Latest news with #Euro2004
Irish Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Celtic legend's warning for Irish football fans and Heimir Hallgrimsson record
Former Celtic and Aston Villa legend Stiliyan Petrov notes Ireland's recent form under new management - four wins, four losses and two the former international star has warned against misplaced optimism about the 'win' column as his country accounts for two of those may have been to seven World Cups (finishing 4th in 1994) but they have not been to a major championship since Euro2004 and are practically uncompetitive at present. Recent Bulgaria results include a five-goal defeat against Northern Ireland, four-goal defeats to Greece, Switzerland, a 2-5 reverse at home to Georgia, draws with Belarus twice, Cyprus, Luxembourg..."Bulgarian football is shadowed by corruption and match-fixing and people who depend on political support," says Petrov who made a record 105 appearances and scored eight goals for his country."And this makes it even harder for the younger players, for the coaches and for all the football ecosystem in Bulgarian football to flourish because we've been struggling for many, many years and it seems like we are still struggling."We used to play against teams, against Ireland, against the North, and expect to win, now you can see how far we are behind."We are a football nation and I think the fans and people around football want a change but it seems like people who run the carpentry, do the building, don't want to change and this is the biggest downfall for Bulgarian football." Ranked no3 in the world in June 1995, Bulgaria currently languish at 71st."I'm not surprised they could not win against Ireland, I'm not surprised at all."I mean, our national team, our players, are really struggling to play in the big teams and the big leagues, to create leaders, which was a really big problem for Bulgarian football and this has been going on for the last 20 years."And it seems like there's more people who don't want to change then want to change something for good." As it stands, Ireland have played 10 games since announcing Heimir Hallgrimsson as their new coach on July 10, 2024. The Icelandic-born coach's previous job had been as the Jamaica coach but had tendered his resignation at the end June, 2024, following the Reggae Boyz' poor showing at the Copa America where they shipped three defeats in three pool had been beaten 0-1 by Mexico in their opening game, 1-3 by Ecuador in their second outing and finished with a 0-3 loss to had been high in advance for a squad that carried English Premier players such as West Ham striker Michail Antonio, Fulham's Bobby de Cordova-Reid alongside another half-dozen Championship regulars, the then Clermont-based Shamar Nicholson and with another cohort of players across the Ireland regime started with a 0-2 reverse against England in Dublin followed by another 0-2 defeat in Dublin, this time to next four games provided two wins and two losses, with Ireland completing an home and away double, single goal wins over Finland, but having previous form franked when suffering 0-2 in Greece and 0-5 in next two matches, Nations League play-off games - and the ones the former Bulgaria captain Petrov was specifically referring to - were consecutive 2-1 victories over Bulgaria, firstly in Sofia and then Dublin and, remarkably, earned having gone behind in both recently there were early June, 2025, friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, both of which finished as draws and garnered mixed reactions with former Ireland stars Gary Breen and Kevin Kilbane notably immediate programme features 2026 World cup Qualifiers, starting with Hungary at home and Armenia away in September followed by Portugal away and Armenia at home in pool finishes with Portugal at home and Hungary away in November. *Stiliyan Petrov will be featuring in a Premier League XI playing against Ayrfield Utd (founded 1977) at Blunden Drive, Coolock, Dublin, today. The game is a fundraiser for Ayrfield Utd's new clubhouse, youth club and sensory room for neurodivergent children and adults within the community, i.e. people with autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome. And what a teeam it is! Premier League XI (courtesy LegendsXI/Tony Browne): David James; Stephen Carr, Ian Harte, Jaap Stam, Wes Browne; Karol Poborsky, Jason McAteer, Keith Gillespie; Jermaine Beckford, Yakubu - plus guests.
Daily Tribune
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Portugal clinch Nations League title
Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. 'Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today,' Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. 'When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat.' After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was 'equal'. 'We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you,' he said. Portugal equalise twice While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Portugal beat Spain to win Nations League
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Nations League trophy for the second time in his illustrious career. Photo: AFP Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. "When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. Portugal equalise twice While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
Observer
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Portugal beat Spain to win Nations League
MUNICH, Germany: Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, said. "When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters PORTUGAL EQUALISE TWICE While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals — against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch. — Reuters
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes sends five-word message after putting Man Utd misery behind him
Bruno Fernandes captained Manchester United during their awful season, but successfully put that behind him to play a key role as Portugal won the Nations League final on Sunday Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes admitted "winning for Portugal is different" as he put his club's difficult season behind him by winning the Nations League on Sunday night. Fernandes played 57 games in all competitions for United this campaign. It was a miserable year for the Red Devils as they finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to win a major trophy. Fernandes captained United in all of his appearances and even held talks over a potential exit earlier this summer. Instead the midfielder has decided to stay at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future. Fernandes has moved his focus to international duty, where Portugal were featuring in the Nations League finals. They beat hosts Germany in the semi-finals to set up a date with bitter rivals Spain in Sunday's final. Fernandes started at the Allianz Arena, taking over the armband after Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted off. The United star then stepped up to score a crucial penalty in the shootout which Portugal won to lift the trophy. And Fernandes has insisted the win has helped him put United's dreadful campaign behind him. 'I'm going to celebrate with my teammates and my family. It's a special moment for everyone. Winning for Portugal is different. It's for our family, for our people, for the country, for our people," he said "Once again, the wave of red that I saw so much on social media was there and made us feel like we were playing at home. Thank you very much for all the support, it was excellent. We felt it, from start to finish, from the moment we got to the end. 'Everything we did during the game helped us win. We knew we were going up against a great team, and at the same time we knew we were a team of the same level. We knew Spain's qualities, we were very aggressive when losing the ball, which was very important." Fernandes pinpointed Portugal's 'individual talent' as the reason for their historic win, their first in a competitive match against Spain since Euro 2004. In particular, he singled out Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes, keeper Diogo Costa and midfielder Ruben Neves. "We had individual talent on our side, such as Nuno [Mendes] , our left-sided player, who ended up running over everyone and ended up giving us two moments of great joy, with his runs," he added. "Individual talent is what makes you win the game, like Diogo Costa's save and Rúben Neves' penalty. We don't need to be favourites. That's up to the person who says it, there will always be those who say that some are favourites, others will say that others are. "That doesn't matter to us. We, the Portuguese, go out there to win, whatever it is, whoever is ahead of us. We want to win every game. Sometimes it's possible, sometimes it's not. "Sometimes we play better, sometimes we play worse. But we always give everything on the pitch and with the knowledge that we are capable of beating any team, at any time."
