THE REVENGE IS COMPLETE

 

Image Credit- The Telegraph.

Spain and the Netherlands are the two powerhouses of European football. Whenever these two teams meet, fireworks are expected for sure. The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, which Spain won 1-0 after extra time, was one of the notable meetings between the two teams. However, nobody can ever forget the group-stage match between these two sides in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Interestingly, it was the first time that the previous FIFA World Cup finalists faced one another in the group stage.

In the first half of the game, Diego Costa grabbed a trailing leg from Stefan de Vrij's attempted tackle halfway. As a result, the Spanish were awarded a penalty, though it was quite visible that the defender did no wrong. Xabi Alonso scored the penalty kick for Spain, taking them into the lead. However, the Spanish were unable to maintain the lead until the half, when Robin van Persie saw Iker Casillas slightly off his line and scored a 15-yard diving looping header after Daley Blind's long cross from the left.

However, the real massacre happened in the second half. Blind helped the Netherlands score the second goal as well, as he set up Arjen Robben, who controlled the pass before coming inside to finish from ten yards out with his left foot. Twelve minutes later, Wesley Sneijder's free kick on the left gave the Netherlands another goal, which De Vrij headed in from a tight angle. Iker Casillas, the Spanish goalkeeper, protested that Van Persie had fouled him, but the goal was upheld, and Casillas was given a yellow card. Shortly after, Van Persie scored his second goal of the match by retrieving the ball and finishing into an empty net when Casillas miscontrolled a back pass from Sergio Ramos with his left leg. The humiliation on the face of Iker was quite visible now.

However, the slaughter stopped only after the fifth goal which was truly a masterclass. After receiving a pass from Wesley Sneijder close to the halfway line, Robben outran Casillas, Jordi Alba, and Ramos before using his left foot to slot the ball into the net from ten yards out.

In addition to being Spain's second-worst World Cup defeat following their 6-1 hammering of Brazil in 1950, the 5-1 score was the largest loss margin for a reigning champion in the FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately, the Spanish lost the next game as well and were thus eliminated from the group stage itself. For the Netherlands, the revenge was well and truly complete. Not only did they hammer the mighty Spanish, but they also went past the next round before getting knocked out by the Argentines in the semi-final.

To watch the Highlights of the Match, Click Here. 

 

NORTH LONDON IS RED

 

Image Credit- Al Jazeera.

The Arsenal-Tottenham clash is one of the notable derbies of English football. Whenever these two teams from North London take on each other, fireworks are expected for sure. November 23 was no such exception. The hype was there. After all, Arsenal are the league leaders right now, and Tottenham were playing brilliantly away from home. So, everyone was expecting a tight contest between the two powerhouses.

However, what happened in the game was something truly unbelievable. Arsenal defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on Sunday to take a six-point lead in the Premier League standings. Eberechi Eze became just the fourth player in the history of the North London Derby to score a hat-trick in this legendary match.

Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal the lead in the 36th minute, and the game was all Arsenal from the first whistle until the very end. Eze danced his way to his first five minutes later. Thirty-six seconds into the second half, he added a third goal for Arsenal, and it looked like they were winning big. In the 55th minute, Richarlison gave Spurs a glimmer with a fantastic goal created out of nothing when he lobbed David Raya from 35 yards out. However, Eze quickly put an end to that hope in the 76th minute when he finished his hat-trick in style with another finish from just inside the edge of the Spurs box.

The outcome gives the red-and-white part of North London all the bragging rights and drops Spurs to ninth place in the standings. The Gunners have finished second in the league for the past three years running. They are currently leading the league and have had a decent start to the season. Will this lead last until the very end? This time, will they win the Premier League? The answer lies in the womb of time. However, for the time being everything's good in The Gunner's Camp.

To watch the Highlights of the Match, Click Here. 

THE HOMECOMING

 

Image Credit- FC Barcelona.

 On November 22, FC Barcelona made its way back to its spiritual home after more than two years of renovation. They hosted Athletic Club in the inaugural La Liga game at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, winning 4-0. It was just like the good old days wherein Barcelona used to thrash their opponents for fun. Who can forget the period between 2008-2019 wherein teams feared to travel to Barcelona.

Camp Nou has been a popular location for football fans worldwide since 1957 and an identity of FC Barcelona. It was quite evident from the fact that 45,000 fans (the maximum sitting capacity presently) turned up for the opening game.

The first game at the new Spotify Camp Nou will not be an exception to the adage that "the first time is never forgotten." The big picture of a game with many "firsts" worth reviewing is the first game, the first win, and the first celebration. The triumph truly signalled the start of a daring new era for one of the most famous football venues. 

TELL THE WORLD I AM COMING HOME

 

 

Image Credit- beIN Sports.

This month, Lionel Messi paid Camp Nou an unexpected visit—his first since leaving FC Barcelona in 2021. It was an emotional homecoming for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to return to the stadium. The management of FC Barcelona claims that Messi went outside the stadium and requested permission from the security personnel. The club was soon informed by the guards and was then promptly granted entrance, stressing that Leo "will always be welcome in his home."  

It was quite evident that Messi was clearly moved during his visit as he strolled through the stadium wherein, he had played some of his most memorable games. The King was back in his kingdom.  Later, he posted a touching statement on his Instagram account that enthralled the football fans worldwide: 'I went back to a spot I really miss last night. You made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over, and I was incredibly happy there. I wish to return someday, not simply to bid farewell as a player, as I was never able to do." 

It is pertinent to note that Lionel Messi is Barcelona's most decorated player, who has won 35 titles and has scored 672 goals in 778 games. Lastly, it was the Spotify Camp Nou, the stadium where he rose to fame between 2004 and 2021, so a connection will always be there. The emotions will always be high.

 

THIS IS REAL MADRID

 

Image Credit- Business Standard.

El Clásico is the biggest fixture of world football. Whenever Real Madrid and Barcelona take on each other, fireworks are guaranteed. However, this time things got heated up even before the start of the game. Reason: The Young Barcelona Sensation Lamine Yamal's pre-match interview wherein he was ridiculing the opposition. This didn't go well with the Galactico's, who were absolutely furious. Captain Dani Carvajal even said that he will have a conversation with Yamal after the game in regard to his behavior. However, this didn't stop Yamal, who posted an Instagram story of him silencing the Bernabéu crowd in the previous El Clásico. Hence, it was certainly going to be hammer and tongs now. After all, Madrid did not just want to win but wanted to silence Yamal and Barcelona, who were in the seventh sky after their victory in the previous encounter. 

And Madrid did what the doctor ordered.  They not only beat Barcelona in a classic thriller but also silenced the Big Mouth, who went missing in the entire game. Mbappe led from the front as Madrid won 2-1 in the Bernabeu. It was quite unfortunate that Mbappe didn't get a hat trick, as his volley was declared offside and he also had his penalty saved.  However, the duo of Bellingham and Mbappe made sure that Real got 3 points in this vital clash. 

Yamal, on the other hand, could do nothing, and his frustration was quite visible at the end of the game. There were clashes just like the good old days. But, eventually, it was all Hala Madrid as the Los Blancos replied to their critics in style on the ground and not on social media. 

 

THIS IS FOOTBALL

 

Image Credit- BBC.

Yesterday I was going through the standings of the top 5 football leagues. It surprised me a lot because there were multiple new names all over. Be it the English Premier League or the French League or the Italian League. The underdogs were outperforming the title contenders. I don't know how long they will be able to do so. After all, it's a long season. But, for the time being, they have made the league interesting.

And this is what football is all about. There are no favorites. Anyone on their day can beat anyone. This is why there were massive protests all over Europe when the talks of a Super League started. Who can ever forget the 2015-16 Premier League campaign of Leicester City. Their title triumph was nothing short of a fairy tale. One would always hope that a story like that of Leicester gets repeated in the coming months. After all, this is what makes football such a special game.

THE RED DEVILS ARE BACK

 

Image Credit- The Busby Babe.

Manchester United and Liverpool are the two biggest football clubs in England. Whenever these two clubs clash, fireworks are expected. Moreover, the rivalry has passed on from generation to generation, thus making it one of the most awaited fixtures of English football. Even though Liverpool has dominated over United in the past few years, there have been moments wherein United has matched fire with fire. They were unfortunate to only manage a 2-2 draw at Anfield last season, but this time they went above and beyond and accomplished the seemingly impossible.

Manchester United has beaten Liverpool 2-1 in one of the most exciting games of the season.  Harry Maguire, who missed a sitter on the previous occasion, scored the winner this time and ended Liverpool's unbeaten streak against United at Anfield. It was truly a moment of redemption for Maguire.

Interestingly, Bryan Mbeumo scored the opening goal in the second minute of the game and gave United a crucial lead. However, Liverpool continued their attack but were unfortunate that they didn't get an equaliser soon. Cody Gakpo hit the bar multiple times, but it was one of those days wherein the ball just did not go into the net. Even Mo Salah, who has a tremendous record against United, missed an easy opportunity. However, in the 78th minute, Liverpool did equalise, with Cody Gakpo getting the crucial touch. 

The match was again on a knife-edge. Anyone from here could win the game. It was just a matter of one good shot on target. Eventually, in the 84th minute of the game, Maguire got that one shot when he got his header right, which helped United get a vital 2-1 lead. In the last minutes the Sousers tried hard to get back into the game, but they failed to get past the United defence.  

The United dugout erupted with joy when the final whistle was blown. No one could believe what they had seen. Liverpool beaten, United triumphant. Anfield was shocked, and so were the football fans all over the world. The impossible has happened. The Red Devils are back to their winning ways, just like the good old days.