Inspiration 92.3 FM

August 11, 2022

August 11, 2022 IFMSPORTS

World Cup Set To Start One Day Earlier Than Planned

FIFA will move the start date of the 2022 World Cup one day earlier to allow host nation Qatar to play in the first match.

It had been due to kick off on November 21, 2022, with Senegal facing Netherlands at Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha.

But competition hosts have always played in the first game of the last four tournaments since 2006 and Qatar do not want to be an exception.

As such, they will now play against Ecuador to open the 2022 World Cup on November 20, 2022, with kick off at 7pm GMT.

The decision still needs to the ratified by the Bureau of the FIFA Council, but no issues are expected.

The winter World Cup is the first of its kind, with the tournament usually taking place during the European summer months.

The decision to award hosting rights to Qatar has resulted in a number of logistical problems, as well as criticism over the nation’s human rights record and corruption allegations.

There will be a break in the middle of the 2022/23 European club season in order to accommodate the World Cup, with the Premier League pausing after the November 12/13 weekend before starting up again on Boxing Day in December.

Real Madrid Outclass Eintracht Frankfurt, Win UEFA Super Cup

Champions League winners, Real Madrid, outclassed Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 on Wednesday to clinch the UEFA Super Cup for a record-equaling fifth time.

A first half goal from David Alaba and another from Karim Benzema in the 65th, that lifted him to second in Real’s all-time scoring list with 324 goals, wrapped up the title for the Spaniards.

Europa League winners Eintracht had offered some resistance in the first half and had chances to score but were eventually overrun by the Spaniards.

The win also means Real’s Carlo Ancelotti becomes the first coach to lift the trophy four times.

The Italian had named the same starting 11 that began their winning Champions League final in Paris in May.

Eintracht were without playmaker Filip Kostic who is close to a move to Juventus, but looked more disciplined than in their 6-1 loss to Bayern Munich last week in their Bundesliga season opener.

They also carved out the first chance of the game when Daichi Kamada broke clear but could not beat Real keeper Thibaut Courtois with his low drive in the 14th minute.

Real responded three minutes later but Vinicius Jr’s effort was cleared on the line by Tuta. Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp did well to palm another Vinicius Jr effort wide.

The keeper, however, misjudged a cross in the 37th and was well out of position when Casemiro headed on for Alaba and the Austrian tapped in from close range for the lead.

Benzema Wins UEFA Champions League Player Of The Season Award

Karim Benzema has been named UEFA Champions League player of the season for the 2021/22 season.

The forward was in career-best form last season, scoring 15 goals and nabbing two assists as he inspired Real Madrid to their 14th UEFA Champions League triumph.

Benzema’s best performances during the tournament came against Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City when his goals clawed Los Blancos back from the brink of elimination to progress through the tournament.

In scoring 15 goals in the competition last season Benz became the joint-third (with Robert Lewandowski) highest goal scorer in UEFA Champions League history, scoring 86 goals in Europe’s premier competition.

The France international wasn’t the only Real Madrid player to win an award on Wednesday evening as his teammate Vinicius Junior also scooped up the UEFA Champions League young player of the season gong.

Vinicius enjoyed a breakout 2021/22 campaign, scoring 22 goals in competitions, with four of those coming in the Champions League.

Everton Sign Belgian Midfielder Onana For £33m

Everton have signed Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana from Lille for £33m.

The 20-year-old was at Goodison Park on Saturday to watch Everton's 1-0 defeat by Chelsea in their opening Premier League game of the season

West Ham were also interested in Onana and had agreed a fee for the player.

Onana becomes Everton's fifth signing of the summer after James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and loan pair Ruben Vinagre and Conor Coady.

Onana, who made his Belgium debut against the Netherlands in June, said Everton manager Frank Lampard was a key figure in his decision to move.

"Everyone here showed they really wanted me and they have a plan for me," he said.

"I really appreciated the talks I had with the manager and director of football (Kevin Thelwell). They told me how they wanted me to play and I enjoyed it.

"The manager played at the highest level, won many things and was a midfielder too. It means a lot to have interest from him and I think he can teach me many things.

"They both have a lot of ambition and that's the type of guy I am, so it matches."

Lampard said: "Amadou is a player we were really keen to bring to Everton.

"He has many great qualities to help strengthen our midfield and, at just 20 years old, has massive potential to get even better.

"I spoke to him about why Everton was the right club for him and we're all looking forward to him showing what he can bring to the team."

On Air Now:

Author: IFMSPORTS

World Cup Set To Start One Day Earlier Than Planned

MORE STORIES

Real Madrid Outclass Eintracht Frankfurt, Win UEFA Super Cup

MORE STORIES

Benzema Wins UEFA Champions League Player Of The Season Award

MORE STORIES

Everton Sign Belgian Midfielder Onana For £33m

MORE STORIES

USEFUL LINKS

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

FOLLOW US

queue

Watch Live