After a goalless first half, Miranda opened the scoring at the Luzhniki Stadium, which will host seven matches at this summer’s tournament including the final.

Philippe Coutinho scored a penalty for Brazil’s second before Paulinho headed in a third from close range.

Five-time world champions Brazil are now unbeaten in eight games.

They showed no sign of missing Paris St-Germain forward Neymar, who faces a race against time to be fit for this summer’s tournament after undergoing surgery on an injured right foot.

Brazil dominated the first half but it wasn’t until after the break that they broke the deadlock, when Inter Milan defender Miranda slotted home a rebound after Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev made a good save.

Paulinho was pulled down in the penalty area by Aleksandr Golovin, with Barcelona team-mate Coutinho coolly scoring the spot-kick for his ninth international goal.

Midfielder Paulinho then found himself unmarked to head home Willian’s cross.

Brazil’s next friendly is against Germany on Tuesday in Berlin, while Russia face France in St Petersburg.

–

Source: BBC Sport

The post Coutinho scores as Brazil thrash World Cup hosts Russia in friendly appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 77-year-old was due to travel to London this weekend for a dinner held in his honour by the Football Writers Association (FWA).

Pele – the only player to win three World Cups – withdrew and the FWA said he was being monitored by doctors.

But his spokesperson called reports of his hospitalisation “fake news”.

“He just didn’t want to make a long and stressful trip to London, in and out of who knows how many planes and airports,” said Jose Fornos Rodrigues. “That’s all.”

Pele has been taken to hospital for kidney and prostate problems in recent years.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, he scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

He helped his country win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and was named Fifa’s Player of the Century.

–

Source: BBC

The post Pele resting at home not hospitalized – Spokesperson appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 77-year-old was due to travel to London this weekend for a dinner held in his honour by the Football Writers Association (FWA).

Pele – the only player to win three World Cups – “has undergone a series of tests which appear to point to severe exhaustion”, said the FWA.

“He is on fluids while doctors monitor his recovery. Thankfully there is no suggestion of anything more serious.”

Pele has been taken to hospital for kidney and prostate problems in recent years.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, he scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

He helped his country win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and was named Fifa’s Player of the Century.

–

Source: BBC Sport

The post Brazil legend Pele hospitalized after ‘collapsing with exhaustion’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 25-year-old is set to join the Spanish giants after a £142m deal was agreed with Liverpool on Saturday.

He took part in a brief photo session at the Nou Camp after Barcelona’s 3-0 win against Levante on Sunday.

Coutinho will officially sign his contract at 11:30 GMT on Monday before being presented to the public.

“Hi Barca fans, I am already here, it is a dream come true and I hope to see you tomorrow, ” he said in a video message on Twitter.

Later, in an interview with BarcaTV, Coutinho added he was excited to be soon playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

“It is incredible to know that I am going to live with idols, players with a lot of history,” he said.

“Footballers like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, [Andres] Iniesta, [Gerard] Pique, [Sergio] Busquets.

“I am very happy to be able to live together, to be able to learn from them and be able to win together.”

The playmaker will sign a five-and-half year deal and will have a buyout clause of 400m euros (£355m).

It is one of the most expensive transfers of all time, eclipsed only by the £200m Paris St-Germain paid Barcelona for Neymar last summer, and the £165.7m Kylian Mbappe will cost PSG at the end of his initial loan spell from Monaco.

Valverde on his £142m man

Speaking after the Levante game, Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde said it was “too soon” to determine where Coutinho will play in his side.

It has been speculated that he could play alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in attack or become 33-year-old midfielder Andres Iniesta’s long-term successor.

“We can take advantage of his versatility,” Valverde said.

“He scores and sets up goals, and going forward he can help us a lot as he can play both inside and out wide.”

Valverde is confident Coutinho can improve a side that is nine points clear at the top of La Liga.

“I think he can bring a lot to the team,” he added.

“He is here now, and good luck to him, because if he has luck then it will be good for us.”

Barcelona midfielder Paulinho plays alongside Coutinho for Brazil and is looking forward to linking up with his compatriot at club level.

“He is a great player, a magnificent player,” the former Tottenham player said.

“I am certain he will really help Barca to attain our objectives this season.

“We hope to see him playing for us as soon as possible.”

–

Source: BBC

The post Philippe Coutinho says £142m Barcelona move is a ‘dream come true’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Nine inmates were killed and 14 injured during the unrest at a prison in the central state of Goias.

Stephan de Souza Vieira, 34, was seized at a luxury flat in the state of Rio de Janeiro. He had been on the run from the jail since November.

He is a leader of the Red Command criminal gang with drug interests across Brazil, police say.

Vieira, also known as BH, had been serving a 26-year sentence for drug trafficking when he escaped from the Aparecida de Goiania jail.

Police say that he controlled gang inmates from outside the prison and gave orders for armed members to start the riot.

They attacked a rival gang in a separate wing of the prison and set mattresses on fire.

More than 100 inmates escaped during the riot. Dozens remain at large.

Vieira was arrested in a flat in the seaside resort of Cabo Frio.

He was found with a substantial amount of cash, jewellery, several mobile phones and notebooks with details of drug trafficking transactions.

Riots are common in Brazilian prisons, which are notoriously overcrowded.

Brazil has one of the largest prison populations in the world. The country’s jails are largely controlled by powerful criminal factions with access to drugs, mobile phones and weapons.

A report by judicial authorities in 2016 described security at the rural penitentiary on the outskirts of the state capital, Goiania, as bad.

According to the report, the prison – part of a larger complex – was built to house 122 inmates, but at one point it held 423.

–

Source: BBC

The post Brazil drug lord accused of deadly jail riot seized appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka, a 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil, has retired.

The 35-year-old, who began his career in Brazil with Sao Paulo, was most recently with MLS club Orlando City.

Kaka played his final match as Orlando’s season ended in October, and in November was reportedly offered a director role at Serie A club Milan.

He is one of only eight players to win the treble of World Cup, European Cup/Champions League and Ballon d’Or.

A devout Christian, Kaka wrote in a Twitter post on Sunday: “Father, it was much more than I could ever [have] imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Renowned for his strong mazy dribbles, his finishing and his creativity in providing goalscoring opportunities for others, Kaka played 92 times for Brazil, scoring 29 times.

Having lifted the World Cup with his country, he won the Champions League with Milan in 2007 and the Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player, in the same year.

He was arguably at his prime during the six years he spent with the Italian giants between 2003 and 2009, during which time he also won the Serie A title in 2004 and the Club World Cup in 2007.

After joining Madrid in a then-world record £56m deal in June 2009, Kaka won the Copa del Rey in 2011, adding the league title a year later.

Having struggled with a series of knee injuries, Kaka returned to Milan for one season in 2013 before leaving for Orlando the following year.

The other seven players to have won the World Cup, European Cup or Champions League and Ballon d’Or are: Bobby Charlton, Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.

–

Source: BBC Sport

The post Former Brazil and AC Milan midfielder Kaka announces retirement appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The striker was at the heart of Belgium’s opener when his shot forced a save, allowing Eden Hazard to tap in.

An Andres Guardado penalty saw the scores level at half-time but Lukaku nudged in a cross to restore the lead.

A fine touch and low finish by Hirving Lozano restored parity and he then volleyed Mexico ahead before Lukaku converted his 30th Belgium goal.

The close-range finish ended the scoring on 70 minutes and saw Manchester United forward Lukaku join Bernard Voorhoof and Paul van Himst in sharing the record.

Voorhoof set his mark between 1928 and 1940, while Van Himst reached the mark between 1960 and 1974. At just 24, Lukaku looks set to take the record to new heights and he could set his own standard in Tuesday’s friendly with Japan in Brussels.

Belgium, coached by former Everton boss Roberto Martinez, are now unbeaten in 14 matches and will feature at the World Cup in Russia having eased through qualifying.

Mexico will also be at the tournament and continue their preparations against Poland in Gdansk on Monday.

They bettered possession with 58% against Belgium and 22-year-old PSV Eindhoven striker Lozano caught the eye, leaving Thibaut Courtois motionless with his first strike before lashing an instinctive volley in for his seventh goal at international level.

Neymar and Jesus on target for Brazil

Neymar scored and missed a penalty before a thunderous strike from Real Madrid’s Marcelo and a simple finish by Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus gave Brazil a 3-0 lead against Japan by half-time in their friendly at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, home of French side Lille.

Brazil conceded a late consolation but have now lost just once in 16 matches as they get set to face England at Wembley Tuesday.

European champions Portugal cruised to a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia to continue their own World Cup preparations in Viseu. A fine low strike from Joao Mario added to goals from Manuel Fernandes and Concalo Guedes, with Cristiano Ronaldo left out of the squad.

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic found the net as Serbia secured a 2-0 win over China in Guangzhou in their first fixture since sacking Slavoljub Muslin despite qualifying for the World Cup.

–

Source: BBC Sport

The post Lukaku equals Belgium scoring record in Mexico friendly appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The judge ruled he could remain free pending an appeal.

Lula has rejected claims that he received an apartment as a bribe in a corruption scandal linked to state oil company Petrobras.

He says the trial is politically motivated and has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The case is the first of five charges against him.

Running again?

Lula served eight years as president until 2011 and has expressed interest in running again in next year’s elections for the left-wing Workers’ Party.

On Wednesday, a judge found him guilty of accepting bribes from engineering firm OAS in the form of a beachfront apartment in return for his help in winning contracts with the state oil company.

The head of the Workers’ Party, Senator Gleisi Hoffmann, hit out at the ruling, saying it was designed to stop Lula standing for office.

She said the party would protest against the decision.

The BBC’s Katy Watson in Sao Paulo says Lula remains a popular politician and the sentence will deeply divide Brazil.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

The charges Lula faces all relate to the Car Wash scandal, the nickname for Brazil’s biggest ever corruption probe.

Operation Car Wash was launched three years ago amid escalating public anger over political corruption.

The investigation centres on firms that were allegedly offered deals with Petrobras in exchange for bribes, which were funnelled into politicians’ pockets and party slush funds.

Lula, a former steel worker turned union leader, came to office as the first left-wing leader in Brazil in nearly half a century.

He was Brazil’s most popular president during his tenure – former US President Barack Obama labelled him the most popular politician on Earth.

Unable to stand for a third consecutive term, he was succeeded by close ally Dilma Rousseff, who was later impeached.

Current President Michel Temer also faces corruption allegations and is resisting calls for him to step down.

–

Source: BBC

The post Brazil’s ex-President Lula convicted of corruption appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The law aims to reduce costs for businesses and allow firms to negotiate contracts freely with employees.

It was deeply unpopular with unions, who say it will reduce job security and called two general strikes in protest.

The vote is expected to give President Michel Temer a boost before Congress’ lower house decides if he should be suspended to face corruption charges.

The bill will now be sent to President Temer to be signed into law.

The main focus of the bill was on giving more leeway to collective bargaining and reducing the scope for legal action in labour disputes.

Under the labour bill, union dues – currently mandatory – will become voluntary. It also gives more flexibility for part-time work and temporary contracts.

Businesses have welcomed the changes, which they say will make the job market more flexible.

The unions argue they will lead to a reduction in job security in Latin America’s biggest economy.

The legislation is part of a raft of business-friendly reforms proposed by President Temer, which include auctions for oil licensing rights, and transport concessions.

The most contentious proposal is to overhaul the social security system.

Analysts say the passing of the labour bill is a victory for Mr Temer, who was charged last month with taking bribes, which he has repeatedly denied.

The lower house of Congress must now vote on whether to allow the Supreme Court to try him.

–

Source: BBC

The post Brazil Senate passes controversial labour reform appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Brazil have enjoyed a impressive revival since Tite replaced Dunga as their national team coach last year, winning all nine matches they have played under his leadership including eight World Cup qualifiers.

They continued their run in March with a 4-1 win in Uruguay and 3-0 win over Paraguay to become the first side to book their place at next year’s World Cup in Russia with four games to spare.

Brazil, who replaced arch-rivals Argentina at the top, previously led the rankings going into the 2010 World Cup where they were eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Since then, they have suffered a string of embarrassments, with elimination by Paraguay at successive Copa America tournaments in 2011 and 2015 and their infamous 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final.

Argentina lost their place after last week’s 2-0 defeat in Bolivia which has left them struggling to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Four of the top five teams in the rankings announcement by FIFA on Thursday, are from South America. Chile are fourth, Colombia fifth and Germany sandwiched in between in third.

Egypt are Africa’s best-placed team in 19th while Asia’s top side are 28th-placed Iran.

Top ten rankings (previous month’s places in brackets)

1. Brazil (2)

2. Argentina (1)

3. Germany (3)

4. Chile (4)

5. Colombia (7)

6. France (6)

7. Belgium (5)

8. Portugal (8)

9. Switzerland (11)

10. Spain (10)

–

Source: Reuters

The post Brazil top FIFA rankings for first time in seven years appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.