Tuesday’s Champions League Group A encounter between Real Madrid and PSG at the Santiago Bernabéu was pretty much meaningless. Both teams entered the match with Round of 16 qualification secured, and even a Real victory would do little to wrest top spot from PSG due to the Parisians’ perfect record thus far.
Belgium and Russia had already qualified for the 2020 Euros, both ensured of finishing in the top two in qualifying Group I. The Russians had a chance to overtake the Belgians for first place in the group with a win on Saturday, but the Hazard Brothers weren’t having it.
Eden and Thorgan Hazard combined for three first-half goals as Belgium cruised to a 4-1 win over Russia on Saturday in Saint Petersburg, clinching first place in Group I.
Following a 9-0 beatdown of San Marino on Thursday, Belgium became the first nation to book its place at next summer’s European Championship. Today, the Red Devils maintained their 100 percent record in Euro 2020 qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Nur-Sultan.
As the world’s top-ranked side, Belgium boasts an embarrassment of attacking riches. After netting goals 50 and 51 for the national team against San Marino, striker Romelu Lukaku was rested against Kazakhstan, but it was his replacement, Michy Batshuayi, who opened the scoring in the 21st minute.
NISA (National Independent Soccer Association), the first major soccer league with a promotion/relegation system, kicked off its inaugural season recently, with the opening match between California United and the Oakland Roots ending in a thrilling 3-3 tie.
The 2019 Ballon d’Or will be presented in December, and the three front runners will all be confident of their chances at lifting the famous award. For both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it could just be one of their final chances. They're each aiming for a sixth win. Meanwhile, for Virgil van Dijk it would be tremendous recognition of a fine season spent leading Liverpool to European glory and an incredible run in the Premier League.
Eden Hazard won Europa League Player of the Season honors on Friday.
And it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
2018/19 #UEL Player of the Season!
Real Madrid star Eden Hazard has responded to fan allegations of some minor weight gain this offseason with a video. The Belgian winger was getting a haircut with no shirt on (like a sociopath) and decided to film a quick short about his abs.
Hazard was sitting, so obviously we did not get the most flattering ab angle we could have received.
Hazard getting a haircut and showing off his six pack pic.twitter.com/6SBm7fdxpq
The new LaLiga season begins on Friday with defending champion Barcelona heading north to play Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés. Last year, Barça cantered to the title by an 11-point margin over second-place Atlético while Real Madrid finished 19 points back. However, the La Liga preview 2019/20 sees the challengers refreshed and reloaded with the likes of Eden Hazard and João Félix ready to come at the king.
After months of research and sleepless nights filled with pacing and contemplation, I have finally been able to compile a comprehensive list ranking the top 10 kids of football stars.