In a thrilling match against Denmark, Portugal secured their spot in the UEFA Nations League final four with a win. However, the game also saw superstar Cristiano Ronaldo miss a penalty, surpassing Lionel Messi for the most missed penalties in soccer history with a total of 32. Despite this, Ronaldo still managed to score and secure his team's spot in the semifinals, adding to his impressive record of 136 goals for the Portugal national team. This record puts him in an elite club with only one other male player, Iran's Ali Daei, to have scored 100+ international goals. Despite his missed penalty, Ronaldo is still considered one of the greatest players in the world and a force to be reckoned with on the field.
Denmark scored a crucial 78th-minute goal from substitute Rasmus Hojlund to secure a 1-0 win against Portugal in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final. Manchester United forward Hojlund made up for his earlier miss with a calm finish from a cross by Andreas Skov Olsen. The Danes dominated the game, with Christian Eriksen also having a penalty saved by Diogo Costa. The victory puts Denmark in good stead for the second leg in Lisbon.
In a surprising move, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo extended his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until the summer of 2026, with an annual value of 200 million euros. This deal has catapulted him to a new level of wealth, with a significant portion of his earnings coming from image rights and business transactions. The Portugal legend's decision to join Al Nassr has raised questions, but it seems that his financial gains were a major factor in his choice.
Portugal, along with five other countries, has been chosen as co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup, making it the first tournament to be played in six different nations. This unique format will mark FIFA's tribute to the centenary of the first World Cup hosted by Uruguay in 1930. Ronaldo expressed his excitement and called it a "dream come true" in an Instagram post, but it is unlikely that he will still be playing in 2030. The decision was met with muted reactions in Spain and Portugal, but South American governing body CONMEBOL hailed it as a historic day for the continent that organized the first World Cup.
FIFA has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with the opening three matches in South America. The decision has sparked controversy due to "sportswashing" claims against Saudi Arabia and the combined vote for both tournaments with no separate vote available. The bid was uncontested and received support from the English, Scottish, and Welsh Football Associations. Football fans and critics alike are divided on the decision, with some questioning the fairness and integrity of FIFA's bidding process.
After a series of disappointing performances and losses in the Saudi Pro League and King Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo's team, Al-Nassr, has made an impressive comeback in the AFC Champions League. With Ronaldo's recent stunning goal for Portugal and his contribution to Al-Nassr's victory against Al-Qadsdsiah, fans and supporters are counting on him to continue his winning streak. However, their upcoming match against Al-Gharafa will be a tough one, as both teams exhibit strong offense but struggle with defensive inconsistencies. Ronaldo will need to be at the top of his game to secure a win for his team and potentially close the gap with the top teams in the AFC Champions League.
After a tense match, Croatia and Portugal ended with a 1-1 draw in Group A1 of the UEFA Nations League, securing Croatia's spot in the quarterfinals. Both teams fought hard, but ultimately couldn't break the deadlock. This result means that Portugal will have to fight for their place in the tournament in their upcoming match against Sweden. Keep following Al Jazeera English for all the latest updates on the UEFA Nations League.
In a nail-biting match, Croatia and Portugal face off in Group A1 of the UEFA Nations League, both vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. After an intense 90 minutes, the game ends in a 1-1 draw, securing Croatia's place in the next round. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the tournament as it progresses.
The Founder of KIIT and KISS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, has been awarded the Grand Cross Award, the highest honour from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The recognition was given for his admirable efforts in promoting and developing sports, with a focus on volleyball. The prestigious award was presented to him by FIVB President Dr. Ary Graca at the 39th FIVB World Congress in Portugal, attended by representatives from 222 countries.
Dr Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, was presented with the Grand Cross Award by FIVB President Dr Ary Graca at the 39th FIVB World Congress in Porto, Portugal. This prestigious recognition acknowledges Dr Samanta's outstanding contributions in promoting sports, particularly volleyball. Representatives from 222 countries praised his remarkable achievements in sports and education as he dedicated the award to Lord Jagannath and all sports enthusiasts and athletes of India.