Boca Juniors have expressed “profound sadness” after Argentine manager Miguel Angel Russo died on Wednesday at the age of 69.
Russo, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, was forced to step down from his day-to-day management duties at the club because of his illness.
He last attended a game on 21 September, when Boca drew 2-2 with Central Cordoba in the Argentine Primera Division.
In a statement, Boca said Russo “leaves an indelible mark on our club and will always be an example of joy, warmth, and dedication”.
Boca and Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani wrote on Instagram: “Thank you Miguel for showing us all such an important value that is called ‘courage’.”
In his absence, Russo’s assistant Claudio Ubeda had been in charge, but he maintained close contact with his coaching staff and the club’s hierarchy.
Russo, who also managed Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, had three spells in charge at Boca, leading them to victory in the Copa Libertadores final in 2007 and securing the 2019-20 Argentine Superliga title before guiding them at the Club World Cup this year.
In June he agreed to coach Boca for a third time, four years after being sacked by the club just six games into a new season.
Boca Juniors have expressed “profound sadness” after Argentine manager Miguel Angel Russo died on Wednesday at the age of 69.
Russo, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, was forced to step down from his day-to-day management duties at the club because of his illness.
He last attended a game on 21 September, when Boca drew 2-2 with Central Cordoba in the Argentine Primera Division.
In a statement, Boca said Russo “leaves an indelible mark on our club and will always be an example of joy, warmth, and dedication”.
Boca and Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani wrote on Instagram: “Thank you Miguel for showing us all such an important value that is called ‘courage’.”
In his absence, Russo’s assistant Claudio Ubeda had been in charge, but he maintained close contact with his coaching staff and the club’s hierarchy.
Russo, who also managed Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, had three spells in charge at Boca, leading them to victory in the Copa Libertadores final in 2007 and securing the 2019-20 Argentine Superliga title before guiding them at the Club World Cup this year.
In June he agreed to coach Boca for a third time, four years after being sacked by the club just six games into a new season.
Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has revealed the part husband David Beckham played in her creating her steely pose in which she rarely smiles for the camera
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Victoria Beckham has revealed why she doesn’t smile(Image: PA)
Victoria Beckham’s trademark pout has become symbolic with her appearance over the years. The singer and fashion guru, 51, is well known for her steely look on the catwalks and red carpets and is rarely spotted cracking a smile.
However, while her trademark look has long been speculated, the former Spice Girl has finally revealed the real reason behind keeping her teeth under wraps. Sorry David, but she’s gunning for you.
Victoria’s latest project sees her appear in her self-titled Netflix docuseries and she spills the beans on a number of the family’s most personal details. And this also includes her lack of smiling.
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She insists her look was simply formed after husband David stood on her “good side”. She said: “Here’s a fact, I’ve looked miserable for all these years because when we stand on the red carpet, this guy has always [stood] on the left.
“Now I didn’t realise that when I smile – which I do! – I smile from the left, because if I smile from the right, I look unwell. So I’m smiling on the inside but no one ever sees it – so that’s why I look so moody.”
As well as the admission about David’s positioning, Victoria later revealed it may have been a confidence thing at times. She said she was left feeling as though she didn’t want to smile after losing her way following the split of the Spice Girls in 2000.
As her solo career failed to hit the same heights, Victoria said people questioning her next moves began to take a toll on her. “I’d be lying if I said I was the best singer or dancer,” she said. “But when people are mean and you’re hearing things and you’re seeing things and you’re constantly made to feel you’re not good enough, that really hurts. I became so self conscious.”
She later added: “The minute i see a camera, I change. The barrier goes up, my armour goes on and that’s when the miserable cow who doesn’t smile comes out.
“I’m so conscious of that and I don’t like that, I’d rather not be that person. I’d love to have the confidence to walk out of a restaurant and smile but I just can’t do it.'”
And her change in persona was also noted by David who said he could see her confidence and bubbly side slowly disappearing.
Elsewhere on the series, Victoria admitted she became “good at lying” as she revealed how she was able to hide an eating disorder. The mum-of-four explained that she stopped eating because she was felt unable to control what others were saying about her during the height of her fame, but “I can control my weight”.
She revealed how she tried to control the narrative about what was being reported about her: “I could control it with the clothing, I could control it with my weight and I was controlling it in an extremely unhealthy way.
“When you have an eating disorder you become very good at lying and I was never honest about it with my parents.”
Victoria Beckham is available to stream on Netflix now.
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So much has happened over the past seven days, including footballing copyright claims, the end of the Rugby Championship and Cricket World Cup controversy.
Tim Abraham, BBC Sport journalist and Joe Rindl, BBC Sport journalist
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England play Wales for the 105th time on Thursday when they meet in a friendly at Wembley.
England have won 69 games to Wales’ 14, with 21 draws.
Since their first meeting in 1879 – England won that game 2-1 – there have been plenty of memorable encounters.
Wales 0-3 England – November 2022
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The most recent meeting came three years ago in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when Marcus Rashford’s double helped England top Group B and eliminate Wales.
Rashford’s free-kick at the start of the second half gave Gareth Southgate’s side a deserved lead before Phil Foden headed in six minutes later.
Rashford added a third by blasting the ball through Wales keeper Danny Ward’s legs.
England lost to eventual champions France in the quarter-finals.
Wales, who needed to beat England to have any hope of reaching the last 16, ended their first World Cup since 1958 with one point from three matches.
England 2-1 Wales – June 2016
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England came from behind to claim a dramatic victory in this Euro 2016 group game, the first meeting between the sides at a major tournament.
England keeper Joe Hart’s dreadful blunder allowed Gareth Bale’s 30-yard free-kick to creep in just before the interval in Lens.
Jamie Vardy scrambled in an equaliser from close range early in the second half before fellow substitute Daniel Sturridge beat Wayne Hennessey at his near post with a stoppage-time winner.
Victory was the only plus point of the tournament for England manager Roy Hodgson, who quit after they were knocked out in the last 16 by Iceland.
Wales had a memorable tournament, beating a well-fancied Belgium in the quarter-finals before losing to eventual winners Portugal in the semis.
England 2-0 Wales – October 2004
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Having not met for more than 20 years, England and Wales locked horns in a World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford.
England went in front from their first attack as Frank Lampard’s shot flew in off the heel of Michael Owen, before David Beckham curled an effort into the top right-hand corner.
England went on to qualify for the 2006 World Cup as group winners, but lost to Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Wales finished second bottom of the qualifying group, losing 1-0 when England came to Cardiff the following year.
Wales 1-0 England – May 1984
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After breaking into the Manchester United team in 1983, a curly-haired striker by the name of Mark Hughes made his Wales debut at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.
The 20-year-old scored the only goal, a well-placed header into the far corner past England keeper Peter Shilton.
Wales fans invaded the pitch at full-time as they celebrated victory in what was the final edition of the Home Championship.
Wales 4‑1 England – May 1980
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England went into the Home Championship match at the Racecourse Ground on the back of a 3-1 win over an Argentina team featuring Diego Maradona.
They had not tasted defeat against Wales in 25 years and it was expected to be business as usual when Ron Greenwood’s side took the lead through Paul Mariner from a corner.
On a sun-kissed day in Wrexham, local boy Mickey Thomas equalised with a half-volley.
Ian Walsh headed Wales in front before the interval and Leighton James bundled home after the break.
England’s misery was complete when Phil Thompson scored an own goal, directing a low cross beyond keeper Ray Clemence.
Former footballer David Beckham and fashion designer wife Victoria were seen enjoying a cuddle with locals after they apparently napped into the pub to ‘use the toilet’. However, it didn’t take people long to realise the truth
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David and Victoria Beckham are two of the UK’s biggest stars (file)(Image: Getty Images)
David and Victoria Beckham are two of the biggest stars around, so not many people expect to see them mingling with others down their local pub. However, that’s exactly what the pair were seen doing at The Royal Oak pub, based in Staffordshire – kind of.
The former footballer and fashion designer were seen enjoying a cuddle with locals after they apparently nipped into the pub to ‘use the toilet’. However, it didn’t take people long to realise that the photos were a mock-up of the stars, using AI.
The first snap saw David, 50, with his arm around a pub-goer as they sat in front of some drinks. While Victoria, 51, was seen giving another punter a cuddle.
The post was captioned: “You never know what will happen or who will be in The Royal Oak…
Tonight with the weather it’s been a little quieter but then in comes Posh & Becks to use the toilet and were happy to be in a photo… some happy fans.”
The post racked up more than 1,800 likes as people were quick to get the joke.
One person quipped: “I hope they bought a drink first.”
While another added: “When you order Posh & Becks off Wish.”
A third wrote: “Brilliant I love this. I love all the FB detectives excitedly declaring the pics are not genuine as if the Royal Oak wasn’t just posting it for a joke in the first place.”
While a fourth said: “People don’t see the ‘AI info’ under the pub name.”
The couple, who married back in 1999, have a Grade II-listed townhouse in Holland Park, London, as their main UK residence, although they also own a country estate in the Cotswolds.
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They also spend significant time in the US as well, owning a penthouse in Miami, Florida, where David is involved with the Inter Miami CF soccer team.
The post comes as Spice Girls star Victoria’s Netflix documentary launches today (October 9).
