‘Italians don't joke' – Moment Leonardo Bonucci wipes out Steph Houghton with crunching tackle at Soccer Aid
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
FOOTIE fans were left stunned by Leonardo Bonucci's brutal tackle on Steph Houghton.
The Euro 2020 winner lined up for the World XI in last Sunday evening's Soccer Aid match against England at Old Trafford.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Leoardo Bonucci was in Soccer Aid action for the World XI
Credit: REUTERS
5
The former Juventus and Italy star didn't hold back when he tackled Steph Houghton
Credit: GETTY
5
The 38-year-old sent the former Lionesses star to the turf with a stiff challenge
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
5
The Italian's tough tackle went viral
Credit: GETTY
The recently retired Italian never missed an opportunity to stick a crunching challenge on his opponents during his trophy-laden career.
And his all-nothing mantra resulted in him leaving former Lionesses star Houghton in a heap during the charity clash at the Theatre of Dreams.
The 38-year-old wiped out Houghton as she looked to get on the end of a ball played down the wing.
Bonucci got the ball, but his follow-through sent Houghton crashing into the turf.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
'I heard it go' Tony Bellew forced off with nasty injury just five minutes into Soccer Aid
The tackle, understandably, went viral and footie fans took to social media to express their shock.
One wrote on X: "He took her out."
Another said: "Italians don't joke with football."
And another said: "He took the ball off her professionally, that's not a foul from Bonucci."
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
5
Steph Houghton was all smiles with Leonardo Bonucci after the match
Credit: INSTAGRAM@BONUCCILEO19
One remarked: "That's holding back for Bonucci."
Another chimed: "Italians love defending. Good tackle."
Tony Bellew forced off FIVE MINUTES into Soccer Aid and helped down Old Trafford tunnel
Women's Euro 2022 winner Houghton recovered from the crunching challenge and continued playing.
And there was clearly no ill will towards Bonucci as she embraced her fellow retired defender after the match.
Bonucci shared a photo of himself with his arm around Houghton after the match on his Instagram story with the accompanying caption: "She's still alive!!!"
Houghton saw the funny side of the post and reshared it to her own story, writing: "My guy."
The World XI bested England 5-4 thanks to FOUR GOALS from Carlos Tevez and a shock winner from Big Zuu.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ruben Amorim has 'no doubts' that Man United can win Premier League and Champions League again
Ruben Amorim has said he has 'no doubts' that Manchester United can reach the highs of Premier League and Champions League glory again, echoing bullish comments made by his player Luke Shaw on the club's pre-season tour. United finished 15th last term in a dismal season, their lowest league finish since 1989-90, and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham to finish without silverware. But Amorim, who said the 'hardest part' of his job was going to games 'know[ing] that we are not going to be competitive', felt confident that things could be turned around in his first full season as manager. Speaking to various publications on Sunday ahead of their friendly against Everton in Chicago, Amorim said: 'I know it's a massive gap from where we finished - but it's Manchester United. We need to return to Europe.' Asked whether United can win the Premier League and Champions League again, he said, 'I have no doubts. 'There are some things you cannot buy that this club has: pedigree, history, fans. With all these things, if we have a different culture, we can return to our place.' His comments echoed Shaw's, who said earlier in this tour that, 'The aim has to be to win the Premier League,' he said. 'I know people will be questioning me after last season, but it has to be that.' Shaw also made a comment that there were 'no stragglers' in the United team, with a major clearout of players taking place and several expensive signings heading for the exit door or out of favour. The exiles Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrrell Malacia were not included in the pre-season squad and have been given the opportunity to explore the possibility of moves away, while Marcus Rashford has been offloaded to Barcelona on loan. Amorim gave a matter-of-fact explanation of the state of affairs at Old Trafford. 'There are players that clearly show they don't want to be here and that is normal. They are not bad and I'm good. I'm not bad and they are good,' he said. 'If the market closes and then they are Manchester United players, we as a club have to treat them in the same conditions. But in this moment I'm just working with the players that I think are going to stay and the other guys are trying to find a solution for their careers.' Of Garnacho, who abruptly fell out of favour at the end of last season, Amorim said, 'He's a really talented boy and sometimes things don't work out. You cannot explain specifically what it is. 'But I have the feeling, I think it's clear that Garnacho wants a different thing with a different leadership and I can understand that. So I think it's not a problem.' The 40-year-old evidently sees his tenure as a long-term project. He said, 'I want to be manager of Manchester United for a while,' later asserting he wanted to be at the club for '20 years'. 'And I took five years to choose this club so I don't want to fail,' he added.
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Gary Neville is taunted by Crewe on social media, as club take cheeky swipe after beating his Salford City side in season opener
Crewe Alexandra poked fun at Salford co-owner Gary Neville on social media after their 3-1 victory in their League Two opener on Saturday. It was a disappointing start to the season for Salford with Crewe walking away from their home ground with all three points. Sky Sports pundit Neville was in attendance, watching on from the director's box. The former Man United man was pictured observing from behind the window with his hand pressed against the glass. And Crewe couldn;t resist the chance to taunt Neville, who had five fingers placed on the window. They posted the snap on X with the caption: 'nah it was three Gary', referring to the Railwaymen's 3-1 win. Neville and David Beckham completed a takeover of Salford in May as part of a new consortium, buying out the rest of the Class of '92. The former Manchester United stars had held a 60 per cent share in the League Two club along with Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs. However, that quartet handed over their shares while Beckham and Neville have brought in new partners and investment of between £11-15million as they target Championship football within five years. Conor Thomas' brace late in the first half helped Crewe to their 3-1 win at Salford. Thomas put the Alex on track for victory after Kadeem Harris had scored at both ends of the field. Salford were awarded a penalty four minutes in after a foul on Adebola Oluwo by Mickey Demetriou. Ben Woodburn's spot-kick was struck with power but Tom Booth made a brilliant full-length save. Crewe led following a goalmouth scramble after eight minutes, with the ball adjudged to have crossed the line after ricocheting off Salford winger Harris. In an eventful debut for the Ammies, Harris restored parity, finding the bottom corner of Booth's goal after being set up by Kallum Cesay. Thomas put Crewe ahead after 41 minutes, finishing from close range following a Josh March cross. With seconds to go before half-time Thomas netted again, tapping in after Salford goalkeeper Matty Young failed to deal with Tommi O'Reilly's shot. Crewe came closest to scoring after the break with an O'Reilly shot that crashed off the crossbar.
Glasgow Times
31 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Joe Root and Harry Brook give England hope after Mohammed Siraj let-off
Chasing a massive 374 to take the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 3-1, the hosts reached lunch at 164 for three with their top two batters at the crease. Ben Duckett and stand-in captain Ollie Pope departed as India made inroads towards squaring the series 2-2, but a typically dependable 23 not out from Root and a counter-attacking unbeaten 38 by Brook left things in the balance. Brook hit four fours and two sixes in 30 balls before the break but was almost caught by Mohammed Siraj, who held on to a skier at fine leg before stepping over the boundary rope. Siraj had snatched the momentum with the last act on Saturday evening, bowling Zak Crawley with a clinical yorker, and was soon causing more problems for Duckett. He turned his overnight 34 into a fourth half-century of the series but never really settled in lasting 40 awkward minutes. He was beaten eight times, edging three deliveries and missing five more. Siraj was responsible for most of his troubles but it was Prasidh Krishna who got the rewards, coming on at the Pavilion End and striking lucky with his fourth ball as Duckett threw the kitchen sink at a drive. After seeing England fail to claim six catches in the third innings, KL Rahul showed them how it was done with a rock solid take at slip. Krishna, gamely filling the considerable boots of Jasprit Bumrah, came desperately close to pinning Root lbw for just three but saw his huge appeal rejected. Ball-tracking showed it was clipping leg stump, but not enough to overturn the decision. After an hour's play England had scraped together 37 runs, briefly accelerating as Pope hit three fours in an over off Krishna, including one classy on-drive. But that was the end of a cameo rather than the start of something more substantial, Siraj charging in and nailing him in front of the stumps. At 106 for three, India had taken control but the arrival of Brook brought a screeching gear shift. He went for all-out aggression, at one stage lashing 27 runs in eight balls. That included a crunch through midwicket and a lavish six over cover off Akash Deep before his near miss at fine-leg, risking his wicket but picking up six more for his efforts. Siraj looked mortified as he realised he had overbalanced, with the English fans revelling in his anguish. Krishna, meanwhile, had to quietly shelve the celebrations he had already started to perform.
