Sports
FA Cup: Arsenal trounce Portsmouth 4-1 as Martinelli hits hat-trick
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/sdvbs.jpg&description=FA Cup: Arsenal trounce Portsmouth 4-1 as Martinelli hits hat-trick', '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/2026/01/sdvbs.jpg&description=FA Cup: Arsenal trounce Portsmouth 4-1 as Martinelli hits hat-trick', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Gabriel Martinelli shrugged off the backlash to his clash with stricken Liverpool defender Conor Bradley to send Arsenal into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win at Portsmouth on Sunday.
The Championship side were dreaming of an upset against the Premier League leaders when they went in front after just three minutes through Colby Bishop.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had made 10 changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Liverpool on Thursday.
Martinelli drew stinging criticism for trying to push Bradley off the pitch in the closing stages after the Northern Irishman hit the ground with a serious knee injury.
Liverpool confirmed on Sunday that the right-back will require surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.
The Brazilian apologised to Bradley after the game and did not seem affected by the furore at Fratton Park.
Arsenal could rely on their threat from set-pieces to turn the tie around.
The Pompey lead lasted only two minutes as Christian Norgaard bundled in from close range before Martinelli flicked in the first of his three goals.
Noni Madueke missed the chance to make it 3-1 from the penalty spot when the England international fired wide.
Martinelli killed the tie off early in the second period from Gabriel Jesus’ cross before completing his hat-trick from another Arsenal corner.
Darren Fletcher is looking to further his case to remain in charge of Manchester United beyond Sunday with victory over Brighton later to keep alive the Red Devils’ hopes of silverware this season.
Leeds needed a second-half fightback to beat Derby County 3-1 and book their place in the fourth round.
The Premier League side have lost just once in their last nine games to pull clear of the relegation zone.
But they were headed for defeat at half-time to second-tier Derby after Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz drilled a strike into the bottom corner.
Joel Piroe had seen a penalty saved by Jacob Zetterstrom before Leeds fell behind, but the Dutch striker redeemed himself by playing a part in the comeback.
Jaka Bijol played the ball into the area, and Piroe’s neat step-over allowed Willy Gnonto to smash home a 55th-minute equaliser.
Just four minutes later, Piroe’s low shot was parried by Zetterstrom, and Ao Tanaka slotted in the rebound.
The visitors made sure of victory in stoppage time when James Justin rounded off a slick counter-attack.
AFP
England had been on course to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead 10 minutes after half-time in the semi-final in front of 68,239 fans in Atlanta.
But the great rivalry between these nations has produced several memorable contests on the World Cup stage down the years, and this will be remembered as the stuff of legends in Argentina as the South Americans denied England with two late sucker punches.
Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to fire in an 85th-minute equaliser and then, with extra time looming, crossed for substitute Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.
It was maybe not quite up there with Diego Maradona’s legendary display in putting England to the sword in 1986, but the goals this time brought Argentina back from the dead and kept alive their hopes of winning back-to-back World Cups.
Argentina are in the final of the World Cup! The defending champions fought back from one goal down to defeat England and book a date in Sunday’s game.
Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
World football governing body, FIFA, has made a key video assistant referee, VAR decision ahead of the much exected World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina.
The match will be played in Atlanta on Wednesday.
FIFA has opted to deploy an on-site VAR team for this high-profile encounter.
Previously, the VAR team had been functioning from a central hub located at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas, regardless of the venue of each match.
However, for this particular game, the on-site officials will act as a backup in the event of any technical or communication difficulties.
Dan Hunt, a member of the Organising Committee, elaborated on the decision to have VAR operate on-site for the second semi-final as reported by Sport Bible.
He said, “There is a significant amount of drama that occurs during these matches. Moreover, when only four officials are tasked with overseeing the action on a field that is considerably larger than an American football field, it becomes quite challenging
“I am pleased that there will be on-site officials. I am uncertain about how the communication will be managed.”
FIFA has faced considerable criticism for the inconsistent VAR decisions throughout the tournament, with the defending champions Argentina benefiting from favorable calls without any against them, while England has experienced the opposite, resulting in a net negative outcome.
Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has reacted to the Les Bleus’ World Cup semi-final 2-0 defeat to Spain.
Henry said that the La Roja were far superior to France during the encounter.
Spain defeated France on Tuesday to qualify for the World Cup final, thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
“Too little from France at the end of the day. Spain controlled the game on and off the ball,” Henry said on Fox Sports.
“They showed why they are European champions, they are showing why they are going into the final.
“Nothing to add, they were far superior, and there is nothing to say about it. Spain, congratulations. you deserves to go to the final,” he said.
Just IN: Argentina Cruise Past England To Set Up 2026 Final World Cup Showdown With Spain
FG, states, LGAs share ₦2.551trn as June 2026 revenue
Senator Ikpea Thumbs Down Reintegration of Repentant Boko Haram Members
-
Health22 hours agoWhat is being released to NCDC is a drop in the ocean- Senate C’ttee laments
-
News21 hours agoPolice Arrest Alleged Fake Agency DG Adeyemi
-
News22 hours agoADC Takes Congress Dispute to Supreme Court, Says 2027 Primaries Remain Valid
-
Sports21 hours agoAshe declares readiness for Commonwealth Games
-
News15 hours agoDAY 26 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT:
-
News13 hours agoSenate Moves to Amend Electoral Act After Dozens of Incumbent NASS Members Lose Party Tickets
-
Sports22 hours agoFIFA Names Ismail Elfath As Referee To Officiate England Vs Argentina 2026 FIFA World Cup Semi Final
-
Economy21 hours agoPension assets rise 51% to N31.48tn in two years, says PenCom DG