Brazil returned to triumphant form after a five-game winless streak on Tuesday with the recalled Philippe Coutinho starring in a 3-0 win over South Korea.

Philippe Coutinho scored for Brazil in their victory

In front of a sparse crowd in Abu Dhabi, Lucas Paqueta put Brazil 1-0 up in the ninth minute when he headed home from close range after excellent work on the left from Coutinho and Renan Lodi.

Coutinho, who was recalled to the starting line-up after a couple of matches on the bench, made it 2-0 nine minutes before halftime when he curled a superb free-kick into the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Danilo got his first international goal on the hour with a crisp strike from outside the box.

The match extended South Koreas poor run, with the Asian side now having gone three games without scoring.

Richarlison congratulates Danilo on his goal for Brazil

The friendly was Brazil’s last before they begin their qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in March next year.

They had previously failed to beat Colombia (2-2), Peru (0-1), Senegal (1-1), Nigeria (1-1) and Argentina (0-1), having previously gone unbeaten since the World Cup quarter-final defeat by Belgium in July 2018.

Brazil: Alisson, Renan Lodi, Danilo, Marquinhos, Eder Militao, Arthur, Coutinho, Lucas Paqueta, Fabinho, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus.

Subs: Santos, Fuzato, Emerson, Felipe, Thiago Silva, Casemiro, Douglas Luiz, Willian, Rodrygo, Firmino, Wesley.

Source – Sky Sport

The La Masia chief thinks the youngster might have to fall back into the reserves, with regular playing time likely to be limited at senior level.

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Teenage winger Ansu Fati might have to drop back down into Barcelona‘s B team in order to feature week in, week out, according to Barca academy director Patrick Kluivert.

At just 16 years and 298 days old, Fati became the youngest player to appear for Barca since 1941 when he came on as a late substitute in a 5-2 home win over Real Betis on August 28.

A week later, he netted his first senior goal for the Spanish champions in a 2-2 draw at Osasuna, becoming the club’s youngest ever La Liga goalscorer in the process.

Ernesto Valverde eventually granted Fati his first start on September 14, and he doubled his account with a brilliant first-time finish to help Barca earn another 5-2 victory at Camp Nou.

The teenage sensation has since managed to rack up eight La Liga appearances in total, while also featuring twice in the Champions League, emerging as one of the brightest young prospects in European football.

However, Kluivert thinks Fati’s development might be best served by stepping back into the B team for a while, given the fact he has only lined up in Valverde’s starting XI on three occasions.

When asked how Fati’s progression is being managed at Camp Nou, Kluivert told SPORT: “It’s being overseen more by (sporting director Eric) Abidal and (his assistant Ramon) Planes.

“We’re communicating well with each other. If all the first-team players are at 100 per cent, I have the feeling that he will have to play for Barca B to get some minutes in his legs. We saw that with Carles Perez at the weekend, too.”

Fati could yet find himself in Barca’s squad for their next La Liga outing on Saturday, with a tough trip to Leganes scheduled as club football resumes following the international break.

The Blaugrana sit top of the standings after 12 fixtures, but are only ahead of arch-rivals on Real Madrid on goal difference after an inconsistent start to the 2019-20 season.

Valverde’s future at Camp Nou has been the subject of much speculation recently, with Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman touted as his potential successor.

However, the Spaniard still enjoys Kluivert’s full confidence, and he refuses to be drawn on any rumours of a change in the managerial hot seat at Barca in the near future.

“Out of respect for Valverde, I don’t want to position myself,” he said. “(Ronald) is a very good coach, he’s doing really well with the Dutch national team.

“One day? I don’t know, maybe, but I insist, out of respect for Valverde, I don’t want to talk about other managers when there’s one in a job at this club.”

After their latest domestic clash, Barca will welcome Borussia Dortmund to Camp Nou in a crucial Champions League showdown on November 27.

Valverde’s men are not yet guaranteed a place in the last 16, sitting just one point clear of Dortmund at the top of Group F, with Serie A giants Inter four points off the summit heading into matchday five.

Source – Goal.com

The veteran manager looms as a strong candidate to take over at Spurs after nearly a year out of the game.

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Three-time Premier League winner Jose Mourinho is in talks with Tottenham about becoming their next manager, following the dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday .

A source close to the situation confirmed to Goal that the former Manchester United and Chelsea coach is a very strong possibility to be Spurs’ next manager.

Talks between Tottenham and Mourinho are ongoing with a deal yet to be struck, but the two sides on the right path to an agreement.

An announcement could come as soon as Wednesday morning but that will all depend on how negotiations go between the two parties.

Mourinho’s last stint as a manager came at Old Trafford, where he was sacked in December 2018 following a poor run of results.

The 56-year-old isn’t short of Premier League experience and won the title three times while at Chelsea.

Tottenham currently sit 14th in the Premier League after a rocky start to their campaign which has seen them win just three of their first 12 games in the domestic competition.

Those results saw Spurs chairman Daniel Levy make the decision to sack Pochettino just months after the Argentine had led the club to the Champions League final.

“We were extremely reluctant to make this change and it is not a decision the board has taken lightly, nor in haste,” Levy told the club’s website.

“Regrettably, domestic results at the end of last season and beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing.

“It falls to the board to make the difficult decisions – this one made more so given the many memorable moments we have had with Mauricio and his coaching staff – but we do so in the club’s best interests.

“Mauricio and his coaching staff will always be part of our history. I have the utmost admiration for the manner in which he dealt with the difficult times away from a home ground whilst we built the new stadium and for the warmth and positivity he brought to us. I should like to thank him and his coaching staff for all they have contributed. They will always be welcome here.

“We have a talented squad. We need to re-energise and look to deliver a positive season for our supporters.”

Tottenham will face West Ham in the league on Saturday and the club will be hoping to appoint a new manager before then with Mourinho now a leading candidate to land the job.

Source – Goal.com

A second-half injury time goal from Lazaro gave Brazil a 2-1 comeback victory over Mexico in the Under-17 World Cup final on Sunday in Brasilia.

Brazil beat Mexico to claim the Under-17 World Cup title. MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP via Getty Images

Mexico had taken the lead through a Bryan Gonzalez header in the 66th minute and looked like it would hold on until Kaio Jorge converted a penalty in the 84th, with Lazaro the hero for Brazil with his late finish.

It was Brazil’s fourth Under-17 World Cup victory, while Mexico was in its third final in the last eight years in the age group.

Brazil was backed by fervent home support, hit the crossbar twice and had a number of good opportunities to score — outscoring Mexico 10-2 in shots on goal — but Mexico grafted, held on and managed to keep the score at zero.

Eugenio Pizzuto swung in a deep left-wing cross from Gonzalez to give Mexico the lead and quieten the crowd, but Brazil came from two goals down to beat France in the semifinal and once again mounted a comeback.

The late challenge from Jesus Gomez on Gabriel Veron to give Brazil its penalty was the game’s major talking point, with referee Andris Treimanis initially not seeing it and then checking it on VAR and awarding Brazil the penalty.

Mexico coach Jose Maria “Chema” Ruiz lamented the decision after the game, indicating the officials were selective in their use of VAR and claiming El Tri was “always the victim’ during the final.

Kaio Jorge made no mistake from the penalty spot, although Mexico keeper Eduardo Garcia got close to pushing the ball out.

The goal gave Brazil the momentum to go for the winner, which Lazaro struck first time from a right-wing cross from Yan Couto to send Estadio Bezerrao wild.

Earlier in the day, Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga scored a hat trick to help France come from behind to beat the Netherlands 3-1 and take third place.

Dutchman Sontje Hansen won the Golden Boot for the top goalscorer with six goals.

Source – ESPN

The Portugal forward caused a stir before the international break, but insists reports of a rift with his club manager are wide of the mark.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has played down his angry reaction to being substituted twice for Juventus in recent weeks, revealing that he has not been 100 per cent fit.

The former Real Madrid forward was first taken off for Paulo Dybala in the 82nd minute of a Champions League match against Lokomotiv Moscow on November 6.

Ronaldo was clearly frustrated as he made his way off the pitch, exchanging words with manager Maurizio Sarri before making his way to the bench.

Four days later the Portugal forward was again replaced by Dybala, this time 10 minutes into the second half, during a Serie A clash against Milan.

The 34-year-old again reacted angrily and stormed down the tunnel, with reports suggesting he had even left the stadium before the full time whistle.

Sarri refused to be critical of his striker’s conduct, insisting that he was willing to play despite continuing to struggle with a knee injury.

That did not stop rumours of a rift between the pair, though Ronaldo has looked to put an end to the speculation by confirming his fitness issues.

“For the last three weeks, I have been playing limited,” he told reporters via Record after scoring his 99th international goal in Portugal’s 2-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Luxembourg on Sunday. “There was no controversy, you create controversy.

“I don’t like to be replaced, but I have been playing limited for the last three weeks, I tried to help Juventus, even playing injured.

“I’m still not 100% but when it comes to sacrificing for the club or team I do it with pride because I know there were a lot of games up for grabs.

“At Juventus, Inter are putting a lot of pressure. We are two points ahead, but we can’t go easy because if they draw or lose, they overtake us and I sacrificed myself.

“I have never had major injuries. I play 50 or 60 games a year, but at one time or another there may be an unforeseen event: It’s a pain that keeps me from being 100%. But I always try to help.

“There has been a lot of controversy on this subject, without there being much to see.

“We won. Juventus is in first place, we (Portugal) qualified and I will be 100% fit as fast as possible.”

Source – Goal.com

The two men spent several years together in west London and the Nigerian recognised his colleagues talent, but was less complimentary of his effort.

John Obi Mikel has praised former Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard’s talent, while calling into question his work ethic.

Nigeria international Mikel, who played 11 seasons at Chelsea, including five alongside the Belgian, said that he had never played with anyone of Hazard’s natural ability, and said that current Blues boss Frank Lampard was the hardest working player he’d come across.

He could not say the same for Hazard, who quit west London for Real Madrid this summer.

“Hazard has an incredible talent,” Mikel told beIN Sports in Turkey . “Maybe not as good as [Lionel] Messi, but he can do whatever he wants with the ball at his feet.

“He didn’t like to train hard. While we were working he was waiting for us to finish training just standing there. But on Sundays he was always man of the match, it was unbelievable.”

When asked who the hardest working player he’s played alongside was he said “Frank Lampard,” with no hesitation whatsoever.

Hazard’s move to Spain has not gone entirely to plan. He has missed time through injury and not had a tremendous impact when he has been on the pitch, scoring just once in 11 games for the club.

Arsene Wenger is just one person to suggest that Hazard’s slow start is down to poor conditioning.

“He became too heavy and what you read in the papers,” Wenger said earlier in November.

“If you want to make a horse lose a race, you put two kilos on a horse of 500kgs and it’s enough.”

Mikel now makes his living playing in Turkey for Trabzonspor and he believes one player he plays alongside there could be the equal of Messi.

Abdulkadir Omur is only 20, and has made just two league appearances this season, but Mikel sees an unlimited potential in the youngster.

“When I saw him in training, I said to myself, ‘Maybe a Messi will not come to the world, but this child is very similar to Messi,” he added.

“I know Messi very well because he always had the duty of defending himself in the matches we played against Barcelona and Argentina. Abdulkadir creates a piece of Messi watching with every move he makes.”

Source – Goal.com

AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie scored a second-half penalty as Ivory Coast laboured to a 1-0 victory over Niger in their opening 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Group K qualifier in Abidjan on Saturday.

Ivory Coast squeaked by Niger on Saturday. Photo by SIA KAMBOU/AFP via Getty Images)

It was the second spot-kick of the game for the home side, after Max Gradel missed a first-half chance from 12 yards having argued furiously with Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe over who would take the kick.

Pepe won the first penalty when he was felled in the box and wanted to take it, but had the ball snatched from him by Gradel, who then saw his effort saved by Niger goalkeeper Kassaly Daouda.

Kessie was able to spare Gradel’s blushes though when the Ivorians were given a second chance from the spot after Kessie’s cross was handled in the box.

This time the kick was stroked confidently into the bottom corner as Kessie netted his first international goal.

Madagascar also made a winning start in the group when they defeated Ethiopia 1-0 in Antananarivo.

Troyes midfielder Rayan Raveloson also scored his first international goal in the opening half to seal the victory for a Malagasy side who were the surprise package of the 2019 edition in Egypt, reaching the quarter-finals in their debut appearance at the continental finals.

Source – ESPN

The former Blancos goalkeeper, who was once a team-mate of the Portuguese, feels Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk are more deserving of a top prize.

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Cristiano Ronaldo winning the 2019 Ballon d’Or would be illogical, says the Portuguese’s former Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas, with others considered to be more deserving than the Juventus star.

A five-time Golden Ball winner is back in contention to add a sixth to his collection.

He has been named on the 30-man shortlist of candidates for the most prestigious of prizes.

Ronaldo is, however, set to face fierce competition from the likes of eternal rival Lionel Messi and the in-form Virgil van Dijk.

Barcelona’s talismanic forward recently collected the FIFA Best award, while a commanding centre-half at Liverpool landed the UEFA Player of the Year gong.

They are considered to be the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or, with Ronaldo having to sit down the pecking order.

That is an opinion shared by Real Madrid legend Casillas, with the ex-Spain international seeing no reason the Argentine and Dutch stars would be overlooked in favour of a player who has not been as impressive since linking up with Juve as he has been in the past.

The World Cup winner posted in a message on social media: “Van Dijk was chosen as UEFA’s best player; Messi was chosen by FIFA; if Cristiano wins the Ballon d’Or, it would seem to me that the guidelines we use in football to determine who wins its biggest individual awards are not logical.”

Van Dijk, who topped the Goal 50 for 2019, has made no secret of his desire to land the Ballon d’Or.

He continues to place greater emphasis on collective honours at Liverpool than individual ones, but would like to see defenders recognised when it comes to picking out the finest players on the planet.

Luka Modric broke the monopoly of Ronaldo and Messi 12 months ago, with the Real Madrid midfielder showing that others can take top spot.

Van Dijk has the support of many when it comes to continuing that trend, with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murpohy among those to have talked up his claims.

He told talkSPORT: “For me, the winner is obvious: Virgil van Dijk.

“I believe that because of the massive impact he’s had on Liverpool Football Club.

“Obviously, you’re dealing with the best players in the world and when you look at Lionel Messi’s goalscoring record, if he did win it over Van Dijk, you would have to understand why.

“But his form didn’t help Barcelona win the Champions League. Usually (nine out of the last 12 years) the winner of the Ballon d’Or comes from the winner of the Champions League. The criteria is there and I don’t see why that should change.

“In terms of a defender winning it, there are some people who would say it’s easier to destroy than create and I understand that philosophy. But when you look at the impact on others and the way he gets others to perform around him, that’s a wonderful quality.”

Source – Goal.com

The Selecao legend admits he was “very sad” to see the iconic jersey treated without the proper respect.

Rivaldo has slammed Brazil‘s decision to hand AC Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta the number 10 shirt during the nation’s 1-0 loss to Argentina on Friday.

With Neymar still sidelined through injury, the sacred jersey was handed to a 22-year-old Paqueta, who has only made 10 senior appearances for Brazil.

Rivaldo, one of many legendary Brazilians to have donned the number, believes such a young and inexperienced player shouldn’t have been allowed to wear the shirt so soon.

While not questioning Paqueta’s abilities, Rivaldo stressed a player the wearing the number 10 simply must demand a certain level of respect.

“I watched the match between Brazil v Argentina and was very sad to see what happened with the number 10 shirt,” Rivaldo wrote on Instagram.

“They gave the shirt to Paqueta against Argentina. A shirt that is respected worldwide. This shirt is not meant to be on the bench, let alone go off at half-time, because it is the shirt the world knows and respects because it was worn and honoured by Pele, Rivelino, Zico, Rivaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Neymar.

“The player is not to blame, but the coaching staff is, because they know the weight of this shirt and also that it could burn the 22-year-old, who can have a great future with the Brazilian team.

“Just as the coach wanted to protect Rodrygo, who is playing very well at Real Madrid, for this match, he could have protected Paqueta from playing with that shirt.

“We all know that Brazil and Argentina will never be a friendly match.”

Paqueta rose through the ranks of Flamengo before securing a move to AC Milan in early 2019, with the attacking midfielder now a regular starter with the Rossoneri.

Brazil’s narrow loss to Argentina on Friday was overshadowed by a touchline exchange between Tite and Lionel Messi.

Speaking after the match, the Selecao coach revealed the Argentine star had told him to keep quiet on the sidelines.

“I complained because he [Messi] should have been shown a yellow card and he told me to shut my mouth and I told him to shut his mouth,” Tite said.

“I don’t want to answer anymore on it. You need a strong referee because he’ll swallow you. It should have been a card, I was right to complain.”

Source – Goal.com