ABIDJAN: Ademola Lookman scored both goals as Nigeria defeated old rivals Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday to march on to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigerians had an early Semi Ajayi goal disallowed following a VAR review in this last-16 clash before the constant pressing and bullying of the Cameroon defense by Victor Osimhen led to Lookman finding the net in the 36th minute.
A team that has become impermeable at this AFCON then kept the Indomitable Lions at bay before Lookman made sure of the victory in the 90th minute in front of 22,085 fans at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
They will now return to the same venue for a last-eight meeting next Friday with Angola, who earlier defeated Namibia 3-0.
“It was a big performance from the team, we fought well from the first minute to the 100th minute,” said Lookman.
With the fearsome Osimhen leading from the front, the Super Eagles are clearly a serious threat to reigning champions Senegal as they chase a fourth continental crown.
“I am very happy with my boys. I think our team did a very good job against a very good team. We deserved to win,” insisted Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.
Meanwhile, Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said a lack of experience cost his side as they go home.
“I have a young team and players who are learning at this level,” he admitted.
“They will learn and improve from their mistakes. In two or three years from now it will be the same players but a different team.”
This fixture is a Cup of Nations classic, with the first three of Cameroon’s five titles coming after wins over Nigeria in the final.
The very first, when a side led by Roger Milla came from behind to win 3-1 in 1984, was achieved in this same stadium in Ivory Coast’s economic capital.
Yet Nigeria won the most recent encounter with their neighbors, in the last 16 in Egypt five years ago, and their current side came into this match as favorites.
The Super Eagles eased through their group unbeaten, while Cameroon needed a stoppage-time goal against Gambia to progress.
Their most recognizable name is Andre Onana, but the Manchester United goalkeeper was dropped for a second successive game, with Fabrice Ondoa of French third-tier side Nimes preferred between the posts.
Vincent Aboubakar, their skipper and main goal threat, was named among the substitutes after missing the group stage injured.
Nigeria brought back captain William Troost-Ekong, Lookman and Alex Iwobi — scorer of the winner in that 2019 tie — after all were rested for their last match against Guinea-Bissau.
Their pressing game caused problems for Cameroon from the off, and Nigeria thought they had taken the lead inside eight minutes.
A Moses Simon shot was saved by Ondoa but the ball broke to Ajayi and the West Bromwich Albion defender found the net despite the goalkeeper getting a touch.
Wild celebrations ensued, only for the Moroccan referee to come across to the VAR monitor and disallow the goal because Ajayi was deemed offside and interfering when the initial shot came in.
Not to be discouraged, Nigeria did not stop running, with the tireless Osimhen setting the example.
He provoked the opening goal, dispossessing Oumar Gonzalez after a throw-in had been played back toward the Cameroon defender, and then unselfishly setting up Lookman.
The Atalanta forward’s shot was straight at Ondoa, but the goalkeeper could only help the ball on its way.
Osimhen slumped to the turf on the half-time whistle, but the African footballer of the year discovered the energy to go again after the restart.
Peseiro has stressed that the priority for his team has been to make sure they don’t concede goals, and they stood firm despite having goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili stretchered off late on.
Aboubakar’s introduction for Cameroon changed nothing, and Nigeria got the killer second just before the game moved into 10 minutes of injury time.
Calvin Bassey crossed low from the left and London-born Lookman applied the finish.
Lookman double takes Nigeria past Cameroon and into AFCON quarters
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Lookman double takes Nigeria past Cameroon and into AFCON quarters
- The Super Eagles eased through their group unbeaten, while Cameroon needed a stoppage-time goal against Gambia to progress
Spain sweep aside Belgium 6-2 at Women’s Euros
- On a chilly, windswept evening far removed from the recent Swiss heatwave, Putellas blasted Spain into the lead
THUN, Switzerland: Striker Alexia Putellas scored twice for world champions Spain as they shook off a slow start to beat Belgium 6-2 in their Women’s Euros Group B clash on Monday, a result that will guarantee the Spaniards’ progress to the knockout stage if Portugal fail to beat Italy later in the day.
On a chilly, windswept evening far removed from the recent Swiss heatwave, Putellas blasted Spain into the lead, picking up the ball after some deft one-touch passing and lashing it into the net in the 22nd minute with a characteristically powerful left-foot shot.
The lead lasted only a couple of minutes as the Belgians went up the field and won a corner, which Justine Vanhaevermaet headed home at the near post but, despite struggling to maintain a consistent rhythm, Spain managed to take a lead into the break after Irene Paredes scored with a towering header from a corner in the 39th minute.
Recently returned from a health scare, Aitana Bonmati came on for Vicky Lopez at halftime and almost scored four minutes later but instead Belgium levelled again in the 50th minute, with Hannah Eurlings running on to a long ball and slotting home.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside but after a lengthy VAR review Eurlings was found to have been onside when the ball was played.
Belgium’s joy was short-lived as Esther Gonzalez restored Spain’s lead a minute later, with Spain finally beginning to show their class.
Mariona Caldentey’s fourth goal for Spain in the 61st minute put them at ease and they began to toy with the Belgians, with a brilliant curled effort from Claudia Pina in the 81st minute effectively ending the contest.
There was still time for Putellas to net her second goal four minutes from time to put Spain top of the group on six points and leave the Belgians, who lost their opening game against Italy 1-0, on the brink of elimination.
“I’m happy because the important thing is to win. We don’t like conceding goals. If you concede two goals, that’s something we need to correct,” Spain captain Paredes said.
“We’ve been good, we struggled to find our rhythm, we were imprecise at the start. Once we got into the rhythm, we were at our best.”
Despite the sluggish start and the concession of two goals, Spain coach Montserrat Tome was pleased with how her players managed to solve the problems posed by the Belgians, especially the substitutes who were brought on in the second half.
“We have a luxury of having so many options, because this allows us to create solutions depending on the moment,” she told reporters.
“As for goals, I believe the activity is very high, we are generating chances, we are scoring goals which is very good, this gives us confidence.”
Tome said playmaker Bonmati had fully recovered and could have started but that the team were going to take it slowly with her.
“We must be patient to see the progression. According to the medical team she’s fine but we don’t want to risk it. She’s a key player,” she said.
Youthful Chelsea ready for Thiago Silva reunion at Club World Cup
- Brazilian team marshalled by former Blues defender Thiago Silva who is still going strong at the age of 40
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States: Chelsea’s young side are targeting a place in the final of the Club World Cup when they take on Fluminense in the last four on Tuesday, with the Brazilian team marshalled by former Blues defender Thiago Silva who is still going strong at the age of 40.
Silva was already a veteran when he signed for Chelsea in 2020 before going on to have an impressive four-year stint at Stamford Bridge.
One of the finest center-backs of his generation, Silva arrived after eight years at Paris Saint-Germain and in his first season at Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League.
He played 155 games for the London club and left 12 months ago after helping oversee the development of some of the young talents now featuring regularly under Enzo Maresca.
“He’s a legend of football, a top player,” Marc Cucurella, a teammate of Silva’s for two years, told English media, adding that the two had exchanged messages about their impending reunion.
“We have the opportunity to play against him again and hopefully we can do good things, win this game and play in the final.”
Silva initially made his name at Fluminense, featuring in the team that reached the Copa Libertadores final in 2008 before losing to LDU Quito of Ecuador.
He returned there upon leaving Chelsea, once again pulling on the green, red and white of the Rio de Janeiro outfit who won the Copa Libertadores in 2023.
The evergreen Brazil international was then reunited earlier this year with Renato Gaucho, the coach in 2008 who is now in his sixth spell in charge.
An impressive run at the Club World Cup has seen Fluminense hold Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, eliminate Inter Milan in the last 16 and get the better of Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal in the quarter-finals.
“If you had asked me beforehand if we would have got this far I would have said we were a long way away from doing so,” Silva told broadcaster DAZN after the victory over Al Hilal.
“We know the financial size of these teams, the difference is enormous, absurd. But often our collective, the family atmosphere that we have, gives us strength that you maybe don’t think you have.”
It is not just Silva raising the average age at Fluminense. There is also 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio, wing-back Samuel Xavier at 35 and 37-year-old Argentine forward German Cano.
But the man giving them the X-factor is 27-year-old Colombian winger Jhon Arias, unquestionably one of the players of the tournament.
“I have watched some games that they have played and you can see that they are very well organized. They have some very good players. The manager is doing a fantastic job,” Maresca said as he prepares to face Brazilian opposition for the third time at the tournament.
They lost to Flamengo in the group stage but beat Palmeiras in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia.
“The energy from Brazilian teams in this competition has been high – probably the reason why is because they are at the start of their season while we are finished the season,” Maresca added.
Chelsea now get their first taste of the MetLife Stadium, the hulking 82,500-capacity venue in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York City.
Many of Maresca’s players may not have been sure what to make of FIFA’s new tournament which came at the end of a campaign in which they finished fourth in the Premier League and won the UEFA Conference League.
But suddenly they stand one game from the final, in which they would face either Real Madrid or PSG.
With Silva gone, Maresca has been working with a young squad at Chelsea, and the average age of his starting line-up against Palmeiras last Friday was just 24.
There are more young players coming in too, with 23-year-old Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, formerly of Fluminense, making his debut in the quarter-finals.
Brazil prodigy Estevao Willian, 18, will join from Palmeiras ahead of next season and 20-year-old winger Jamie Gittens has just signed from Borussia Dortmund.
Moises Caicedo, the midfield linchpin who is still only 23, will return to the midfield against Fluminense after suspension.
Mexico defeat USA 2-1 to retain CONCACAF Gold Cup
- Win gives Mexico its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title
- Mexico improved to 6-2 in Gold Cup finals against the US
HOUSTON, Texas: Edson Álvarez scored a tiebreaking goal in the 77th minute after a video review reversed an offside call, and Mexico beat the United States 2-1 on Sunday night for its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title.
Chris Richards put the US ahead in the fourth minute, heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick for the second time in the tournament, but Raúl Jiménez tied the score in the 27th with his third goal of this Gold Cup.
Mexico was awarded the free kick when Diego Luna fouled Alexis Vega on a flank. Johan Vásquez flicked the restart across the goal mouth and Álvarez burst past the defense, redirecting the ball from 3 yards just inside Matt Freese’s far post. While the play was initially called offside, the goal was awarded by the VAR, and Mexico defended its title from 2023 while improving to 6-2 in Gold Cup finals against the US
Patrick Agyemang had a chance two minutes into stoppage time but he didn’t make good contact on his short-range shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Luis Malagón.
A sellout crowd of 70,925 at NRG Stadium was about 70 percent pro-Mexico and booed US players when they walked out for pregame warmups. Mexico dominated with 60 percent possession and had 12 corner kicks to none for the Americans.
This was the last competitive match for the US and Mexico before co-hosting next year’s World Cup with Canada.
The US, which has seven Gold Cup titles but none since 2021, used a starting lineup with only a handful of players currently projected as World Cup starters, missing regulars due to vacation, injuries and the Club World Cup.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino used their absence to evaluate players who could push for starting jobs during the friendlies this fall and next spring, and Luna and Agyemang emerged as contenders for World Cup roster spots.
Richards out the US in front when he headed Berhalter’s free kick from about 40 yards off the crossbar. The ball bounced straight down and just crossed the goal line.
Jiménez scored his 42nd international goal, third-most in Mexican history. He burst past the defense and one-timed the pass from Marcel Ruiz, beating Freese from about 10 yards on a shot that might have nicked defender Tim Ream.
Jiménez celebrated by grabbing a Mexico No. 20 jersey with “DIOGO J” in honor of Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton teammate who died in a car crash Thursday in Spain. Jiménez ran to a corner, sat down with the jersey and mimicked playing a video game.
Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi
- Euro 2024 winner Martin Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid
LONDON: Arsenal on Sunday announced the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad after they reportedly triggered his £51 million ($70 million) release clause.
Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid.
“This is a huge moment in my career,” said the defensive midfielder, who is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal.
“It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realize how big this club and this team are.
“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”
The BBC reported the deal is worth almost £60 million, with Arsenal opting to pay more than the release clause in order to spread the cost of the fee.
Zubimendi, 26, made 236 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad after graduating from the club’s academy and has played 19 times for Spain.
He will reinforce manager Mikel Arteta’s midfield options after Thomas Partey’s contract expired and Jorginho left the club.
Zubimendi’s arrival paves the way for Arsenal’s record-signing Declan Rice to play a more attacking midfield role alongside captain Martin Odegaard.
“Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,” said Arteta.
“He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.”
Zubimendi is Arsenal’s second signing of the summer transfer window after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Chelsea as they seek to improve on three consecutive second-placed Premier League finishes.
The Gunners are also expected to complete the signing of midfielder Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
Attention will now turn to the forward line as Arsenal try to see off Liverpool and Manchester City and claim a first league title since 2003/04.
Arteta’s men had to cope without a natural striker for much of last season due to long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres are reportedly the two leading candidates to fill the need for a new number nine.
Messi returns to MLS with spectacular double in Inter victory
- Messi made sure there was no lingering let-down for Javier Mascherano’s side, who are aiming to improve on their curent sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 32 points from 17 matches
- Miami now face a hectic MLS stretch, with five more matches before the end of the month
MONTREAL: Lionel Messi scored two brilliant goals to lift Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over Montreal in Miami’s return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday in the wake of their elimination from the Club World Cup.
Miami were playing their first MLS game in more than a month. They had advanced past the first phase of the Club World Cup but fell 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 last week.
Messi made sure there was no lingering let-down for Javier Mascherano’s side, who are aiming to improve on their curent sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 32 points from 17 matches.
“It is a great night, we took the three points that were very necessary to start thinking about the MLS again,” Mascherano said. “It is never easy to reintegrate into the competition after the Club World Cup, and the players have done it perfectly.”
Messi was a key figure throughout, although it was his miscue that led to the first goal for Montreal.
His backpass fell right in front of Montreal’s Prince Owusu, who fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to make it 1-0 after two minutes.
Messi more than atoned. In the 33rd minute, Messi found Tadeo Allende outside the area and Allende chipped a shot over Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirios.
In the 40th minute Messi conjured his trademark magic, cutting in from the right corner of the box, eluding Fernando Alvarez and curling the ball in at the far post for a goal that gave Miami a 2-1 halftime lead.
Telasco Segovia made it 3-1 in the 60th minute with a blast from outside the area that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.
Messi bagged his second goal two minutes later, evading four defenders and finishing an outstanding solo run with a shot into the heart of the goal.
Messi now has seven goals in his last four MLS matches, bringing his total to 12 in 14 games.
“Leo is happy playing football,” Mascherano said. “Every time he is fit, he is going to play. Clearly we have an extra advantage when he plays and we want to use that advantage as much as possible.”
Miami now face a hectic MLS stretch, with five more matches before the end of the month.
