Redemption

Ghanaian forward Joseph Opoku has expressed his relief and satisfaction after scoring a match-winning brace for Zulte Waregem, just one week after facing intense criticism and online abuse.The 20-year-old winger proved to be the hero in the Belgian Pro League relegation playoffs, netting twice in the second half to secure a vital 2-1 away victory over FCV Dender.The performance served as a direct response to a difficult period for the former Great Corinthians star.Following a high-profile missed chance in a 1-1 draw against Cercle Brugge the previous week, Opoku became the target of significant backlash from fans.However, his composure at the Dender Football Complex—scoring in the 55th and 62nd minutes—has now placed Zulte Waregem at the top of the playoff table, securing their top-flight survival.Reflecting on his redemption, Opoku noted that the negativity served as fuel rather than a distraction."I’m very happy because last week I got a lot of criticism after the chance I missed," Opoku said after the game."As a player, that keeps you going. This makes me tough, and I just keep calm in my head. I scored two goals, so I’m happy with the bounce back."Since joining the...

Spotlight intensifies on Liverpool’s coach, but what of a group of players who in effect surrendered against Manchester City? Budapest or bust it is, then, for Liverpool’s hopes of silverware this season and quite possibly Arne Slot’s prospects of remaining in his job, although thoughts of this team reaching a Champions League final appear ludicrous in light of their gutless exit from the FA Cup. A pity whistle on 90.04 from the referee, Michael Oliver, sounded an appropriate death knell for a pitiful performance by the fading Premier League champions. So much for a shot at redemption for Liverpool and Slot as a defining period of five matches in 16 days commenced in humiliating fashion.

Slot is set to outlast the legendary Egyptian at Anfield, but an FA Cup quarter-final against Man City presents opportunity for redemption for both

Manager and team had hit rock bottom, but together they found redemption and are heading to North America A manager down on his luck after a second failure in quick succession, wondering what the future would hold. A national team struggling at the bottom of their qualifying group given a second chance through the vagaries of the Nations League. That national team happens to be the country where the manager made his name, inspiring a team from a town with a population of 50,000 to win the Swedish Cup. So the two get together, doubting manager and doubting country, and somehow, less than six months after the nadir, they are going to the World Cup finals.

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this final part three of our three-part special on Colombian football and the tragedy of Andrés Escobar. Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper tell the story of the 1994 World Cup and its devastating aftermath. This episode explores the immense and impossible pressure placed on the Colombian squad, from death threats delivered to hotel room TVs, to the chaos of a nation in civil war pinning all its hopes on eleven men. The discussion covers the Romania defeat, the fateful own goal against the USA, and the senseless murder of Andrés Escobar outside a nightclub. Rob and Jonathan also examine the legacy of Escobar 'the gentleman of football' and his remarkable fiancée Pamela Cascada, before reflecting on Colombia's long road to recovery and redemption. You can listen to this episode ad-free over on our Patreon - Follow the link here - or go to Patreon.com and search for It Was What It Was. You will also get access to our World Cup countdown, magazine retrospectives and bonus episodes as well as a monthly Q&A with Rob and Jonathan. 01:00 Andrés Escobar's Posthumous Column in El Tiempo 01:55 Setting the Scene: The Narco State & Pablo Escobar's Death 06:55 Pablo Escobar's Deep Love of Football 10:55 Francisco Maturana on the Narcos: "Like an Octopus" 16:30 Andrés Escobar: El Caballero del Fútbol 20:25 A Move to AC Milan & The Burden of Representing Colombia 23:30 Higuita's Exclusion & The President's Calculations 26:00 The Romania Defeat: Hagi's Moment of Magic 27:45 Death Threats, Kidnappings & Maturana in Tears 33:00 The USA Game: Playing Under the Shadow of Snipers 35:30 The Own Goal & Colombia's Elimination 37:15 The Murder of Andrés Escobar 41:00 Who Killed Escobar? The Galón Brothers & the Cover-Up 44:45 The State Funeral & Pamela Cascada's Dignity 48:15 The Aftermath: Colombia's Slow Road to Redemption 51:45 2014 & The Restoration of Colombian Football Pride 54:15 Closing Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this final chapter of our series, we complete the journey that began with Gary Neville reflecting on the legacy of the Busby Babes. We explored who they were before the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, the tragic day itself, and now, we turn to the aftermath: How Manchester United rose again. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper take you through the incredible story of resilience and redemption. After recovering from his own life-threatening injuries, Sir Matt Busby rebuilt his beloved club, guiding them from devastation to glory. With the emergence of new stars like George Best and the leadership of Bobby Charlton, United’s revival culminated in their crowning moment in 1968, when they became the first English club to lift the European Cup - just a decade after their darkest day. Thank you for joining us. If you’ve enjoyed the series, please subscribe and leave a five-star review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re nearly there folks! The hosts are OUT, Sweden are still second best and we have a sumptuous final to look forward to. England want to cement their place on the world stage while Spain are trying to get rid of their demons behind the scenes. Who will come out on top? It’s anyone’s guess! Join Kathleen McNamee, Karen Duggan and Emma Byrne as they weigh up one of the tightest World Cup finals in years and give their opinions as to who might come out on top. Got a question for the pod or want to nominate a 'Supporter And a Half' that you know? Email [email protected]! The COYGIG Pod on OTB Sports is in association with Cadbury, the official snack partner to the Republic of Ireland’s Women’s National Team. #CadburySupporterAndAHalf | Cadbury Ireland

Jimbo is alongside Colin Millar, Jordan Campbell and Christoph Biermann as the first major European silverware of the season is decided. It’s the biggest day in Eintracht Frankfurt’s history as they overcome Rangers on penalties in Seville to win the Europa League. A victory for German football fans, redemption for Trapp and more misery for Ramsey. Will we see the Eagles doing a Dortmund in the near future? Forest also need penalties to reach their first ever play-off final. Matt Davies-Adams talks to us about a nerve-shredding night in Nottingham. Blackpool’s Jake Daniels becomes the only openly gay male professional footballer in Britain. The Athletic’s editor-in-chief Alex Kay-Jelski discusses Daniels and the ongoing Idrissa Gueye situation. And last – and definitely in no way least – Tim Spiers brings us the latest from the Rebekah Vardy libel trial. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Frankfurt win the Europa League (01m 00s) • PART 2a: Matt Davies-Adams on Forest heading to Wembley (21m 00s) • PART 2b: Alex Kay-Jelski on Jake Daniels coming out (28m 00s) • PART 3: Tim Spiers on the Rebekah Vardy libel trial (35m 00s) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC TODAY FOR £1 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS • theathletic.com/totally GET IN TOUCH: • follow us on Instagram • find us on Facebook • send us a tweet: @TheTotallyShow READ STUFF ON OUR WEBSITE: • check out thetotallyfootballshow.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

QKWHS - Euro 2020 EP10: Monday 5th July The Gareth Southgate redemption-ometer has broken. We're in the semi finals of the Euros after one of the most comprehensive and un-England like performances in our lifetime. Is this the new normal? Are we dreaming? If so, never wake us up... And roll on Wednesday and Wembley!!! Thanks, Chris, Josh and Michael. QK Fan Club: patreon.com/quicklykevin Twitter: @quicklykevin Facebook: quicklykevin Instagram: quicklykevin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday night is huge for Northern Ireland against Slovakia and for Scotland in Serbia, who have gone MacGyver. Could qualification for a first major tournament in 22 years mean redemption for Steve Clarke? The panel are gagging for Grealish for England. Will we see him as a first-pick for England or is he destined to go the way of Hoddle and Le Tissier? And there's the whole sorry Greg Clarke affair. We also discuss a big WSL weekend and the most surprising transfers ever. From Robert Jarni to Neil Lennon. Plus Robbie Fowler’s poetry and revisiting Michael Owen’s 32-page promotional brochure. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Greg Clarke resigns as FA chairman (02m 00s) • PART 2: Serbia v Scotland preview (12m 00s) • PART 3: Northern Ireland v Slovakia preview (22m 30s) • PART 4: A big weekend in the WSL (42m 00s) • PART 5: The odds with Lee Price from Paddy Power (45m 00s) • PART 6a: Most surprising signings ever (47m 00s) • PART 6b: Goodbye to Melwood (54m 30s) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC FOR £1 A WEEK: • theathletic.com/totally GET IN TOUCH: • follow us on Instagram • find us on Facebook • send us a tweet: @TheTotallyShow PARISH NOTICES: • we’re sponsored by Paddy Power - home of the Money Back Special READ STUFF ON OUR WEBSITE: • check out thetotallyfootballshow.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Beckham is not short of iconic moments for England, but perhaps the most memorable and important came when he was sent off against Argentina for kicking out at Diego Simeone in the 1998 World Cup. Here we look back at the story around the incident and the incredible journey that Beckham took towards redemption. Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected] ***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** #HistoryofFootball is a 14-day television event, with 24/7 football documentaries and films starting from Monday 28th May. Watch HISTORY on Sky 130, Virgin 270, BT 327 or TalkTalk 327. The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.