Latest news with #ThomasMeunier
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Late equaliser sees North Macedonia hold Belgium to draw
Soccer Football - European Qualifiers - Group J - North Macedonia v Belgium - National Arena Todor Proeski, Skopje, North Macedonia - June 6, 2025 North Macedonia's Visar Musliu in action with Belgium's Thomas Meunier who is holding North Macedonia's Eljif Elmas REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski Soccer Football - European Qualifiers - Group J - North Macedonia v Belgium - National Arena Todor Proeski, Skopje, North Macedonia - June 6, 2025 Belgium's Thomas Meunier and North Macedonia's Ezgjan Alioski react as Belgium's Alexis Saelemaekers lays on the ground REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski SKOPJE - North Macedonia equalised four minutes from time to hold Belgium to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifying tie on Friday and keep up their unbeaten start to their Group J campaign. Ezgjan Alioski scored a superb goal as he latched onto a cross from Darko Churlinov that floated over his head before he met it with perfect precision to volley home. Maxim De Cupyer's first half goal had Belgium in the lead as they played their first game of the campaign for places at the 2026 finals in North America. North Macedonia have five points, with one win and two draws from their opening three games, while Wales took over the lead in the standings after they beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at home on Friday to move to seven points. De Cupyer bundled the ball into the net in the 28th minute after Romelu Lukaku's initial effort had been blocked by the heels of a defender. North Macedonia had a chance one minute earlier to open the scoring as Eljif Elmas turned into space in the penalty area and struck the ball against the far post. The rebound fell for Alioski with an open goal in front of him, but he hit the other post in a major missed opportunity. Elmas had the ball in the Belgian net two minutes into the second half but his shot took a slight deflection off teammate Bojan Ilievski, who was in an offside position and VAR chalked off the potential. But the home side finally got rewards for their efforts with Alioski's goal keeping alive their hopes. The group winners qualify for next year's finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States and the runners-up advances to the playoffs. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
'I love that club so much' - Lille star wants Man Utd transfer
Lille defender Thomas Meunier has declared his love for Manchester United, saying he'd cycle all the way to England to complete the transfer. The Belgium international right-back has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund. Meunier, who joined French club Lille in July 2024, has never tested himself in the Premier League – but if he could – he'd move straight to Old Trafford. At the age of 33, it seems unlikely that the defender's dream of playing for United will come true but that hasn't stopped him from being a huge fan. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Meunier, capped 69 times by his country, told Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen: 'If they (Man Utd) ever ask me, I'll cycle there! 'But maybe it's better this way. Suppose I play there and have a bad time. I wouldn't want to hate Manchester United, because I love that club so much. 'I went to watch them a few weeks ago, against Bilbao. In with the fans, singing, à fond (fully). 'Je suis un vrai. (I am a real one). I go to watch them at least once every season. 'But of all the home games I've seen in all those years, they've only won two. You have to have a self cruelty side to be a United supporter, right?' It's not the first time Meunier has spoken of his admiration for United, also doing so when linked with a transfer back in 2019 when he was at PSG. During that interview, Meunier described United as a 'beautiful' and 'exceptional' club. Three years ago, Meunier once again had his heart set on a move to United but it never materialised and he ended up staying at Dortmund instead. Meunier has enjoyed success with a number of other clubs despite never playing for his beloved United. He won the Belgian Cup and Belgian Pro League with Club Brugge in 2015 and 2016 respectively. More Trending During his four-year stint at PSG from 2016 to 2020, Meunier clinched three Ligue 1 titles and two Coupe de France trophies. After a Champions League runner-up finish with PSG in 2020, he moved to Dortmund, helping the Bundesliga side land the German Cup in 2021. Following his four-year spell with Dortmund, Meunier had a brief stint at Turkish club Trabzonspor before joining Lille just over 12 months ago. He was named in the Marca/Forbes World Cup All-Star team in 2018, having helped Belgium to a third-placed finish at the tournament. MORE: Ange Postecoglou warned by former Tottenham star over Daniel Levy silence MORE: Ray Parlour tells 'great' Chelsea star to snub shock Arsenal transfer MORE: Man Utd make new Bryan Mbeumo offer with final warning to Brentford
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Thomas Meunier vs. Montpellier HSC – Player props & odds to score a goal on March 8
Thomas Meunier vs. Montpellier HSC – Player props & odds to score a goal on March 8 [gambcom-standard rankid="4130" ] Think Thomas Meunier will score in Lille OSC's upcoming match against Montpellier HSC on Saturday, March 8 at 1:00 PM ET? For anytime goalscorer odds, current statistics and trends, see below. Lille was beaten on March 1 against Paris Saint-Germain by a final score of 4-1. Lille took 19 fewer shots in the matchup, five compared to 24. Want to watch Thomas Meunier take on Montpellier HSC? Lille OSC vs. Montpellier HSC is streaming live on Fubo! Thomas Meunier's Odds to Score a Goal vs. Montpellier HSC Odds to score a goal next game: +475 Soccer player prop odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 12:40 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. [gambcom-standard rankid="4142" ] Thomas Meunier's 2024-25 Stats Meunier has one goal but no assists for Lille OSC in Ligue 1 this season. In terms of expected goals, Meunier (1.1 xG) has almost matched his actual goal total (one). So far in the 2024-25 season, he is averaging 0.7 shots per match (16 total). Lille OSC vs. Montpellier HSC Scoring Insights With 39 goals in 24 matches, Lille is sixth in Ligue 1. On the flip side, Montpellier HSC has conceded 58 goals in 24 matches, 18th in the league. Offensively, Montpellier HSC is 18th in Ligue 1 (21 goals, 0.9 per match). And defensively, Lille is second (27 goals conceded, 1.1 per match). Lille is sixth in Ligue 1 in goal differential at +12. Montpellier HSC's goal difference (-37) ranks 18th in Ligue 1. Lille OSC vs. Montpellier HSC Match Info Matchup: Lille vs. Montpellier HSC Lille vs. Montpellier HSC Time: 1:00 PM ET 1:00 PM ET Date: March 8, 2025 March 8, 2025 Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy Stade Pierre Mauroy Live stream: Watch this game on Fubo Watch Lille OSC vs. Montpellier HSC on Fubo More Player Props: [gambcom-standard rankid="4338" ]
