Football

Pep Guardiola has extended his contract with Manchester City, ensuring his continued reign at the helm of the Premier League giants. The Spanish manager, whose previous deal was set to expire at the end of this season, has agreed to a new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium for at least another year.Guardiola's decision to extend his stay is a testament to the unprecedented success he has overseen at City since his arrival in 2016. Under his guidance, the club has established itself as the dominant force in English football, winning six Premier League titles in seven years. City has also triumphed in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup multiple times under Guardiola's leadership.The Catalan coach's impact on City extends beyond trophies. He has instilled a winning mentality and a distinctive style of play that has made the team one of the most admired in the world. Guardiola's commitment to attacking football and his ability to develop young players have earned him widespread praise.Guardiola's contract extension comes at a time when City faces a slew of alleged financial breaches. The club has been charged with over 100 offenses spanning nine years, ranging from failing to provide accurate financial information to misleading UEFA about sponsorship revenue.Despite the ongoing investigation, Guardiola has expressed his confidence in City's ability to clear its name. He has stated that he welcomes the opportunity to defend the club and its reputation. A verdict in the case is not expected until next year.Guardiola's decision to stay at City is a major boost for the club, which is aiming to maintain its dominance in English football and challenge for major trophies in Europe. The Spaniard's experience, tactical acumen, and winning mentality will be invaluable assets as City navigates the challenges ahead.

Argentina and Brazil, the South American powerhouses, faced contrasting fortunes in their World Cup qualifying matches on Tuesday. Argentina secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Peru, while Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw by Uruguay.Argentina's triumph was courtesy of a stunning volley from Lautaro Martinez in the first half. Lionel Messi provided the assist with a pinpoint cross, and Martinez unleashed a thunderous left-footed shot past Peru's goalkeeper. Despite a lackluster performance, Argentina's victory solidifies their position at the top of the CONMEBOL standings.Brazil, on the other hand, struggled against Uruguay in Salvador. Federico Valverde gave Uruguay the lead in the 55th minute with a clinical finish. However, Brazil responded quickly, with Gerson equalizing seven minutes later with a well-taken volley. Despite Brazil's dominance, they were unable to find a winning goal, leaving them in fifth place in the standings.Colombia suffered an upset at home, losing 1-0 to Ecuador. Enner Valencia scored the only goal of the match in the seventh minute, stunning the Colombian crowd. Colombia's Jhon Cordoba missed a golden opportunity to equalize, and Ecuador held on to their lead despite being reduced to 10 men after Piero Hincapie was sent off in the 34th minute.Paraguay and Bolivia played out a thrilling 2-2 draw. Bolivia took the lead twice, but Paraguay fought back each time. Miguel Almiron equalized for Paraguay in the 71st minute, and Julio Enciso secured a point in stoppage time with a magnificent solo effort.Chile boosted their faint hopes of qualifying for the World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Venezuela. The win leaves Chile in ninth place, but they have a lot of work to do to secure one of the six automatic qualification spots.

Kerala is set to witness a historic sporting event as the Argentina football team, led by legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit the state for an international match in 2025. The announcement was made by Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.The match will be conducted under the complete supervision of the State government, with financial assistance provided by the merchants of Kerala. The Minister expressed confidence in the state's ability to host the prestigious occasion.The Argentina football team is one of the most successful in the world, having won the FIFA World Cup twice and the Copa América 15 times. Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been instrumental in the team's success.The match is expected to attract a large number of football enthusiasts from across the country and beyond. It will provide a unique opportunity for Kerala to showcase its sporting infrastructure and hospitality.The State government is making elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. The match will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi, which has a capacity of over 60,000 spectators.The visit of the Argentina football team is a testament to Kerala's growing stature as a sporting destination. The state has hosted several major sporting events in recent years, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.The match is also expected to have a positive impact on the state's tourism industry. It will attract a large number of visitors, who will have the opportunity to experience Kerala's rich culture and natural beauty.

Germany's Nations League campaign ended with a 1-1 draw in Hungary, while the Netherlands were held to the same scoreline by Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Germans had already secured top spot in Group A3, while the Dutch were assured of second place. Hungary, despite the draw, remained four points ahead of Bosnia, who were already relegated.In Budapest, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann made several changes to his team, which had clinched top spot with a 7-0 win over Bosnia last week. Felix Nmecha broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, but Hungary's Dominik Szoboszlai equalized from the penalty spot in the 99th minute."With a win, we would've gone into the break with a nicer feeling, but we can still be very satisfied about what we achieved in 2024 and can kick things off again in March," said German midfielder Robert Andrich.In Group B4, Wales secured automatic promotion to the top division with a 4-1 victory over Iceland. Turkey's 3-1 defeat in Montenegro meant that Wales finished one point ahead of the Turks.Czech Republic claimed top spot in Group B1 with a 2-1 win over Georgia. Ukraine leapfrogged Georgia into second place by defeating Albania.In League C, Sweden topped their group with a 6-0 thrashing of Azerbaijan. Viktor Gyokeres scored four goals for Sweden, while Dejan Kulusevski added a brace.

Spain concluded their triumphant 2023 campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Switzerland in a Nations League dead rubber on Monday. Despite already securing top spot in Group A4, the reigning European champions displayed their resilience and determination in Tenerife.Coach Luis de la Fuente fielded an entirely new starting lineup, giving Athletic Bilbao's Aitor Paredes his international debut. Yeremi Pino, a Canary Islander, broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on Pedri's saved penalty.Switzerland equalized through Joel Monteiro, but Bryan Gil quickly restored Spain's lead. Andi Zeqiri leveled the score once more from the spot, but Bryan Zaragoza emerged as the hero in the dying minutes. The Bayern Munich winger earned and converted a penalty, securing a hard-fought victory for Spain.Zaragoza's late heroics capped off a remarkable year for Spain, who won the Euro 2024 title and finished the Nations League group stage unbeaten. The match also marked a special occasion for the Canary Islands, as it was the first Spain match on the island in 28 years.

San Marino, the tiny microstate nestled within Italy, has etched its name in football history by securing a remarkable promotion to the third tier of the UEFA Nations League. After trailing at halftime, the team rallied with an inspiring second-half performance to defeat Liechtenstein 3-1, marking their second-ever competitive victory.The match at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz was a tale of two halves. Liechtenstein took an early lead, leaving San Marino facing an uphill battle. However, the team refused to be disheartened. Led by coach Roberto Cevoli, they regrouped and emerged from the break with renewed determination.Lorenzo Lazzari ignited the comeback with a well-taken goal, followed by a stunning strike from Alessandro Golinucci. The match-winner came from the penalty spot, as Nicola Nanni coolly converted to seal the historic victory.San Marino's players erupted in jubilation as they secured promotion to League C. Their triumph is a testament to their resilience and the progress they have made under Cevoli's guidance. Despite being ranked 210th in the FIFA men's rankings, the team has shown that anything is possible with hard work and belief."Finishing that first half 1-0 down was an insult to football, but the boys were brilliant and deserved what they've managed to achieve," said Cevoli.San Marino's promotion is a significant milestone for the nation. It marks the first time they have advanced to a higher tier in the Nations League and provides a platform for further growth and development.The team's success has also captured the hearts of fans around the world. Marco Tura, the president of the San Marino Football Federation, expressed his pride and emotion: "As people, as athletes, as men they have shown what they are worth... I cried with the boys."San Marino's historic Nations League campaign is a reminder that even the smallest of nations can achieve great things with determination and a never-say-die attitude.

Nigeria's Lookman, South Africa's Williams Nominated for African Player of the YearNigerian striker Ademola Lookman and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams have been shortlisted for the prestigious African Player of the Year award, along with three other standout performers. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the five nominees on Monday, with Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy completing the list.Lookman, who plays for Italian club Atalanta, is considered the frontrunner for the award after his impressive performance in the UEFA Europa League last season. The 25-year-old scored a hat-trick in Atalanta's 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final, helping his team secure the title.Williams, on the other hand, has been a key figure for South Africa's national team and his club, Mamelodi Sundowns. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been praised for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities and leadership qualities.Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is another strong contender for the award. The 24-year-old defender has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world, known for his attacking prowess and defensive solidity.Adingra, who plays for Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, has also impressed with his performances this season. The 21-year-old winger has scored 10 goals in 23 league appearances, helping his team to the top of the Belgian First Division A standings.Guirassy, who plays for French club Rennes, is the only striker on the shortlist besides Lookman. The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals in 25 league appearances this season, showcasing his clinical finishing and aerial ability.Surprisingly, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who has won the award twice before, has been omitted from the nominees. The Egyptian forward has had another stellar season with his club, scoring 23 goals in 35 Premier League appearances.The African Player of the Year award will be presented at a ceremony in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh on December 16. The event will also recognize outstanding achievements in various categories, including men's and women's football, as well as youth and coaching.

The Indian men's football team's winless streak extended to four matches as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Malaysia in an international friendly on Monday. The match, played at the Balayogi Stadium, marked the debut of Chennaiyin FC's Irfan Yedwad for India.Despite dominating possession in the early stages, India conceded the first goal in the 19th minute due to a howler from goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Paulo Josue capitalized on Sandhu's error to put Malaysia ahead. However, India equalized in the 39th minute through a header from Rahul Bheke, assisted by Brandon Fernandes.The second half saw India continue to press for the winning goal, but the Malaysian defense held firm. Both teams had chances to snatch the victory, but neither could find the decisive touch.The draw extended head coach Manolo Marquez's wait for his first victory with the Blue Tigers. India has now drawn three and lost one of their four matches under Marquez.Despite the disappointing result, Marquez gave opportunities to several players who have been performing well for their clubs this season. The match also marked the return of central defender Sandesh Jhingan after almost 10 months.

England's emphatic 5-0 victory over 10-man Republic of Ireland secured their promotion to the Nations League top flight, with four players marking their international debuts with goals. Interim manager Lee Carsley's final game in charge saw England dominate from the start, but it was a second-half penalty from Harry Kane that broke the deadlock.Tino Livramento's deflected cross found Anthony Gordon, who volleyed home his first international goal. Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen also netted their maiden England goals, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed in Jude Bellingham's cross to complete the rout.France also secured top spot in Group A2 with a 3-1 victory over Italy at the San Siro. Adrien Rabiot scored twice, including a brilliant header from a Lucas Digne set-piece. Italy's Andrea Cambiaso pulled one back, but Rabiot's second goal sealed the win for Les Bleus.Erling Haaland continued his impressive form for Norway, scoring a hat-trick in their 5-0 win over Kazakhstan. The Manchester City star broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute and added two more goals before Antonio Nusa completed the scoring. Norway's victory saw them finish top of Group B3 ahead of Austria, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenia.