Before the 2014 World Cup, Suárez had been on a PR campaign – but that lasted for about two hours of play in stifling Natal In the first half of Uruguay’s final group game against Italy at the 2014 World Cup, Luis Suárez launched a late, clumsy challenge on Andrea Pirlo, upending the playmaker with the subtlety of a man taking down a tree with a blunt axe. As Pirlo tumbled, a flailing forearm struck Suárez around the ear. Suárez, assuming the role of the wronged man, held his head, stared at Pirlo, looking hurt and shocked – shocked! – that anyone could do such a thing.Around 40 minutes later, the score still 0-0, Suárez did similar. But this time...
After the 19-year-old Brazilian’s stunning start for Manchester City, we pick out other overseas signings who stormed into the English game and find that a fast start does not necessarily lead to sustained successGabriel Jesus’s stellar start for Manchester City has dislodged Sergio Agüero from Pep Guardiola’s side. The 19-year-old Brazilian, a £27m signing from Palmeiras last month, scored on his full Premier League debut – at West Ham United – and twice in the following game, against Swansea City last Sunday. Here are five other overseas signings who stormed into the English game. Related: Gabriel Jesus affirms Pep Guardiola’s faith in his Manchester City vision Continue reading...
From Ally Robertson’s save for the cameras to César Martins’s outrageous full-length stop for Flamengo via Luis Suárez’s self-styled ‘save of the tournament’Ally Robertson’s first tackle in professional football took the ball from George Best’s toes. From that moment West Bromwich Albion’s Scottish teenager began establishing a reputation as a no-nonsense defender, a status hardened a few months later when he played on with a broken leg in a League Cup tie against Charlton Athletic. “You could hear this big crack,” Robertson recalled. “Jeff Astle came running across and said: ‘Quick! Get down – you’ve broken your leg,’ but I said ‘No, no’ and played on until half-time.” Robertson, an imposing player with a long auburn mane and thick moustache,...