برچسب: Goal

Antonio Conte aims dig at Man Utd over Hojlund after another Napoli goal

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Hojlund, 22, registered his fourth goal for Napoli in just six outings during Sunday’s win — a stark contrast to the ten goals he managed in 52 appearances for United last season. ..Continue Reading

The Danish striker has rediscovered his form since making a season-long loan switch — with a conditional purchase clause — from Manchester United, following a difficult spell in the Premier League.

Similar to Scott McTominay, another former United player, the 22-year-old now looks transformed compared to the version that struggled after his £72m move from Atalanta in 2023.

After helping the reigning Serie A champions secure three points at the Diego Maradona Stadium, Hojlund was asked if he had made any changes, to which he replied: “I don’t think I’ve changed anything.”

The win places Napoli at the summit of Serie A after six matches, with five victories and one defeat.

Hojlund has built chemistry with fellow summer arrival Kevin De Bruyne since landing in Italy and is aiming to finally reach his full potential with the Naples outfit.

Following Sunday’s result, Conte, 56, appeared to take a jab at Hojlund’s parent club, United, by highlighting how the forward spent much of his time in England on the bench.

“He’s a 22-year-old who was on the sidelines at Manchester United,” Conte told Gazzetta.

“He has significant room for improvement, he needs to work because he has the potential to become a star, and he’s proving it.”

Conte also addressed the form of McTominay, 28, who was named 2024/25 Serie A Player of the Season, admitting the midfielder was “struggling a bit” compared to last year’s standout campaign, which included 13 goals and six assists.

The Napoli boss further explained why De Bruyne didn’t start, attributing the decision to squad rotation.

“We have to manage our schedule between Serie A and the Champions League. Against Pisa, I rested Anguissa and Lobotka, today, after several games where Kevin was a key player, I chose to start with a 4-3-3,” the Italian explained.

“But he’s fully integrated, we understand each other perfectly. He’s very important for us because, when we play with four midfielders, he adds a lot of quality.”

Napoli are set to resume Serie A duties with an away fixture against Torino on Saturday, 18 October.

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06/10/2025
Man Utd fans spot what Rashford did after scoring first Barcelona goal & it speaks volumes

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After a public rift with manager Ruben Amorim, speculation had swirled for months that Rashford would depart Old Trafford once the summer window opened. ..Continue Reading

Following a productive loan spell at Aston Villa, many assumed he’d remain in the Premier League for the foreseeable future.

But after numerous reports claimed Barcelona was his dream destination, Rashford sealed a loan switch to the La Liga powerhouse, who also negotiated an option to make the transfer permanent after the 2025/26 season.

Just under two weeks since the move was finalized, Rashford found the net for the first time in a Barça shirt—yet his reaction wasn’t what most fans anticipated.

The forward made his first appearance for the Catalan club by replacing Raphinha at halftime during their pre-season clash with Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe.

Though he didn’t factor into any of the goals in the 3-1 win, Rashford grabbed an assist late on in the next match—a high-scoring 7-3 triumph over FC Seoul.

In Barcelona’s final friendly of their Asian tour, Rashford went a step further by scoring the fifth goal in the 87th minute during a 5-0 rout of Daegu FC.

Surprisingly, instead of celebrating the milestone with enthusiasm, Rashford appeared muted—and fans are speculating on the reasons behind his quiet reaction.

Reacting to the goal, one Barcelona fan suggested on X: “RASHFORD! He is saving his celebration for his first competitive goal.”

While another added: “No need to act nonchalant, you just scored for Barcelona!”

But, United fans were not so happy to see Rashford’s reaction, with one writing on X: “Rashford acting nonchalant like he doesn’t sleep every night in his barca pyjamas.”

And another wrote: “Rashford nonchalant gimmick, bro just do your celebration.”

Rashford’s next appearance for Barcelona could come later this week as they face Serie A team Como in a match for the Joan Gamper Trophy.

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04/08/2025
The Truth About Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Goal

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He scored during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, this goal became a symbol of both Maradona’s genius and the complex dynamics of the game.

On June 22, 1986, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Argentina faced England in a match that would go down in history for its dramatic events…Continue Reading

The stakes were high, and tensions were running even higher due to the recent Falklands War between the two nations. The game was intensely contested, but what happened in the 51st minute is what made it unforgettable.

The Goal

Maradona’s first goal, famously known as the ‘Hand of God,’ was a result of a clear act of cheating. As a cross was delivered into the box, Maradona used his left hand to punch the ball into the net.

The referees, positioned poorly and unable to see the infraction, allowed the goal to stand. Maradona later claimed that the goal was scored a little “with his head, and a little with the hand of God,” thus giving the controversial goal its iconic name.

???? On this day in 1986, Diego Maradona did the “hand of god” ????????pic.twitter.com/aE6OTL02dx

— Sportive23 (@Sportive_23) June 22, 2022

The Controversy

The controversy surrounding the ‘Hand of God’ goal stems from the clear breach of the rules. According to the Laws of the Game, any use of the hand or arm to control the ball is an infringement.

Despite this, Maradona’s goal was allowed to stand, much to the dismay of English fans and players.

The situation was exacerbated by the fact that Maradona had been an outstanding player throughout the match and had scored another brilliant goal shortly after, often overshadowing the ‘Hand of God’ incident.

Maradona’s Legacy

The ‘Hand of God’ goal, while controversial, is only one part of Maradona’s legacy. His second goal in that match, often referred to as the ‘Goal of the Century,’ was a stunning display of skill and creativity as he dribbled past multiple English defenders to score. This goal is celebrated as one of the greatest in World Cup history, showcasing Maradona’s extraordinary talent.

Maradona’s overall impact on football remains profound. Despite the controversy, his performances in the 1986 World Cup were pivotal in securing Argentina’s victory, and his ability to influence games with both skill and cunning made him one of the sport’s greatest icons.

Conclusion

Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal is a reminder of the human elements in sports—error, controversy, and the occasional bending of rules. It also highlights the significance of the moments of brilliance that define great players.

While the goal itself was an example of bending the rules, Maradona’s contribution to football remains immense and his legacy, complex but undeniable.

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31/05/2025

The Stats Behind the Greatest International Goal Scorers

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In international football, scoring goals at the highest level is a mark of true greatness. The list of all-time greatest international goal scorers is not just a collection of numbers; it represents consistency, longevity, and an incredible ability to perform under pressure. Using a data-driven approach, we analyze the elite goal scorers of international football based on the latest numbers.

Player	Country	Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	135
Lionel Messi	Argentina	112
Ali Daei	Iran	108
Sunil Chhetri	India	95
Mokhtar Dahari	Malaysia	89
Romelu Lukaku	Belgium	86

Best International Goal Scorers By Goals Per Game Metric

While raw goal totals are impressive, a deeper look at the scoring efficiency of each player adds more context. A useful metric to analyze is the Goals Per Game (GPG) ratio, which measures how frequently each player scores.

To calculate this, we use the formula:

Goals Per Game = Total Goals/Total Matches Played

Based on international appearances, here’s how the top six goal scorers compare:

Player	Country	Goals	Caps	Goals Per Game (GPG)
Romelu Lukaku	Belgium	86	113	0.76
Ali Daei	Iran	108	149	0.72
Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	135	205	0.66
Sunil Chhetri	India	95	143	0.66
Mokhtar Dahari	Malaysia	89	142	0.63
Lionel Messi	Argentina	112	180	0.62

Here is what the Chart looks like based on the above numbers:

International Goal Scorers by Goals Per Game (GPG) Metric

The numbers reveal some fascinating insights. Despite being the highest scorer, Ronaldo’s GPG ratio of 0.66 is lower than that of Ali Daei (0.72) and Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku, who leads the pack with 0.76 goals per game.

Lukaku’s numbers are remarkable. The Belgian striker has been a consistent goal threat for his country, averaging more than three goals every four games. His GPG is 15% higher than Ronaldo’s and significantly better than Lionel Messi’s 0.62 GPG, making him the most efficient goal scorer among the top six.

How Close is Lukaku to the Top 3?

Lukaku may be in sixth place now, but with 86 goals at just 30 years old, he has time on his side. The Belgian goal machine needs 22 more goals to surpass Ali Daei and enter the top three.

Based on his scoring average of 0.76 GPG, he would likely need around 29-30 more matches to achieve this feat. Considering Belgium’s regular international schedule—including European qualifiers and Nations League matches—Lukaku could realistically break into the top three within the next two to three years.

Who Has the Best Longevity?

Longevity plays a crucial role in accumulating international goals. A player with a longer career at the top level has more opportunities to score. Cristiano Ronaldo leads in this aspect, with a staggering 205 caps, proving his ability to maintain elite-level performance for over two decades.

Messi (180 caps) and Chhetri (143 caps) also demonstrate remarkable longevity, but Iran’s Ali Daei had one of the shortest careers among these legends, needing just 149 appearances to score 108 goals—a testament to his clinical finishing.

Comparing Their Peaks – Who Had the Best Goalscoring Period?

To further analyze their impact, we can look at how many goals they scored per year at their peak:

Cristiano Ronaldo (2016-2022): Averaged 11 goals per year for Portugal.
Lionel Messi (2017-2023): Averaged 9 goals per year for Argentina.
Ali Daei (1996-2004): Averaged 13 goals per year for Iran.
Romelu Lukaku (2018-2023): Averaged 10 goals per year for Belgium.

Peak Goal Scorers in International Football

Ali Daei’s dominance in the late 90s and early 2000s stands out, proving why he was the record-holder for nearly two decades before Ronaldo broke it. Meanwhile, Lukaku’s current trajectory suggests he could maintain a similar level of output over the next few years.

Final Thoughts – Who is the Greatest International Goal Scorer?

The debate over the best or greatest international goal scorers isn’t just about numbers—it’s about efficiency, consistency, and longevity.

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly the most prolific, with the highest total goals and the longest career at the top. However, Romelu Lukaku is the most efficient, with a GPG of 0.76 in just 113 appearances.

Romelu Lukaku could be the next big name to break into the top three if he maintains his scoring form.

With international football constantly improving, it will be exciting to see how these rankings change in the next few years.

Who do you think will finish as the greatest international goal scorer? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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29/04/2025