Latest news with #AndrosTownsend
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I can't believe they showed that again' – ITV commentator stunned by Cristiano Ronaldo banner at Nations League final
ITV commentators were left stunned after seeing a banner directed at Cristiano Ronaldo at the Nations League final. Portugal claimed their second Nations League crown after beating Spain on penalties on Sunday evening. 3 3 3 But it was a supporter's banner in the stands that caught the attention of ITV commentators Sam Hutchinson and Andros Townsend. In the 87th minute, when Ronaldo went down injured, the cameras panned to the crowd and caught the sign. A Portugal fan could be seen holding up a banner that read "Cristiano, please let me touch you." The suggestive sign was spotted by the commentators, leaving them stunned. Hutchinson said: "Oh my gosh." Which prompted the former Premier League star to say: "I can't believe they showed that again." Hutchinson replied: "I think we know why." Townsend then joked: "The director has a very innocent mind". The sign clearly left an impression on Hutchinson as a couple of minutes later, it was still on his mind. He added: "I am still laughing at that sign." Despite being subbed off injured, Ronaldo still played his part in the final as he netted the crucial equaliser in the second half. Portugal had already come from behind once in the game as Nuno Mendes cancelled out Martin Zubimendi's opener. After the match, Ronaldo also revealed that he would be staying at Saudi club Al-Nassr amid links of an exit. Ronaldo joined the Saudi side in 2023 and has been the Pro League's top scorer for the past two seasons. Meanwhile, the final was overshadowed by the tragic death of a fan in the stands.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Will Spurs show 'confidence' or 'abandon' their style?
Seeing teams ending trophy droughts will give Tottenham "belief" that they can break their's when they face Manchester United in the Europa League final, says former winger Andros has been 17-years since Spurs last won a trophy - the League Cup in 2008 - and 41 since they lifted European on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Townsend said: "There will be a belief. I think they will be saying 'if those guys [Crystal Palace and Newcastle] can do it, then why can't we do it?'."You look at Bologna in Italy and Go Ahead Eagles [in Netherlands], they have broken droughts as well, so all these things will give those players belief that they it can be their day and will be their day."The three games they have already played against United [can also give confidence]. How well they played in those games and how they controlled those games - especially in the last game at Spurs. For the first half they were all over United, United couldn't get five passes together, they absolutely dominated them. So I'm sure they will be watching those clips again and identifying where they can win the game."They will be going into this game with massive confidence."However, Townsend also feels the final could also force Spurs to move away from their usual style."Postecoglou will set them up in the same way to be font-foot aggressive and high line. But, sometimes the game and occasion forces you into a lower block," he added."Frankfurt, the Europa League game, that was the first time I have seen Spurs abandon this high-line, abandon the passing and abandon the high press. They were flat out, Antonio Conte [style] low-block, let's not concede. I don't think that was Ange, I think that was the players thinking 'this is a massive game, this is our season right here, I can't be the one to make a mistake' and slowly, slowly everyone just retreats."I fear that might be the case [on Wednesday]. The weight of the occasion may play on the Spurs players' minds and and these players individually will not want to make the mistake and so it forces them into something they are not used to."Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
Free Malaysia Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Maguire revels in ‘Harrydinho' tag after United's Europa League win
Harry Maguire blazed past Athletic Bilbao's Mikel Jauregizar with some brilliant dribbling before setting up United's opening goal. (AP pic) MANCHESTER : Manchester United's Harry Maguire received rave reviews for his masterful performance as a makeshift forward in their Europa League victory today with many comparing the team's oft-maligned centreback to Brazil great Ronaldinho. Maguire set up Casemiro's header with some brilliant dribbling skills and a pinpoint cross that opened the scoring in United's 3-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their semi-final tie. The night had fans calling Maguire 'Harrydinho' on social media, while Maguire's assist was the top post on Reddit Soccer today. The top comment read: 'Yer a winger, Harry!' Teammate Amad Diallo posted a hilariously-morphed photo of Maguire's face with Argentine great Maradona's flowing hair on his Instagram. 'What a winger! I don't think he even knew he had that in his locker,' said United captain Bruno Fernandes, who scored twice. 'Harry is a much more confident man now. When he is playing, his position is becoming more strong, he is a very good leader and we hope he keeps improving.' Maguire channelled his inner Ronaldinho when he twice stopped and changed direction before blazing past Mikel Jauregizar to deliver the cross. 'The shimmy, the chops, I had to look twice,' former Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend told the BBC. AdChoices ADVERTISING United boss Ruben Amorim also heaped praise on the 32-year-old defender. 'Sometimes there are moments in our life and Harry has had difficult moments,' the Portuguese said. 'Everything he does is good for the team, so we have to enjoy.' Maguire downplayed the accolades, although admitted he enjoyed his moment of brilliance. 'I found myself attacking the back post, I think (Alejandro Garnacho) Garna passed me the ball, it was nice to do a bit of dribbling and put in a great cross,' he said. 'We had a lot of bodies in the box and they must have trusted me to put in the cross. It was a nice feeling and it was a great header in the end.' Amorim's men, who are having a miserable season domestically but are the only unbeaten team in any European competition this season, host the second leg next Thursday at Old Trafford. The winners will face Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt in the final, with Spurs leading 3-1 from their home leg.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Those free-kicks in five glorious pictures
, Former Spurs winger Andros Townsend gushed on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "The first one started so far outside the post and crept in at the last moment. The second speaks for itself. In the biggest moments Declan Rice stepped up."
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Villa have a good buffer to progress'
Former Tottenham and Newcastle winger Andros Townsend believes Aston Villa have enough to progress beyond Club Brugge in the Champions League on Emery's side lead 3-1 on aggregate going into the second leg of their last-16 tie and, after Paris St-Germain beat Liverpool on penalties, will take on the French side in the quarter-finals if they believes Villa's flurry of goals against Brugge stands them in good stead to get over the line."I think they will progress, with the two-goal buffer, but I think in the first leg, Brugge were the better side," he said."They took the game to Villa and were very expansive and didn't really turn over the ball but Aston Villa hit them in the last five or 10 minutes and it is probably too much for Brugge to overturn."It is incredible to see the squad Villa has amassed to now. Even now, Emery is resisting the temptation to start Asensio."They have such an array of talent to choose from."
