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      Burnley rip up script to spoil Hollywood icon Will Ferrell’s first Elland Road trip as Leeds slump to frustrating loss

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      BURNLEY ripped up the script to spoil Will Ferrell’s first visit to Elland Road to watch Leeds.It was anything but a Hollywood spectacular for the world famous silverscreen actor, who along with a raft of other celebrity and sporting stars, is a minority shareholder of the club as part of the 49ers Enterprises.Will Ferrell’s first trip to Leeds ended in defeatCredit: PALuca Koleosho scored the only goal as Burnley won 1-0 at Elland RoadCredit: ReutersBut it was Luca Koleosho that stole show as he kicked off his birthday weekend by securing the three points for the Clarets in a match ex-Manchester United man Hannibal revelled in his role as the villain.It should have been a blockbuster start – only Mateo Joseph blew his lines.The Spaniard, 20, suffered a huge case of stage fright inside the opening minute after dispossessing Maxime Esteve on the halfway line but he could only fire wide after racing clean through.Ilia Gruev tried his luck from distance but Leeds did look suspect to the counter and Zian Flemming had already beaten the offside trap in a warning sign before the breakthrough.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLManor Solomon slipped on the ball, and that resulted in Italian U21 winger Koleosho racing forward 60 yards on a long-busting run.He then kept his composure to round it off with a clinical finish 24 hours before he turned 20.Leeds, who saw Wilfried Gnonto denied by James Trafford, were screaming for a penalty when Manor Solomon went down from Joe Worrall’s challenge, but the Burnley defender’s brave tackle from behind paid off.Amid the appeals, the linesman spotted Hannibal going face-first into Leeds star Ethan Ampadu head, but the act was only deemed worthy of a yellow.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat made him public enemy No.1 with the locals, especially when Ampadu then required treatment after winning a hefty challenge on his nemesis.It was all going Downhill for Leeds as Scott Parker’s boys acted like the Wedding Crashers on Ferrell’s big day.Hollywood superstar Will Ferrell has made a “serious investment” in Leeds UnitedBut if Daniel Farke’s men were going down, they were determined to do it in a Blades of Glory and they flew out of the traps at the restart.Joseph tried again, this time forcing Trafford into a diving save to push out his 25-yard effort.With an hour on the clock the hosts had enjoyed 75 per cent of possession but just could not turn that dominance into a goal.It was going to take a moment of magic, and it was Ampadu who nearly produced it.However, Trafford did brilliantly to tip over the captain’s 20-yard effort.Hannibal was not quite ready to let his team-mate take the limelight, and he could not resist winding up the south stand as he exited the stage.The 21-year-old Tunisian threw up his hand and a single finger to signal the scoreline in reaction to the chorus of jeers, and then he threw in a fist-pump to the away fans for good measure.READ MORE SUN STORIESSpeaking of fists, Leeds were struggling to lay one on their opponents as the clock ticked down, and any momentum they had was sucked away when both Joe Rodon and Clarets captain Josh Brownhill received lengthy treatment following a clash of heads.That meant they had eight minutes added time to make a comeback – but there was to be no grand finale despite the Clarets having defender Bashir Humphreys sent off for a second caution at the death. More

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      I’m a Championship star but OWN a non-league club in 11th-tier… I’ve signed TWO ex-Premier League pals and built a stand

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      STEVE COOK has football double vision.QPR’s captain wants to help the West Londoners compete for a return to the Premier League AND take non-league side Westfield up the pyramid.Steve Cook is balancing Championship football with owning a non-league clubThe defender owns a majority stake in 11th tier WestfieldCredit: x / @WestfieldFC9Defender Cook, 33, owns a majority stake in the club based near his home town of Hastings that plays in the Mid-Sussex League Premier Division, the 11th TIER of English football.He bought into the outfit two years ago and has contributed to the building of a 50-seat stand as well as making plans to install floodlights.And his old Bournemouth team-mates Charlie Daniels, 38, and Dan Gosling, 34, have signed up for the team.Cook said:  “I try to get down there as much as I can. We had a new stand delivered the other day — it’s only 50 seats but our gates aren’t huge.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We average around 100 but we did get 150 for a pre-season friendly this summer against Hastings.“We have planning permission for floodlights so we can go up the leagues.“We’re trying to grow it, it’s a nice village community club. We wanted to try to give something back to the community and see where we can take it.“There’s three of us that run it. We bounce off each other really well. My friend Jack Stapley was the reason why I got involved.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“I wanted to help him out and we have Graham Knight who has come back to the club too. So the three of us run it. Jack is very hands on — while I am doing it from afar.”Cook is a massive non-league fan and routinely checks results down the pyramid.Bromley boss Andy Woodman shares craziest EFL memories including players’ full on fight in club shop I What the EFL?!The centre-back — who had five seasons playing in the Premier League during his ten years at the Cherries — has never forgotten his roots.While on the books at Brighton, Cook had loan spells in non-league with Havant & Waterlooville, Eastleigh, Eastbourne Borough and Mansfield when they were in the National League.He said: “I love non-league. There are a lot of players in those divisions that can play EFL football so I’m a big advocate of it.“I look at the majority of the leagues results every Saturday and Tuesday. I have friends that play in the National South, Isthmian and other leagues, too — so yes, I like to stay involved.“I’m a football lover in general, so I always want to keep up to date. You never know where you are going to find yourself.”But, right now, Cook hopes to have a number of seasons left on a career that has seen him play in the National League South all the way to the Prem.Cook signed former Bournemouth team-mate Charlie Daniels for his clubCredit: X/WestfieldFC9He also recruited fellow ex-Cherries star Dan GoslingAnd he has been mightily impressed with how Spanish boss Marti Cifuentes has changed the narrative at Loftus Road from fighting relegation to daring to look towards the play-offs.They travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday still buoyed by a first Championship win of the season, 2-1 at Luton, last time out and face Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.Cook said: “We don’t want a relegation fight again. This is a league where you string a few results together and you can go from the bottom to the top and be challenging.“There are not any initial targets yet. We want to put ourselves into a position midway through the season and see where it takes us.I love non-league. There are a lot of players in those divisions that can play EFL football so I’m a big advocate of it.Steve Cook“Hopefully we can kick on and produce a successful season.“The difference between being a side fighting relegation and challenging for the play-offs is consistency and how you bounce back from a defeat. Leicester last season are one of the best teams to ever play in the Championship and they went a few games without winning.“But they had done a lot of amazing work to get ahead and that is the biggest thing — going on a run of results and when there is a bit of adversity you bounce back quickly.“This group here have faced adversity and managed to swing that in our favour this year.“We’re using those experiences to move ourselves forward. It’s a good place to come into work every day and we’re all singing off the same hymn sheet. So I’m hoping we can now achieve some great things.”Cook made 168 Premier League appearances for BournemouthCredit: Rex FeaturesThe 33-year-old is now into his second season with QPR in the ChampionshipCredit: PACook enjoyed his first season at Rangers and he was rewarded for some impressive performances by taking the club’s player-of-the-season honours. Not bad for a veteran.He said: “Yeah, the other side of 30 in football makes you seem old. It’s a concept I’m not enjoying right now but I’m enjoying my football.“I do love it here. I’m playing as regularly as I can, keeping fit and as long as I am doing that and contributing I’m happy and it was an extremely proud moment getting the player of the year.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But this year I need to back it up and produce more and give more on the pitch and around the club and, hopefully, not have a season like we did last year.“As good as it was getting player of the year, it was player of the year at a team that just stayed up.  I want to be at the top of the league — and hopefully I can do it with this club.” More

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      Jude Bellingham reveals Real boss Carlo Ancelotti’s hilarious X-rated insult after watching his brother Jobe score twice

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has revealed how Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti got him worried with an X-rated prank about his brother Jobe.The England midfielder told how his mischievous manager trolled him after they watched younger sibling Jobe score twice for Sunderland.Jude Bellingham joked that Carlo Ancelotti had fun at his expensiveCredit: RexJobe Bellingham netted twice, with his brother and Ancelotti observingCredit: RexBellingham Senior, 21, could eventually see his 18-year-old brother follow him into the pantheon of mega-money transfers.Now Jude has explained how that move could have been scarily sooner rather than later!The 36-cap star joined Real from Borussia Dortmund for £115million in June 2023.And he’s disclosed what happened just two months later – when Jobe hit an eye-catching double, via a firm header and a calm slot-home.READ MORE TOP STORIESIt gave the Black Cats a 2-1 Championship comeback win at home to Rotherham.And it left Ancelotti purring mischievously… well enough to fool Bellingham!Jude told his YouTube channel: “I still remember when my brother Jobe scored twice, we were watching the game and Ancelotti said, ‘f***… we brought the wrong one! I’m going to bring him here’.“I said, ‘where are you going to play him?’. Carlo said, in your position!’  Most read in ChampionshipJobe Bellingham was only 17 when he notched a double vs RotherhamCredit: Getty”I was like, ‘f*** that!’ And then finally he gave me a little smirk and my heart just dropped and I thought, ‘okay, fine’. “And then I’m like, no pressure for today!”Jude Bellingham signs shirt for Kim Kardashian’s son SaintSo how DID the elder Bellingham respond?Later the very same day he too struck a couple of goals – as Real bettered Sunderland’s fightback.Los Blancos were 1-0 down at Almeria in LaLiga.Bellingham then fired home from close range and nodded Real in front, before Vinicius Junior clinched a 3-1 victory.Fast forward 13 months, and Sunderland are two points clear in the Championship, while Real are four adrift of Barca in the Spanish top flight.So maybe, come May, Bellingham Junior might get one over on Jude by being the only title winner this season!Bellingham explained how Ancelotti bantered with himCredit: Getty More

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      EFL club officially submit application for new 25,000-seater multi-purpose stadium and reveal plan to ‘regenerate’ town

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      LUTON have applied to build a new stadium more than DOUBLING their 12,000 capacity.The Hatters formally submitted plans for a multi-purpose venue to help “regenerate” the whole town.Luton hope to complete the new stadium by 2027The Hatters have been at the all-seater Kenilworth Road venue since 1905Luton, now back in the Championship after a season in the Premier League, have been at their current Kenilworth Road ground since 1905.But even in the second tier, the all-seater stadium sits bottom for capacity.Only newly-promoted Oxford United, whose Kassam Stadium can host 12,500, is anywhere near as small.Now the Hatters have put in “detailed plans” for a 25,000-capacity venue at Power Court site “in the heart of Luton town centre”.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe club hope the stadium, including a hotel and music venue, will be completed within three years.The Hatters reckon it will be a “vital catalyst in marking a regenerative era for the town”.Hatters’ chief executive Gary Sweet claimed the plans mark a “pivotal moment for all supporters, residents and businesses of Luton”.He called it an “important milestone for everyone who has worked tirelessly and diligently on the project to shape it masterfully into the magnificent building we have presented to the planning officers”.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSweet labelled the whole scheme a “gargantuan task”.And unfortunately for Hatters’ fans, that might also describe the job facing manager Rob Edwards following relegation.Bromley boss Andy Woodman shares craziest EFL memories including players’ full on fight in club shop I What the EFL?!Luton have picked up just one point from their first four Championship games.But Edwards insists his squad is still full of belief.He said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Millwall: “It’s not a confidence thing, it’s a concentration thing.” More

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      Steve Bruce reveals text from Sir Alex Ferguson with cheeky eight-word command after getting Blackpool job

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      STEVE BRUCE is on Fergie time once more as he starts back as a boss – by order of the great man himself.The former Manchester United skipper takes charge of his first game tomorrow with Blackpool after almost two years out of the game.Steve Bruce’s Blackpool tenure kicks off on SaturdayCredit: PABruce exclusively revealed details of what former boss Fergie text him this weekCredit: Getty – ContributorSince his appointment 11 days ago, the 63-year-old has been deluged with messages – some, he laughs, asking : “Are you bonkers?”But the one that meant the most to him came from Sir Alex Ferguson.He reveals: “Thursday morning the phone rang at half past six.“I didn’t know who it was, didn’t have a clue, because the screen came up showing a no-caller ID, so I thought I’d leave it.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Then all of a sudden a text message comes through from Sir Alex: ‘Congratulations, delighted for you’ etc, etc,etc.“’And by the way. You should be on the way to work’. And that’s at 6.40 am.“Typical him, some things never change. He is what he is.“At Old Trafford he was always in first for training, no matter how successful he was, just ready for another day and another challenge.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“He was incredible and still is. His work ethic was unbelievable and he’s always been such an inspiration.Sir Alex changed my life. He gave me an opportunity which I cherished.Steve BruceMan Utd’s best XI of academy graduates“He made me captain of Manchester United for five years. I’ll always be glad he had such a major influence on my life and career.”Yet Bruce admits that having been sacked by West Brom, the 11th club he had managed before those two years away, he was pining for to get that career going again.The fact that he has now picked up the reigns again, even in the EFL’s third tier at a club that hasn’t won any of its first four games has rejuvenated him.Bruce has never managed below the Championship and twice took Birmingham City as well as Hull City into the Premier League.Amongst other club he took charge of was boyhood club Newcastle United over two years which is why, he knows, some of his pals questioned his decision to step down the ladder.Fergie and Bruce share the same birthday in DecemberCredit: GettyBut he explains: “After West Brom I did a lot of travelling with my missus Janet.“We’ve been all around the world, everything that we wanted to do, seen what we wanted to see.“And yeah, I’ll miss that part. I’ll miss Barbados in January that’s for sure when the wind’s blowing hard around here.“And I’m just as sure Janet will too.“In the first year I just wanted to have a look at it from the outside although there were five or six opportunities then but I forced myself to stay away.“But the last six months the lack of that routine of managing a team, the buzz of Saturday match day, was getting to me.“Whatever it is – a bug or a drug – you need it. Retirement wasn’t for me just yet.“I need a purpose to get out of bed in the morning and all I’ve had in my life is this, really. Football.”What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue. They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. That text from Ferguson a couple of days ago certainly found him out of bed early – even if he wasn’t quite on his way to work – and a little long in the tooth or not that buzz is back.A home clash with Exeter City marks his return and he adds : “Most of the messages I got were positive, saying : ‘Good for you. Why not? “Yes, Blackpool are League One but after speaking to the owner it was like, ‘Why not?’ too.“I haven’t got any more ego left in me and so many of my close mates understood that in the last six months I really wanted this life again.“I didn’t know I would be working back at the coal face again but we’ve got a squad that I believe can compete with anybody in the division.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The plan is to get this club back in the Championship.“If I didn’t think we could do that – then what WOULD be the point?”Steve Bruce left Newcastle in November 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Championship rakes in second biggest crowds in the WORLD as 12.7million attend games

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      THE Championship was the second-biggest attended league in the WORLD last season.Figures compiled by Uefa found the 24 top tier EFL sides were watched by 12.7million fans in 2023-24.This turn-out of Blackburn fans at relegated Burnley this season shows Championship attendance figures are again huge in 2024-25Credit: GettyQPR supporters at Luton also typify ardent backing in the second tierCredit: RexIt was a figure bigger than the attendances in any league except the Premier League – which had total gates of 14.7m.And England’s love affair with the game was shown with 44.7m supporters walking through the turnstiles from the Prem down to Tier 6.That was nearly 50 per cent more than the nearest rival, Germany, where the game attracted a total 30.6m fans.The figures were contained in Uefa’s updated European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report, which included a huge number of statistics about game across the continent.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSUefa noted: “The Championship showcased substantial support last season, with its average attendance of over 23,000 per match ranking seventh among European leagues and the nearly 13 million in aggregate crowds ranking second in world football.“The depth of support in England is unmatched, with more than 5 million attending third-tier matches, almost 3.5 million attending fourth-tier matches and almost 3 million attending the three leagues in tier five and six.”Six Prem sides – Manchester United, West Ham, Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – attracted aggregate league gates of more than 1m fans last term, with Old Trafford hosting 1.834m supporters across all United’s home matches.That was a total exceeded only by Borussia Dortmund, whose 1.95m came with an average attendance of just over 81,000, and AC Milan.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmong the other findings, Uefa confirmed that Prem refs allowed more stoppage time than any other league last season.Prem matches saw an average of 11 minutes and 33 seconds of added time, with 68 per cent of matches lasting more than 100 minutes as PGMOL officials adopted new Fifa guidelines.’We had a can of beans between 20′ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!However, with refs’ chief Howard Webb asking his officials to adopt a new approach this term, the average amount of added time so far in the Prem has dropped to nine minutes 59 seconds per game.Across European football, the summer transfer window saw a drop in spending of eight per cent, from 2023’s £6.16bn to £5.66bn this year.For the first time since the Covid pandemic, French, Italian and German clubs were “net spenders” alongside the Prem and Saudi Pro League.Prem sides, despite a slight spending reduction to £1.75bn, paid an average of £13.2m for each signing. More

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      The story behind Scott Sinclair’s football career: How Helen Flanagan’s ex-boyfriend found his way back to boyhood club

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      SCOTT Sinclair is known to football fans as a legend and to many others as the ex-boyfriend of reality star Helen Flanagan.He supported Manchester United from a young age and has gone on to have a successful career across multiple clubs.Scott was born on March 25, 1989, in Bath, Somerset.He got engaged to Corrie actress Helen Flanagan in 2018, but they split in 2022.Their relationship made headlines when Helen appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2024 and opened up about her love life.So what clubs has the football legend played for?Read more in sportsScott has been training since the age of nineCredit: Getty ImagesScott shares two daughters and a son with Corrie actress Helen FlanaganCredit: Splash NewsBristol RoversScott joined the Bristol Rovers at just nine years old.He became the second-youngest debutant on the club’s first-team at the age of 15 years old and 277 days.The youngest ever debutant in the first-team was Ronnie Dix, aged 15 180 days.The then-15-year-old’s first appearance was as a late substitute for Junior Agogo in a League Two game against Layton Orient in 2004. Most read in FootballScott left his boyhood team Bristol Rovers for ChelseaCredit: ReutersChelseaIn July 2005, Scott was signed to West London football club Chelsea FC. Scott scored his first goal for the blues in September 2007 when they faced off against Hull City, in a match Chelsea won 4-0.The young footballer signed a new four-year deal with the football club in August 2007 and received the squad number 17.History repeated itself for him, as his first goal for Chelsea as a senior player was against Hull City, which ended in a 4-0 win for the London side in the League Cup.Plymouth Argyle (loan)Plymouth Argyle was the first of Scott’s loans from Chelsea to another football club.When Scott was just ten, he was noticed by Plymouth manager Ian Holloway as a future star. Whilst playing for Plymouth for one month during 2007, he helped the team beat Coventry City, Barnet, Derby County and Crystal Palace.Scott signed with the Queen’s Park Rangers in November 2007Credit: PA: Empics sportQueen’s Park RangersScott had a brief, month-long stint at Queen’s Park Rangers after he helped Plymouth beat Crystal Palace in November 2007.At the time, it was reported that QPR had beaten off “stiff competition” to sign Scott. Charlton Athletic (loan)In February 2008, Sinclair was in demand as an upcoming star. He was signed to Charlton Athletic that month, but had little opportunity to play as a member of the first-team. Scott’s loan was terminated after just a month, during which he had three appearances from the bench.Crystal Palace finished fifth in the Championship with Scott in 2008Credit: Getty ImagesCrystal Palace (loan)Scott joined Crystal Palace in March 2008 for the rest of the season. Here, he had many more opportunities to play than he did at Charlton Athletic.He scored twice against Hull and Burnley, in six appearances, and was a key player in helping Crystal Palace to finish fifth in the Championship.Birmingham City (loan)Yet another loan brought Scott to Birmingham City, where his one-month stint was extended to span over the entire season.During his time with Birmingham, Scott made 14 appearances before returning to Chelsea in May.Upon his return to Chelsea, Scott was a substitute for the Blackburn Rovers but did not play.Wigan Athletic (loan)In 2009, Sinclair signed to Wigan Athletic for the 2009-2010 season. Whilst at the Premier League club, he scored his first goal against a familiar foe: Hull City.Unbelievably, his second goal with Wigan was scored (yet again) against Hull.Scot joined Swansea in a £1 million dealCredit: Action ImagesSwansea CityScott’s period of loans and transfers came to an end, as he signed a three-year contract with Swansea in 2010.The fee was worth £500,000 with the potential of the number moving up to £1 million. The footballer quickly made waves, when he scored a his first hat-trick against Peterborough united in a 3-1 win.He later scored another hat-trick against Reading and helped get Swansea promoted to the the Premier League.With only one season remaining, it was reported that he would not be extending his contract with Swansea. Scott transferred to Man United for a reported £8 millionCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdManchester CitySinclair signed for Manchester City in 2012, with a four-year contract.The transfer was reportedly worth £8 million.During his time with the club, he often made late appearances as a substitute which limited his time on the pitch.Surgery on a blood clot in his shoulder took him off the pitch for even more time, before he was loaned to West Bromwich Albion.West Bromwich Albion (loan)Scott started playing with West Bromwich Albion in August 2013, in a season-long loan.His time was cut short with the club though, when a hamstring injury kept him off the pitch until December. Scott played little for the team when he recovered, after their new manager Pepe Mel took over.Scott’s success with Aston Villa led to him being offered a permanent positionCredit: Dave Pinegar- The SunAston Villa (loan)A new period of being loaned to various football clubs continued for Scott, as he joined Aston Villa. He signed with the club in January 2015 as part of a season-long loan.Here, Scott was able to make a big impact.Scott scored their only goal in a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City and helped the team win by scoring in an FA Cup Quarter Final against rivals West Bromwich Albion.Aston Villa (permanent transfer)Scott joined Aston Villa permanently in May 2015 in a deal reportedly worth £2.5 million. At the time, he said: “This is the happiest I have been in a long time.”He stayed with the club until 2016 and scored 27 goals for the team. Scott was voted the player of the year for Celtic in 2017Credit: Kenny Ramsay- The SunCelticThe footballer signed with Celtic on August 7, 2016, and debuted on that same day.He scored the winning goal in that match against Hearts in the 81st minute.In 2017, he was voted Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year at Celtic’s Player of the Year Awards.He described his time with the club as “the best time and the happiest time in my career”.In May 2019, Celtic exercised a clause in his contract to keep him at the club, for one more season.During his time with Celtic, he was the club’s second-highest scorer with 25 goals, behind Moussa Dembélé.Moussa scored 32 goals during this time.Preston North EndScott was signed to Preston North End in January 2020.However, the Covid lockdown, announced in March 2020, made it difficult for the team to play together.He was released by Preston North End at the end of the 2021-22 season.Scott’s journey in football eventually led him back to the Bristol Rovers in 2022Credit: Getty ImagesBristol Rovers (second spell)After a long and varied career, it was announced that Scott would rejoin his childhood team in October 2022. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe returned for a short-time, at first, and beat another former club: Plymouth Argyle.In 2024, it was announced that Scott had accepted a one-year deal with the team and that he would be staying on to become club captain. More

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      Former Premier League striker sparks mass brawl on pitch after putting ball into empty net for controversial goal

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      CHILE striker Eduardo Vargas scored a controversial goal against Bolivia on Tuesday, sparking a mass brawl on the pitch.Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe suffered an injury while receiving a pass-back from a defender and immediately called for medical assistance.Eduardo Vargas scored a controversial goal for Chile following an injury to Bolivia keeper Carlos LampeCredit: AFPThe striker’s celebrations sparked outrage given the circumstancesCredit: AFPA huge brawl between the two teams broke outCredit: APHowever, the match was not stopped and Vargas quickly made the most of the opportunity.The striker quickly jumped onto the loose ball and passed it into an empty net.Bolivia players were left furious and ran over to Vargas to confront him.It sparked a huge brawl, with several players from both teams getting involved.Read More in FootballLampe was eventually stretchered off and replaced by Guillermo Viscarra.The goalkeeper was later found to have ruptured his Achilles tendon.A statement from the Bolivia camp read: “The operation will be carried out at the MEDS Clinic in Santiago, Chile, at the end of the afternoon on Wednesday, September 11, in order to immediately begin the recovery process.”Vargas’ goal was allowed to stand, but Bolivia went on to win 2-1 against Ricardo Gareca’s side.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe striker once spent a season-long loan spell with Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League.He made 22 appearances for QPR in total and scored three goals.The 25 top-rated footballers in EA FC25Vargas now plays for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.Meanwhile, Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz endured a nightmare during the match after being hauled off in the 34th minute.The 25-year-old was withdrawn early due to his performance, not an injury. More