Sports

Manchester City Overcomes Early Scare to Defeat Plymouth in FA Cup

Published

8 months ago

March 1, 2025

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At the Etihad Stadium, Plymouth Argyle shocked the crowd by taking an early lead against Manchester City in the FA Cup with a goal from Maksym Talovierov in the 37th minute. However, Manchester City, not to be outdone, responded with goals from Nico O’Reilly and Kevin De Bruyne, clinching a 3-1 victory.

This game was a testament to the competitive spirit of the FA Cup, where underdogs like Plymouth can challenge giants. Despite the loss, Plymouth’s campaign was celebrated for its resilience and spirit, having previously shown their mettle against top-tier teams. Kevin De Bruyne was named MVP, reflecting his pivotal role in the match.

Pep Guardiola’s side, featuring 11 changes from their midweek win over Tottenham, responded just before halftime. Kevin De Bruyne, the FA Cup’s assist king over the past decade with 18 contributions, delivered a pinpoint free kick that Nico O’Reilly headed home to level the score at 1-1. The 20-year-old academy product, who nearly joined Chelsea last month, proved his worth again in the 78th minute, nodding in a Phil Foden corner to put City ahead 2-1.

With Plymouth’s resistance waning, Guardiola unleashed Erling Haaland off the bench, and the Norwegian striker set up De Bruyne for a tap-in in the 90th minute, sealing the 3-1 triumph. City’s shot count of 28 to Plymouth’s 1 underscored their eventual control, though the scoreline flattered a performance that required grit to overcome an inspired underdog.

Plymouth, managed by Miron Muslic, exited with pride intact, having forced City to dig deep and swap shirts with stars like Haaland and Foden as souvenirs. For City, the win keeps alive their last realistic shot at silverware in a season of struggles, though it highlighted persistent vulnerabilities. O’Reilly’s brace and De Bruyne’s composure spared Guardiola’s blushes, but the scare from a team 62 places below them in the English football pyramid serves as a reminder of City’s fragility. They now await the quarter-final draw, hoping to build momentum from a victory that, while hard-fought, keeps their FA Cup dreams alive.

Sports

Kelleher Denies Ronaldo Penalty as Neves Nets Late Winner for Portugal over Ireland

Published

2 weeks ago

October 12, 2025

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Kelleher saves from Ronaldo's penalty!

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In a dramatic World Cup qualifier in Lisbon, Portugal secured a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland, with Ruben Neves scoring a stoppage-time header to break Irish hearts.

Caoimhin Kelleher, Ireland’s goalkeeper, was the standout performer, notably saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 75th minute after a controversial handball call against Dara O’Shea.

75’ | Caoimhín Kelleher denies Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot!

Caoimhín Kelleher denies Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot! What a save!

Despite Ireland’s resilient defensive display, which limited Portugal’s 30 shots to just six on target, Rúben Neves’ 91st-minute goal, assisted by Francisco Trincao, sealed the win for Portugal, maintaining their perfect record in Group F.

The match echoed a 2021 encounter where Ronaldo also had a penalty saved but later scored twice late to win. Ireland, now bottom of the group with one point, face a must-win game against Armenia next. Neves dedicated his goal to the late Diogo Jota, wearing the number 21 in tribute.

Rúben Neves pointing to the sky and showing off his Diogo Jota tattoo after scoring his first-career goal for Portuga

Sports

Chelsea Stuns Liverpool with Estevao’s Stoppage-Time Winner

Published

3 weeks ago

October 5, 2025

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Enzo Maresca ran across the pitch to celebrate with his team after Estêvão’s late winner

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In a pulsating Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea pulled off a stunning late comeback to defeat reigning champions Liverpool 2-1, thanks to an 18-year-old substitute’s thunderbolt in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Estêvão Willian, the Brazilian wonderkid who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in a £29 million deal earlier this summer, marked his first goal for the club with a clinical finish that sent the home crowd into ecstasy and left Liverpool manager Arne Slot ruing another heartbreaking collapse.

KEY MOMENTS

32′ – Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (Moisés Caicedo): The Blues took the lead with a moment of brilliance from midfield maestro Caicedo. Pouncing on a loose ball after outrunning Alexis Mac Allister, the Ecuadorian unleashed a 22-yard screamer into the top corner with his right foot, leaving Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili rooted to the spot. Stamford Bridge erupted as Chelsea’s high-pressing game plan paid dividends early on.
68′ – Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (Cody Gakpo): Just when Chelsea looked in cruise control, Liverpool clawed their way back. Gakpo, the Dutch forward, latched onto a clever through-ball from Dominik Szoboszlai and slotted home past Robert Sánchez to level the scores. It was a lifeline for the visitors, who had been second-best for much of the first half but grew into the game after the break.
90+5′ – Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Estêvão Willian): The defining moment came deep into added time. Enzo Fernández, pulling the strings from midfield, slipped a precise pass to Marc Cucurella on the left flank. The Spanish full-back whipped in a low, teasing cross across the six-yard box, evading the despairing dive of Andrew Robertson. Estêvão, timing his run to perfection, slid in at the back post to divert the ball home for a debut goal that will live long in Chelsea folklore. Manager Enzo Maresca sprinted the length of the touchline in celebration, earning a second yellow card and a trip to the stands.

This victory catapults Chelsea up to sixth in the league table with 11 points from seven games, their first win over Liverpool since a 1-0 triumph at Anfield in March 2021. For the Reds, it’s a third straight defeat across all competitions—their worst run since 2021—dropping them to second on 15 points, one behind new leaders Arsenal (who beat West Ham 2-0 earlier that day). Slot’s side, once lauded for late winners, have now conceded stoppage-time goals in back-to-back league outings, raising questions about their defensive fragility under pressure.

Estêvão’s strike not only stunned Liverpool but also highlighted Chelsea’s youth revolution paying off. At 18 years and 122 days, he becomes the second-youngest Brazilian to score in the Premier League, behind only Rafael da Silva’s debut for Manchester United in 2008.

Sports

Rüdiger Out Three Months with Thigh Injury, Jeopardizing Real Madrid’s Title Push

Published

2 months ago

September 13, 2025

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Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has been ruled out for three months after sustaining a left thigh injury to his rectus femoris muscle, as announced by the club on September 12, 2025.

The setback comes at a pivotal time, with the team facing crucial La Liga derbies against Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, plus Champions League clashes with Juventus and Liverpool.

Manager Xavi Alonso will turn to options like Éder Militão and Aurélien Tchouaméni to shore up the defense, while Rüdiger’s absence also disrupts Germany’s World Cup qualifiers.

The timing is particularly damaging as Real Madrid aim to challenge for La Liga and the Champions League. With rivals like Barcelona and Atlético Madrid strengthening, this injury highlights vulnerabilities in squad depth, especially after a summer where no major defensive reinforcements were added beyond Huijsen.

Reports also suggest Real Madrid may not extend Rüdiger’s contract, set to expire in 2026, potentially allowing him to leave as a free agent amid rumors of a career decline.