Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

France’s forward Kylian Mbappe gives a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, on Sept. 5, 2024 on the eve of their UEFA Nations League match against Italy. (AFP)

Short Url

https://arab.news/9ryrj

Updated 05 September 2024

September 05, 2024 19:51

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

“Tomorrow’s reception, I don’t expect much,” Mbappé told a press conference
“I don’t care. The important thing is to win”

Updated 05 September 2024

September 05, 2024 19:51

PARIS: Kylian Mbappé says he doesn’t care how he will be treated when he returns to the Paris Saint-Germain pitch on Friday.
The France superstar is back to his home country with the national squad as the 2022 World Cup runner-up take on Italy in the UEFA Nations League at the Parc des Princes.
Mbappé played seven seasons with PSG before his move to Real Madrid this summer. He left amid a reported dispute related to unpaid wages worth 55 million euros ($61 million) and there is a chance he will face a hostile crowd.
“Tomorrow’s reception, I don’t expect much,” Mbappé told a press conference on Thursday. “I don’t care. The important thing is to win.”
Mbappé ended his scoring drought in the Spanish league by scoring both goals in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Betis last week.
“I feel good, physically and mentally,” he said Thursday. “I’m happy where I am and about what I do, and I know it will get even better as the matches go on.”
Italy and France start their Nations League campaigns in the A2 Group that also includes Belgium and Israel. Both the French and the Italians are looking for improvement after their lackluster performances at the European Championship.
Italy were knocked out of the tournament in the last 16 and Mbappé admitted that his tournament had been a failure when France lost in the semifinals and scored just one goal from open play in the competition.
Mbappé sustained a broken nose in France’s opening group game at Euro 2024. In the semifinals, he ditched the vision-restricting mask that he had been wearing but Les Bleus still lost to Spain 2-1.
He said that he has moved on from the disappointment and added that his broken nose didn’t need surgery.
“I underwent exams in Madrid, they told me surgery was not necessary,” he said. “I don’t have any problem to breathe and to sleep.”

Topics: UEFA Nations League France Kylian Mbappe Italy Parc des Princes

Lamar Jackson breaks NFL QB rushing record, accounts for 3 TDs in Ravens’ 31-2 romp over Texans

Updated 26 December 2024

December 26, 2024 04:02

Lamar Jackson breaks NFL QB rushing record, accounts for 3 TDs in Ravens’ 31-2 romp over Texans

Jackson threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 87 yards and another score

Updated 26 December 2024

December 26, 2024 04:02

HOUSTON: Lamar Jackson broke the NFL career rushing record for quarterbacks in Baltimore’s 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans on Wednesday, bolstering his case for MVP as the Ravens moved closer to the AFC North title.
Jackson threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 87 yards and another score. He pushed his career rushing total to 6,110 to move past Michael Vick, who had 6,109 in his 13-year career.
The Ravens (11-5) have already wrapped up their third straight playoff berth and need a victory over Cleveland next week to win the division over Pittsburgh. The Steelers dropped a third straight with a loss to Kansas City on Wednesday.
Jackson, the MVP last season and in 2019, put on a show rivaled only by the spectacular Super Bowl-caliber halftime performance by Beyoncé to give Baltimore its third straight win. And he needed just more than three quarters to do it, giving way to Josh Johnson with about 10 minutes left and the game long decided.
Jackson threw 9- and 1-yard TD passes and was not touched on a 48-yard scoring scamper that made it 24-2 in the third quarter.
Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards and set the Ravens season record with his 16th touchdown on a 2-yard run in the first quarter. He eclipsed Ray Rice (2011) and Mark Ingram (2019).
Baltimore dominated a Houston team reeling after losing dynamic receiver Tank Dell to a season-ending knee injury Saturday.
The AFC South champs struggled to finish drives and got their only points on a safety in the second quarter. C.J. Stroud threw for 185 yards, but was sacked five times and threw an interception and Joe Mixon managed just 26 yards rushing as the Texans (9-7) lost a second straight.
Rookie Kamari Lassiter dropped Henry for a 4-yard loss for the safety with about 10 minutes left in the first half to cut the lead to 10-2.
Dameon Pierce then returned the kickoff 45 yards to get the Texans to their 43. But they came away empty when Mixon was stopped on the 1 after grabbing a short pass on fourth-and-3.
Jackson then orchestrated a 99-yard drive to pad the lead. He scrambled to evade the rush and found Mark Andrews for a 67-yard gain to get the Ravens in the red zone with just more than two minutes left in the first half.
Isaiah Likely’s 9-yard TD reception two plays later made it 17-2. It was the first 17-2 halftime score in NFL history.
Kyle Hamilton intercepted Stroud’s pass on the first drive of the second half. Two plays later, Jackson’s long TD run made it 24-2.
He set the rushing record on a 6-yard run on Baltimore’s next drive. Later in the drive, he scrambled to escape several defenders before finding Andrews for a 1-yard score to leave Baltimore up 31-2.
Injuries
Ravens RB Rasheen Ali injured his hip in the third quarter and didn’t return. … Texans TE Cade Stover returned after missing two games following an emergency appendectomy.
Up next
The Ravens host the Browns, and the Texans visit the Titans next weekend. The game dates have yet to be determined.

Topics: Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens NFL Houston Texans

World No. 1 Sabalenka ready for more Slam success

Updated 26 December 2024

AFP

December 26, 2024 03:47

World No. 1 Sabalenka ready for more Slam success

Sabalenka: I love Australia and I always come here hungry and always come here ready
The 26-year-old enjoyed a sensational 2024, reaching seven finals and winning four titles, including the US Open

Updated 26 December 2024

AFP

December 26, 2024 03:47

BRISBANE: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka says she is “fresh and ready to go” in her bid for a third straight Australian Open title, warning she has plenty of room for improvement.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a sensational 2024, reaching seven finals and winning four titles, including the US Open.

Her year was kickstarted by defending her Australian Open crown, beating China’s high-flying Zheng Qinwen in the final.

Should she win it again, she will become the first woman to claim three straight Melbourne Park singles titles since Martina Hingis between 1997-1999.

“I feel fresh and ready to go,” the Belarusian said, according to the WTA website Thursday, after arriving for the Brisbane International which starts on Sunday ahead of the Australian Open from Jan. 12.

“I love Australia and I always come here hungry and always come here ready.

“I feel all the support here, and I think that’s the best thing about Australia, that people are really, really, into tennis.”

Sabalenka also began 2024 in Brisbane, reaching the final without losing a set only to crash to Kazakstan’s Elena Rybakina in the decider.

She spent time in the off-season at her home in Florida before heading to the Middle East to prepare for Australia and will use the Brisbane tournament to fine-tune her Grand Slam preparations.

“You work hard on lots of things in the pre-season,” she said.

“The first tournament before the major tournament is the one where you can try it out and see what’s going to work well for you, and what’s not.”

Despite her rise through the ranks to be the player to beat heading into 2025, Sabalenka said there were still parts of her game that need work.

“Oh, there is so many things to improve,” she said.

“I mean, I’m not that good with maybe my game at the net in singles. There is a lot of things to improve in my touch game.

“There is so many things, even my serve is not as good as I want it to be, so there is always (elements) to improve.”

Topics: Aryna Sabalenka Grand Slam

Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10

Updated 26 December 2024

December 26, 2024 02:12

Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10

Kansas City (15-1) spent three hours toying with the Steelers (10-6) like a cat batting around shreds of leftover wrapping paper

Updated 26 December 2024

December 26, 2024 02:12

PITTSBURGH: Andy Reid donned a Santa Claus suit in a giddy Kansas City Chiefs locker room on Christmas Day, then handed his team a present it increasingly looks like it deserves: home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
How Reid managed to slide into the costume so quickly after Kansas City’s clinical 29-10 victory over the reeling Pittsburgh Steelers to lock up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven years is a mystery (though he hinted there’s an elf involved).
How Reid’s team manages to pull away from the pack year after year is not.
A lot of Patrick Mahomes. A dash of Travis Kelce. A splash of speed. A defense that quietly goes about its business, even when its leader is standing on the sideline in sweatpants.
Yes, it has been ugly — by Kansas City’s lofty standards — at times while the Chiefs have chased a third straight championship. Yet as the playoffs loom, the group that looked so vulnerable for most of the season suddenly seems to be rounding into form.
And the road to the Super Bowl will once again go through Arrowhead Stadium. Just the way the Chiefs like it.
“Getting the No. 1 seed is important,” Mahomes said after throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns. “It’s like winning a playoff game.”
Even if how the Chiefs locked it up didn’t exactly feel like one.
Kansas City (15-1) spent three hours toying with the Steelers (10-6) like a cat batting around shreds of leftover wrapping paper. The Chiefs raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by Pittsburgh, which has dropped three straight to see its chances of capturing the AFC North take another hit.
“That sucked, to be blunt,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.
It often does when Pittsburgh is on one side of the line of scrimmage and Mahomes is on the other. Mahomes is now 4-0 against the Steelers with 17 touchdowns against just one interception. He connected on first-half scoring tosses to Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson and added a history-making 12-yard touchdown flip to Kelce to seal it in the fourth quarter.
The grab was the 77th scoring reception of Kelce’s career, breaking a franchise record set by Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. The 35-year-old Kelce celebrated by dunking the ball over the goal post, a nod to Gonzalez’s signature move. The gesture drew a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, though it hardly mattered. Harrison Butker made the longer extra point and the Chiefs were firmly in control.
“It’s just showing Tony some love,” Kelce said with a laugh on the day he joined Gonzalez and Jason Witten as the only tight ends to reach 1,000 receptions. Kelce finished with eight catches for 84 yards while playing for an offense that is starting to get its swagger back.
The defense wasn’t bad either, even with five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Chris Jones sidelined by a calf injury. Jones’ teammates hardly looked gassed while playing for the third time in 11 days.
“It was tough,” cornerback Trent McDuffie said. “I mean, three games in 11 days is crazy for anybody. But I thought we handled it very well.”
The Steelers did not. Pittsburgh went 0-3 during the span, a brutal stretch against Super Bowl contenders Philadelphia, Baltimore and Kansas City in which the Steelers looked outclassed.
Perhaps more troubling than the losses is the way they played out. Pittsburgh lost each contest by at least 14 points and could find itself starting the postseason on the road after playing fast-and-loose with the two-game division lead it enjoyed just three weeks ago.
“I think that there’s highs and lows in every season,” Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson said after throwing for 205 yards with an ill-timed pick in the end zone in the first quarter. “We’ve got to make sure that we end this last game on the right footing and right belief.”
That hasn’t been an issue in years in Kansas City. Not with Mahomes at the controls. He spread his 29 completions to eight different players, including a career-best eight to Worthy and four to Hollywood Brown, whose return from injury has given the Chiefs another playmaker in what is starting to look like another stacked deck.
“We’re playing, especially offensively, our best football of the year,” Mahomes said.
Looks like it. The two-time MVP hardly bothered by the ankle injury he suffered against Cleveland, throwing touchdowns to cap Kansas City’s first two drives. And while the Steelers drew within 13-7 and 16-10, they never had the ball with a chance to take the lead in the second half.
Instead, the Chiefs — who spent most of the first three months of the season squeaking by most weeks — zoomed away with the No. 1 seed and several weeks to rest before a bid for a three-peat that certainly looks doable.
Injuries
Chiefs: RB Isiah Pacheco left in the second half with a rib injury.
Steelers: DT Cam Heyward exited briefly in the fourth quarter but managed to return.
Up next
Chiefs: finish up the regular season by heading to Denver.
Steelers: host Cincinnati in the regular-season finale.

Topics: AFC Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Pittsburgh Steelers NFL

Inspired by ‘incredible’ Ronaldo, Matheus Nunes eyes success with Manchester City and Portugal

Updated 26 December 2024

ALAM KHAN

December 25, 2024 22:47

Inspired by ‘incredible’ Ronaldo, Matheus Nunes eyes success with Manchester City and Portugal

The 26-year-old spoke to Arab News about the role his mother played in his career and moving from Brazil to Portugal at a young age

Updated 26 December 2024

ALAM KHAN

December 25, 2024 22:47

MANCHESTER: As a child growing up without a father in a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Matheus Nunes had a couple of familiar figures to inspire him to a footballing dream and better life.

One was his mother, Catia, who combined raising and supporting her family with the odd appearance for a local team as a goalkeeper.

The other was Brazil and Barcelona icon Ronaldinho.

Both provided the “magic” that has now seen the Rio-born Nunes starring for Manchester City and Portugal, the country where he moved to as a youngster.

“My mum was my hero,” the 26-year-old told Arab News exclusively. “I learned from her — and she used to play football as well.

“She was a goalkeeper, trying to save my shots. It was just in Brazil, not professionally, but she played in friendlies, local games with friends — she was always playing,” he said.

“She was, what you call, a tomboy. She had about 12 cousins and, compared to her age, she was the only girl in their age group so she was always doing men’s stuff.

Nunes continued: “Football-wise, my first hero was Ronaldinho. I enjoyed everything about him.

“I watched all of his videos on YouTube when I was young. I don’t know how to describe it but, for me, if he’s not the best footballer of all time, he’s probably one of them.

“It was magical watching him. He was the guy who made me fall in love with football.”

So too, inevitably, did Cristiano Ronaldo, once Catia moved the family to Portugal and Nunes learned English and all about the Premier League from his Sunderland-supporting stepfather, John Greenman.

Long before the forward joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo starred at Lisbon side Sporting — a club Nunes would also later join — before successful spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

When he was called up by Portugal for his international debut against Qatar in 2021, Nunes admitted being a bit star-struck when meeting Ronaldo, now 39 and still scoring goals for club and country.

“He’s incredible, a machine to be still playing now,” said Nunes. “I don’t know if I will ever be able to do that, but he’s just incredible.

“I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous when I first met Cristiano. But it wasn’t just him, but a lot of the big players I met when I first went to the national team. I had only played with them in video games before, so it was a great moment.

“My first gift when I was two was a football, so everything led to this. I didn’t try to be a professional in Brazil because I came to Portugal when I was very young,” Nunes said.

“But, after I arrived in Portugal, it was only then that I switched my mindset and said I am going to try to be a footballer here.

“That’s kind of why I chose Portugal as the country I wanted to play for, because Portugal opened doors for me to in terms of professional football.”

However, Nunes’ path to being a professional was far from easy and he combined playing for Portuguese fifth-tier side Ericeirense while working in a bakery.

His break came at Estoril in 2018, before Sporting signed him one season — and just six appearances — later.

Such was Nunes’ rise that, three years on, English side Wolverhampton Wanderers paid a club-record £38 million ($48 million) for him — and Manchester City followed with £47 million at the start of last season.

Nunes, though, has struggled for a starting spot and the chance to show his best form at the Etihad, despite lifting the Premier League and Club World Cup in his debut season.

While he has been given more opportunities — and impressed when played in a more favored attacking role — Nunes has had to help City fill holes due to their injury issues.

Deputising at full-back, he conceded a late penalty with a foul on Amad Diallo that allowed Manchester United to snatch a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory in the derby earlier this month.

That was one of nine defeats for City in their last 12 games — a disappointing run that has seen them drop down to seventh in the Premier League — leaving them 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, and in danger of missing out on the next stage of the Champions League.

With a home game against Everton on Boxing Day and trip to Leicester City on Sunday, boss Pep Guardiola will hope for a much-needed change of fortune to keep his side in contention for a top-four place.

Nunes himself is determined to make his mark in the best league in the world.

“In England you have the best players in the world, the best teams and the games are so intense,” he said.

“In Portugal there is a lot of quality as well, but here you can see every week it’s above the other leagues, and why you want to play here.

“It’s been tough because I haven’t got the minutes I wanted. But I want to play every week and you have to be ready if the manager calls you or not. I want to play, I want to win.”

Topics: Matheus Nunes Cristiano Ronaldo

Saudi Arabia leave it late to down Yemen in Gulf Cup

Salem Al-Dawsari can be seen during Wednesday’s Arabian Gulf Cup match between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. (@SaudiNT_EN)

Updated 25 December 2024

John Duerden

December 25, 2024 20:59

Saudi Arabia leave it late to down Yemen in Gulf Cup

After losing to Bahrain in the opening match of Group B, the Green Falcons needed the victory and got it — but only just

Updated 25 December 2024

John Duerden

December 25, 2024 20:59

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia came back in dramatic fashion to defeat Yemen 3-2 on Wednesday to keep their hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the 26th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup very much alive.

After losing to Bahrain in the opening match of Group B, the Green Falcons needed the victory and got it — but only just.

Amazingly, Yemen, ranked 99 places below their neighbors at 158 in the world, were two goals ahead by the half hour at the Sulaibikhat Stadium in Kuwait. The first came in the eighth minute. Abdulwasea Al-Matari was given plenty of space to cross from the left for Harwan Al-Zubaidi to arrive at the middle of the six yard box just before Ali Al-Bulaihi to send a header into the net. It was Yemen’s first goal against Saudi Arabia in eight Gulf Cup games.

If that stunned the six-time World Cup participants, then worse was to come after 27 minutes. Al-Bulaihi had not seen the run from Abdul Sabarah when he headed a long pass back towards Mohammed Al-Owais but the Sanaa-based star nipped in to slip the ball past the goalkeeper with a first time shot from the edge of the area.

While it was starting to look very bleak for the Green Falcons, on the half hour, they were back in the game. Musab Al-Juwayr floated over a free-kick into the area and there was Mohamed Kanno to head home powerfully.

Three minutes before the hour and the three-time Gulf Cup winners were back on level terms. Radhawan Al-Hubaishi handled in the area and Al-Juwayr stepped up to score from the spot, the midfielder’s second goal in successive games.

Then, deep into injury time, Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored the winning goal to mean that Saudi Arabia are still in contention for a last four place. The Al-Hilal forward swept home from close range as Al-Bulaihi’s header was saved by the goalkeeper.

It was a big goal and a decisive moment but improvements must be made against Iraq on Saturday.

Topics: Green Falcons Saudi Arabia Yemen Arabian Gulf Cup

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

‘Great moment’ for Mbappe as he scores first La Liga goals for Real Madrid

'We need to find a solution' says Ancelloti as Mbappe and Madrid misfire again

Lamar Jackson breaks NFL QB rushing record, accounts for 3 TDs in Ravens’ 31-2 romp over Texans

Lamar Jackson breaks NFL QB rushing record, accounts for 3 TDs in Ravens’ 31-2 romp over Texans

Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10

Kansas City Chiefs stun top-seeded Baltimore Ravens to reach Super Bowl

World No. 1 Sabalenka ready for more Slam success

World No. 1 Sabalenka ready for more Slam success

Coach Anton Dubrov on the secret behind Aryna Sabalenka’s return to No. 1 spot in women’s tennis

Sabalenka beats Paolini in straight sets to reach last four of WTA Finals

Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10

Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10

Things to know about the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration

Kansas City Chiefs stun top-seeded Baltimore Ravens to reach Super Bowl

Inspired by ‘incredible’ Ronaldo, Matheus Nunes eyes success with Manchester City and Portugal

Inspired by ‘incredible’ Ronaldo, Matheus Nunes eyes success with Manchester City and Portugal

Messi, Ronaldo only World XI nominees from clubs outside Europe as voted by players

Ronaldo’s brace keeps Al-Nassr in title race after beating Damac 2-0

Saudi Arabia leave it late to down Yemen in Gulf Cup

Saudi Arabia leave it late to down Yemen in Gulf Cup

Green Falcons fall to Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Renard confident Green Falcons ready for Gulf Cup challenge

Latest updates

Lamar Jackson breaks NFL QB rushing record, accounts for 3 TDs in Ravens’ 31-2 romp over Texans

World No. 1 Sabalenka ready for more Slam success

At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, medics say

Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10

Reconstituted Saudi IP authority’s board of directors approved

Recommended

2024 Year in Review: Conflict keeps Sudanese trapped in a nightmare without end

War-weary villages in Lebanon’s south find hope in Christmas festivities

‘Many have had their eyes opened for the first time’ to Palestine’s occupation, Bethlehem’s Rev. Munther Isaac tells Arab News

Search form

Print Edition

Search form

Search form

You are here

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

Related

Lamar Jackson breaks NFL QB rushing record, accounts for 3 TDs in Ravens’ 31-2 romp over Texans

Related

World No. 1 Sabalenka ready for more Slam success

Related

Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC’s top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10

Related

Inspired by ‘incredible’ Ronaldo, Matheus Nunes eyes success with Manchester City and Portugal

Related

Saudi Arabia leave it late to down Yemen in Gulf Cup

Related

Latest updates

Recommended

Search form

Print Edition