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Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
Estevao bids emotional farewell to Palmeiras after Chelsea loss
PHILADELPHIA, July 4 (Reuters) - Teenage sensation Estevao bid an emotional farewell to Palmeiras after the Brazilian club's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Friday. The 18-year-old winger, who will join Chelsea after the tournament, scored a stunning equaliser but was left heartbroken as a late own goal sent the Premier League side through to the semi-finals. Estevao's 53rd-minute strike showcased the immense talent that has made him one of Brazil's brightest prospects, and highlighted the gap he will leave in the Palmeiras team. Picking up the ball on the right side of the box, he weaved past Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and fired an unstoppable shot from a tight angle that went in off the underside of the crossbar. It was a moment of brilliance that briefly reignited Brazilian hopes after Cole Palmer had put Chelsea ahead in the first half. "I'm happy to have helped my team with the goal," he said in an emotional press conference after he was named the Player of the Match. "Unfortunately, it wasn't the result we wanted, but I think it's okay. We gave our all on the pitch, and that's what matters." The teenager reserved special praise for Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira, who he called "a father figure" and credited with helping him grow as a player. "Coach, thank you very much for everything," Estevao said. "He taught me to play tactically, and that was very important for me. Palmeiras opened doors for me, and I was very happy here. "My family and I are so grateful to the club, to Abel, and to my team mates for everything they did for me. I will carry Palmeiras in my heart forever." Estevao's performance against Chelsea was a bittersweet farewell, his goal demonstrating why he is so highly regarded and the defeat marking the end of his Palmeiras journey. The emotions were much simpler for Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. "Happy because we won, happy because he scored, so it's a perfect night," he said.


Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
Vinnie Pasquantino's 2 HRs, 6 RBIs lead Royals past D-backs
July 5 - Vinnie Pasquantino went 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBIs on Friday, propelling the Kansas City Royals to a 9-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Kris Bubic (7-6) allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking three for the Royals, who have won three of four after a 1-8 stretch to end June. Bobby Witt Jr. added three hits, two runs and an RBI in the win. Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez (3-5) permitted a career-high-tying nine runs (eight earned) on a career-high 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked none. Eugenio Suarez belted his 28th home run of the season for the Diamondbacks, who have lost three straight and seven of nine. Kansas City led 3-0 before an out was recorded. Jonathan India was hit by a pitch, Witt singled and Pasquantino blasted a homer to right field. Arizona cut into the deficit in the bottom of the first. Ketel Marte led off with a single and Geraldo Perdomo walked before Lourdes Gurriel Jr. advanced both runners with a groundout. Suarez drove in the Diamondbacks' first run with a sacrifice fly, and Josh Naylor followed with an RBI single to make it 3-2. The Royals added three more runs in the second. Freddy Fermin and John Rave singled before India reached on a fielding error by second baseman Marte. Witt and Pasquantino singled to drive in a run apiece, and Salvador Perez's RBI groundout extended the Royals' advantage to 6-2. In the fourth, Pasquantino hit his second home run of the game and 14th of the season, a two-run shot, to give the Royals an 8-2 lead. Kansas City's Mark Canha began the fifth with his first home run of the year, pushing the margin to seven runs. Two batters later, Rodriguez was replaced by John Curtiss, who threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. The Diamondbacks got one run back in the sixth on Suarez's home run to left. Daniel Lynch IV and Sam Long each threw a scoreless inning in relief to seal Kansas City's victory. --Field Level Media


Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Rugby league legend lifts the lid on the day Roy Keane was dramatically SACKED by Manchester United
Footy legend Willie Mason has revealed how Roy Keane 's 'energy' resulted in his infamous sacking from Manchester United in November of 2005. Speaking on his Levels podcast with co-host Justin Horo, Mason recalled meeting a number of Red Devils players - including club captain Keane. Mason, who was in England at the time with the Kangaroos, outlined what unfolded. 'We went to Man Utd saw (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Wayne) Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson,' he said. 'It was freezing cold, and I remember (Kangaroos coach) Wayne Bennett talking to Sir Alex for about three hours. 'Keane was on the exercise bike and he was (absolutely) fuming. 'Roy was filthy at the younger kids have no credibility and shouldn't be driving similar cars to him. 'He is a league fan, Roy was saying to the boys how much he loves rugby league. 'Then he called them all prima donnas, and took that energy into a press conference.' Mason's account is on the money. After more than 12 years at Old Trafford, Keane was ruthlessly moved on following savage comments about a number of his teammates, including the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith. They followed a 4-1 defeat by Middlesbrough. Ferguson and chief executive David Gill felt the situation was untenable, and Keane was ushered out the door. It followed a 'ten minute' meeting - with the seven-time Premier League winner left stunned and without a club. The hard-nosed midfielder eventually joined Celtic in Scotland - and his relationship with Ferguson remains strained. After retiring in 2006, Keane moved into management before turning his attention to football punditry.