Connect with us

SPORTS

5 Footballers That Stood Out At The FIFA 2018 World Cup

Published

on

The 2018 FIFA World Cup has come to an end and we all the teams play their hearts out in what is unarguably the most prestigious stage for football.

As much as they’ve played as a team, we have noticed that  a few players stood out from the rest.

Below are 5 players that stood out in the 2018 World Cup

Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)

The 26-year-old Barcelona midfielder has played a pivotal role in the World Cup  this year.

Coutinho scored the opener for Brazil against Switzerland in their first match of the group stage and in the second match against Costa Rica, after 90 minutes of play sees a goalless draw, Coutinho scores a tap-in in the first minute of injury time to give them a lead, later to be joined by Neymar to earn them a 2-0 win.

Luka Modric (Croatia)

The 32-year-old Real Madrid midfielder captained the Croatian national team and played a pivotal part in their midfield. He scored 1 goal and assisted 3 in the World Cup qualifiers. Modric usually plays alongside Ivan Rakitic in the central midfield position in Zlatko Dalić’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Luka Modric’s Croatian squad faced Nigeria in their first match, where Modric converted a penalty in the 71st minute after Etebo’s own-goal gave them a lead.

Ahmed Musa (Nigeria) 

He is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker and winger at CSKA Moscow, on loan from Leicester City.

 He became the first Nigerian to score in two FIFA World Cup competitions, after scoring twice against Iceland in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Musa captures the personality of the Nigerian eagle, he has brought Nigeria more honor and has made history in Nigerian football and with his performance at the 2018 World Cup, his future looks brighter.

Kylian Mbappe (France) 

France striker Kylian Mbappe is another player that stood out in the world cup. He won the FIFA Young Player Award for his performances at the 2018 World Cup. The 19-year-old enjoyed a sensational tournament as France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final to win the World Cup for a second time.

He scored the winning goal as France beat Peru 1-0 in the group stages – just his fifth ever international goal after being handed his full France debut in 2017.

But it was in the knockout stages – particularly against Argentina – that the youngster truly announced his arrival on the international stage.

Harry Kane (England)

Image result for Harry Kane

Harry “HurriKane” Kane, the 24-year-old Tottenham Hotspur striker took the 2018 World Cup by a storm. He captains the English team, a decision that stirred talks even among fans but soon ended after the tournament started.

Kane has 5 goals and 1 assist to his name from the 6 matches he played in the World Cup qualifiers. The Englishmen faced Tunisia in their first match of the tournament. An 11th-minute tap-in from Kane put them in the lead. One minute into injury time in the second half, Kane scores a match-winning header.

 

 

 

SPORTS

Victor Osimhen May Consider Saudi Arabia Move

Published

on

Victor Osimhen May Consider Saudi Arabia Move | Fab.ng

There’s a rumour swirling around Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. It’s a tale of past success, present uncertainty, and a hefty price tag. Osimhen’s chapter at Napoli could be coming to a close. Their final game of the season ended in a disappointing draw, and rumours are swirling that the striker might be looking for new pastures.

Victor Osimhen, shining star, then a bump in the road

Osimhen has undeniably been a bright spot for Napoli. He played a key role in their 2022/23 Serie A championship win, even claiming the top scorer title that season. However, this past season wasn’t Napoli’s strongest, and Osimhen’s goal tally dipped to 15. Despite this, his talent hasn’t gone unnoticed.

A shopping list of seekers for Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen remains a hot asset, attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool have all reportedly expressed their desire to sign the striker.

The Premier League dream, or a lucrative detour?

According to Italian journalist Valter De Maggio, Osimhen’s ideal destination seems to be the Premier League, with Arsenal topping his list. However, his transfer fee is a staggering €130 million, which might make the Gunners hesitate. If a move to England falls through, De Maggio suggests Osimhen might be swayed by the financial muscle of clubs in the Middle East, particularly those in Saudi Arabia.

National team duty and a decision to be made

With the club season wrapped up, Osimhen is currently enjoying a well-deserved break. He’ll soon be rejoining the Nigerian national team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. But before he steps onto the international stage again, a big decision looms – will he become an Arsenal player, or will his talents be showcased elsewhere? Only time will tell what Osimhen’s future holds.

For more sports updates, check out this page.

Continue Reading

SPORTS

Ronaldo Breaks Saudi Pro League Scoring Record

Published

on

Ronaldo breaks Saudi Pro League scoring record | Fab.ng

In his final game of the season, playing for his team, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals. These goals weren’t just any goals though! They were his 34th and 35th of the season, which achieved something remarkable.

By scoring these two goals, Ronaldo became the league’s top scorer for the entire season, breaking the previous record!

“I don’t follow the records, the records follow me,” the 39-year-old Portuguese forward tweeted afterwards.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a big night during his final game of the season for his team Al Nassr. He scored two goals. The first one came very late in the first half, just as extra time was being added on. The second one was a powerful header in the 69th minute. These two goals helped Al Nassr win the game 4-2 against Al Ittihad.

But that’s not all!

Ronaldo’s goals were even more special because they made him the league’s top scorer for the entire season. He scored a record-breaking 35 goals, beating the old record of 34 goals which was set by a player named Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 2018-19 season.

This achievement is even more impressive because Ronaldo’s team, Al Nassr, actually finished second place in the league. The champions were Al Hilal, who were far ahead with a 14-point lead.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in December of last year, which was the start of a trend where many famous players from other countries came to the Saudi league to play for a lot of money.

Despite playing in a new league, Ronaldo is still a star on the international stage. He was recently chosen to play for Portugal in the European Championship which will be held in Germany next month.

This will be his 11th international tournament, an incredible feat! He also holds the record for most appearances and goals scored in men’s international football, with a whopping 206 appearances and 128 goals.

Get more sports updates here.

Continue Reading

SPORTS

Nwabali Wants “Another Challenge” At Bigger Club

Published

on

Nwabali Wants "Another Challenge" At Bigger Club | Fab.ng

Stanley Nwabali, the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s national team (the Super Eagles), is looking to switch teams. He wants a new challenge and a chance to play for a bigger club next season.

This desire comes after Nwabali’s impressive performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria took home the silver medal. His strong showing has caught the attention of several teams.

One club that has been mentioned most often is the Kaizer Chiefs.

This South African team is currently undergoing a rebuilding phase. Nwabali might be the missing piece they’re looking for. The question remains: can they convince him to join their team?

“Well, everyone would love to leave because when you are in some position, you need to grow,” the 27-year-old Nwabali said.

“Like everyone in my position, I would like to grow more. I’m talking about clubs higher than this [bigger than Chippa United] because I have been giving my all to my club this season.

“I just wish to have another challenge at some other place. To be honest, this season has been one of best seasons of my football career inside Chippa and outside Chippa.”

“This season, Chippa has been nice to me and being part of this family. We found ourselves ending the season better than the previous season. This season was one of the best seasons for me,” he continued.

The potential move to Kaizer Chiefs for Stanley Nwabali is interesting because of the current situation with their goalkeepers.

Uncertain pecking order

Right now, Brandon Petersen is the backup, with Bruce Bvuma holding the starting position. This could change, however.

Veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who has been with the club for an impressive 25 years, is rumoured to be leaving soon. This unexpected opening creates a prime opportunity for a new starting goalie to step in.

Competition and a potential starting role for Nwabali

If Nwabali joins Kaizer Chiefs, he would likely be competing directly with Bvuma for the coveted starting spot. With Khune’s potential departure, Nwabali might see this as a golden opportunity to solidify himself as the main goalkeeper.

His talent and recent performance on the international stage would certainly make him a strong contender.

Adding another layer to the story, Nwabali is about to return to Nigeria to join his national team for a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against none other than South Africa. This upcoming match holds some extra weight.

Nwabali’s impressive performance against South Africa at the recent Africa Cup of Nations was a big reason they weren’t able to reach the finals. South Africa will likely be looking to settle the score this time around, making this qualifier an exciting clash with a bit of history repeating itself.

For more sports news, check here.

Continue Reading

Latest

Victor Osimhen May Consider Saudi Arabia Move | Fab.ng Victor Osimhen May Consider Saudi Arabia Move | Fab.ng
SPORTS17 hours ago

Victor Osimhen May Consider Saudi Arabia Move

There’s a rumour swirling around Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. It’s a tale of past success, present uncertainty, and a hefty...

Ronaldo breaks Saudi Pro League scoring record | Fab.ng Ronaldo breaks Saudi Pro League scoring record | Fab.ng
SPORTS19 hours ago

Ronaldo Breaks Saudi Pro League Scoring Record

In his final game of the season, playing for his team, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals. These goals...

Nwabali Wants "Another Challenge" At Bigger Club | Fab.ng Nwabali Wants "Another Challenge" At Bigger Club | Fab.ng
SPORTS19 hours ago

Nwabali Wants “Another Challenge” At Bigger Club

Stanley Nwabali, the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s national team (the Super Eagles), is looking to switch teams. He wants a new...

Oshodi market: Lagos to begin demolition of extensions | Fab.ng Oshodi market: Lagos to begin demolition of extensions | Fab.ng
BREAKING NEWS21 hours ago

Lagos To Begin Demolition Of Oshodi Market Extensions On July 30

On Monday, an official from the Lagos government announced plans to make changes to Oshodi Market. The general manager in...

Whitemoney says he doesn't look up to anyone | Fab.ng Whitemoney says he doesn't look up to anyone | Fab.ng
MUSIC22 hours ago

I Don’t Look Up To My Colleagues – Whitemoney

BBNaija star and musician Hazel Oyeye Onou, also known as Whitemoney, recently spoke about his musical talent in an interview...

Uzor Arukwe says actors need to learn to accept criticism | fab.ng Uzor Arukwe says actors need to learn to accept criticism | fab.ng
ENTERTAINMENT24 hours ago

Uzor Arukwe Says Actors Need To Learn To Accept Criticism

In a recent interview with Top Charts Africa on May 27, 2024, Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe opened up about the...

Nigerian Idol Season 9: Top 10 Live Performances | fab.ng Nigerian Idol Season 9: Top 10 Live Performances | fab.ng
ENTERTAINMENT2 days ago

“Nigerian Idol” Season 9 Heats Up With Top 10 Live Performances

Nigerian Idol season 9 got even hotter yesterday! The remaining contestants battled it out on stage with live performances. Remember...

AY Makun: See what he says about says feminism | fab.ng AY Makun: See what he says about says feminism | fab.ng
ENTERTAINMENT2 days ago

AY Makun Says Feminism Has “Maliciously Placed Broken Men On A Dead-On-Arrival List”

Popular Nigerian comedian AY Makun is facing mixed reactions online over his recent comments about feminism. In a post on...

Tiwa Savage recalls being denied performance access | fab.ng Tiwa Savage recalls being denied performance access | fab.ng
ENTERTAINMENT2 days ago

I Used To Be Stopped From Performing Because Of My Outfit – Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage is opening up about the challenges she faced early on in her music career. In a recent interview...

Children's Day 2024: songs celebrating joy of parenthood | fab.ng Children's Day 2024: songs celebrating joy of parenthood | fab.ng
EVENTS2 days ago

Children’s Day 2024: 7 Songs That Celebrate Parenthood

It’s Children’s Day 2024! Every year on May 27th, we celebrate children all over the world. Many cultures and religions...

Trending