Football

Punjab FC staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Chennaiyin FC 3-2 in a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday (October 31, 2024).Despite conceding an early goal to Jordan Gil, Punjab FC rallied back with three unanswered goals in the second half. Luka Majcen emerged as the hero for the visitors, scoring twice in quick succession to level the match. Asmir Suljic then sealed the victory with a third goal in the 70th minute.The match started with a scrappy opening, but Punjab FC gradually gained control of possession. In the 11th minute, Filip Mrzljak had a chance to put Punjab ahead, but his cross failed to find a teammate.Chennaiyin FC took the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute. Lukas Brambilla's defense-splitting pass found Gil, who made no mistake with his left-footed strike.Punjab FC responded well to the setback and created several chances before the break. Mrzljak's cross found Majcen in the 45th minute, but his shot hit the side netting.The second half was a different story as Punjab FC came out with renewed determination. Majcen equalized for the visitors just a minute after the restart, finishing calmly after being set up by Mrzljak.Two minutes later, Majcen doubled his tally, this time assisted by Khaiminthang Lhungdim. The Slovenian forward was in the right place at the right time to tap in from close range.Punjab FC continued to press for a third goal, and their efforts were rewarded in the 70th minute. Suljic, who had come on as a substitute, scored with a powerful shot from outside the box.Chennaiyin FC pulled one back in the dying minutes through Gil, but it was too little too late. Punjab FC held on for a hard-fought victory that moved them up to fifth place in the ISL standings.

Real Madrid's La Liga Match Postponed Due to Devastating Floods in SpainReal Madrid's highly anticipated away match against Valencia in La Liga this weekend has been postponed due to the devastating flash floods that have ravaged eastern Spain, claiming the lives of over 95 people. The Spanish football federation (RFEF) made the decision on Thursday (October 31, 2024) to prioritize the safety and well-being of the affected communities.Villarreal's home match against Rayo Vallecano has also been suspended as a result of the catastrophic floods. La Liga requested the RFEF to postpone both matches, as well as three second division games involving teams from the affected areas."It has been agreed to postpone matches that were to be played in professional and non-professional competitions, both in 11-a-side football and in indoor football (in the Valencia region)," the RFEF stated in a press release.The federation had already postponed several midweek Copa del Rey first round matches, including Valencia's game against Parla Escuela. A moment of silence for the flood victims will be observed at matches this weekend in Spain, including league leaders Barcelona's Catalan derby against Espanyol on Sunday.The floods have caused widespread devastation in eastern Spain, with torrential rains leading to flash floods and mudslides. The death toll continues to rise as rescue workers search for survivors and assess the damage.The postponement of the Real Madrid and Villarreal matches is a reminder of the devastating impact that natural disasters can have on sporting events. The safety and well-being of the affected communities must always come first, and the decision to postpone the matches was the right one.

Manchester City's injury crisis has reached alarming proportions after their League Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with Savinho and Manuel Akanji joining a growing list of sidelined players. The latest setbacks leave Pep Guardiola with a mere 13 fit players ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday.Savinho was stretchered off in the 62nd minute with a suspected ankle injury, while Akanji was ruled out just before kickoff due to a muscular issue. This adds to the already lengthy list of absentees, including Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Kyle Walker, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish.Guardiola expressed his concern over the physical toll the season has taken on his squad. "We have 13 players (available) so we are in real difficulty," he said. "The guys that play, they finish most of them with problems and we'll see how they recover. I think we are in trouble, because in nine years we've never been in the situation with so many injuries."Despite their precarious position, City remain narrowly ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League title race. However, the absence of so many key players raises concerns about their ability to maintain their title defense. The upcoming away clash with Bournemouth will be a stern test for Guardiola's ability to rally a depleted side and manage fitness levels.For Guardiola, who has enjoyed nine seasons with relatively few long-term injuries, this situation is unprecedented. "In nine years, we've never been in this situation with so many injuries," he admitted.City's injury crisis is a major blow to their hopes of winning multiple trophies this season. With so many players unavailable, Guardiola will have to rely heavily on his remaining squad members and hope that they can stay fit and healthy.

Inter Milan maintained their grip on second place in Serie A with a dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Empoli on Wednesday. The defending champions showcased their resilience and attacking prowess, while Atalanta climbed to third with a 2-0 win over Monza.Inter's triumph was fueled by a brace from Davide Frattesi, who scored in the 50th and 67th minutes. The first goal came from a deflection, while the second was a composed finish that put Simone Inzaghi's side in control. Lautaro Martinez sealed the victory in the 79th minute after a defensive blunder by Empoli.The match took a significant turn in the first half when Empoli's Saba Goglichidze was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Marcus Thuram. Inter capitalized on the numerical advantage, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities.Inter captain Martinez expressed the team's satisfaction with the victory, especially after Napoli's win on Tuesday. "It was important to win after Napoli's victory," he said.Meanwhile, Atalanta continued their impressive form with a 2-0 win over Monza. Lazar Samardzic and Davide Zappacosta scored late goals to secure the victory for the Bergamo-based side. Atalanta now sit third in the standings, one point ahead of Juventus.Juventus, who were unbeaten in Serie A this season, suffered a setback with a 2-2 home draw against Parma. Enrico Del Prato gave Parma an early lead, and although Weston McKennie equalized, a second defensive lapse allowed Simon Sohm to restore Parma's advantage before halftime. Timothy Weah leveled the score for Juventus after the break, but the Bianconeri remain seven points behind leaders Napoli.In other matches, Udinese lost 3-2 to promoted Venezia, while Napoli maintained their four-point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over AC Milan on Tuesday.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Hyderabad FC, securing a 2-0 triumph in the Indian Super League. The Mariners' victory propelled them to second place in the standings, trailing only Bengaluru FC by three points.The match commenced with a cautious approach from both teams, but Mohun Bagan seized the initiative in the 37th minute. Anirudh Thapa's incisive through ball found Manvir Singh, who displayed exceptional composure to round goalkeeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte and slot home the opening goal.Hyderabad FC attempted to respond, but Mohun Bagan's defense remained resolute. The Mariners extended their lead in the 55th minute through a well-executed free-kick. Greg Stewart's perfectly weighted delivery was met by Subhasish Bose, who headed the ball into the net.The second half saw Mohun Bagan adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on maintaining their advantage. Hyderabad FC pressed forward in search of an equalizer, but the Mariners' defense held firm.Mohun Bagan's victory was a testament to their clinical finishing and disciplined defense. Manvir Singh's goal was his fifth against Hyderabad FC, while Bose's header marked his first goal of the season.The Mariners' triumph was a significant boost to their title aspirations. They have now won four of their last five matches and are well-positioned to challenge for the championship. Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to improve their form.

Manchester United's managerial search has reportedly zeroed in on Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim, despite the Portuguese coach's cautious stance. With United's interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy set to lead the team against Leicester in the League Cup, Amorim remains the frontrunner to take over permanently.Amorim's impressive track record at Sporting, where he has won two Portuguese titles, has caught United's attention. The 39-year-old's tactical acumen and ability to develop young players have made him a highly sought-after manager.However, Amorim has remained tight-lipped about his future, stating that "nothing is decided yet" regarding a move to Old Trafford. Sporting has confirmed that United is willing to meet Amorim's €10 million release clause, but the club has declined to comment further.Despite his youth, Amorim's age is not seen as a concern by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who believes that "knowledge is knowledge" and that "if you are good, age doesn't matter."United's squad, largely assembled by Erik ten Hag, faces challenges with several expensive signings failing to deliver. Antony, the Brazilian forward acquired for nearly £90 million, has struggled to justify his price tag.Ten Hag's departure has left United with a rebuilding task, and Amorim's appointment would signal a shift towards a more progressive and attacking style of play. The Portuguese coach has a reputation for developing young talent and implementing a high-pressing, possession-based system.If appointed, Amorim would inherit a squad with a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. The club's co-owner, Jim Ratcliffe, has expressed a desire for United to challenge for trophies, and Amorim's track record suggests he could be the man to deliver.

The Ballon d'Or, the prestigious award given to the world's best footballer, has a rich history dating back to 1956. Over the years, it has recognized the exceptional talents of some of the greatest players in the sport.First and Oldest Winner:The inaugural Ballon d'Or was awarded to Stanley Mathews, an English winger known for his exceptional dribbling skills and creativity. He received the honor in 1956, becoming the first player to be crowned the world's best.Best Young Player Award:The Raymond Kopa Trophy, named after the legendary French midfielder, is awarded to the best young player in the world. Kopa himself was the first recipient of this award in 1959.Best Goalkeeper Award:The Lev Yashin Trophy, named after the iconic Soviet goalkeeper, is given to the best goalkeeper in the world. Yashin, known for his agility and reflexes, was the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or in 1963.First Non-European Winner:George Weah, the Liberian striker, became the first non-European player to win the Ballon d'Or in 1995. Despite never playing in a World Cup, Weah's exceptional skills and goalscoring prowess earned him the prestigious award.Consecutive Wins:Alexia Puttellas, the Spanish midfielder, has won the women's Ballon d'Or twice in a row, in 2021 and 2022. She is the only player to achieve this feat in the women's category.Ronaldo and Messi Dominance:For a decade from 2008 to 2017, either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo won the award five times, while Messi won it six times. Their dominance of the award during this period is considered one of the greatest rivalries in football history.Breaking the Streak:Luka Modric, the Croatian midfielder, broke the Ronaldo-Messi streak in 2018 by winning the Ballon d'Or. His exceptional performances for Real Madrid and Croatia earned him the prestigious award.Conclusion:The Ballon d'Or remains one of the most coveted awards in football, recognizing the extraordinary talents of the world's best players. From Stanley Mathews to Luka Modric, the award has a rich history of honoring the legends of the sport.

The Indian men's football team, under the guidance of head coach Manolo Marquez, will face Malaysia in an international friendly on November 18 in Hyderabad. The match, initially scheduled for November 19, has been advanced by a day and will be played at the Gachibowli Stadium.This will be Marquez's fourth match in charge of the national team, and he will be eager to secure a victory against a lower-ranked opponent. Malaysia currently sits at 133rd in the FIFA rankings, while India occupies the 125th spot.The last encounter between the two teams took place in October 2023 in the Merdeka Cup semifinal, where India suffered a 2-4 defeat.The November 18 match falls within the last FIFA international match window of the year, which mandates clubs to release players for national duty.The Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad recently hosted the three-team Intercontinental Cup tournament, where India drew 0-0 with Mauritius and lost 0-3 to eventual champions Syria. The team then traveled to Vietnam for an international friendly, which ended in a 1-1 draw.Marquez will be looking to improve India's recent form, having failed to secure a win in his first three matches in charge. The match against Malaysia will provide an opportunity for the team to gain momentum and build confidence ahead of future challenges.

Borussia Dortmund's struggles continued on Tuesday as they were eliminated from the German Cup in the second round, losing 1-0 to Wolfsburg in extra time. The defeat adds to the pressure on new coach Nuri Sahin, whose team has now lost five consecutive away matches in all competitions.Dortmund had the better of the opening half, with Maximilian Beier hitting the post with just the goalkeeper to beat. However, they lacked fluency in attack and failed to break through, and the match looked set for penalties before Jonas Wind tapped in from close range in the 117th minute.The defeat leaves Dortmund seven points off top spot in the Bundesliga after just eight games, and Sahin is under increasing pressure to turn things around. "Extremely bitter to concede a goal like that after 120 minutes. It's tough," said Dortmund's Pascal Gross. "We've got injury problems, but that's no excuse -- we had chances to score."In other German Cup action, Stuttgart won 2-1 at home to eliminate last year's finalists Kaiserslautern, while Bayer Leverkusen beat Elversberg 3-0 thanks to a brace from Patrik Schick. RB Leipzig beat St Pauli 4-2 at home, with Yussuf Poulsen scoring a brace, and Augsburg beat Schalke 3-0.