Category: International Sports

Brazil have called up teenage forward Endrick to replace Neymar for this month’s World Cup qualifiers after the Santos attacker picked up a muscle injury.

Neymar was due to make his Selecao return after a 17-month absence because of a knee injury which he sustained against Uruguay in October 2023.

But the 33-year-old has now had a further setback, ruling him out of the qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

“The return seemed so close, but unfortunately I won’t be able to wear the most important jersey in the world for the moment,” he wrote on Instagram.

“We had long conversations and everyone knows of my desire to return, but we agreed that it’s best not to take any risks and prepare as best as possible to completely eradicate the injury.”

Following a difficult spell at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, Neymar moved back to boyhood club Santos in January and has scored three goals and provided three assists in seven appearances in the Brazilian top flight. Only Cafu (142) has more caps for Brazil than Neymar (128) – who is his country’s record scorer with 79 goals, two more than Pele.

Brazil head coach Dorival Jr has also called up Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri for Manchester City’s Ederson and Flamengo defender Alex Sandro to replace team-mate Danilo.

Endrick, 18, has made 28 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions this season, scoring six goals.

He has made 13 senior appearances for Brazil and scored three goals.

England manager Thomas Tuchel says he has to “earn the right” to sing the national anthem.

Tuchel, 51, named his 26-man squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on Friday and said he will not sing God Save the King before those matches.

“I feel that it is not just a given. You cannot just sing it. That’s why I decided that I will not sing it in my first matches,” the German said.

After his appointment in October Tuchel said he had “not decided” whether or not to sing the anthem.

The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss officially became England manager on 1 January but will make his debut in the Three Lions dugout against Albania on 21 March.

“I think, first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem and I could not be more proud to be on the sidelines and be in charge of the English national team,” Tuchel said. “It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you, but I can feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful, the national anthem, that I have to earn my right to sing it.”

Lee Carsley was criticised during his interim spell in charge of England last year for not singing the anthem.

Tuchel joked in his news conference following the squad announcement that he does know the words to the anthem, but plans to earn the right to sing it with “results, building the group and doing my job properly”.

“Maybe I have to dive more into the culture and earn my right from you, from the players, from the supporters, so everyone feels like ‘he should sing it now, he’s one of our own, he’s the English manager, he should sing it’,” he said.

Pep Guardiola has hit back at Fabio Capello’s latest criticism of his management style – and the Manchester City boss insists he has “raised the bar” in the Premier League.

The pair have had a frosty relationship since the Italian managed Guardiola for a short time at Roma in 2002, and the 78-year-old felt the Spaniard spoke out of turn.

Capello reignited their feud in the middle of City’s woeful run of one win in 13 games earlier this season.

Speaking on Sky Italia, the former Juventus, AC Milan and England coach said Guardiola was “way too arrogant and presumptuous” because he wanted to prove City were winning matches through his tactics.

While they have stabilised their campaign, City are still struggling for consistency and are fifth in the Premier League and face an FA Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth on 30 March for their only chance of a major trophy this season, having won the Community Shield in August.

After their 1-0 defeat at third-placed Nottingham Forest last weekend, Capello gave an interview to Spanish newspaper El Mundo in which, while praising Guardiola’s tactics, he said the City manager was “arrogant” and had “caused enormous damage” to Italian football because coaches tried to imitate his tactics. Guardiola was clearly aware of the comments, given the manner in which he acknowledged them when a question was asked before Saturday’s league game against Brighton.

“I listen to everything that people say about me, so be careful,” he said.

“It’s not the first time Mr Fabio Capello has said that. I’m not good enough to ruin Italian football. A big hug to Fabio. A big hug.”

The response continued a long-established policy of Guardiola referring to individuals he has a problem with as “Mr”, which includes former player Joao Cancelo, ex-midfielder Yaya Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk and Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Manchester City supporters’ club, who got embroiled in a spat over attendances.

The sarcasm extended to a second answer as he assessed the ability of middle-ranking Premier League teams to win the title in the future.

“I don’t want to pretend to be, and naming again one of the big managers, one of the exceptional managers in Fabio Capello, and look arrogant, but we helped raise the bar in the Premier League,” added Guardiola, who made five appearances in his one-year playing spell at Roma.

“Teams had to go to the markets and that helps people. People want to do good, people are well organised, have good structures, good decisions, good players everywhere.

“I’ve been here when I went to Bournemouth in the beginning, and now it’s different. And when I went in the beginning in Brighton, and now it’s different. And when I went in Fulham in the beginning, and now it’s different.”

Bournemouth, Brighton and Fulham have played in the Championship during Guardiola’s nine-year City tenure and are now challenging for Champions League qualification places this season.

“I’m an old guy, I’m the oldest manager here, nine years. So, I know the evolution of the Premier League has been massive,” he added.

Oklahoma City Thunder sealed a spot in the NBA play-offs with 16 games of the season remaining following an impressive 118-112 win over reigning champions the Boston Celtics.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander strengthened his case for the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award by putting up 34 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 39 minutes.

The victory means the Thunder, who are 12 games clear at the top of the standings in the Western Conference, have joined the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Eastern Conference in the play-offs.

And beating 18-time champions Boston was an important “test” to overcome for the Thunder, who are looking to win the NBA title for the first time.

“It’s huge,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the Thunder improved to 54 wins and just 12 defeats. “Because [the Celtics have] have done what we’re trying to do, the games against them are always going to be heightened. They’re always going to be a little bit more exciting.

“There’s no better test in the NBA.”

The Celtics, who have now won 49 and lost 17 games, are second behind the Cavaliers (won 55 lost 10) and remain on course for a play-off spot.

Jayson Tatum, who scored 33 points in 41 minutes, says his side need to improve their form if they are to win back-to-back championships.

“Everybody has to play a little bit better,” said Tatum.

“Better at the margins, the little things. You’re playing against contending teams that are not really going to beat themselves.

“And the little things, not fouling jump shooters at the end of the clock, live ball turnovers, things like that, [we] just got to be a little bit better on.”

Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has urged the Black Stars to secure all six points in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

Ghana will face Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, with kick-off set for 19:00 GMT, before traveling to Morocco to take on Madagascar at the Grand Stade d’Al Hoceima on Monday, March 24, for their Matchday 6 clash.

With recent performances falling short of expectations, Agyemang-Badu, who was part of Ghana’s squad at the 2014 World Cup, has called on the players to step up and deliver victories in both matches.

“Operation six points. Chad and Madagascar must go down,” he told Sporty FM.

“If we can’t beat them, then we have no business going to the World Cup,” he added.

After four matches in the qualifiers, the Black Stars sit joint top of Group I with Comoros, both on nine points. They head into these fixtures with momentum, having secured consecutive wins against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).

Ghana is aiming to qualify for their fifth FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Victor Osimhen says Nigeria will be driven by desperation in 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers this month as they look to avoid missing out on a second successive edition of the finals.

The Super Eagles have made a winless start in Group C, drawing three of their first four games, with striker Osimhen absent through injury.

The West Africans endured what the 26-year-old described as a “heartbreaking disappointment” three years ago when fierce rivals Ghana progressed from a play-off and reached Qatar 2022 at their expense.

“It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup and with our situation in the group I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament,” Osimhen told BBC Sport Africa.

“We suffered a big disappointment in 2022 and we simply can’t let it happen again to us, the country and our generation.

“You don’t want to finish your career with the regrets of not playing at the World Cup. That is not what I want for myself.”

Nigeria are four points behind group leaders Rwanda and travel to Kigali to face the Wasps on 21 March before hosting bottom side Zimbabwe four days later.

The new man in the dugout, Eric Chelle, requires immediate results in the six-team group as he becomes the third coach to lead the Super Eagles in a campaign which began back in November 2023.

Jose Peseiro oversaw two draws, against minnows Lesotho and Zimbabwe, and his successor Finidi George departed last June after a defeat by Benin followed a home stalemate against South Africa.

“There’s a new manager now and we are desperately looking forward to the game against Rwanda to try to correct all the previous mistakes we’ve made and put ourselves in a better position to qualify,” Osimhen said.

Correcting previous ‘mistakes’

Osimhen, the 2023 African Footballer of the Year who has scored 23 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 senior outings for Nigeria, was “extremely disappointed” after failing to make Qatar 2022.

He insists a squad packed full of top players including Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Nantes winger Moses Simon and Premier League regulars Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi must secure a place for next year’s global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Nigeria have only missed two editions of the tournament since making their debut in 1994.

“People say we have a talented generation but we can only confirm this talent when we play in a World Cup like those before us,” Osimhen confided.

“I was sad, like my team-mates, to miss out on Qatar and our fans didn’t even understand how much it affected us.

“This is why we must correct the previous mistakes by giving everything to our country, our new coach and prove ourselves as being worthy.”

Chelle’s appointment in January prompted a mixed reaction after the 47-year-old Malian made history by becoming the first non-Nigerian African to assume the role of Super Eagles boss.

Osimhen is eager to start training under Chelle, who led his homeland to the quarter-finals at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and to a rare victory over Nigeria last year.

“I’ve spoken to him couple of times and clearly understand the objectives he has set for himself and for the players,” the Galatasary man added.

“It takes more than a coach to win football matches. Players must also be at their best, show commitment and bear in mind that we can all fly together to reach our goal.”

Borussia Dortmund came from behind to beat Lille 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, setting up a mouth-watering quarter-final tie with Barcelona, thanks to goals from Emre Can and Max Beier.

Beier’s stunning strike into the top corner midway through the second half ensured that last year’s finalists progressed into the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.

The Bundesliga outfit drew level at the start of the second half, when Can converted from the spot after former Dortmund player Thomas Meunier brought Serhou Guirassy down in the box.

No African player has registered more goal contributions than Guirassy in a single Champions League campaign with 14.

Niko Kovac’s side performed brilliantly and were unlucky not to win by more, with Karim Adeyemi striking the crossbar moments before Beier’s winner.

No side had beaten Lille in their last 12 European outings at Stade Pierre-Mauroy and they made things difficult for Dortmund, buoyed by a fantastic atmosphere.

Lille took the lead after just five minutes through Jonathan David, who became the club’s record scorer in European football.

David latched on to Ismaily’s low cross after some great work from the Brazilian and his weak shot went straight through Gregor Kobel in goal, who could not believe the mistake he made.

Dortmund fought back well, with Pascal Gross going close for the visitors, only to be denied by a mixture of goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier and Alexsandro on the line.

The Lille goalkeeper’s heroics continued throughout the first half, including an incredible four saves in a row during a crazy goalmouth scramble that ended in the ball being cleared off the line for the second time in the match.

Gross struck the bar right at the end of the first half with a header, as Kovac’s side continued to be frustrated.

However, their dominance prevailed in the end, denying Lille a first-ever Champions League quarter-final.

Lille will now face Nantes on Saturday after a memorable European campaign, whilst Dortmund travel to RB Leipzig before they face Barcelona in a few weeks’ time.

Arsenal completed a resounding 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven to move into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Gunners will now face Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid in a mouthwatering last-eight encounter, where they will likely have to find their top gear again after cruising past their Dutch opponents.

Leading 7-1 from the first leg in the Netherlands, the Gunners took the opportunity to make wholesale changes to their starting XI.

While there were also huge swathes of empty seats around a subdued Emirates Stadium, those in attendance were treated to a sumptuous opening goal from one of three left-backs selected by manager Mikel Arteta.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has found himself on the periphery at times, picked up possession from Raheem Sterling’s touch inside and whipped a superb effort into the left corner.

However, any thoughts of the floodgates opening and Arsenal eclipsing Bayern Munich’s record 12-1 thrashing of Sporting over two legs at the same stage of the competition in 2008-09, did not come to fruition.

Former Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic expertly found the top-right corner from Guus Til’s pass to give the visitors a deserved equaliser.

A brilliant Sterling run and cross from the right allowed Declan Rice to head Arsenal back in front, but they were unable to pull clear on an evening when the absence of jeopardy appeared to contribute to a dip in their intensity.

And PSV, who were backed by a lively away following, restored some pride when Couhaib Driouech collected Isaac Babadi’s incisive pass to chip over the oncoming home goalkeeper David Raya to ensure they left London with a merited draw.

Aston Villa completed a comfortable passage into a Champions League quarter-final with Paris St-Germain after cruising to victory against Club Brugge at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s side were in prime position as they protected a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Belgium, putting the tie out of the reach of the visitors following the half-time introduction of on-loan talisman Marco Asensio.

A risk-free first 45 minutes was only notable for Club Brugge defender Kyriani Sabbe’s 16th-minute red card for hauling back Marcus Rashford as he chased keeper Emiliano Martinez’s long clearance.

Asensio, outstanding since his arrival from PSG, secured Villa’s passage into the last eight five minutes after coming on with a neat finish from Leon Bailey’s clever pass.

Ian Maatsen added the second from close range seven minutes later, his first for the club, following good work by Morgan Rogers, then Asensio added his second and Villa’s third after 61 minutes. It was a simple finish set up perfectly by Rashford.

It means Emery and Asensio will both face their former club, conquerors of Liverpool at the last-16 stage, in the last eight of the Champions League.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot described Tuesday’s Champions League shootout loss on penalties to Paris St-Germain as “the best game of football I’ve been involved in”, despite his side exiting the competition as a result.

After losing last week’s first leg 1-0 in Paris, the visitors levelled the tie at Anfield on aggregate thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s 12th-minute strike.

Liverpool had plenty of chances to score themselves, but the game went to extra time and was decided on spot-kicks, where PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, before Desire Doue fired home to seal a 4-1 success.

“It was the best game of football I have ever been involved in,” Slot said on Amazon Prime.

“It was an incredible performance, especially if you compare it with last week. Maybe we ran out of luck because the margins were so small.

“We played the perfect game, except for scoring a goal. It was similar to Paris last week, when they played the perfect game and didn’t score. And then in extra time, they were maybe a little bit better.”

Defeat leaves Liverpool with a domestic double to play for.

With a 15-point lead at the top, the Reds are all but certain of winning the Premier League, while they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

“We were pretty good and you want to go as far as possible, but we knew when we drew Paris that it was going to be very difficult,” admitted Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

“In Paris, we struggled but we won. Today we saw a very good Liverpool side, but we’re out of the competition.”

Scotland left-back Andy Robertson said the focus will turn to Newcastle now as he added: “It wasn’t meant to be and we need to dust ourselves down. We always bounce back, there’s a lot of tired legs in there. Cup finals, we enjoy them, and that’s the biggest game.”

PSG boss Luis Enrique felt Liverpool were unlucky as he said: “Both of the teams deserve to go to the next phase.

“They played better than us here, but I think my team at Anfield, in a special stadium showed great personality and character.

“I think it shows clearly the team we are.”

Alexander-Arnold doubtful for final

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is a doubt for Sunday’s final against Newcastle at Wembley.

The England defender was substituted in the second half against PSG after appearing to jar a knee in a challenge with Vitinha.

“He had to come off – that’s never a good sign,” said Slot.

“From what I heard from people that saw the images of how he got injured, it didn’t look very good.

“I would be surprised if he is [available] for Sunday.”

Alexander-Arnold missed last year’s EFL Cup final win over Chelsea.

England manager Thomas Tuchel will name his first squad on Friday for World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania this month.

Alexander-Arnold, who has 33 caps, was expected to be included.