Gabriel Magalhães
MLS All-Star · Defender · #6 · Brazil · 28 yrs
Gabriel Magalhães news
Are Vinicius Jr. and Erling Haaland playing? Brazil vs Norway confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup game
After a highly competitive Round of 32, Brazil and Norway face off, each seeking a victory to advance to the quarterfinals. With this in mind, fans are keeping a close eye on the status of Vinicius Jr. and Erling Haaland, as they are the cornerstones of their respective national teams. Brazil and Norway face each other in the Round of 16, looking to secure their place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. While Carlo Ancelotti’s team have established as one of the tournament’s most attacking sides, Ståle Solbakken’s team have proven to be one of the most efficient. Therefore, fans are closely watching the availability of Vinícius Júnior and Erling Haaland, as they are expected to be key figures in attack. Vinícius Júnior will start for Brazil, as he has no injuries or suspensions. As one of the national team’s best players, head coach Carlo Ancelotti builds the attack around him, maximizing his performances. With four goals in the tournament, he arrives highly motivated to score again and reduce the gap to Lionel Messi as the tournament’s top scorer, having been in outstanding form. Erling Haaland will also start for Norway, as he has no injuries or suspensions. In his first edition of the tournament, he has already scored five goals and could continue his pursuit of finishing as the competition’s top scorer. Given his physical power, he could be crucial on the counterattack against Brazil, as he is extremely dangerous when running into space, allowing him to reach the opposition’s penalty area with ease and put his team ahead. Both national teams will have a notable clash of playing styles in the Round of 16. Vinícius’ team could look to maintain their high press and ball possession as their main attacking principles, creating space in the opposition’s defense. Haaland’s team could stick to their defensive approach, remaining compact at the back. However, they could launch efficient counterattacks through Martin Ødegaard and Antonio Nusa to find Erling in the penalty area. Gabriel Martinelli #22 of Brazil celebrates with teammates after the 2-1 win. Brazil confirmed lineup vs Norway Brazil remain one of the top contenders, imposing their attacking style of play. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti will be able to count on Neymar, but has lost Lucas Paquetá through injury. Despite this, they will keep a lineup similar to the one used in previous matches. However, the key will be in attack, as they need to be much more efficient in front of goal, with Norway capable of making the match much more difficult. With this in mind, Brazil will lineup as follows: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães; Rayan, Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Jr; Matheus Cunha. Norway confirmed lineup vs Brazil Unlike Brazil, Norway have their entire squad available with no injuries. Although Julian Ryerson had been dealing with physical issues, he has already recovered and will be a starter to training. Head coach Ståle Solbakken will stick with the same tactical approach, looking to remain efficient. In addition, Erling Haaland and Antonio Nusa will be the difference-makers against Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Considering this, Norway will play as follows: Örjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjörn Heggem, David Moller Wolfe; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa.
How to watch Brazil vs Norway in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
Brazil and Norway will square off in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Here's everything you need to know to watch the match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Brazil vs Norway on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Brazil vs Norway WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT • Sunday, July 5, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Five-time champions Brazil enter this crucial Round of 16 clash as the on-paper favorites, but their journey has been far from smooth. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad has shown moments of brilliance intertwined with surprising vulnerability, needing a dramatic late winner to overcome Japan after a lackluster draw with Morocco. Their habit of starting slow, having conceded first in both of those matches, adds a layer of urgency and unpredictability as they face a team that has capitalized on every opportunity. Norway arrives on the world’s biggest stage with the confidence of a team making history. Ending a 28-year absence from the tournament, they have already matched their best-ever finish by reaching the knockout rounds. Led by global superstars Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, this Norwegian side is not just happy to be here; they are a clinical and ambitious unit. Labeled the tournament’s ‘dark horses,’ they have the offensive firepower to punish any Brazilian defensive lapses and turn this David vs. Goliath narrative into a legitimate battle for a quarter-final spot. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The tournament trajectories of these two nations could not be more different. Brazil, a perennial powerhouse, has stumbled through the early stages, relying on second-half adjustments and individual heroics to advance. Their dramatic 2-1 comeback against Japan was a testament to their resilience but also exposed significant tactical flaws. In contrast, Norway executed their group stage plan to perfection. After securing wins against Senegal and Iraq, manager Ståle Solbakken strategically rested key players in a loss to France, ensuring his squad was fresh for a decisive 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the Round of 32. The tactical battle will likely be decided by Brazil‘s ability to break down Norway‘s disciplined defensive shape. The Norwegians are expected to concede possession, maintain a compact low block, and look to strike on the counter-attack, exploiting the space Brazil often leaves on the flanks. Ancelotti’s masterstroke against Japan was a mid-game shift to an aggressive 4-2-4 formation, which unleashed his attackers. He may need similar tactical flexibility here. Meanwhile, the pitch will feature intense individual duels, most notably Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland facing off against Arsenal‘s Gabriel Magalhães. For Brazil, the motivation is clear: anything less than a deep run is considered a failure. The pressure is on to secure a place in the quarter-finals, a stage they have reached in the last eight tournaments. For Norway, this match represents a monumental opportunity. Having already achieved a historic milestone, they play with the freedom of an underdog and the belief that they can orchestrate one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. A victory would etch this squad into Norwegian football legend forever. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, this has been a surprisingly difficult fixture for the South American giants. In their limited meetings, Brazil has never managed to defeat Norway. The head-to-head record stands at one win for Norway and one draw, making the Scandinavians one of the few teams to hold an undefeated record against the five-time world champions. The most significant encounter took place during the group stage of the 1998 World Cup in France. Norway famously came from behind to win 2-1, with two late goals stunning the Brazilians. However, it is crucial to note that Brazil had already secured first place in the g
Who, when and where will Brazil play in the Round of 16?
Havins secured a thrilling 2-1 win over Japan, Brazil has the venue and time for its next World Cup game, with the rival yet to be determined. Brazil punched its ticket to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in Houston, courtesy of a stoppage-time match-winner. Following the thrilling comeback, fans are already looking ahead to see who the Seleção will square off against next in the knockout bracket. Japan struck first in the 29th minute, with Kaishu Sano capitalizing on a costly turnover to anchor a lethal counterattack, driving a powerful shot from outside the box to open the scoring. Brazil finally found its equalizer in the 56th minute when veteran midfielder Casemiro rose to meet a perfectly placed cross from Gabriel Magalhaes, burying a precise header into the net. The decisive moment arrived deep in stoppage time when Bruno Guimaraes threaded a brilliant pass into the box to find Gabriel Martinelli, who unleashed a fierce strike to complete the turnaround. While Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki managed to get a hand on the ball, he couldn’t generate enough deflection to keep it out, sealing Japan’s heartbreaking elimination from the World Cup. Brazil’s next opponent With their spot in the Round of 16 officially locked down, Brazil will advance to face the winner of the knockout clash between the Ivory Coast and Norway, which will be decided on June 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The ensuing Round of 16 matchup is scheduled for Sunday, July 5th at 4 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Erling Haaland #9 of Norway and Yan Diomande #11 of Cote d’Ivoire. Both the Ivory Coast and Norway reached the knockout rounds by finishing as runners-up in their respective groups, each posting a 2-1 record during the group stage. Due to the tournament’s expanded bracket structure, they represent a rare pairing where two second-place finishers were drawn directly against one another in the Round of 32. Boasting a high-profile friendly win over France just prior to the tournament, the Ivory Coast entered the competition as one of Africa’s most intriguing wild cards. Les Elephants have lived up to that billing by going toe-to-toe with Germany during the group stage, anchored by the stellar play of standout winger Yan Diomande. Norway, meanwhile, has successfully replicated its strong form from the UEFA qualifiers, cruising past Iraq and Senegal behind a blistering four-goal output from superstar striker Erling Haaland. However, a humbling 4-1 defeat to France in their group stage finale has raised serious questions about the Scandinavians’ defensive stability ahead of the knockouts.
Is Vinicius Junior playing? Brazil vs Japan confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup match
Brazil and Japan will face off in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. After shining on offense, Carlo Ancelotti’s team enters the match as clear favorites. As a result, fans are keeping a close eye on Vinicius Jr.’s status, as he could be the difference-maker. Brazil face Japan in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. After impressive performances against Scotland and Haiti, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will look to maintain their attacking threat. However, Hajime Moriyasu’s team could make things difficult, as they are capable of defending brilliantly in a low block and breaking quickly on the counterattack. Because of this, fans are closely watching Vinícius Jr.’s status ahead of the match. Vinícius Jr. will start for Brazil vs Japan, as he has no injuries or suspensions. After being the team’s best player in the last three matches, he will look to make the difference once again. In addition, he is aiming to close the gap on Lionel Messi in the top scorer list, as he already has four goals. Coming off a heavily criticized season, he is expected to be the most decisive player for the national team, leading the attack brilliantly. Under Hajime Moriyasu, Japan have remained highly competitive. They know how to adapt perfectly to their opponents. Therefore, they could excel in a defensive low block against Brazil, making life difficult for Vinícius Jr. In addition, they are very quick on the counterattack, using short passes to advance into the opposition’s half. There, Daizen Maeda will be the difference-maker, as Takefusa Kubo will once again be unavailable. Relying on ball possession and a high press, Brazil have established as one of the best attacking teams at the 2026 World Cup. To do so, Vinícius Jr. is key, as his dribbling ability and goalscoring threat make him the difference-maker. In addition, Casemiro, Gabriel Magalhães, and Marquinhos need to shine defensively, as Japan could look to take advantage of any mistake to threaten on the counterattack. Vinicius Junior #7 of Brazil scores against Haiti. Brazil confirmed lineup vs Japan Brazil arrive as the clear favorites to defeat Japan. To do so, head coach Carlo Ancelotti will repeat the same lineup that has performed so well throughout the tournament. Vinícius Jr. will be the cornerstone of the team, having stood out in every match. Although Neymar Jr. will be available, he could come off the bench. Beyond the attack, defensive solidity will be the other challenge, as they need to counter Japan’s counterattacks. Considering this, Brazil will lineup as follows: Alisson Becker; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Lucas Paquetá; Rayan, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Jr. Japan confirmed lineup vs Brazil Japan will look to surprise Brazil. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu faces a major challenge, as he will not be able to count on Takefusa Kubo. Nevertheless, Daizen Maeda will look to be the difference-maker once again in the attack. In addition, Keito Nakamura will be key to breaking Brazil’s defensive line on the counterattack. Therefore, they will need to be very efficient. With this in mind, Japan will play as follows: Zion Suzuki; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito; Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Kaishu Sano; Ritsu Doan, Daizen Maeda; Ayase Ueda.
Is Vinicius Junior playing? Scotland vs Brazil confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group C game
Brazil is chasing the top spot in Group C against Scotland, turning the presence of star Vinicius Junior into a focal point of the conversation. Brazil and Scotland are clashing this Wednesday, June 24th, for Matchday 3 of Group C at the 2026 World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. In a crucial game to secure first place and avoid dropping to second in the group, questions regarding the presence of Vinicius Junior have started to arise. Vinicius Junior has been included in the starting lineup against Scotland. After finding the back of the net and delivering an assist against Haiti, the Real Madrid winger was subbed off in the 81st minute to preserve his fitness for this final game of the group phase. The Canarinha head into the clash on a high note after a dominant 3-0 win against Haiti, which officially secured their qualification to the next phase. On the other hand, Scotland suffered a tough 1-0 defeat against Morocco and will now look to pull off an upset against Brazil to keep their own knockout hopes alive. At the moment, Brazil and Morocco lead Group C with four points each, while Scotland sits in third with three points, and Haiti is at the bottom with zero. With both group matches kicking off simultaneously at 6:00 PM ET, the high-stakes race for the top spot is officially on. Vinicius Junior #7 of Brazil scores against Haiti. All eyes on Neymar’s return While Brazil’s primary goal is locking up the top spot in Group C, anticipation is building around Neymar making his first appearance in this tournament to mark his fourth career World Cup. Due to a lingering injury, he was sidelined for the matches against Morocco and Haiti, but he has now rejoined the main group and is fit to feature. In Tuesday’s press conference, head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed the superstar’s physical condition: “Neymar is available, he worked well this week and prepared well for the match. We are all very happy, his quality can bring a lot to the team. He can play the 90 minutes, he is doing well, he worked very well and trained well. I am very happy with him.“ Confirmed lineups for Scotland and Brazil Scotland’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Angus Gunn; Nathan Patterson, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Andrew Robertson; Kenny McLean, Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay; Ben Gannon-Doak, Lawrence Shankland, John McGinn.Head coach: Steve Clarke. Brazil’s confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro; Rayan, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior; Matheus Cunha.Head coach: Carlo Ancelotti.
Is Vinicius Junior playing? Brazil vs Morocco confirmed lineups for 2026 World Cup Group C game
Brazil and Morocco face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and all eyes are on Vinicius Junior. Brazil and Morocco begin their journey in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in what promises to be one of the most intriguing matches of the tournament’s opening stage. Vinicius Junior will be one of the forwards for the South American side. The match will be played this Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will be officiated by Slovenia’s Slavko Vincic. It is the opening match of Group C, which also includes Scotland and Haiti, who will face each other later on Saturday. After one year in charge of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti will face his first major international challenge. He was hired as the highest-paid coach among all national teams in the world precisely to reach this moment, with the goal of guiding Brazil to their first World Cup title in 24 years. To achieve that, the Italian manager will look to maximize the strengths of his two biggest stars, Vinicius and Raphinha, on the wings, supported by the quality and experience of players such as Casemiro and Marquinhos in defensive roles. Carlo Ancelloti, head coach of Brazil. But the challenge will be far from easy, as Morocco are determined to replicate — and even improve on — their run at Qatar 2022, where they reached the semifinals. To do so, they will rely on several stars from that squad, alongside young talents who have emerged in recent years, such as Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz. Brazil lineup After experimenting with several options in recent weeks, Carlo Ancelotti appears to have abandoned the idea of playing with four forwards and will instead reinforce the midfield to give his side greater control of possession, with Lucas Paqueta joining Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes. With that in mind, Brazil’s confirmed lineup is: Alisson; Ibañez, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes; Douglas Santos, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Junior. Morocco lineup Morocco suffered a major setback over the past week when two of their top players were ruled out of the World Cup: winger Abde Ezzalzouli and defender Nayef Aguerd were sidelined with injuries and replaced in the squad by Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane. With that in mind, Morocco’s confirmed lineup is: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui; A. Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui; Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, B.E. Khannouss; Ismael Saibari.
Why Eder Militao is missing the 2026 World Cup for Brazil
Brazil will be without a heavyweight defensive anchor for the 2026 World Cup, as Real Madrid center-back Éder Militão has been ruled out of the tournament in North America. Brazil embarks on its 2026 World Cup campaign with a singular mission: to secure a historic sixth star for its crest. However, the Seleção will have to navigate the tournament without one of their primary defensive pillars. Real Madrid center-back Eder Militao will not be on the plane to represent his country in North America. The 28-year-old defender suffered a severe recurrence of a left hamstring injury (biceps femoris) after the surgical scar from a previous injury—originally sustained in December 2025 against Celta Vigo—reopened, forcing him to undergo corrective surgery. The critical blow occurred on April 21, 2026, during a La Liga match against Alaves. Days after limping off the pitch, Militao traveled to Finland, where he underwent successful surgery. However, with an estimated rehabilitation timeline of five months, his World Cup dreams were prematurely shattered. Militao was projected to be a foundational piece for Brazil under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti. In his absence, the Italian manager will probably lean on Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes as the starting center-backs, with Bremer, Léo Pereira, and Roger Ibañez as backup options. Eder Militao of Brazil controls the ball during a friendly between Brazil and Senegal. (Getty Images) Militao and a concerning injury history The world-class defender has faced a deeply frustrating and grueling battle with injuries over the past three seasons with Real Madrid. During the 2023/24 campaign, Militao was limited to just 13 appearances due to a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, that sidelined him from representing Brazil during the entire CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers. The following year brought even more hardship. The defender was available for just 18 matches after sustaining another major knee injury—a ruptured ACL accompanied by meniscus damage in his right leg in November 2024. The setback forced him to miss the vast majority of Real Madrid’s domestic campaign and their UEFA Champions League run. Hoping for a fresh start in the 2025/26 season, Militao managed 21 appearances and scored two goals. However, his body broke down once again mid-season. He first suffered a torn muscle fiber in December, and shortly after working his way back onto the pitch, the fatal hamstring recurrence against Alaves put a definitive, heartbreaking end to his season and his 2026 World Cup aspirations.
Is Neymar playing today? Confirmed lineups for Brazil vs Egypt pre-World Cup friendly
Brazil and Egypt are set to meet in one of the final tune-up matches before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with much of the attention focused on Neymar. Brazil are just one week away from their debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, as a final test before that challenge, they will face Egypt in an international friendly on Saturday. Neymar will not be part of the squad as he continues the final stages of his recovery from a calf injury. Carlo Ancelotti was optimistic this week when discussing Ney’s physical progress. “He is doing excellent individual work,” said the coach before explaining that the forward will undergo medical tests on Saturday to assess his current condition. “If everything goes well, he will rejoin the main group next week.” Beyond Neymar’s situation, Brazil have an interesting test ahead as they look to gauge their form before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Last weekend’s friendly against Panama, despite ending in a convincing 6-2 victory, raised some concerns about the team’s overall play, considering the starters held only a 2-1 lead at halftime before the substitutes shined in the second half. This Saturday at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, the South American giants will face a much tougher challenge against Egypt. Mohamed Salah and his teammates have proven to be a difficult opponent and will force Brazil to raise their level if they want a positive result. Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil. Confirmed Brazil lineup In addition to Neymar’s absence, Carlo Ancelotti will be without a few other players who are still working their way back to full fitness ahead of the World Cup. That includes Gabriel Magalhaes, who played in the UEFA Champions League final with Arsenal just one week ago and will be on the bench. With that in mind, the confirmed lineup to face Egypt is: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Ibanez, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Junior. Confirmed Egypt lineup Egypt will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Monday, June 15, against Belgium in Group G, making this match against Brazil their final tune-up before official competition begins in North America after last week’s 1-0 win over Russia. The confirmed lineup selected by head coach Hossam Hassan is: Mostafa Shobeir; Ahmed Fattouh, Hamdy Fathy, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany; Marwan Ateya, Mohanad Lasheen, Mostafa Ziko, Trezeguet, Haissem Hassan, Omar Marmoush.
Carlo Ancelotti provides positive injury update on Neymar ahead of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup opener
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has delivered an encouraging injury update regarding Neymar, offering fans hope just days before their 2026 World Cup debut against Morocco. With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, Neymar is currently on a specialized training program to recover from a Grade II calf muscle strain. Amid mounting concerns over the superstar’s availability, manager Carlo Ancelotti offered a highly reassuring fitness update during his latest press appearance. “I think Neymar’s situation is very clear. He is doing excellent individual work. Tomorrow (Saturday) he will undergo an MRI, and if everything goes well, he will rejoin the main group next week,” Ancelotti confirmed during his press conference. While the rest of the Brazilian squad travels to Cleveland on Friday to face Egypt in their final pre-tournament friendly on Saturday, Neymar will not be making the trip. Instead, he will remain at the team’s base camp in New Jersey to continue his focused rehabilitation process. The former Barcelona forward was named on the bench during Brazil‘s emphatic 6–2 victory over Panama in their emotional Maracana send-off match. However, he did not see any minutes on the pitch, as the medical staff is entirely prioritizing his long-term availability for the World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti atualiza a situação de Neymar e espera retorno aos treinos com o grupo na próxima semana.📸 Rafael Ribeiro/CBF#futebol #selecaobrasileira #ge2026 #ancelotti #neymar pic.twitter.com/vGdLMXN4KB— ge (@geglobo) June 5, 2026 While the national team brass desperately wants Neymar on the pitch for their June 13 opener against Morocco, Ancelotti recently reiterated that they will not rush his recovery. The Italian tactician emphasized that if Neymar is not 100% ready for the opening match, the staff will simply focus on getting him in peak condition for their second Group C fixture against Haiti on Friday, June 19. Ancelotti to rest some players in final friendly Carlo Ancelotti opted not to reveal his full starting lineup for Saturday’s warm-up match against Egypt, but he guaranteed that he would be resting Gabriel Magalhaes. The manager noted that the center-back showed signs of heavy fatigue following his grueling shifts for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final. Flamengo’s Leo Pereira is expected to step into the heart of the defense to replace Gabriel. Additionally, tactical tweaks during recent training sessions suggest further squad rotation, with Bournemouth’s Rayan filling in for Lucas Paqueta in midfield and Douglas Santos slotting into the left-back position in place of Alex Sandro.
Marquinhos reveals encouraging message to Brazil team-mate Gabriel after penalty miss
Gabriel Magalhaes missed the deciding penalty in the Champions League final, but was quickly comforted by compatriot Marquinhos. The post Marquinhos reveals encouraging message to Brazil team-mate Gabriel after penalty miss appeared first on SoccerNews.
Football Daily | Arsenal feel the love after Arteta’s Bigger Cup masterplan falls short
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!In recent weeks, there has been endless discourse on why so many people hate Arsenal. Yet, yesterday’s parade in the cultural melting pot of north London proved that plenty of people out there really, really, really love them. Due in no small part to the fact that he couldn’t head his penalty and none of his teammates were blocking the PSG goalkeeper, Gabriel Magalhães’ miss from the spot meant the Gunners came up agonisingly short in their latest bid to win Bigger Cup. That didn’t stop the thick end of a million Arsenal fans of every age, stripe and shade from making the pilgrimage to Islington to worship their vanquished heroes. With the Premier League trophy already in the bag, the general mood ratio of unbridled joy to crushing disappointment was about 75-25, a statistic many will recognise as being almost identical to the previous evening’s possession stats in the Puskas Arena. Continue reading...
If Arsenal have made most of their resources, is this as good as it gets? | Jonathan Liew
Thirst for renewal is strong and new players could help bridge the gap to PSG but there are no guaranteesThe greatest lie ever told about penalty shootouts is that they are a lottery. This is a recognisable and trainable footballing skill, a test not just of ball-striking and placement but research, psychology, mettle under pressure. Eberechi Eze puts the ball wide, Gabriel Magalhães sends it in the direction of the Danube: this is failure on the most brutal and unforgiving terms. But it is failure nonetheless.The second greatest lie ever told about penalties is that fortune plays no part. Any encounter decided by 10 kicks of a football will evidently be at the disproportionate mercy of random factors: the divot, the bad contact, the goalkeeper’s guesswork (and to all the preparation that goes into the process, it remains partly guesswork). That this sport – already a sport of low scores, narrow differentials and infinite variables – chooses to decide its biggest prizes on these smallest of morsels is one of its cruellest traits. Continue reading...