MADRID DRAWN AGAINST LEIPZIG, OTHERS

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Defending champions Real Madrid have been handed a relatively easy group after the Champions League group stage draw took place on Thursday. The holders have been drawn in Group F alongside German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, Scottish champions Celtic and Ukrainian giants Shakthar Donetsk.

Real Madrid are the reigning European champions after they beat Premier League heavyweights Liverpool in the final of the aforementioned competition last season. Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of game as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 to win their first Champions League title in four years. Liverpool were the opponents when Real Madrid secured their last Champions League win in 2018 via a 3-1 scoreline with two goals coming from Welsh international Gareth Bale. Continue reading MADRID DRAWN AGAINST LEIPZIG, OTHERS →

DE BRUYNE DOUBLE SECURES CITY WIN

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Reigning Premier League winners Manchester City are up and running in pre-season football this summer after two goals from star man Kevin De Bruyne propelled them to a 2-1 win over Mexican team Club America at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Wednesday night.


De Bruyne was in fine form as he scored twice in the first half to lead the Citizens to a slim victory in their first pre-season game this summer. The attacking midfielder is a key player for club (Manchester City) and country (Belgium). He’s expected to be one of the leading players for Belgium at the World Cup 2022 tournament on Qatari soil. De Bruyne and his Belgian teammates would be hoping that the World Cup 2022 tournament is different as they have failed to reach a final of a major tournament despite the array of stars in their ranks. The World Cup 2022 could be the last chance for the golden generation of Belgian football to make a big statement at a major tournament. It could be the last major tournament for important players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, RomeluLukaku and Toby Alderweireld as far as the Belgium senior national team is concerned. Continue reading DE BRUYNE DOUBLE SECURES CITY WIN →

                 WHEN WILL THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP IN QATAR BE TAKING PLACE?

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The most notable change to the World Cup for its 2022 edition is the dates. The controversial decision to choose the Middle Eastern state of Qatar as hosts meant that, due to excessive heat, the tournament had to be moved from its traditional June/July slot. It will now take place from November 21 to December 18. That is a period of 28 days – a reduction of three from the last World Cup.


Kick-off times for the 2022 World Cup

With Qatar being three hours ahead of the UK, as you can see above there will be some unusual kick-off times for UK-based fans but not dissimilar to those at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. With the tournament length cut by three days, there will be four staggered games on each of the first eight days of the tournament. These will kick-off at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm GMT.For the last round of group matches and the knockout rounds, matches will begin at 3pm and 7pm GMT. The 2022 World Cup final, on Sunday, December 18, will kick off at 3pm GMT. Continue reading                  WHEN WILL THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP IN QATAR BE TAKING PLACE? →

USA BACK ON WORLD CUP SCENE

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The United States of America (USA) are back on the World Cup scene ahead of the tournament in Qatar after missing out on the last edition in Russia. USA missed out on the last World Cup tournamenton Russian soil after failing to qualify from their Concacaf region.


USA have been able to make-up for the failure to go to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament by qualifying for the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar. They are one of the three teams who secured their placein Qatar via the Concacaf region. Apart from the USA, Canada and Mexico have also qualified for the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar. Canada will appear in only their second World Cup appearance after finishing at the summit of the group format employed in the third round of the Concacaf region. Mexico finished second behind Canada, while USA were third thereby taking the third and final automatic spot. Continue reading USA BACK ON WORLD CUP SCENE →

QATAR 2022: FIVE AFRICAN REPRESENTATIVES REVEALED

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The five teams that would be flying the African flag at the World Cup 2022 tournament have been determined after the last international break and they are African champions Senegal, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon.


Senegal booked their place at the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar after seeing off Egypt on penalties. In the first leg, Senegal lost 1-0 in Egypt courtesy the own goal from Saliou Ciss at the start of the gamewith the lone goal coming in the fourth minute. Hosts Senegal were able to cancel the first leg deficit as early as the third minute of the second leg through the goal from Boulaye Dia. The 1-1 aggregate scoreline between Egypt and home team Senegal remained over the course of extra time thus leading to penalty shootout. Senegal then won 3-1 on penalties to seal their place in Qatar with Liverpool star Sadio Mane netting the winning spot kick for the reigning African champions. Continue reading QATAR 2022: FIVE AFRICAN REPRESENTATIVES REVEALED →

CZECHS CRASH OUT OF QATAR 2022

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Czech Republic won’t be at the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar later this year after they were beaten by hosts Sweden in the playoffs. The Czechs had qualified for the World Cup 2022 playoffs in the European region through the UEFA Nations League. They were unable to make it through to the playoffs via their qualifying group after finishing third behind Wales and Belgium. On their part, Sweden made the playoffs after finishing second behind Spain in their qualifying group.


Sweden and the Czech Republic were drawn in path B of the World Cup 2022 playoffs in the European section alongside Russia and Poland. Months later from the playoff draw, Russia were disqualified after president Vladimir Putin masterminded the invasion of Ukraine. To this effect, hosts Russia were walked over by Poland with the one-legged playoff game billed for the VTB Arena in the Russian capital of Moscow cancelled. Continue reading CZECHS CRASH OUT OF QATAR 2022 →