The pre-match noise surrounded Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s benching by Fernando Santos. Within 20 minutes, the man who replaced him – Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos – scored a thunderous opener and later completed the tournament’s first hat-trick as they thrashed Switzerland without their historical talisman. Up next? Spain’s slayers Morocco on Saturday.
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Olivier Giroud surpassed Thierry Henry to top the all-time goalscoring charts for France, scoring against a former teammate in goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny no less, before Kylian Mbappe’s second-half brace ended Poland’s fading hopes of a late comeback. Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski scored a retaken penalty late, on what could be his last World Cup appearance. Continue reading
As good as Croatia were for sustained periods, Belgium had ample opportunity to punish Zlatko Dalic’s side. Instead, they again rued missed goalscoring chances and a startling lack of urgency at times, with their goalless draw on MD3 meaning the golden generation have failed to qualify from the World Cup group stages. Roberto Martinez’s contract expired at the tournament’s end and well, the inquest into their latest underachievement must be thorough. Continue reading
Gareth Southgate insisted afterwards that he’s not unhappy and expected a tight game given the strength of their American opponents. His players were frustrated post-match, but can only blame themselves for a ponderous and unsettling display as they – like the Netherlands three hours earlier – failed to secure the World Cup’s first last-16 berth with a group game to spare.
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Four of the last five World Cup winners have gone on to crash out in the group stages at the subsequent tournament, a statistic beginning with France themselves back in 2002. For a 20-minute spell in their Group D opener against Australia, you could be forgiven for thinking history would repeat itself. Now though, they’ll be expecting to build on a display highlighting some strengths while lluminating weaknesses with tougher challenges in the days to come.
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Goals from Darragh Markey and Dayle Rooney saw Drogheda United finish the Premier Division campaign victorious with a 2-0 home win over already-relegated Finn Harps tonight. While they were comfortable early on and created chances aplenty during a busy second-half showing, this morale-boosting result doesn’t mask the fact there’s much to improve before 2023. Continue reading
Two sides struggling for wins this term collide at United Park: Drogheda United host already-relegated Finn Harps in Sunday’s 7pm KO – the visitors’ final top-flight clash as the First Division awaits them in 2023. Will it be a happy end for Harps, or can the Drogs finish strong? Continue reading
After lifting a third consecutive Premier Division title on Sunday, Shamrock Rovers play for pride in Thursday’s 5.45pm KO from the Tele2 Arena against Group F winners Djurgardens – their final UEFA Europa Conference League fixture. Will they leave Sweden with a morale-boosting victory among European competition, or do the hosts have a surprise in store for tomorrow’s guests?
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A controversial officiating decision helped Sligo Rovers snatch a 1-0 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic, as Aidan Keena’s thunderous second-half penalty ended the visitors’ hopes of European qualification for next season – unless already qualified Derry win the FAI Cup Final.
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It’s fourth vs. fifth in the penultimate Irish Premier Division game of the campaign, as Sligo Rovers host St. Patrick’s Athletic from The Showgrounds in Friday night’s 7.45pm kick-off. Nothing but victory will do for the visitors, attempting to apply pressure on Dundalk in third – who currently occupy the division’s final UEFA Europa Conference League qualification berth. Continue reading
Declan McDaid’s 89th-minute equaliser saw Bohemians snatch a point vs. relegation-threatened Finn Harps at Dalymount Park in their first match under new boss Declan Devine. The result, coupled with UCD’s 2-1 comeback win over Drogheda on a busy MD34 tonight, has confined Finn Harps to rock bottom of the Premier Division with two league fixtures left to play.
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Relegation-threatened Finn Harps look to end their six-match winless run away at Dalymount Park in Friday’s 7.45pm KO against a Bohemians side with nothing left to play for – besides pride and potentially impressing new manager Declan Devine as they look with renewed optimism towards 2023. Can their visitors spring a surprise, or will their poor form continue? Continue reading
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