Sports
Duran Double Earns Aston Villa Draw Against Liverpool
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Aston-Villa-Draw-Against-Liverpool.jpg&description=Duran Double Earns Aston Villa Draw Against Liverpool', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Aston-Villa-Draw-Against-Liverpool.jpg&description=Duran Double Earns Aston Villa Draw Against Liverpool', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Jhon Duran struck twice in the final five minutes to salvage a 3-3 draw for Aston Villa against Liverpool but they fell short of guaranteeing a place in next season’s Champions League on Monday.
Villa looked set for a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions as an Emiliano Martinez own goal and strikes from Cody Gakpo and Jarrell Quansah put the visitors on course for victory in Jurgen Klopp’s final away game in charge.
But substitute Duran’s double edged Unai Emery’s men closer to Europe’s top table for the first time since 1983.
Victory for title-chasing Manchester City at Spurs on Tuesday would secure Villa’s place in the top four.
But they are stumbling over the finish line as the strain of combining a challenge for the Champions League alongside a run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals has taken its toll.
Martinez’s return to fitness after he missed last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Brighton should have been a major boost for the home side.
But the Argentine World Cup winner’s howler handed Liverpool the opening goal after just two minutes as he fumbled Harvey Elliott’s deflected cross into his own net.
Villa did respond positively as Ollie Watkins burned Quansah for pace and pulled back a cross for Youri Tielemans to equalise.
However, momentum swung back in Liverpool’s favour in an end-to-end encounter when Gakpo tapped in after Martinez could only parry Joe Gomez’s effort.
The outcome for the home supporters could have been much happier had their players not frequently contrived to get in each other’s way.
Diego Carlos somehow turned wide with the goal gaping after nudging Watkins out the way.
Villa’s struggles defending cross balls have been a consistent factor in a run of poor results in recent weeks.
It was exposed again as Liverpool struck within three minutes of the restart for the second half when Quansah rose highest to head in Elliott’s free-kick.
There was still time for Villa to mount a memorable comeback had they been more ruthless as Liverpool’s own defensive weaknesses were laid bare.
Watkins was denied his 20th Premier League goal of the season after Leon Bailey ran offside in the build-up, having cut across the run of Moussa Diaby.
After an angry exchange of words between Bailey and Watkins, it was then the latter who was guilty of getting in Douglas Luiz’s way when the Brazilian would have had a clear sight of goal.
Had it not been for an injury to substitute Nicolo Zaniolo, Duran may not even have entered the field.
But the Colombian produced a stunning finale as he pounced on a mistake from Alexis Mac Allister to drill home from the edge of the box.
Duran did not know much about his second as Diaby’s pass ricocheted in off his thigh, but Hollywood star and Villa fan Tom Hanks was one of the 40,000 who did not care.
Only a brilliant save from Alisson Becker denied Diaby a winner in stoppage time.
A point for Liverpool may be meaningless in their quest to win the title as wins for Manchester City and Arsenal over the weekend mathematically ended the chance of Klopp departing as a Premier League winner.
Yet, it could still be significant in the title race as it keeps Tottenham’s chances of Champions League football alive ahead of City’s trip to north London on Tuesday.
Even if Spurs spring a huge surprise, Villa still have a top-four finish in their hands when they visit the in-form Crystal Palace on the final day of the season on Sunday.
Villa’s eight-goal superior goal difference means a draw at Selhurst Park should be enough even if Tottenham win in their two final matches against City and relegated Sheffield United.
AFP
Sports
Countries That Qualified For 2027 Women’s World Cup As Cameroon Beat Nigeria In Quarter- Final
Cameroon on Sunday secured their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after edging Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-0 in their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter.
The victory also sent the Indomitable Lionesses into the WAFCON semi-finals, securing their qualification for next year’s global tournament in Brazil.
The 2026 WAFCON doubles as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the four semi-finalists earning the continent’s automatic tickets to the tournament.
Cameroon join Algeria and Morocco, who had already sealed their places after reaching the semi-finals on Saturday.
Brazil will host the 2027 tournament, while the remaining qualifying places are being determined through continental competitions across the various confederations.
See full list of countries that qualified:
Host:
Brazil
AFC:
Australia
China PR
Japan
Korea DPR
Korea Republic
Philippines
CAF:
Algeria
Cameroon
Morocco
Concacaf:
None yet
CONMEBOL:
Argentina
Colombia
OFC:
New Zealand
UEFA:
Denmark
France
Germany
Spain
More teams are expected to secure qualification as the various continental qualification campaigns conclude.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams.
Sports
Just in: Unlucky Sunday for Nigeria as Super Falcons, Flying Eagles crumble, World Cup hopes dimmed
It is an unlucky Sunday for two National teams of Nigeria, the Super Falcons fell to Cameroon just as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been knocked out of the race for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.
The defeat at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, also ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The WAFU Zone B final carried added importance, as the winner was guaranteed a place at the 2027 U-20 AFCON, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
With Burkina Faso emerging victorious, the Young Stallions secured the region’s ticket, while Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the global youth tournament came to an end.
Burkina Faso took control of the final from the opening whistle, scoring three goals within the first 15 minutes and leaving the Flying Eagles with a huge deficit.
Nigeria struggled to contain the Young Stallings’ attacking pressure and could not recover from the early setback before the break.
Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side attempted to fight back after the interval but failed to produce the response required to turn the game around.
Burkina Faso eventually added another goal to complete a convincing 4-1 victory, while Nigeria’s consolation effort was not enough to change the outcome.
The result was particularly painful for the Flying Eagles after Burkina Faso had already defeated them 2-0 during the group stage.
Nigeria had hoped to avenge that earlier loss in the final but instead suffered another defeat to the Young Stallions when the stakes were highest.
The Flying Eagles had reached the final after overcoming Côte d’Ivoire in a dramatic semi-final.
Sports
WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons suffer shock defeat as Cameroon gets automatic ticket for World Cup
The defending champions Nigeria Super Falcons suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, ending their WAFCON title defense and missing an automatic spot for the World Cup.
A 20th-minute free-kick by Maeva Nyadjou sealed the historic win for the Indomitable Lionesses .
Breakthrough: Teenage defender Maeva Nyadjou scored from a powerful 20th-minute free-kick to put Cameroon ahead.Nigerian Pressure: Nigeria dominated possession and created numerous chances, racking up heavy pressure and shots on goal, but couldn’t break down a resolute Cameroonian defense.Goheroics: Cameroon’s goalkeeper put in a player-of-the-match performance, denying late attacks including a final-moments chance from Esther Okoronkwo.Consequences of the LossWorld Cup Qualification: Cameroon booked an automatic ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and advanced to the WAFCON semi-finals against Morocco.Play-off Path: Nigeria’s title defense is over, but they move into a Wednesday play-in match against South Africa to chase a remaining inter-confederation play-off spot.Watch the match highlights and key moments from the dramatic quarter-final encounter:
BBNaija: Martins becomes first housemate to be evicted
Flood wreaks havoc in Minna communities, destroys properties worth N100m
Army arrests suspected kidnapper linked to Kaduna abduction
-
News7 hours agoWe’re aware of your coded meetings with Lulu-Briggs, 𝐏𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧, CRP uncovers ex-MD of NDDC, Nunieh
-
News2 hours agoConfusion as Shekau’s son surfaces in Boko Haram ranks
-
Foreign7 hours agoIran demands war damages compensation for reopening Strait of Hormuz
-
News7 hours agoPolice neutralize suspected gang leader over murder of Imo monarch, recover arms
-
News7 hours agoZamfara PDP guber candidate, Gusau celebrates Umar Bature on his birthday, says he’s a visionary team player, bridge builder
-
News7 hours ago16 rescued, several feared trapped as residential building collapses in Kano
-
News2 hours agoTroops waste kidnapper, rescue kidnapped farmer
-
Sports7 hours agoWAFCON 2026: Super Falcons suffer shock defeat as Cameroon gets automatic ticket for World Cup
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login