Latest news with #Brazilians'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Top five forwards who lit up the 2024/25 Premiership season
Lucas Ribeiro celebrates his second goal of the match with his Mamelodi Sundowns' teammates during a league game. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The 2024/25 Betway Premiership season offered its fair share of goalmouth action, even as the league continued to battle with consistently surpassing the 20-goal mark. Mamelodi Sundowns once again dominated the league with goals scored, breaking their own record of 56 goals to end the season on a total of 65. Amidst the challenges in front of goal from all the other sides in the league, here we will look at five attackers who stood out, giving their best throughout the campaign. Iqraam Rayners MAMELODI Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners continues to add his name in the club's histpry. | BackpagePix Image: backpagePix Arguably the most complete forward in the Premiership this season, Iqraam Rayners enjoyed another impressive campaign—this time made even more remarkable by his move to the highveld to join Mamelodi Sundowns. Despite the fierce competition for places within the star-studded Brazilians' squad, the former Stellenbosch FC striker thrived. He scored 14 league goals in 26 appearances, with a particularly strong showing in the second half of the season. Rayners' performances underlinse why he will be a key part of Sundowns' plans going forward. Arthur Sales Arthur Sales shone for Mamelodi Sundowns last season even though he played most of his game from the bench. | Itumeleng English/Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media Sales may have faced criticism for inconsistency, but the Brazilian made notable contributions, particularly coming off the bench. In limited minutes, Sales registered eight goals and added eight assists, showing his value not only in front of goal but also in linking up play and creating chances. Though he may have wanted more starts, his impact was significant in helping his team stay competitive throughout the campaign. Lucas Ribeiro Costa Lucas Ribeiro Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Lucas Ribeiro Costa was the standout forward of the season and walked away with the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot after netting 16 goals. Replacing Orlando Pirates' Tshegofatso Mabasa as the league's top scorer from last season, Ribeiro enjoyed a superb campaign full of quality. He also looks a strong candidate for the Goal of the Season Award after producing some electrifying moments in the final third. At 26, the Brazilian matched the second-highest Golden Boot tally in recent memory and became the first Sundowns player to claim the award since Peter Shalulile's back-to-back wins with 12 and 23 goals in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. Since Shalulile's 23-goal haul, the 16-goal benchmark has been tough to beat, with Siyabonga Nomvethe still the only other player to net 20 goals in a single Premiership campaign post 2010. Nomvethe netted 20 for Moroka Swallows in 2011/12 . Devin Titus TUSSLE: Devin Titus is challenged by Tshegofatso Nyama on Saturday TUSSLE: Devin Titus is challenged by Tshegofatso Nyama. | BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Stellenbosch FC's Devin Titus maintained his consistency with another solid season. The Cape forward scored eight goals and featured in 28 league games for the Cape Winelands club. Backing up his seven-goal tally from the 2023/24 season, Titus played yet again a vital role in helping Stellies finish third on the log. That strong showing secured them another shot at CAF Confederation Cup football next season, where they'll aim to go beyond this year's semi-final finish. Dzenan Zajmovic Dzenan Zajmovic of TS Galaxy celebrates scoring against Cape Town City during their Betway Premiership clash at Mbombela Stadium on. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix
New York Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Inter Miami blows chance to win FIFA Club World Cup group, sets up showdown with Lionel Messi's old team
Paulinho scored in the 80th minute, Mauricio leveled in the 87th minute and Palmeiras rallied to a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami on Monday night in Miami Gardens, Fla., and clinched the top spot in Group A. The Brazilians' late rally canceled out a brilliant individual performance from Luis Suarez, who scored a goal that echoed the peak of his long career and contributed a clever assist for Miami. Tadeo Allende also scored for the Herons, who still advanced to the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup after a second-place finish. 3 Mauricio celebrates after scoring during the Palmeiras-Inter Miami match on June 23, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Palmeiras (1-0-2, 5 points) finished above Miami (1-0-2, 5 points) on goal difference and will face Botafogo on Saturday in Philadelphia. Lionel Messi and Miami will play Messi's former club, Paris Saint-Germain, on Saturday in Atlanta. Paulinho cut Palmeiras' deficit in half after he ran onto Allan's clever diagonal ball into the area, then finished into the bottom left corner just ahead of Benjamin Cremaschi's challenge. Seven minutes later, Mauricio hammered in an emphatic finish low with his first touch after he was first to Marcelo Weigandt's headed partial clearance. Now 38 years old, Suarez looked at least 10 years younger when he doubled Miami's lead in the 65th minute. 3 Lionel Messi reacts at the end of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between US Inter Miami and Brazil's Palmeiras at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami on June 23, 2025. AFP via Getty Images After receiving a pass from the left, he used his body to ward off Lucas Evangelista's challenge, then drove at and cut back across the body of defender Bruno Fuchs. No matter where you are in the world, you can watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free on DAZN. All you need to get started is an email address. No subscription is required, but you will have to make a free account on the streamer to start watching. DAZN also has premium, paid options available to enhance your viewing experience with HDR picture, Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, and fewer ads. DAZN Premium plans begin at $19.99/month. Although Fuchs poked the ball with an outstretched heel, Suarez kept possession, sorted his feed, then powered a ferocious half volley that sailed past Weverton into the near top corner. Allende put Miami in front in the 16th minute on one of the most direct goals of the tournament. Federico Redondo cleared the ball from his own penalty area, and Suarez made a retreating run from the center circle to meet the clearance. 3 Luiz Suarez celebrates after scoring during the Inter Miami-Palmeiras match on June 23, 2025. REUTERS With one touch, Suarez put the ball onto the path of Allende racing forward across the midfield stripe into open space. And with Palmeiras defender Murilo appearing to suffer a hamstring strain while on the chase, Allende had plenty of time on the break to compose himself before driving a crisp, low finish past Weverton.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns sending strong a strong message with Club World Cup exploits
THE REST OF the Betway Premiership teams better be prepared to eat Mamelodi Sundowns' dust yet again. How else can they begin to stop the high-flying Brazilians who are clearly of such high quality they can hold their own against the world's best? Sundowns may have lost 4-3 to Germany's Borussia Dortmund in their second Group F match at the FIFA Club World Cup currently on the go in the United States. But such was their performance against a much superior opponent there is every reason to foresee them dominating the domestic league yet again. Having won the local championship an eighth time in a row, Sundowns will be the team to beat yet again when the new season kicks off in August. The hope was that they will be properly challenged, with many of the view that perennial bridesmaids Orlando Pirates would run them close if not usurp them from the top perch. The Buccaneers were competitive last season and could – as per their former coach Jose Riveiro – have seriously challenged for the title had the teams played matches at the same time. That could well be, but the reality is that Sundowns were a cut above everyone yet again. What are the chances of the status quo changing in the 2025/26 campaign? Highly unlikely, at least based on how Sundowns have fared in the States so far. While they only beat South Korea's Ulsan 1-0 in their opening match, Sundowns were never in any danger of losing that match and were actually so in control that they could have won at a canter – scorer Iqraam Rayners having found the net on two other occasions. It was the second match against Dortmund that illustrated the Brazilians' class which is sure to take a lot from Pirates and the rest of the Premiership to bridge. The reality of that encounter is that Sundowns were the underdogs, The Yellow Submarine's quality and experience much superior. But an uninformed observer would not have told this much – at least not in the initial quarter-hour of the match when they dominated possession and even took the lead through a super goal by Lucas Ribeiro who'd been set on goal by a brilliant pass from Tashreeq Matthews who was evidently out to show his former club what they'd lost out on. What impressed me the most though was how Sundowns did not drop their heads after making uncharacteristic mistakes of literally giving Dortmund the equalizer as well as two other goals for the Germans to rush into a 4-1 lead by the hour mark. The fighting spirit, the tenacity and will they showed to reduce the deficit to the respectable level it ended at was uncharacteristic of South African teams usually renowned for their capitulation in such instances. It is a well they are sure to know to dip into next time, particularly in the CAF Champions League they are so keen to win yet again. Domestically, there just is no team that will be able to contend with Sundowns should they go into that mode. Granted, the likes of Pirates, Stellenbosch FC and perhaps Kaizer Chiefs, would have seen how Sundowns struggle with dealing with the high-press that Dortmund employed and they will seek to use that when they are next on the pitch with the record PSL champions. Yet it is difficult to imagine any of them forcing Sundowns into the kind of errors Dortmund did. Three of the German's goals were a result of their pressure on Sundowns, Ronwen Williams' passing the ball to sdfsdfdsa as he looked to play from the back as Sundowns typically do. Dortmund's second goal came about because they closed down Teboho Mokoena quickly before he could settle on the ball, something none of the PSL clubs do. In the domestic game, the Sundowns right backs are hardly ever forced into making last ditch tackles or clearances, a Khuliso Mudau for example almost always enjoying forays into the opposition halves instead of being on the backfoot. Dortmund got the right back to working hard Saturday evening and even forced him into scoring an own goal, sdfsdf Svensson As Sundowns sharpen themselves against world class opposition on the biggest stage of them all, their local adversaries are getting ready for pre-season training camps against ordinary opposition in Europe. Pirates, for example, are yet to announce who their new coach will be, and - even if it were to be Rulani Mokwena who knows Sundowns and the domestic scene pretty well – they just don't have the quality squad to match the Brazilians. Chiefs were pathetic in the previous campaign and while the decision to keep Nasredinne Nabi on as their coach might ensure some continuity, it is literally a continuation from zero given how far adrift they were from Sundowns in the league. And the signings they have made – bringing in a duo of free agents from Pirates for example – does not speak to a club intent on stopping a marauding opponent from dominating the league yet again. We must, therefore, brace ourselves for yet another Sundowns championship victory because just on the strength of their showing at the FIFA Club World Cup, the Brazilians are sure to walk to a ninth successive league title next season.
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea ratings: Nicolas Jackson lets team down with mindless red card as only one player makes an impact
Blues fizzled out in the heat as Flamengo fizzed back with dramatic turnaround NIC'S EMOTIONS Chelsea ratings: Nicolas Jackson lets team down with mindless red card as only one player makes an impact Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONLY Pedro Neto had something to celebrate on Nicolas Jackson's nightmare birthday. Neto's dashing early opener was overturned by Flamengo dancing through for three second-half goals as Chelsea suffered their first Club World Cup defeat. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Chelsea sub Nicolas Jackson picked up a crazy sending-off Credit: Alamy Enzo Maresca's men just about deserved their first-half lead in the Philadelphia heat. But the Brazilians' revival after the break was rewarded with a quickfire double midway though the period. Bruno Henrique and Danilo stabbed home two replica far-post goals in the space of three minutes - with Chelsea lacking leaders in their defence. Jackson then earned the most ridiculous of red cards just four minutes after replacing new £30million striker Liam Delap. READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS RAPID RED Nicolas Jackson sent off against Flamengo for horror tackle on his birthday And Wallace Yan further punished the Blues' collapse by firing a late third for a hungrier, hotter Flamengo side. Robert Sanchez - 5 Had just two first-half saves to make, both routine, but intervened a few times with kicked clearances. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Came alive on the hour when Flamengo frontman Plato did just the same himself - flashing a fierce shot that the Spaniard flung upwards to tip over. 8 Pedro Neto did everything right to slip his breakthrough goal Credit: Getty BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But almost immediately he was stranded at the backpost as Henrique arrived to tuck home. Then watched on helpless three minutes later as Danilo flashed Flamengo in front from almost the same position. Could also do little with Yan's killer third goal, but was never really a dominating presence. 8 Robert Sanchez watched on as Marc Cucurella blocks from Leo Pereira Credit: Reuters Malo Gusto - 5 Pushed forward tentatively from right-back in the first period, testing keeper Rossi with a flashing long-ranger on 28 minutes. Lionel Messi gives rare insight into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo Far more adventurous early in the second period, with dangerous overlaps. But then faded - along with his side as whole. Trevoh Chalobah - 6 Precision timing with a block on 26 minutes denied Flamengo striker Plata a gaping chance from 10 yards. Then nipped in for an important clearing header - underlining how he does the important things for a centre-back right. Not directly at fault as the Blues conceded two carbon-copy goals, but nonetheless was part of a defence that suddenly appeared dishevelled in the last half hour. 8 Trevoh Chalobah initially kept Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Co at bay Credit: EPA Levi Colwill - 5 Lucky to escape an early yellow card for a rash challenge. Safe and unfussy for the first hour - upgrading that contribution dramatically with a piece of superb judgment and athleticism to head off the line shortly before break. But like his central defensive partner Chalobah, he failed to respond convincingly to Flamengo's purple patch in the second period. Marc Cucurella - 5 Performed as more of an orthodox left-back than his usual up as much as down role. Steady enough, but barely broke forward menacingly. Nipped in to glance a 50th-minute free-kick from James wide - possibly snatching at what was a glaring opportunity rather than realising he had more time. Reece James - 5 Functional rather than marauding on the right of Caicedo in a two-man midfield anchor. So for the England star, it was firm but not flair as he filled a tactical berth. But delivered a magical curving free-kick across the front of the Flamengo defenders that Cucurella wastefully flicked wide. But James soon slipped to enable Gonzalo Plata to scramble clear through the middle, keeper Sanchez clawing the ball away. Replaced by Romeo Lavia on 64 minutes 8 Reece James got to grips with Chelsea old boy Jorginho Credit: Reuters Moises Caicedo - 5 Booked for a wild lunge on 12 minutes. Showed plenty of energy after that, but more graft than craft as the Blues never really passed their way through and around midfield. Cole Palmer - 4 Restrained and largely anonymous before the break, perhaps operating more rigidly and often deeper on the right than he'd like. Prefers to rule by roaming and certainly looking less free to roam than usual. Occasional flashes in the second period 8 Cole Palmer, Chelsea's main man in the Prem, had a quiet game Credit: Getty Enzo Fernandez - 4 Threatened little in the opening 45 minutes. But appealed desperately for a spot-kick when he wriggled into the area and tumbled under slight contact - VAR helping ref Ivan Barton stick by his no-penalty decision. Pedro Neto - 8 Busy, bustling predator from the left to the centre - just behind Delap. Showed supreme coolness to surge away from dozy Flamengo defending on halfway and slip home a neat winner from the edge of the box on 13 minutes. That's two goals from his two high-tempo games here in the US. Booked midway through the first half for ending Wesley's dangerous run with a tactical trip. But soon showed fizzing feet again at the other end to snake between two players and almost carve out a clear opportunity for Delap. Much less prominent after the break, but still the only Chelsea player to make a true impact for any sustained period. 8 Pedro Neto completed a long surge by slotting Chelsea's opener Credit: AFP Liam Delap - 5 A throwback to the future - with bustling power like an old-fashioned striker. And had a right old tussle with the Brazilian defence. Couldn't quite get on the end of an inviting cross just before the interval. Promptly booked for a clumsy clattering as he challenged for a loose ball on mid-pitch. Produced a mediocre pull-back early in the second period when he had the chance to sow he could be a creator. Harried Pereira into nearly volleying an own goal. Replaced by Jackson on 64 minutes after a fighting but fitful performance. 8 Liam Delap had a good old battle with Leo Pereira and Co Credit: AFP SUBS: Nicolas Jackson (for Delap, 64 mins) - 0 Snappy birthday - as just four minutes after replacing Delap in attack, the Senegal ace saw red for stamping in a mid-pitch tangle. It was Jackson's 24th birthday - but he blew his cameo rather than candles with a challenge that was reckless, needless, thoughtless. Romeo Lavia (for James, 64 mins) Came on just after Flamengo levelled and did little to stem the fierce change in tide. Noni Madueke (for Fernandez, 84 mins) - 7 Slightly crazy to give him a rating for such a short time on the pitch - but read on! Curved a half-decent free-kick high at 3-1 down, then hussled the left of the Flamengo defence a few times. Marc Guiu (for Palmer, 82 mins) - N/A
The Irish Sun
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea ratings: Nicolas Jackson lets team down with mindless red card as only one player makes an impact
ONLY Pedro Neto had something to celebrate on Nicolas Jackson's nightmare birthday. Neto's dashing early opener was overturned by Flamengo dancing through for three second-half goals as Chelsea suffered their first Club World Cup defeat. Advertisement 8 Chelsea sub Nicolas Jackson picked up a crazy sending-off Credit: Alamy Enzo Maresca's men just about deserved their first-half lead in the Philadelphia heat. But the Brazilians' revival after the break was rewarded with a quickfire double midway though the period. Bruno Henrique and Danilo stabbed home two replica far-post goals in the space of three minutes - with Chelsea lacking leaders in their defence. Jackson then earned the most ridiculous of red cards just four minutes after replacing new £30million striker Liam Delap. Advertisement READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS And Wallace Yan further punished the Blues' collapse by firing a late third for a hungrier, hotter Flamengo side. Robert Sanchez - 5 Had just two first-half saves to make, both routine, but intervened a few times with kicked clearances. Came alive on the hour when Flamengo frontman Plato did just the same himself - flashing a fierce shot that the Spaniard flung upwards to tip over. Advertisement Most read in Football 8 Pedro Neto did everything right to slip his breakthrough goal Credit: Getty BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But almost immediately he was stranded at the backpost as Henrique arrived to tuck home. Then watched on helpless three minutes later as Danilo flashed Flamengo in front from almost the same position. Advertisement Could also do little with Yan's killer third goal, but was never really a dominating presence. 8 Robert Sanchez watched on as Marc Cucurella blocks from Leo Pereira Credit: Reuters Malo Gusto - 5 Pushed forward tentatively from right-back in the first period, testing keeper Rossi with a flashing long-ranger on 28 minutes. Lionel Messi gives rare insight into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo Far more adventurous early in the second period, with dangerous overlaps. Advertisement But then faded - along with his side as whole. Trevoh Chalobah - 6 Precision timing with a block on 26 minutes denied Flamengo striker Plata a gaping chance from 10 yards. Then nipped in for an important clearing header - underlining how he does the important things for a centre-back right. Not directly at fault as the Blues conceded two carbon-copy goals, but nonetheless was part of a defence that suddenly appeared dishevelled in the last half hour. Advertisement 8 Trevoh Chalobah initially kept Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Co at bay Credit: EPA Levi Colwill - 5 Lucky to escape an early yellow card for a rash challenge. Safe and unfussy for the first hour - upgrading that contribution dramatically with a piece of superb judgment and athleticism to head off the line shortly before break. But like his central defensive partner Chalobah, he failed to respond convincingly to Flamengo's purple patch in the second period. Advertisement Marc Cucurella - 5 Performed as more of an orthodox left-back than his usual up as much as down role. Steady enough, but barely broke forward menacingly. Nipped in to glance a 50th-minute free-kick from James wide - possibly snatching at what was a glaring opportunity rather than realising he had more time. Reece James - 5 Functional rather than marauding on the right of Caicedo in a two-man midfield anchor. Advertisement So for the England star, it was firm but not flair as he filled a tactical berth. But delivered a magical curving free-kick across the front of the Flamengo defenders that Cucurella wastefully flicked wide. But James soon slipped to enable Gonzalo Plata to scramble clear through the middle, keeper Sanchez clawing the ball away. Replaced by Romeo Lavia on 64 minutes Advertisement 8 Reece James got to grips with Chelsea old boy Jorginho Credit: Reuters Moises Caicedo - 5 Booked for a wild lunge on 12 minutes. Showed plenty of energy after that, but more graft than craft as the Blues never really passed their way through and around midfield. Cole Palmer - 4 Restrained and largely anonymous before the break, perhaps operating more rigidly and often deeper on the right than he'd like. Advertisement Prefers to rule by roaming and certainly looking less free to roam than usual. Occasional flashes in the second period 8 Cole Palmer, Chelsea's main man in the Prem, had a quiet game Credit: Getty Enzo Fernandez - 4 Threatened little in the opening 45 minutes. Advertisement But appealed desperately for a spot-kick when he wriggled into the area and tumbled under slight contact - VAR helping ref Ivan Barton stick by his no-penalty decision. Pedro Neto - 8 Busy, bustling predator from the left to the centre - just behind Delap. Showed supreme coolness to surge away from dozy Flamengo defending on halfway and slip home a neat winner from the edge of the box on 13 minutes. That's two goals from his two high-tempo games here in the US. Advertisement Booked midway through the first half for ending Wesley's dangerous run with a tactical trip. But soon showed fizzing feet again at the other end to snake between two players and almost carve out a clear opportunity for Delap. Much less prominent after the break, but still the only Chelsea player to make a true impact for any sustained period. 8 Pedro Neto completed a long surge by slotting Chelsea's opener Credit: AFP Advertisement Liam Delap - 5 A throwback to the future - with bustling power like an old-fashioned striker. And had a right old tussle with the Brazilian defence. Couldn't quite get on the end of an inviting cross just before the interval. Promptly booked for a clumsy clattering as he challenged for a loose ball on mid-pitch. Produced a mediocre pull-back early in the second period when he had the chance to sow he could be a creator. Harried Pereira into nearly volleying an own goal. Advertisement Replaced by Jackson on 64 minutes after a fighting but fitful performance. 8 Liam Delap had a good old battle with Leo Pereira and Co Credit: AFP SUBS: Nicolas Jackson (for Delap, 64 mins) - 0 Snappy birthday - as just four minutes after replacing Delap in attack, the Senegal ace saw red for stamping in a mid-pitch tangle. Advertisement It was Jackson's 24th birthday - but he blew his cameo rather than candles with a challenge that was reckless, needless, thoughtless. Romeo Lavia (for James, 64 mins) Came on just after Flamengo levelled and did little to stem the fierce change in tide. Noni Madueke (for Fernandez, 84 mins) - 7 Advertisement Slightly crazy to give him a rating for such a short time on the pitch - but read on! Curved a half-decent free-kick high at 3-1 down, then hussled the left of the Flamengo defence a few times. Marc Guiu (for Palmer, 82 mins) - N/A
