“[…] Kylian Mbappé has shown that he can beat almost every player for pace, but to say that is all he possesses would be an insult. He has shown he is not only able to elude his opponent on the inside and outside, but in tight spaces—as he demonstrated against Morocco—where his …
Read More »Qatar 2022: Hart on Brazil and England’s elimination, Messi and Moroccan spoilers
“[…] Brazil’s substitutions were difficult to understand. Against Croatia’s compact block, surely the penetration of Gabriel Martinelli could have been an option. I also struggled with the question as to the role of Pedro. “[…] Argentina can be best described as pragmatic. In reality, they are a team based on …
Read More »12 World Cup recalls: Maradona’s 12-second classic that will last an eternity
Which football lover cannot instantly put the following 45 words into context? None worthy of the tag. Rushing off his line intent on claiming the descending ball, England’s Peter Shilton got to it before Maradona’s head. But not first, not before Dieguito’s fist. The gifted midfielder’s hand went up, striking …
Read More »B&B (Trailer): Yohance: Why T&T v Mexico in 2021 is reminiscent of facing Messi’s Argentina in 2014
Former Trinidad and Tobago international defender Yohance Marshall scored the decisive goal as the Soca Warriors held Mexico to a thrilling 4-4 tie at the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup tournament. However, he thinks their meeting at the 2021 tournament might have more in common with when Trinidad and Tobago faced …
Read More »‘Diego was like a Shakespeare play; he was THE man!’ Hart on meeting Maradona
“[…] Diego was larger than life and he couldn’t go anywhere and relax. I’m sure it must be like that with Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Messi and Pelé. They have no lives. “You have to see it to believe it… It was unbelievable to think someone has to live like this, …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Mbappe runs Argentina out of Russia, Cavani collars Portugal as Messi and Ronaldo take leave
So, farewell to the G.O.A.T and the Goatee. The Russia 2018 World Cup will make do without football’s MVP trophy-grabbing duopoly of Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, after the pair were eliminated on the first day of the Round of 16 today. Messi’s return ticket was booked at …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Rojo delivers Messi’s mojo, as Argentina join Croatia, France and Denmark in next round
Somewhere in St Petersburg tonight, a dazed looking Argentine in a number 14 shirt might be heard asking medical staff: Did we win? Did we win? On another electric evening in the Russia 2018 World Cup, La Albiceleste squeezed into the Round of 16 at the death as they narrowly …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Pacifier for Neymar but C/Rica goes to time out, Mr Musa melts Iceland and “Magic Dwarf” flattens Serbia
Pre-tournament favourites, Brazil, secured their first win of the Russia 2018 World Cup this afternoon and there was a goal for gifted talisman, Neymar, too, as the South American giants shot down Costa Rica 2-0 in St Petersburg. The result left the “Samba Boys” requiring only a draw against Serbia …
Read More »Jabz Hassanali: A very Messi prediction; four reasons why Argentina can win the 2018 World Cup
I want Argentina to win the World Cup. But I wanted them to win the last World Cup too and we all saw how that turned out. By all objective criteria, the team has regressed significantly since 2014. What’s more, other perennial favourites have noticeably strengthened within that same period. …
Read More »Cliff Bertrand: Going South!? If Neymar doesn’t do it in Russia, then Messi will
“Grouped with Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland, the Samba Boys will, I expect, put everybody else on the back-foot by the time the group stage is over. And then go on to beat all comers because they have a little matter of a big 2014 7-1 embarrassment to settle. “… …
Read More »Shaka Hislop: Brazil, says my head, Argentina, says my heart, Achtung! warns experience
Who I’d like to see win the World Cup and who I think will win are two completely different things. I’d like to see Argentina win it. For Leo Messi. To take his rightful place on the “best ever” shortlist, Messi, who, in my opinion, is the best player of …
Read More »How the USA’s cut-tail and the night of upsets looked to a Trini south of the border
My interest in football is at best tangential. But I love drama in all its forms and last night I was perfectly placed to experience it all. As a Trini, I have over the years lived through the Soca Warriors’ ups and downs, and the Jack Warner horror show. As the …
Read More »