Author: Olukayode Oke

While reflecting on South Korea’s disappointing Women’s World Cup defeat by Colombia, manager Colin Bell wryly remarked: “At least we made one bit of history today.” He was speaking about Casey Phair, who became the youngest player at a World Cup, male or female. Aged 16 years 26 days, the forward was introduced in the 77th minute from the substitutes’ bench in South Korea’s 2-0 loss to Colombia at Sydney Football Stadium. She beat the youngest player record held by Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was 16 years 34 days when she played at the 1999 World Cup. The men’s record at a…

New Zealand missed a golden opportunity to edge closer to the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup as the Philippines upset them in Wellington. It was a famous victory for the Philippines, the first by one of the eight debutants at the tournament, and they celebrated passionately at full-time. Co-hosts New Zealand shocked Norway on the opening day and knew another victory could have sealed their place in the last 16, but they could not find a breakthrough on a frustrating evening. Instead, it was the Philippines’ Sarina Bolden who sprinted away in celebration in the 24th minute after…

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will welcome Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimat Ayinde back for their Group B game against Australia on Thursday. The duo missed Nigeria’s first game at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Canada last Friday due to suspension. Ajibade and Ayinde were made to serve a two-match ban after they were sent off in the Super Falcons semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco at the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. FIFA in a statement released on Monday, stated that the two players are cleared to face the co-hosts. The Super Falcons will, however, be without Deborah…

Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal have permission to speak to Kylian Mbappe after making a world record £259m bid for the Paris St-Germain forward. The 24-year-old France captain, who has a year left on his contract, has refused to sign an extension at the French champions and was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan. PSG want to sell Mbappe now rather than see him leave for free next summer. Neymar’s £200m move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 is the current record. PSG activated Brazil forward Neymar’s release clause to make him the most expensive player in the world.…

Ary Borges scored the first hat-trick of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup as Brazil cruised to victory over Panama. The winger netted a double in the first half and set up Bia Zaneratto shortly after the interval with a backheel, before heading home the fourth goal. It means Brazil maintain their perfect record of winning all nine of their opening games at Women’s World Cups. They are well placed to qualify from Group F, after France were held by Jamaica. Both of Brazil’s goals in the opening 45 minutes came in similar fashion – perfectly clipped crosses from the left…

Germany began their Women’s World Cup campaign in style as captain Alexandra Popp scored twice to see off debutants Morocco in Melbourne. It was a comfortable victory for world number two side Germany, who are heavy favourites to top Group H. Striker Popp, who was ruled out of the Euro 2022 final through injury, made her mark with two clinical headers in the first half. Klara Buhl pounced on a rebound shortly after half-time to extend Germany’s lead, before Morocco’s Hanane Ait el Haj and Yasmin Mrabet poked into their own net on separate occasions. Germany continued to cause problems…

Striker Cristiana Girelli came off the bench to head an 87th-minute winner in Italy’s Women’s World Cup opener against Argentina. Girelli replaced midfielder Giulia Dragoni, who at the age of 16 years and 259 days became one of the youngest players in the tournament’s history. The record belongs to Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was 16 years and 34 days when she played for Nigeria in 1999. Azzurre manager Milena Bertolini put her faith in youngster Dragoni who only made her debut for the senior side on 1 July, but ultimately it was experienced Juventus player Girelli who made the difference. It…

Turkish champions Galatasaray are in talks to sign former Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha. The Ivory Coast forward, 30, is a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Palace at the end of last month. Palace had reportedly offered Zaha £200,000 a week to stay at the club where he spent most of his career. But a tweet by Galatasaray, who will be in the Champions League this season, confirmed “formal negotiations have been initiated” with the player. Zaha later confirmed in an Instagram post that he would not be returning to Palace. “As I start a new chapter I…

Newcastle have added to their attacking options by signing Harvey Barnes from relegated Leicester on a five-year deal. Barnes, 25, heads to Tyneside to replace Allan Saint-Maximin, who is set for a move to the Saudi Pro League. On his switch to Eddie Howe’s side, the Burnley-born winger told Newcastle’s website: “I’m delighted. “It’s an amazing club and for me it’s a massive opportunity to come and be involved in a successful team that’s doing exciting things, so I’m absolutely buzzing to be here. “I think it’s an attacker’s dream to come into a team like this; it’s high paced,…

Manager Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid are “lucky” to have the “fantastic” Jude Bellingham after the England midfielder impressed on debut in a 3-2 pre-season win against AC Milan in Los Angeles. It was another Englishman, Fikayo Tomori, who got his name on the scoresheet, heading the opener for AC Milan, but two second-half goals from Federico Valverde and a superb winner from Vinicius Jr, who ran on to a sublime Luka Modric pass, sent the majority of fans in a 70,000 crowd at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena home happy. Bellingham’s 62-minute debut had flashes of his natural technique…

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says new striker Nicolas Jackson will need “time to adapt” to the Premier League after an impressive performance in their pre-season win over Brighton. The 22-year-old scored once and registered two assists as the Blues came from behind to beat Brighton 4-3. The Senegal international joined Chelsea from Villarreal in June. “This type of game is important to him to feel what it means to play in the Premier League,” Pochettino said. Christopher Nkunku cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s early strike for Brighton in Philadelphia, before Chelsea scored three goals in 11 minutes from Mykhailo Mudryk, Conor Gallagher and…

Amanda Ilestedt scored a last-minute winner as Sweden beat South Africa at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Wellington. The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations champions came close to picking up their first point at a World Cup, having lost all three matches on their only previous appearance in 2019. South Africa opened the scoring with a 48th-minute goal from Hildah Magaia, but it was cancelled out by a deflected Frida Rolfo effort before Ilestedt’s decisive header. Sweden top Group G, with Argentina and Italy to meet on Monday. South Africa almost opened the scoring when captain Refiloe Jane saw…