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Liverpool crush Man United at Old Trafford with Mohamed Salah hat trick

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Mohamed Salah scored a hat trick as Liverpool thrashed
Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, putting pressure on United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United were four goals down by halftime — the largest margin ever in their history at that stage of a game — and looked disjointed as Salah, Diogo Jota and Naby Keita all found the net.

Salah added his third moments into the second half before Paul Pogba was sent off for a dangerous tackle.

“I think it is great to win 5-0 here, we knew before the game it would be tough if we did not play our game,” Salah said after the game.

“We knew they will come and try to give everything, so we had to give 100%.We just tried to play our football and play in between the lines to create more chances. We did that and were lucky to score.

“As long as the team keep winning I am happy and to give my best to the team to win.”

Bruno Fernandes had an opportunity to open the scoring for United after just four minutes but blasted over the crossbar.

Liverpool responded to the scare with a goal on five minutes after poor defending from United saw Luke Shaw attempting to mark Salah, Keita and Andy Robertson. Salah chose to play in Keita, who hit the ball past David de Gea.

United were guilty of more poor defending on 13 minutes, when Trent. Alexander Arnold
put a low cross into the box and Jota stretched to place it in the net.

Salah scored his first goal on 38 minutes with a low sidefoot past De Gea and his second five minutes into added time at the end of the first half with a superb strike from the corner of the box.

The Egypt international completed his hat trick five minutes into the second half. His three goals on Sunday make him the top scoring African Player in Premier league history,
overtakinformer Chelsea forward Didier Drogba by two goals.

“I am so disappointed, we gave them so many chances,” United captain Harry Maguire said. “They were so clinical, we had a lot of chances ourselves, but I am a defender and to concede four in the first half, especially at Old Trafford, is nowhere near good enough

“As a player I know myself. I’ll be looking at myself and my individual performance.

“We have to stick together, there is no point blaming each other, but look at ourselves. Look in the mirror when we go home tonight and think where we can do better.

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had pulled one back for United on 52 minutes with an excellent piece of individual skill, but VAR replays showed he had been offside in the build-up, and the goal was disallowed.

United’s day went from bad to worse when Pogba was sent off on the hour mark for a studs-up challenge on Keita, who had to be stretchered off the pitch.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he did not expect a 5-0 result.

“Pressing high, winning balls, scored wonderful goals,” Klopp said. “I told them at halftime to play better. We started incredibly well and stopped playing football. We controlled the game after the fifth, it was not about scoring more, just trying to get out without more injuries.

“The result is insane, I asked if there was one like this in history and if there isn’t, then it will take a while. The players put a nice piece in the book. It is special, but we don’t celebrate like crazy, we have respect for the opponents. We were lucky in some moments; United are not in their best moment.”

ESPN

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Tinubu Gifts Flamingos Players ₦100m Each After Historic World Cup Triumph

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President Bola Tinubu has rewarded each member of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, with a ₦100 million savings certificate following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The reward was announced by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represented the President at a special reception for the victorious team at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja.

Under the reward package, the head coach will receive ₦100 million in cash, while each member of the technical crew is to get ₦50 million.

The First Lady commended the players for their remarkable achievement, particularly their six consecutive victories, describing their humility, discipline and sportsmanship as qualities worthy of emulation.

She said the historic triumph would inspire young Nigerian girls to pursue their dreams and demonstrate that they could compete and succeed at the highest level of international sports.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the coaching crew, technical and medical personnel, football administrators, parents and supporters towards the team’s success.

The Flamingos secured Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final on November 7, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the decisive goals.

Despite losing their opening match 2-1 to Poland, the Nigerian girls bounced back impressively, defeating defending champions North Korea, Puerto Rico and Mexico before overcoming Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final to book their first-ever place in the final.

President Tinubu had earlier congratulated the team, describing the victory as a proud moment for Nigeria and a landmark achievement for African women’s football.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he received news of the triumph upon returning from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.

The Senate has also pledged ₦100 million to reward the players following a motion moved by the Chairman of its Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, who praised the team’s outstanding performance and commended the Nigeria Football Federation for its contribution to the historic success.

The Flamingos’ achievement adds to Nigeria’s recent dominance in women’s sports, coming less than two years after the Super Falcons clinched their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.

It also follows the historic 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket triumph by Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress.

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Akpabio, Okpebholo Hail Flamingos After Historic U-17 World Cup Victory

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, have congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final to emerge champions for the first time, becoming the first African nation to win the competition.

In separate congratulatory messages, the two leaders described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian football and a source of immense national pride.

Akpabio, in a statement issued by his media office and signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, described the players as “Nigeria’s Golden Girls” for their outstanding performance and historic accomplishment.

He said the triumph had not only elevated Nigeria’s status in global women’s football but also brought pride to the African continent.

The Senate President praised the players for their talent, determination, resilience and teamwork, noting that their achievement demonstrated the rewards of hard work, discipline and self-belief.

He added that the Flamingos had inspired millions of Nigerians, particularly young girls, to pursue their dreams and aspire to greatness.

Akpabio also congratulated the coaching crew, technical team and other support staff for their contributions to the historic success, declaring that the world had heard Nigeria’s victory song.

Similarly, Governor Okpebholo described the victory as a remarkable milestone, commending the Flamingos for their courage, discipline, teamwork and impressive performances throughout the tournament.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the governor said the team had demonstrated the resilience and winning mentality associated with the Nigerian spirit.

He also praised the technical crew, coaches and support staff for their dedication, noting that the triumph underscored the growing potential of women’s football in Nigeria.

According to Okpebholo, the Flamingos had written their names in Nigeria’s football history and demonstrated the ability of the country’s young talents to compete and excel on the global stage.

He urged the players to sustain their winning mentality and remain worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, while assuring them of the continued support and goodwill of the people of Edo State.

“The Flamingos have made Nigeria proud, and their victory is a triumph for the nation,” the governor said.

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Infantino Hails Flamingos’ Historic U-17 World Cup Triumph

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

Infantino described the triumph as a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African football, noting that Nigeria had become the first African country to win the prestigious competition.

In his congratulatory message after the final, the FIFA president commended the Flamingos for their impressive performance, describing their victory as well deserved.

“Congratulations to Nigeria, world champions of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup here in Rabat. First African team ever to win a Women’s Under-17 World Cup. So many congratulations to Nigeria, well deserved in the final,” he said.

Infantino also congratulated Japan for claiming the silver medal and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) for finishing third in the competition.

He equally praised Morocco for successfully hosting the tournament, describing the competition and facilities in Rabat as beautiful, fantastic and wonderful.

The Flamingos’ historic achievement represents a major breakthrough for African women’s football, as Nigeria becomes the first nation from the continent to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

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