Tag: Sports

Six years ago today, Algeria reached the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time, having exited the global showpiece at the group phase in 1982, 1986, and 2010. The Desert Foxes entered the tournament in Brazil with a young, yet strong squad that Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic had assembled in his three years at the helm,… Read More

David Platt celebrates 119th-minute winner against Belgium today in 1990 The goal transformed the midfielder’s career “It was just one of life’s rare perfect moments” For David Platt, England’s Round of 16 meeting with Belgium at Italy 1990 was a life-changing, career-defining encounter. The then Aston Villa midfielder was the youngest member of England’s squad and came into the match… Read More

Ukraine beat Switzerland 3-0 on penalties today in 2006 Swiss were first team to fail to score in a World Cup shootout Ukrainians reached the quarter-finals in their tournament debut The Round of 16 encounter between Ukraine and Switzerland at Germany 2006 will not feature on any compilation of classic matches. So dreary was the action in Cologne, in fact,… Read More

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ promises to be an historic event on multiple levels. The announcement on Thursday that Australia and New Zealand will play host means that this edition of the Women’s World Cup will be the first in the Southern Hemisphere, and the first to feature in the Oceania Football Confederation. It will also be the first… Read More

Italy were the revelations of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ Goalkeeper Laura Giuliani was one of the stars of the team She looks back on her side’s performance in a tournament in which goalkeepers excelled “I was getting some great vibes from my team-mates,” said Laura Giuliani with a broad smile, recalling Italy’s preparations for the FIFA Women’s… Read More

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ will be staged in Australia and New Zealand, following a vote taken by the FIFA Council during its meeting held via videoconference, the result of which was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The joint bid submitted by Football Federation Australia and New Zealand Football received 22 of the 35 valid votes cast by… Read More

​One of the World Cup’s most iconic images Depicts fan with no arms embracing Alberto Tarantini and Ubaldo Fillol Scenes of celebration as Argentina win first World Cup At first glance, the scene might seem unremarkable. Everyone, after all, will have seen many photographs of celebrating players with joyous, pitch-invading fans. But this particular exchange in the 1978 FIFA World… Read More

​Ballack took one for the team – and missed the Final as a result He earned widespread praise in Germany for his booking Even the referee felt sorry for Ballack “He placed himself at the service of the team and the whole of Germany. The entire country will stand and applaud him.” Rudi Voller’s tribute to Michael Ballack was warm… Read More

An iconic sight at Italy 1990 was Claudio Caniggia in full flight The flying forward helped Argentina reach the Italy 1990 Final Cannigia scored at consecutive FIFA World Cups Once capable of running 100 metres in less than 11 seconds, former Argentina striker Claudio Caniggia deserves his nickname El Hijo del Viento (Son of the Wind). Yet it was on… Read More

Brazil beat Argentina in the Italy 1990 second round 30 years ago today Diego Maradona came up against esteemed Napoli team-mates Maradona: Caniggia ‘s marvellous goal destroyed Brazil’s spirit The face is famous. So too is the shirt. Seeing them together is, however, more than a little strange. So why was it that why Brazil’s legendary Canarinho jersey came to… Read More