recovery process in the coming days

MADRID: Spain defender Dani Carvajal has undergone surgery on his right knee, his club Real Madrid said Friday.
The Spanish club called the surgery successful and said the player would start his recovery process in the coming days.
Carvajal suffered his likely season-ending injury during a Spanish league game last weekend. He was diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg.
Shortly after his injury, the club said it had agreed with the 32-year-old right back to extend his contract until June 2026.
Carvajal helped Spain win the European Championship in July.


Forest fined almost $1m for questioning integrity of match officials in inflammatory post

Forest fined almost $1m for questioning integrity of match officials in inflammatory post
Updated 11 October 2024
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Forest fined almost $1m for questioning integrity of match officials in inflammatory post

Forest fined almost $1m for questioning integrity of match officials in inflammatory post
  • The post in question was published soon after Forest’s 2-0 loss to Everton in the Premier League in April
  • The governing body said an independent regulatory commission found the charge to be proven following a hearing and issued the fine

LONDON: Nottingham Forest were fined 750,000 pounds ($980,000) on Friday after the Premier League club were found to have questioned the integrity of match officials in an extremely inflammatory post on social media that has had more than 46 million views.
The post in question was published soon after Forest’s 2-0 loss to Everton in the Premier League in April, criticizing the failure of officials to award Forest a penalty. It claimed that the VAR for the match, Stuart Attwell, was a fan of a rival club that were fighting relegation, like Forest was at the time.
Forest denied their comments implied “bias and/or question the integrity of the match officials and/or the video assistant referee and/or bring the game into disrepute,” the Football Association said.
However, the governing body said an independent regulatory commission found the charge to be proven following a hearing and issued the fine, while also warning Forest for misconduct.
The social media post by Forest went beyond criticizing match officials for perceived incompetence for the failure to award penalties for what Forest said were three clear fouls during the game.
It pointed to potential foul play by questioning the integrity of Attwell, who, Forest said, is a fan of Luton.
“Three extremely poor decisions — three penalties not given — which we simply cannot accept,” it read. “We warned the PGMOL (English soccer’s referees body) that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.”
A day later, Forest said they had submitted a formal request for the referees’ body to release the audio recordings between Attwell and on-field referee Anthony Taylor for the incidents in question in order to gain “full transparency” and ensure “the integrity of our sport is upheld.”