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Tag: football gods

  • Legend’s brutal Haaland swipe as title race tilts; Ange boost as ‘football gods’ hit: PL Talking Pts

    Legend’s brutal Haaland swipe as title race tilts; Ange boost as ‘football gods’ hit: PL Talking Pts

    The Premier League title race took another twist as the run home intensifies, while Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham were handed a boost as Manchester United were struck down by the ‘football gods’.

    And a Manchester City superstar copped a giant whack from a former great.

    Here are all the big talking points out of the Premier League weekend.

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    Erling Haaland copped a bake from a former great, while Manchester United scraped a draw despite a horror performance.Source: Getty Images

    HAALAND WHACKED AS CITY RECORD BROKEN

    It was billed as a title six-pointer as Arsenal travelled to Manchester City. It fell flat, with Liverpool the biggest winner out of the 0-0 draw.

    The Reds went two points clear of the Gunners and three ahead of City with their 2-1 comeback win over Brighton, with nine matches to play.

    But at the Etihad, there were a mere three shots on target as Arsenal’s defence strangled the Cityzens, who failed to score in a home game for the first time in 58 games in all competitions.

    This time last year, Arsenal struggled with the pressure of a title race, collapsing to hand City a fifth crown in six years. That included a 4-1 loss to City at the Etihad – their eighth loss in a row at that venue.

    This time around, they showed plenty of added steel thanks to a more mature and battle-hardened side, with their league-best defence holding out a City team that had 72 per cent of possession.

    “Defensively we were outstanding,” said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta. “The next step is with the ball to have more composure to attack better.

    “They are the best team in the world by far, best manager by far, and we have to catch up. That’s the challenge for us.”

    It’s clear in the last 12 months they have been catching up.

    MORE COVERAGE

    PL Wrap: Spurs pull off another epic late comeback; Man Utd in stoppage time chaos

    Matildas trio win cup but game marred by coaches’ spat after star collapses in scary scene

    ‘Sorry, I’m not happy’: ‘Upset’ Chelsea boss savages own players after blowing ‘must-win’ game

    Arsenal’s defenders had the better of Erling Haaland all night.Source: Getty Images

    Meanwhile, Manchester City star Erling Haaland’s poor showing saw him come in for a brutal whack from the great Roy Keane.

    Haaland has 18 goals from 24 league games this season, but didn’t trouble the keeper with any of his (game-high) four shots. But his build-up play remains a key weakness in his game, and Keane didn’t hold back.

    “The level of his general play is so poor and not just today,” Keane said. “I think laying his stuff off, headers, whatever it might be …. In terms of in front of goal, he’s the best in the world.

    “But his general play for such a player it is so poor. Not just today, he has to improve.

    “He’s almost like a League Two player, that’s how I look at him. His general play has to improve and it will do over the next few years.

    “Being a brilliant striker is fantastic, but he has to improve his all-round game.”

    Klopp’s message to Reds after going top | 00:47

    REDS NOW ‘FAVOURITES’ AS SALAH MAKES HISTORY

    How fun is a genuine three-way title race?

    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, leaving at the end of the season, is determined to enjoy this final tilt.

    Klopp said: “We have to get through this (and) we decide if we enjoy it or not, pretty much,” he said.

    “It will be tough and yes, it is sometimes nerve-racking and the heart rate will be at 180 or 200 or whatever from time to time if you watch it or if you play in it.

    “But if we all together enjoy this, then we have a chance. If we don’t, we still have a chance, it’s just really much more difficult and that’s why we try to stay positive in all these moments.”

    He added: “But I decided I will really try hard to enjoy it.”

    Liverpool fell behind to Brighton in the opening stages of the match but showed their mettle to claim a seventh comeback win this season – their most ever in a campaign.

    They’ve picked up a whopping 26 points from losing positions in the league this year, three more than any club.

    Luis Diaz hit the equaliser before Mohamed Salah struck the winner, the Egyptian having fluffed his lines plenty of times in the match before finally finding the net.

    He took 12 shots in the game, the most of any player in the league in over seven years and an all-time Liverpool record in the Premier League era.

    “Imagine Mo would have finished off all the situations in his career? That would be crazy, so it is absolutely fine,” said Klopp.

    “We need him to try. Mo, like the others, was a bit in a rush to finish off situations and didn’t do like they can do it.

    “But then being that calm in the decisive moment with the biggest chance we had from the best football we played, then that makes a real goalscorer so we are happy with everything.”

    He was far from clinical, but Salah ensured another crucial win for the Reds.Source: Getty Images

    According to Manchester City boss, the Reds are now favourites.

    “Always who is first is favourite, second favourite is Arsenal,” said Guardiola. “It is not in our hands. All we can do is win against Aston Villa (next match).”

    Liverpool also face fourth-place Villa in their run home, as well as fifth-place Tottenham and sixth-place Manchester United. Those matches might not just decide the title race, but could have a huge impact on who plays European football next year.

    “That is the first of the last 10, let’s keep going,” Klopp said.

    EPL Wrap: Spurs pull off comeback! | 02:24

    ANGE’S HUGE BOOST AS ‘FOOTBALL GODS’ STRIKE

    Do you believe in the football gods? Brentford boss Thomas Frank almost lost faith when his side fell a goal behind to Manchester United in the 96th minute through Mason Mount.

    Brentford had dominated all game, taking a club-record 31 shots and hitting the woodwork four times.

    But Kristoffer Ajer smashed the ball in the back of the net in the 99th minute to seal a point that was more than deserved for the Bees.

    “There should have been only one winner in the game, that could only be us,” said Frank.

    “Then you go 1-0 down in the 96th minute and you think football is brutal. I almost lost faith in the football God, but he gave a bit back.”

    United were simply atrocious against a team that has won just twice in their last 16 Premier League matches.

    “Brentford were better than us today. They showed more passion, desire and determination as we did,” said Man Utd boss Erik Ten Hag. “We have to show more.”

    A win could have turned their season around and ignited a push for a top-four finish, but those hopes are dwindling. The Red Devils are now 11 points behind Villa in fourth (but have a game in hand) and eight behind Spurs in fifth.

    Erik Ten Hag saw a potential season-defining win slip away.Source: Getty Images

    The top four teams qualify for the Champions League, but that competitions’ expansion next season could see a fifth Premier League team given automatic qualification.

    But United keeper Onana still believes they have a chance, saying: “I feel sad because we are Manchester United. Everywhere we go, we have to win. We gave away this game in the end.

    “I know we will stick together because we did it in the last month. I hope we end in the top four.”

    For Spurs, that last-gasp goal gave them more breathing room in fifth place – and now they’ll look ahead to Aston Villa’s clash with Manchester City on Thursday morning AEDT and hope that their top-four rivals drop points.

    Having fought back to beat Luton Town 2-1 on the weekend, Spurs face West Ham on Wednesday morning AEDT but could be handed a crucial injury boost.

    Fraser Forster (foot), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Manor Solomon (knee) are all still sidelined, but star defender Micky van de Ven could be set to start after being an unused substitute against Luton on his return from injury.

    Postecoglou defends playing in Melbourne | 01:07

    CHAOS IN THE RELEGATION RACE

    This year’s relegation fight feels like a race to the bottom.

    Of the bottom six teams – 15th placed Brentford and below – only Burnley have won a single match out of their last five! Crystal Palace in 14th also have one win from their last five, but the rest of the teams have gone totally winless of late.

    Burnley are still second-bottom, three points ahead of last-placed Sheffield United who have just 15 so far (but have a game in hand).

    Luton are on 22 points, level with 17th-place Nottingham Forest.

    Everton have 25 points and a game in hand – but they haven’t won a game since before Christmas.

    A Seamus Coleman own-goal in stoppage time saw Everton lose to Bournemouth.Source: Getty Images

    With a second charge of breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules (PSR) hanging over their heads, a further points deduction could shake up the relegation race.

    The deadline for a ruling on that charge is April 8, so we’ll find out in the next week whether they’ll cop a second points deduction after already being penalised six points for breaches regarding the 2021-22 season.

    Even a three point deduction would send them back into the relegation zone – and breathe hope into the survival dreams of those mired at the bottom.

    Of course, the priority for any of those teams down at the wrong end of the table is to win.

    Given there’s been just one win from any bottom-six team in their last 30 games combined, statistics are showing a real gap between the strugglers and the rest of the division.

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  • Teen’s dream debut, Ange seals vital return and Tillies wait finally ends: 24 bold predictions for 2024

    Teen’s dream debut, Ange seals vital return and Tillies wait finally ends: 24 bold predictions for 2024

    Well, we’ve reached the end of 2023 and what a year it’s been in football.

    The Matildas made it all the way to the semi finals of a home World Cup, Ange Postecoglou took the Premier League by storm and Lionel Messi swerved Saudi Arabia to take up a lucrative deal with Inter Miami.

    That’s just a snippet of what’s transpired, but what can we look forward to in 2024?

    So glad you asked, because there’s a fair bit that we think is going to happen.

    In our 23 predictions for 2023, we (rather miraculously) correctly predicted eight events to happen, which isn’t a terrible strike rate.

    So, Foxsports.com.au has once again pulled out the crystal ball and gazed into the future for what is about to transpire in 2024.

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    Ten Hag yet to meet new owners Ineos | 00:37

    MORE COVERAGE

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    Mid Season Report Card: Ange truth PL can’t ignore; $756m fail stuns amid giant’s worrying trend

    Ange’s lengthy transfer wishlist revealed — and the move that could end $93m standoff

    1. Manchester City win the 23/24 Premier League

    When Thanos snapped his fingers in Avengers: Endgame and said, “I am inevitable”, he wasn’t talking about himself.

    No, he was in fact talking about Manchester City.

    Although Pep Guardiola’s side are in fourth and five points off league leaders Liverpool albeit with a game in hand, they have an uncanny ability to step up the pace just as their rivals take their foot off the pedal.

    So don’t act shocked when it’s City who raise the Premier League trophy at the end of the season for a fourth consecutive season.

    2. Luton Town survive

    If only for Kenilworth Road to remain in the rotation of Premier League stadiums.

    But also because Luton are a beacon of hope in an increasingly commercialised sport.

    Come on you Hatters!

    3. England win EURO 2024

    This will be Gareth Southgate’s fourth major tournament as England boss and we believe it will be his most successful.

    If not for a masterful performance from Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the penalty shootout at EURO 2020, England would have won it.

    But Southgate finally ends the trophy drought and England has a true summer to remember.

    Gareth Southgate’s going to end England’s wait for an international trophy. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    4. San Marino wins its first international match since 2004

    Every year that passes without a San Marino win means we are predicting La Serenissima to end the wait.

    In fact, 2024 could be San Marino’s best chance to win a game for the first time in 20 years as they face the irresistible force that is St Kitts and Nevis across two friendlies early next year.

    Book in that sick leave for the 20th and 24th of March to watch San Marino win a game, it’ll be worth it.

    5. The Matildas make it to the final of the Olympics

    The Matildas made the semi final stage of the Tokyo Olympics and then the semi finals at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

    But the Paris Olympics are going to be the tournament where it all finally comes together as the current group enjoy one last dance to take home some silverware before the youngsters take over.

    6. Harry Kane wins the Champions League with Bayern Munich

    Although Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga hopes aren’t exactly signed, sealed and delivered just yet, Harry Kane should look towards the Champions League.

    No team has really put their hand up as serious contenders in Europe’s premier club competition and Bayern could be primed to take full advantage.

    Surely the football gods will finally smile down on Kane and help him finally secure a respectable club trophy.

    7. Ange Postecoglou guides Tottenham back to Europe

    We didn’t say if it was the Champions League, the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

    All we know is that Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham will be back competing on the continent next season.

    Ange Postecoglou is going to bring European nights back to Tottenham, but in which competition? (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    8. The Socceroos make it to the final of the Asian Cup

    After impressive performances against Mexico, England and New Zealand, the Socceroos are primed for a deep run at the Asian Cup.

    Whether they win it all for the second time remains a mystery, but we’re anticipating Graham Arnold’s side will at the very least be one of the final two teams left standing.

    9. Italy get knocked out in the group stage of EURO 2024

    What would a major international tournament be without one of the big guns being bundled out at the first hurdle?

    Unfortunately for Italy, it’s going to happen again.

    The defending European champs are in Group B alongside Spain and Croatia, who we think will take up the top two spots.

    Albania rounds out the group and although third spot has a chance to make the knockouts based on their overall ranking, Italy simply won’t have enough in the bank as they crash out with two defeats and a draw.

    10. Alex Robertson makes his Premier League debut

    What a year 2023 was for Alex Robertson.

    He made his Socceroos debut against Ecuador in front of his friends and family in Sydney and is now proving himself a vital player for Portsmouth in their bid for promotion to the Championship.

    After helping Pompey return to the second tier of English football for the first time since the 2011/12 season, Robertson will return to his parent club Manchester City.

    And at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, expect to see the talented midfielder stroll on to the field in the famous sky blue of City.

    11. The record for most expensive transfer is broken … by Chelsea

    As it stands, Neymar’s £198 million switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain is the most expensive transfer in history.

    But wait … here comes Chelsea owner Todd Boehly with a briefcase full of cash and he’s about to hand it over to Napoli!

    And who’s that about to hold up a Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge … is that … Victor Osimhen?!

    The prospect of a £200 million deal for the Nigerian superstar feels almost too real.

    Todd Boehly’s going to break the bank for Chelsea once again. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP

    12. Jude Bellingham wins the Ballon d’Or

    We knew Jude Bellingham was something special before his move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid.

    But the 20-year-old has not been fazed by the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu one bit and, if anything, has thrived under them.

    It’s why the English midfielder will prove himself to be the best player in the world when awards season rolls around next year after he single-handedly drags the Three Lions to EURO 2024 glory.

    13. Massimo Luongo becomes a Premier League player as Ipswich Town get promoted

    Massimo Luongo was once on the books of a Premier League club at Tottenham Hotspur but now, he’s going to become a Premier League player.

    Luongo is enjoying a starring role at Ipswich Town and the Tractor Boys are looking extremely likely to achieve the rare feat of two consecutive promotions.

    It would be a remarkable feat for Kieran McKenna’s side but it’s nothing less than they deserve having taken the Championship by storm this season.

    14. Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League

    Unai Emery is cooking something special at Aston Villa this season.

    Unbeaten at home and in third place, Villa look poised to take advantage of a number of rivals (cough – Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle – cough) stumbling over their own two feet.

    All they need is to finish fourth and at this stage, it’s a very realistic prospect.

    15. Kylian Mbappe stays in France

    Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid are like the two friends who refuse to date despite being the perfect match for each other and everyone in their group knows it.

    Unfortunately for those romantics, they won’t get the relationship they want to see as Mbappe gains Stockholm syndrome and decides life at PSG isn’t so bad after all.

    A time will come when the French superstar will form a happy union with Real Madrid, but that won’t happen just yet.

    Kylian Mbappe won’t be moving to Spain just yet. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP

    16. Nestory Irankunda makes his debut for Bayern Munich … in a friendly

    Every pre-season, Bayern Munich decide to absolutely decimate a local German team in a friendly.

    You know, the ones when you see a score of something like 18-0 on social media and think ‘holy cow, how good do Bayern look’, only to search the team they played are entirely comprised of part-timers?

    Well, this is where Irankunda makes his mark and gets in on the act when he runs his opposition number — Klaus, a 27-year-old local milkman — ragged before unleashing an unstoppable strike past the helpless goalkeeper to put the result beyond doubt.

    Cue the iconic Irankunda backflip.

    17. Girona qualify for the Champions League

    Much like Aston Villa in the Premier League, Girona have surprisingly found themselves in the top spots of La Liga.

    In fact, Girona are behind league leaders Real Madrid only on goal difference and are seven points ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who are third and fourth respectively.

    However, dreams of playing in the Champions League aren’t exactly a forgone conclusion given Girona are part of the City Football Group, the owners of Manchester City.

    UEFA rules prevent two clubs owned by the same entity playing in European competitions so this could become a sticky situation but for now, let the good times roll for Girona.

    18. Cristian Volpato pledges his international allegiance to the Socceroos

    It’s the big fish Arnie wants and his relentless persistence finally pays off.

    With the Socceroos essentially guaranteed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup thanks to an expanded 48-team competition, Volpato won’t need to worry about the Aussies missing out altogether.

    19. Xabi Alonso gets poached by a European heavyweight

    Xabi Alonso is already making waves as Bayer Leverkusen manager and has the team sitting top of the Bundesliga.

    No doubt all of Europe’s big boys are keeping a keen eye on what the Spaniard is doing in Germany and if the time comes, don’t be surprised to see Alonso move on to pastures new.

    It’s just a question of who’s willing to take the plunge.

    Xabi Alonso is quickly emerging as one of the top managers in football. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    20. Kusini Yengi emerges as the Socceroos’ starting striker

    Ever since Tim Cahill’s retirement, the Socceroos haven’t quite had a figure to turn to when they desperately need a goal.

    Mitch Duke is the man largely entrusted with leading the line for the Socceroos, but it’s his remarkable fitness levels and pressing ability that makes him stand out more than his goal threat.

    Throw in the fact that Duke is 32 and the need for a fresh presence up top grows even larger.

    That’s where Yengi, a 24-year-old at Portsmouth comes in.

    Yengi has had to improve his physicality playing in the rough-and-tumble League One but has shown a solid turn of pace and can also hold the ball up well.

    It’s why Yengi will be the answer to the Socceroos’ goalscoring woes for years to come.

    21. Pep Guardiola announces he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2024/25 season

    Nothing in life can last forever and unfortunately for Manchester City fans, the same goes for Pep Guardiola’s time at the club.

    The Spaniard has overseen a remarkable amount of success and has won every trophy there is to win at club level for City.

    Who knows what the future will hold for Guardiola, or City for that matter.

    22. Wrexham make it to the League Two play-off final … but lose a penalty shootout

    There’s nothing quite like a play-off match at Wembley and for Wrexham, they’ll have the chance to achieve back-to-back promotions.

    A play-off win would be yet another perfect Hollywood script for Wrexham but football is a cruel, cruel game.

    It’ll at least make for must-watch viewing in the next season of Welcome to Wrexham though.

    23. A Saudi Arabian club launch an ambitious offer for Erling Haaland

    If you don’t buy a ticket to the show, you’ll never know.

    Yes, the bid will be knocked back by Manchester City as quickly as it arrived in their inbox.

    But you can’t fault a Saudi club for trying.

    24. A team wears a full body paint kit in a wild publicity stunt

    Any publicity is good publicity, right?

    We’re not sure which team will be bold enough/sell out to pull off such a stunt, but it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.

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  • Australia’s new sporting reality is ‘beyond wildest dreams’ as penny ‘finally’ drops

    Australia’s new sporting reality is ‘beyond wildest dreams’ as penny ‘finally’ drops

    The Matildas have often spoken about wanting to create their own ‘Cathy Freeman moment’.

    In the space of four days, they did it twice – and left a legacy that will outlast the heartbreak.

    The first was in Brisbane, when they beat France in the longest World Cup shootout in history to earn Australia a place in the semi finals for the first time ever.

    Their stunning victory was the most viewed event on Australian television screens since Freeman claimed gold in the 400m in the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

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    On Wednesday, it was talismanic captain Sam Kerr’s thunderous shot to level the scores against England and keep Australia’s dream of a World Cup final alive.

    It didn’t lead to an Australian victory, but it was a moment of pure magic. It almost seemed like the football gods had scripted Kerr’s return from a calf injury for this exact second – for Kerr to strike a brilliant goal in the biggest game of her life, the biggest in Australian history.

    Fittingly, it took place in Sydney’s Stadium Australia – the same venue where Freeman lit the Olympic Flame before carrying the hopes of a nation on her way to victory days later.

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    Dream OVER as Tillies tumble out | 00:32

    TALKING POINTS: ‘Curveball’ that left Matildas scrambling as rivals master ‘brutal’ dark arts

    LAST WALTZ: Matildas’ Cup dream ends as Poms through after all-time Kerr stunner

    PLAYER RATINGS: Kerr left to rue golden chances; Aussie star made to pay for costly error

    For many of the Matildas, that iconic moment in Australia sporting history played a defining role in their sporting journeys. In a team survey conducted a couple of years ago, over half of the squad listed the Sydney 2000 Olympic champion as their sporting icon.

    So when Freeman herself surprised the team with a visit to the Australian camp before the opening World Cup match against Ireland, it was a magical moment that lit a flame – so to speak – and took this special team to the next level.

    “The most touching moment was probably before this all started when we actually got to meet Cathy and speak to her,” squad goalkeeper Lydia Williams said this week.

    “A lot of us have stated that Cathy Freeman was our idol growing up. That was the big stage where a lot of us realised that we can represent our country,” Williams said.

    Tillies ’emotional’ after Freeman visit | 01:37

    Veteran defender Aivi Luik said the team was stunned when coach Tony Gustavsson surprised the team with a visit from the legend.

    “We plodded all in there, sat down on our chairs and he mentioned that whilst these types of tournaments require a lot of tactics, it also requires a lot of belief and a lot of heart and so we were gonna take a little bit of a turn and do something a bit different’.

    “It was a huge surprise to us. A lot of girls were very emotional.”

    Freeman rarely speaks in public. But the proud Kuku Yalanji woman told the Aussies: “The power of you just being here is unimaginable. It’s beyond your wildest dreams what you’re going to be able to do.

    “You’re going to be able to get into the blood of everybody who is on the journey with you. It’s just a crazy, wild ride.

    “You’re writing your name in history, ladies. And you should be really proud of that.”

    A week after Freeman’s visit, Matildas captain Sam Kerr said: “What she said to us and what she spoke to us about will stick with us forever.”

    Cathy Freeman of Australia celebrates after winning gold.Source: Supplied

    The Matildas have written their names into the history books with their dream run on home soil.

    As vice-captain Steph Catley said after their heartbreaking defeat to England: “It’s been absolutely incredible. I can’t even put it into words to be honest. Sorry, I’m getting a little bit emotional now.

    “Even coming to the ground and seeing thousands of people flocking into the stadiums, waving at the bus, you see the full pubs and people watching the game.

    “What we’ve seen on social media and what we see in the crowd – you can just see that it’s changed the women’s game forever. And women’s sport in general, I think people are finally seeing it for what it is.”

    Ellie Carpenter declared after the match: “When we started this tournament, we wanted to inspire the nation. I think we’ve done that and we’ve captured more Matildas than ever.”

    Midfield superstar Katrina Gorry said: “I now truly believe we are a footballing country. I think every nation that’s been here, not just us, has felt it. I think everyone’s seen it. I think football in Australia is going to change forever now and I think that’s so special to be a part of.”

    A legend of Australian sport.Source: News Limited

    “They’ve changed the game forever,” said former Matilda Amy Duggan on Optus Sport after the full-time whistle.

    “They’ve done us and themselves very very proud, and the sporting world in this country should be thankful.”

    The growth of the women’s game around the world has caused a seismic shift for young football fans.

    Brazil’s 37 year old Marta, the World Cup’s all-time top scorer who this tournament played in her sixth and final World Cup, was in tears during a press conference this month.

    “You know what’s good? When I started there were no idols in women’s football,” she told reporters.

    “How could there be if you didn’t show women’s football? How could I understand that I would reach the national team and become a reference point?

    “Now I go out on the street and people stop me, parents say to me, ‘My daughter adores you, she wants to be just like you.’”

    Brazil’s iconic forward #10 Marta has farewelled the World Cup.Source: AFP

    For Kerr and these Matildas, they had Freeman, not footballers.

    For the next generation, it’s Kerr and Catley, Foord and Fowler, and all 23 of the Australians who lit up this tournament and changed the game.

    As Freeman herself wrote after the match: “So incredibly proud of our girls! You gave it everything and inspired an entire nation! Hold your head up high and here’s to the future!”

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