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Italy Stuns France with 3-1 Victory Despite Losing Arsenal’s Calafiori to Injury

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Italy Stuns France with 3-1 Victory Despite Losing Arsenal’s Calafiori to Injury

Italy pulled off a surprising 3-1 victory against France in their Nations League opener, but the win came at a cost as they lost Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori to injury. The 21-year-old suffered the injury in a freak collision when Ousmane Dembélé was tackled, accidentally catching Calafiori’s leg with his studs as he landed. Despite attempting to continue, Calafiori was eventually forced to leave the pitch.

France took an early lead, with Bradley Barcola scoring just 12 seconds into the match after intercepting an Italian pass and slotting the ball home. Italy responded quickly, almost equalizing five minutes later when Davide Frattesi’s header struck the crossbar.

Italy’s equalizer came through a stunning volley from Federico Dimarco, who connected perfectly with Sandro Tonali’s flicked pass. This match marked Newcastle midfielder Tonali’s first international appearance since September 2023, following his 10-month ban for breaching gambling rules.

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The Italians took the lead early in the second half, thanks to a clinical finish from Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi, who capitalized on a ball from Mateo Retegui. Giacomo Raspadori then sealed the victory with a well-controlled goal, leaving France’s William Saliba behind after receiving a pass from Destiny Udogie.

Michael Olise, London-born and playing for Bayern Munich, made his senior debut for France in the match, having previously represented Les Bleus in the Olympic Games this past summer. However, his efforts were not enough to turn the tide for France, who were unable to recover from Italy’s strong second-half performance.

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Tottenham Crush Manchester City in Historic Etihad Triumph

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Tottenham Crush Manchester City in Historic Etihad Triumph

James Maddison inspired Tottenham Hotspur to a sensational 4-0 victory over Manchester City, ending the hosts’ incredible 52-match unbeaten streak at the Etihad Stadium. This marks City’s first five-game losing run since 2006 and their heaviest home defeat since 2003.

Maddison delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice to put City on the back foot. Pedro Porro added a third with a clinical finish, while Brennan Johnson sealed the emphatic win with a last-minute goal, capping an unforgettable night for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Despite missing key players and coming off a disappointing loss to Ipswich, Tottenham defied expectations with a disciplined and clinical display. Postecoglou’s team, featuring a youthful bench, rose to the occasion and moved up to sixth in the league, just four points behind City.

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The result leaves City in second place, vulnerable to an eight-point gap if league leaders Liverpool win at Southampton on Sunday. The loss will heighten pressure on Guardiola, who recently signed a two-year extension, as City looks to regroup after this alarming dip in form.

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Everton Held to Frustrating Draw Against 10-Man Brentford

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Everton Held to Frustrating Draw Against 10-Man Brentford

Everton endured a disappointing goalless draw against Brentford in the Premier League, failing to capitalize on a second-half numerical advantage after Christian Norgaard’s red card.

Sean Dyche’s side, with just two wins this season, remains three points above the relegation zone. Despite only one loss in their last eight matches, their inconsistent form continues to leave them precariously close to danger.

The Toffees started strongly at Goodison Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin testing Brentford’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken. Flekken delivered a stunning save to deny Calvert-Lewin’s flicked header and later blocked another attempt at the near post.

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Brentford almost scored against the run of play through Yoane Wissa, but Everton’s Jordan Pickford made a crucial save with his outstretched leg. Momentum appeared to shift when Norgaard was sent off late in the first half for a dangerous knee-high tackle on Pickford. Referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor before showing the red card.

Despite their one-man advantage, Everton struggled to break down a resolute Brentford defense in the second half. Idrissa Gueye’s long-range strike was expertly saved by Flekken, while Vitaliy Mykolenko squandered a golden opportunity from close range.

Brentford nearly stole a victory late on, but Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort was straight at Pickford. Thomas Frank’s side earned their first away point of the season, climbing to 10th in the table.

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Murray to coach Djokovic at Australian Open 2025

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Murray to coach Djokovic at Australian Open 2025

Andy Murray, Britain’s three-time Grand Slam champion, is set to coach Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open, marking a surprising and historic collaboration between two former rivals.

Murray, who retired in August after a stellar 19-year career, expressed excitement about his new role. “I’m looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change,” he said. This will be Murray’s debut as a coach since retiring from professional tennis.

The partnership begins during the off-season as they prepare for the Australian Open, scheduled for January 12–26, 2025. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner and 10-time Australian Open champion, has famously defeated Murray in four Melbourne finals.

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The announcement was accompanied by a playful video posted by Djokovic on X (formerly Twitter), captioned: “He never liked retirement anyway.” The video featured highlights of their legendary matches, underscoring the depth of their rivalry.

Reflecting on their journey, Djokovic said: “We played each other since we were boys—25 years of rivalry and pushing each other to our limits. I thought our story was over, but it turns out there’s one more chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner.”

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