Latest news with #BallonD'Or
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
England won't dwell on World Cup defeat in Euros rematch, says Walsh
The Lionesses fell to 1-0 loss at Stadium Australia two years ago owing to a 29th-minute strike from Olga Carmona. But that will be out of their mind as they prepare for a fresh challenge against Spain at St. Jakob Arena in Basel with a second consecutive European Championship title at stake. '[The World Cup] was a massive disappointment and as a collective we feel we didn't have our best performance that day,' reflected Walsh. 'But as a football player, you can't become too emotional and have too many things going on. For us, it's a new game and a new team and we know what we've been bringing to this tournament so we're just going to focus on that. 'Obviously, you think about it a little bit, but for us it's put it aside and focus on Sunday.' Having played out a 2-1 extra-time victory over Italy on Tuesday, the Lionesses had to wait to find out who they would face to compete to lift the trophy. As Germany fought to fend off the Spanish in Zurich on Wednesday evening, the Lionesses watched on to witness a 1-0 victory after another 120 minutes of football as Aitana Bonmati eventually found the winner in the 113th minute. 'We were all sat in the players' lounge, Jill Scott was there as well as she always is,' laughed Walsh. 'It was an intense game. Germany had chances as well, but the Spanish team are incredible and they've got some really good players. 'We also know what we're capable of and where we can hurt them, so it's going to be an interesting game.' It was double Ballon D'Or winner Bonmati who, having recovered from being hospitalised by viral meningitis just days before the tournament, once more proved her brilliance to help Spain to a final. Her goal was no less sublime than the player as she spotted Ann-Katrin Berger had left space at her near post as she raced into the box at the byline and struck from a seemingly impossible angle to break the deadlock. But despite the individual brilliance of the Barcelona maestro, Walsh insists England will not be focusing their efforts solely on Bonmati. 'She's an incredible player but if you try to nullify her, I think Patri [Guijarro] has been one of the best players at this tournament,' she explained. 'So you can focus on Aitana but then you've got Patri and Alexia [Putellas] and Mariona [Caldentey] so we're not focusing on one player. 'We know what we can bring defensively and we're confident in that, so it's just about focusing on what we can do. We're going to have chances as well that we need to take.' England's own route to the final has not been straightforward. They have twice had to fight back from behind to avoid an early exit. It was a two-goal deficit they clawed their way back from in the quarter-finals against Sweden before winning on penalties, and they also came back from a goal down against Italy to win in extra time. But Walsh reinforced that such a fight and refusal to be beaten had become a key trait of the England side. 'It's part of being English. That's what we feel when we put the shirt on, we give everything and we run ourselves into the ground,' she said. 'That's the beauty of this squad, we know that if we have to come off because we're tired, there is going to be someone else to come on and finish the job. 'That English resilience is what we speak about as a team. It's something that we really pride ourselves on.' Now, having faced Spain twice already this year with a win and a loss each, Walsh is ready to take that fight into the final and apply the lessons that have been learnt along the way. As England take confidence from their own displays and abilities against the world champions, they are once again ready to contest tooth and nail until the very end. 'One thing I would take from the previous times playing against Spain is that we've not been as confident as we could be on the ball,' explained Walsh. 'We've got unbelievable strengths on the ball, so we need to take more pride in that and keep the ball for longer periods. We're going to get chances, so it's about taking those and being confident. 'It's another final and I want to win it. It's like we're doing it all over again - it's a different country, a different tournament and a lot of different players so it feels like a fresh start. 'When you play for England, you always want to win every game.'
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
England won't dwell on World Cup defeat in Euros rematch, says Walsh
But that will be out of their mind as they prepare for a fresh challenge against Spain at St. Jakob Arena in Basel with a second consecutive European Championship title at stake. '[The World Cup] was a massive disappointment and as a collective we feel we didn't have our best performance that day,' reflected Walsh. 'But as a football player, you can't become too emotional and have too many things going on. For us, it's a new game and a new team and we know what we've been bringing to this tournament so we're just going to focus on that. 'Obviously, you think about it a little bit, but for us it's put it aside and focus on Sunday.' Having played out a 2-1 extra-time victory over Italy on Tuesday, the Lionesses had to wait to find out who they would face to compete to lift the trophy. As Germany fought to fend off the Spanish in Zurich on Wednesday evening, the Lionesses watched on to witness a 1-0 victory after another 120 minutes of football as Aitana Bonmati eventually found the winner in the 113th minute. 'We were all sat in the players' lounge, Jill Scott was there as well as she always is,' laughed Walsh. 'It was an intense game. Germany had chances as well, but the Spanish team are incredible and they've got some really good players. 'We also know what we're capable of and where we can hurt them, so it's going to be an interesting game.' It was double Ballon D'Or winner Bonmati who, having recovered from being hospitalised by viral meningitis just days before the tournament, once more proved her brilliance to help Spain to a final. Her goal was no less sublime than the player as she spotted Ann-Katrin Berger had left space at her near post as she raced into the box at the byline and struck from a seemingly impossible angle to break the deadlock. But despite the individual brilliance of the Barcelona maestro, Walsh insists England will not be focusing their efforts solely on Bonmati. 'She's an incredible player but if you try to nullify her, I think Patri [Guijarro] has been one of the best players at this tournament,' she explained. 'So you can focus on Aitana but then you've got Patri and Alexia [Putellas] and Mariona [Caldentey] so we're not focusing on one player. 'We know what we can bring defensively and we're confident in that, so it's just about focusing on what we can do. We're going to have chances as well that we need to take.' England's own route to the final has not been straightforward. They have twice had to fight back from behind to avoid an early exit. It was a two-goal deficit they clawed their way back from in the quarter-finals against Sweden before winning on penalties, and they also came back from a goal down against Italy to win in extra time. But Walsh reinforced that such a fight and refusal to be beaten had become a key trait of the England side. 'It's part of being English. That's what we feel when we put the shirt on, we give everything and we run ourselves into the ground,' she said. 'That's the beauty of this squad, we know that if we have to come off because we're tired, there is going to be someone else to come on and finish the job. 'That English resilience is what we speak about as a team. It's something that we really pride ourselves on.' Now, having faced Spain twice already this year with a win and a loss each, Walsh is ready to take that fight into the final and apply the lessons that have been learnt along the way. As England take confidence from their own displays and abilities against the world champions, they are once again ready to contest tooth and nail until the very end. 'One thing I would take from the previous times playing against Spain is that we've not been as confident as we could be on the ball,' explained Walsh. 'We've got unbelievable strengths on the ball, so we need to take more pride in that and keep the ball for longer periods. We're going to get chances, so it's about taking those and being confident. 'It's another final and I want to win it. It's like we're doing it all over again - it's a different country, a different tournament and a lot of different players so it feels like a fresh start. 'When you play for England, you always want to win every game.'
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
I'm a Ballon d'Or hero who went from playing at Seaton Park in Aberdeen to scoring a Champions League-winning penalty
One superstar's rise to the top included a trip to the Granite City in his formative years From humble beginnings to world stardom stories are not too uncommon in football. But one former Ballon D'Or winner has a career path that included an appearance at the now-defunct Aberdeen International Football Festival years before he went onto reach the very top. Andriy Shevchenko was a rising star in the Dynamo Kyiv academy in Ukraine when he was included in the U15 side that made the trip to Seaton Park in Old Aberdeen in 1990 for the tournament, which brought budding youngsters from all over the world together for a weekend of football. The future AC Milan and Chelsea superstar caught the eye at the event, despite being two years younger than the kids he was playing alongside. The 2004 Ballon D'Or recipient also stole the show at the Ian Rush Cup in Wales in the same year, and was personally presented with pair of boots by the Liverpool icon after being named as the player of the tournament. In an interview with FourFourTwo last month, Shevchenko - who scored the winning penalty for Milan against Juventus in the 2003 Champions League final - said: "Later, I travelled abroad with Dynamo. "We played in two different tournaments: one in Aberdeen and another in Wales, at the Ian Rush Cup. "Even though the boots were too small for me, I treasured them for years because everyone knew him and he was a Liverpool legend – I tried playing with them once, until my big toes poked through the toe area!" But while he was crowned top dog in the Aberwsysth, Shevchenko's displays in the Granite City were overshadowed by a fellow future international footballer. Forward Peter Ndlovu - who went onto star for Coventry City in the Premier League and win 100 caps for his country - was part of a Zimbabwe team that also took part in the tournament and pipped the Ukrainian to the award, as recalled by former Aberdeen Football Festival chairman George Wyatt. Speaking to The Press and Journal in 2022, former Aberdeen Football Festival chairman George Wyatt said: "I remember well that Dynamo Kiev team coming over. "They came over because they had a link-up with Rangers. I believe they had a link-up with Rangers, I believe they went to Glasgow for a tour around Ibrox before the tournament. "I clearly remember seeing Shevchenko, he played extremely well in the tournament. He was a year or two younger than his team-mates but even so he stood out." "That was an especially strong year because Peter Ndlovu, who went on to play for Sheffield United, was playing for a team from Zimbabwe. He won the player of the tournament and was absolutely outstanding."
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Juventus 2 Man City 5: Erling Haaland's 300th goal and Savinho belter see Pep Guardiola's side pick up statement win
City topped the group as a result, having huge impact on knockouts PEP GUARDIOLA and his squad are obviously loving their time in Florida. Because Manchester City's next two knockout matches are now scheduled to be here in Orlando – just a short hop from their beachside training base in Boca Raton. 8 Erling Haaland's 300th Man City goal helped his side thrash Juventus 5-2 Credit: AP 8 Savinho also netted a belter as City topped their Club World Cup group Credit: Getty The 'Sunshine State' even produced a heavy first half downpour – just to ensure Pep's men feel right at home in the Camping World Stadium. It was raining goals again too as Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Savinho were all on the scoresheet along with an OG from Pierre Kalulu. And it means City finish top of Group G – which could be crucial for their hopes of retaining the Club World Cup trophy. As well as meaning less travel, they are also in a much more favourable half of the draw with Bayern Munich and PSG in the other one. A showdown with Guardiola's former assistant Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea team is now a possibility in the semi-final. Pep admitted before the game he had selected his team with the extreme weather in mind. It was 'only' 31 degrees when the game kicked off in mid afternoon but the humidity made it feel more like 40. So the City boss was keen to ensure he had an injection of energy for the second half – with Haaland one of those left on the bench. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Meanwhile there was a first start since mid-September for Ballon D'Or winner Rodri who has battled back from a cruciate knee injury. Knowing their place in the last 16 was guaranteed, Juve coach Igor Tudor also made changes. Pep Guardiola joined by daughter Valentina on Man City bench at Club World Cup clash 8 Jeremy Doku opened the scoring early on Credit: Getty 8 Juventus quickly equalised before netting an own-goal to hand back the advantage to City Credit: Getty Yet the difference between winning the group and finishing second will not have escaped the notice of the two camps. The runners-up were looking at a much more difficult route to the final – with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain lying in wait - en route to the final in New York on July 13. And this was City's first real test of the tournament – against a team who beat them in the Champions League back in December. Right from the start they looked like they fancied it though. Rayan Ait Nouri's cross from the left found skipper Bernardo Silva at the back post but his header was saved by the legs of Michele di Gregorio. But the former Wolves man – who caught the eye on his debut against Al Ain at the weekend – was catching the eye again. 8 Haaland then came alive in the second half with a clinical strike Credit: Alamy 8 Phil Foden was next on target after coming off the bench Credit: Getty He sliced open the home defence with a pass to Jeremy Doku who cut inside his full-back and rolled a shot into the corner. For the third game in a row at this tournament, City had scored inside the first 10 minutes and it was a perfect start. Yet within two minutes they gifted the Italians a route back in as Ederson's radar was off with his pass out to Bernardo. The Portuguese could not reach it and Teun Koopmeiners could not believe his luck as he drove into the empty space and thumped home. Maybe the heat was affecting the players because 15 minutes later it was Juve dropping a clanger. Savinho and Matheus Nunes combined to get the ball across but it was some way from its target Omar Marmoush. Pierre Kalulu did not realise he was under no pressure though – and turned the ball into his own net rather than putting it out for a corner. 8 Savinho topped an impressive performance with a powerful hit Credit: AFP 8 Dusan Vlahovic netted a late consolation goal for Juve Credit: Reuters Marmoush and Savinho both had tame efforts saved but City were starting to stamp their authority on the game after an open start. A heavy rain shower shortly before the interval was probably just the job to cool the English side down. As expected, Haaland was on for the second half and almost made an immediate impact but could not quite get his toe onto Savinho's cross. But he did not have to wait long for his goal – nice work from new boy Tijjani Reijnders and Nunes presented the Norwegian with an open net. His finish was hardly emphatic but as the former Borussia Dortmund man knows – they all count. 300 career goals before he hits 25 years old is going some. City just needed to see the game out but Ederson made amends for his earlier mistake by dashing off his line to deny Dusan Vlahovic. And it proved to be a key moment as Haaland sent Savinho in on goal before he unselfishly allowed sub Phil Foden to roll in number four. Then a corner from the left was only half cleared by the Italians and Savinho thumped a 20 yard shot in off the underside of the bar. Vlahovic raced clear to score a consolation six minutes from time but by then City fans were already booking their extended stay here. Three wins, 13 goals and only two conceded. Pep's men clearly mean business out here.
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Juventus 2 Man City 5: Erling Haaland's 300th goal and Savinho belter see Pep Guardiola's side pick up statement win
PEP GUARDIOLA and his squad are obviously loving their time in Florida. Because 8 Erling Haaland's 300th Man City goal helped his side thrash Juventus 5-2 Credit: AP 8 Savinho also netted a belter as City topped their Club World Cup group Credit: Getty The 'Sunshine State' even produced a heavy first half downpour – just to ensure Pep's men feel right at home in the Camping World Stadium. It was raining goals again too as Jeremy Doku, And it means City finish top of Group G – which could be crucial for their hopes of retaining the Club World Cup trophy. As well as meaning less travel, they are also in a much more favourable half of the draw with Bayern Munich and PSG in the other one. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL A showdown with Guardiola's former assistant Enzo Maresca and his Pep admitted before the game he had selected his team with the extreme weather in mind. It was 'only' 31 degrees when the game kicked off in mid afternoon but the humidity made it feel more like 40. So the City boss was keen to ensure he had an injection of energy for the second half – with Haaland one of those left on the bench. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Meanwhile there was a first start since mid-September for Ballon D'Or winner Rodri who has battled back from a cruciate knee injury. Knowing their place in the last 16 was guaranteed, Juve coach Igor Tudor also made changes. Pep Guardiola joined by daughter Valentina on Man City bench at Club World Cup clash 8 Jeremy Doku opened the scoring early on Credit: Getty 8 Juventus quickly equalised before netting an own-goal to hand back the advantage to City Credit: Getty Yet the difference between winning the group and finishing second will not have escaped the notice of the two camps. The runners-up were looking at a much more difficult route to the final – with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain lying in wait - en route to the final in New York on July 13. And this was City's first real test of the tournament – against a team who beat them in the Champions League back in December. Right from the start they looked like they fancied it though. Rayan Ait Nouri's cross from the left found skipper Bernardo Silva at the back post but his header was saved by the legs of Michele di Gregorio. But the former Wolves man – who caught the eye on his debut against Al Ain at the weekend – was catching the eye again. 8 Haaland then came alive in the second half with a clinical strike Credit: Alamy 8 Phil Foden was next on target after coming off the bench Credit: Getty He sliced open the home defence with a pass to Jeremy Doku who cut inside his full-back and rolled a shot into the corner. For the third game in a row at this tournament, City had scored inside the first 10 minutes and it was a perfect start. Yet within two minutes they gifted the Italians a route back in as Ederson's radar was off with his pass out to Bernardo. The Portuguese could not reach it and Teun Koopmeiners could not believe his luck as he drove into the empty space and thumped home. Maybe the heat was affecting the players because 15 minutes later it was Juve dropping a clanger. Savinho and Matheus Nunes combined to get the ball across but it was some way from its target Omar Marmoush. Pierre Kalulu did not realise he was under no pressure though – and turned the ball into his own net rather than putting it out for a corner. 8 Savinho topped an impressive performance with a powerful hit Credit: AFP 8 Dusan Vlahovic netted a late consolation goal for Juve Credit: Reuters Marmoush and Savinho both had tame efforts saved but City were starting to stamp their authority on the game after an open start. A heavy rain shower shortly before the interval was probably just the job to cool the English side down. As expected, Haaland was on for the second half and almost made an immediate impact but could not quite get his toe onto Savinho's cross. But he did not have to wait long for his goal – nice work from new boy Tijjani Reijnders and Nunes presented the Norwegian with an open net. His finish was hardly emphatic but as the former Borussia Dortmund man knows – they all count. 300 career goals before he hits 25 years old is going some. City just needed to see the game out but Ederson made amends for his earlier mistake by dashing off his line to deny Dusan Vlahovic. And it proved to be a key moment as Haaland sent Savinho in on goal before he unselfishly allowed sub Phil Foden to roll in number four. Then a corner from the left was only half cleared by the Italians and Savinho thumped a 20 yard shot in off the underside of the bar. Vlahovic raced clear to score a consolation six minutes from time but by then City fans were already booking their extended stay here. Three wins, 13 goals and only two conceded. Pep's men clearly mean business out here.
