CRISTIANO RONALDO AND GROUP OF DEATH

 

                                                                           Image Source- Marca 

 

The UEFA European Football Championship is back. Originally it was scheduled in June-July 2020. However, due to the Covid pandemic the tournament was postponed for a year. Eventually the tournament is now being hosted in June-July 2021.

 Every football fan was eagerly waiting for this tournament to start. However everyone's eye was on one particular group and that was Group F- The Group of Death.  It is because this group contained 2018 FIFA WC Champion France, 2014 FIFA WC Champion Germany and the defending European Champion Portugal. Apart from these 3 teams there was also Hungary who had the caliber of creating upset in this major tournament. 

However, the entire show of the Group F was stolen by one man and that was Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese striker scored 5 goals and provided one assist in three group games. His brace against Hungary helped Portugal win the match 3-0. He scored as well as assisted a goal in the losing cause against Germany. However in a do or die match against  France he scored a brace and helped Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 match against Belgium.  

 Eventually the journey of Portugal in the European Championship ended in the round of 16 match against Belgium, but the heroics of Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA EURO 2021 will always be remembered.

  

THE BATTLE OF OLD TRAFFORD

 

                                                            Image Credit- Sky Sports Retro 

 

The Battle of Old Trafford is the name of the Premier League game played between Arsenal and Manchester United on September 21, 2003 at Old Trafford, Manchester. The final result of the game was 0-0. But, still it became one of the most memorable games of the Premier League era.

The game was a very physical and intense game as we witnessed a lot of fouls (13 by Manchester United, 18 by Arsenal). In the 80th minute of the game, Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira received a second yellow card and was sent off. However in the very last minute of the game referee Steve Bennett awarded a penalty to Manchester United.  Unfortunately Ruud Van Nistelrooy missed the penalty kick and the game ended 0-0.

However after the final whistle, Ruud Van Nistelrooy was confronted by a lot of Arsenal players. Martin Keown jumped up next to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and brought his arms down hard on  Nistelrooy's  back, while Lauren pushed Van Nistelrooy, Parlour and Cole offered verbal abuse. The Manchester United striker did not react and was escorted by his fellow Manchester United players. 

This game was significant because Arsenal later went on to win the league and remained unbeaten throughout the season. Something that had only been achieved  by Preston North End in the 1888-89 English Season. The 2003-04 season gave Arsenal the title of "THE INVINCIBLES". However, the same would not have happened if  Ruud Van Nistelrooy would have got his penalty right.