SOCCER
Uruguay defeats Ghana in a replay, but is knocked out of the World Cup as South Korea upsets Portugal.

Uruguay defeats Ghana in a replay, but is knocked out of the World Cup as South Korea upsets Portugal.
Uruguay gave Ghana an unwelcome taste of déjà vu on Friday, defeating the Black Stars 2-0 and putting them out of the World Cup more than 12 years after their dramatic quarterfinal showdown in South Africa.
Andre Ayew followed in the footsteps of Asamoah Gyan, missing a penalty that would have given Ghana a 1-0 lead, amid circumstances reminiscent of that all-time great World Cup encounter.
Uruguay won thanks to two first-half goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta, but it wasn’t enough to go to the round of 16, as South Korea’s 2-1 win against Portugal helped it advance on goals scored.
Ghana never recovered from the sucker blow of the missed penalty and the quickfire De Arrascaeta brace, as Uruguay cruised through the second half. South Korea’s winner was announced five minutes before the game’s finish, prompting Uruguay to go on the offensive once more.
However, the breakthrough never materialized, and Uruguay was eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage for the first time since 2002.
It will come as some solace to Ghana that Luis Suárez, the villain from their 2010 meeting, was brought to tears at full time when Uruguay’s players lost their cool, encircling and manhandling the referees as they went off the field.
Uruguay was upset after referee Daniel Siebert did not give the side a penalty for Daniel Amartey’s second-half tackle on Darwin Nez, but VAR revealed the defender had a toe on the ball in what was a magnificent last-ditch effort.
There is no love lost.
Make no mistake, this was one of the most heated rivalries of the Qatar World Cup.
Many Ghanaians have still to recover from the anguish of that night in Johannesburg, when Suárez used his hands to stop a Ghana winning goal and then celebrated wildly when Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty.
Ghana went on to lose the penalty shootout, and Suárez’s position as Uruguay’s savior that night earned him the nickname ‘El Diablo,’ or ‘The Devil,’ in Ghana.
It was clear from the start that there is still no love lost between these two sides, and there was drama inside the first 20 minutes at the Al Janoub Stadium, with Siebert giving Ghana a penalty after Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet pulled down Mohammed Kudus.
It’s impossible to understand how much pressure Ayew must have felt in that moment, going up to the spot 12 years after compatriot and former teammate Gyan missed that critical penalty, and it definitely appeared to weigh too heavily on his shoulders.
Ayew’s penalty was weak and low, giving Rochet one of the easiest saves of his career.
That miss gave Uruguay a noticeable boost, and La Celeste began to play its finest football of the tournament thus far; passes were accurate and crisp, and movement became quick, with Ghana struggling to get control of the game.
Five minutes after Ayew’s penalty miss, De Arrascaeta nodded the ball over the line after Lawrence Ati Zigi had only partially stopped Suárez’s shot.
Then, almost in the blink of an eye, it was 2-0, and Ghana’s World Cup dreams against Uruguay were once again fading.
Suárez set up De Arrascaeta with a ball, and the Flamengo midfielder blasted a beautiful volley that sneaked underneath Ati Zigi and into the back of the net.
Uruguay supporters had been pleading with head coach Diego Alonso to put De Arrascaeta in the starting lineup for this game, and he definitely repaid the trust exhibited in him.
As things stood, Uruguay was making its way through to the knockout stages.
The first half had everything – drama, intensity, and no lack of nerves – and lived up to the pre-match anticipation.
Heartbreak on two levels
Ghana needed an all-time great second half performance to turn the game around and exorcise the ghosts of 2010, but it wasn’t looking realistic based on its first-half performance.
The Black Stars started the second half with greater vigor, with Osman Bukari flashing a shot across the goal inside the first 60 seconds.
At halftime, head coach Otto Addo made the unexpected decision to change brothers Jordan and Andre Ayew, which may have dampened his team’s offensive. Given the stakes in the second half, the Black Stars put in a cautious performance, seldom troubling Rochet in the Uruguay goal.
Ghana could only produce one long-range strike from Kudus, forcing Rochet into a superb save, as Addo’s team exited Qatar with a whimper.
Around the 85-minute mark, news of Hwang Hee-91st-minute chan’s victory against Portugal began to leak around the stadium, forcing Suárez to cry and pull his jersey over his head on the bench.
It made for a frenzied finish to the game as both sides urgently sought the goals that would advance them to the round of 16.
Despite much huffing and puffing, neither team could find the key breakthrough, with Ati Zigi’s two great stops denying Uruguay a berth in the last phase.
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SOCCER
Lionel Messi’s PSG contract deal has enraged Kylian Mbappe, who wants to quit the club. – Reporting

Lionel Messi’s PSG contract deal has enraged Kylian Mbappe, who wants to quit the club. – Reporting
According to reports, Kylian Mbappe is upset over Lionel Messi’s extension at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Barcelona, a powerhouse in La Liga, has taken notice that the Frenchman is thinking about leaving the team.
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, Mbappe is upset over rumors that Messi may stay at PSG longer. According to the Spanish daily, the Frenchman wants to either become the club’s major attraction or leave.
They say that the Barcelona board has taken note of the issue and that preparations are being made. The Catalan side is still experiencing a financial crisis, and rumors indicate that they will likely soon pull another lever.
Nevertheless, the club has continued to sign players for Xavi, with last summer serving as a prime illustration. Real Madrid had been connected to Kylian Mbappe up until last summer, but after the 24-year-old sensation signed a new contract with PSG, Los Blancos felt betrayed and apparently discontinued their pursuit of him.
At PSG, Kylian Mbappe dislikes Lionel Messi.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup final celebrations have been said to be the source of Kylian Mbappe’s discontent with Lionel Messi by PSG manager Christophe Galtier.
While fans from the South American team burned a coffin with the name of the PSG star on it, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was seen carrying a baby doll with Kylian Mbappe’s face on it.
Galtier said the following during a press conference before the Ligue 1 match versus Strasbourg:
“I make no judgments about how they celebrate; that is Argentine territory. The Argentine goalkeeper’s predicament is not mine to handle. What I witnessed in the final is what matters the most. Leo and Kylian shook hands, and Kylian demonstrated exceptional character before the trophy ceremony and after the game.”
He added:
“He congratulated Leo and the Argentine coach. I remain attached to that, the relationship between Kylian and Leo. It is not Leo who celebrated, we have to leave him out of it.”
The PSG manager continued:
“There is no need to jumble things up, and I am not required to address the goalkeeper’s actions. Kylian was really positive despite his defeat. Despite his disappointment, he managed to applaud Leo politely, which is excellent for the club.”
After the New Year, Lionel Messi will re-join Kylian Mbappe and his PSG colleagues while he is still in Argentina partying.
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SOCCER
Results, highlights, and analysis from Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa.

Results, highlights, and analysis from Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa.
The 3-1 victory over Aston Villa marked Liverpool’s return to Premier League play, but they had to battle hard for their triumph in an exciting game at Villa Park.
With barely five minutes remaining, Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal for the Reds, setting a Premier League defense assist record with Andrew Robertson’s help. Just before the halfway point, Virgil van Dijk increased the Reds’ lead.
The hosts, though, more than justified the Ollie Watkins header that got them back in the game in the second half, and that scoreline did not provide a totally fair portrayal of the game up to that moment.
Unfortunately for Unai Emery, his team’s brave attempt to gain an equalizer left them vulnerable to the counterattack. Stefan Bajcetic, a replacement, sealed the win late in the contest.
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool final score
1H | 2H | Final | |
Aston Villa | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Liverpool | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Goals:
- LIV — Salah — 5th min
- LIV — Van Dijk — 37th min
- VIL — Watkins — 59th min
- LIV — Bajcetic — 81st min
Nunez’s mixed Liverpool start continues
It is typical to point out that strikers are, at the very least, setting themselves up to attempt shots when they consistently miss opportunities.
Darwin Nunez, who might have possibly scored two hat-trick goals in Liverpool’s first two games following the World Cup, can attest to the fact that.
Unfortunately, the Uruguayan’s finishing has left a lot to be desired, and he doesn’t have a single goal to show for the raft of chances he has been involved in since returning from Qatar
Among the flaws Klopp has sought to iron out in Nunez’s game since he joined the team are his failure to finish off opponents and a concerning propensity to veer offside.
The manager still has a lot of work to do since, alarmingly, it appears that whatever advancement achieved in that direction prior to the mid-season break has been lost in the most recent weeks.
Vamos, @Darwinn99 👊 pic.twitter.com/kjASzGYRvN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2022
Control abandons the Reds once more
During the early part of the season, Liverpool’s inability to consistently dominate games was one of their main flaws, and it was anticipated that they would use the break to focus on improving it.
However, it is clear that they still have a long way to go based on how they played against Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Both contests turned into end-to-end brawls where the result was practically decided by the toss of a coin. If this trend continues, Klopp’s team will lose more games than they win.
By this time, it must be hard to argue that a center midfield acquisition in January will increase the likelihood of improvement on that front.
Rewarding young people’s faith
The more cynical Liverpool supporters may think that Klopp’s usage of Bajcetic here was intended to convey to the team’s owners the necessity for midfield reinforcements.
However, the Reds manager has a lot of trust in the young player and undoubtedly saw a chance to utilise him when his more seasoned heads grew weary in the face of a late Villa attack.
That bold decision was rewarded in the greatest manner imaginable when Bajcetic, in one of his few first-team appearances, calmly scored a crucial third goal late in the game.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2022
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SOCCER
Liverpool vs. Manchester City Prediction, Odds, and Line: EFL Cup predictions from experts and top bets for December 22

Liverpool vs. Manchester City Prediction, Odds, and Line: EFL Cup predictions from experts and top bets for December 22
The 2022–23 English League Cup fourth-round encounter between Liverpool and Manchester City at Etihad Stadium will be challenging for the defending champions. The Reds defeated Chelsea in the EFL Cup final on penalties back in February, but they also had to defeat Derby County in the third-round matchup this year on November 9. Man City won their match against Chelsea on the same day, and they want to advance after losing to West Ham in the fourth round the year before. Man City has eight EFL Cup victories, while Liverpool has a record nine. The Premier League champion Citizens are ranked second in the 2022–23 standings, five points behind Arsenal. The Reds finished second in the EPL in 2021–22 but are currently sixth, 15 points behind the Gunners.
Manchester, England is scheduled to kick underway at 3 p.m. ET. The most recent Manchester City vs. Liverpool odds from Caesars Sportsbook have Manchester City as -150 underdogs (risk $150 to win $100). Liverpool are -330 underdogs, a tie is -310, and 3.5 total goals are the set over/under. Check out Martin Green’s English League Cup predictions and best bets before committing to any Liverpool vs. Manchester City choices or EFL Cup wagers. Martin Green is a seasoned SportsLine soccer insider.
Green became a professional sports journalist and handicapper after working in the sports betting sector for a number of years. He has covered the sport internationally. His predictions for European soccer have proven accurate ever since. Since the 2017–18 season, Green has produced roughly $33,000 for $100 bettors.
The USMNT to progress (+100), Kylian Mbappe to win the Golden Boot (+900), and Netherlands, England, and Argentina to all win their groups (+210) were among Green’s winning World Cup predictions on the Early Edge.
Green has just finalized his choices and EFL Cup forecasts after thoroughly dissecting the Man City vs. Liverpool clash. To see his choices, go to SportsLine right away. The odds and trends for Liverpool vs. Man City are as follows:
- Liverpool vs. Man City line: Man City -0.5 (-140)
- Over/under 3.5 goals for Man City vs. Liverpool
- Money line for Man City vs. Liverpool: Liverpool +330, Man City -150, and a Draw +310
- In their last 10 games in all competitions, they have outscored opponents 17-6.
- Over their last 10 competitive games, they have outscored opponents 20-6.
- Picks for Man City vs. Liverpool: Find selections here.
Why You Should Support City of Manchester
Due to some important players taking their time getting back from the World Cup, the Citizens will be lacking some firepower. With Argentina, Julian Alvarez won a championship, and England’s Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, among others, advanced to the semifinals. Erling Haaland, whose country Norway did not qualify for the World Cup, will be eager to put on a show and City should have two of their greatest players. Kevin De Bruyne, a star midfielder for Belgium, should also be prepared to go after leaving the team early. This season, Haaland has scored 18 goals in EPL action, six more than any other player.
Ilkay Gundogan started with them in a friendly game against Girona last weekend. De Bruyne now leads the EPL with nine assists. In the 2-0 triumph, goals were scored by De Bruyne and Haaland. After scoring 21 goals in each of the previous two seasons, Gundogan now has two. Haaland and 18-year-old Carlos Borges likely start with Riyad Mahrez, who has 31 goals in the last three games. In 10 games for City’s U21 squad, the City academy product has four goals and five assists. Man City is 3-2-4 away from home this season, while Liverpool is 11-0-2 overall.
Reasons to Support Liverpool
In their last five encounters with City, the Reds are undefeated and have won the last three. Liverpool won the 3-2 FA Cup in April, the 3-1 Community Shield soon before the EPL season, and the 1-0 EPL triumph in October. The Reds have gone four games without a loss, with their lone loss coming in a 0-0 tie at Derby City. They won 7-2 against the remaining three foes. Both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who have combined for 14 goals and five assists in 21 games across all competitions, should be available. Firmino has also scored nine goals and assisted on four others.
Although Liverpool has four less attempts than City, which has the most in the league with 244, it still leads the EPL with 87 shots that are on target. With 50 shots and 20 shots on goal, Salah and Firmino are in a three-way tie for third place in the league. The Reds’ defense will be a touch porous, but Joel Matip should be available in the center. Alisson, the goalkeeper, Trent Alexander-Arnold, a crucial fullback, and Jordan Henderson, a midfielder, all worked out this week and might all contribute. City’s starting 11 and reserves are missing a lot more players overall.
How to make predictions for Man City vs. Liverpool and the EFL Cup
Green has examined every aspect of the Man City vs. Liverpool EFL Cup game. He offers his three assured best bets and is leaning Over the goal total. One of these would pay off at a ratio of more than 2-1. At SportsLine, he solely offers predictions and analyses for the EFL Cup.
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