Republic of Ireland 2-0 Portugal

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier (UEFA Group F)

Date: November 13, 2025 Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

This stunning upset saw Ireland stun the fifth-ranked Portugal to keep their qualification hopes alive. Troy Parrott scored both goals for the hosts in the first half, while Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in the second half—his first-ever red card in 226 international appearances—for elbowing defender Dara O'Shea. The result leaves Portugal top of Group F with 10 points from 4 matches (3W-1L), but now just 2 points ahead of Hungary and 3 ahead of Ireland (both on 7 points). Portugal can secure automatic qualification with a win over Armenia on November 16, while Ireland need a victory against Hungary that day for a playoff spot.

Lineups

Republic of Ireland (3-4-2-1):

• GK: Caoimhín Kelleher
• DEF: Dara O'Shea, Evan Collins, Jake O'Brien
• MID: Liam Scales, Jack Taylor, Josh Cullen, Séamus Coleman
• FWD: Finn Azaz, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott

Manager: Heimir Hallgrímsson

Portugal (3-4-3):

• GK: Diogo Costa
• DEF: Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes
• MID: João Neves, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Dalot
• FWD: João Félix, Cristiano Ronaldo (c), Pedro Neto

Manager: Roberto Martínez

Substitutions:

• Ireland: None notable in key moments (defensive focus post-lead).
• Portugal: Rafael Leão (for Neto, 63'), Bruno Fernandes (for Vitinha, 68'), Gonçalo Ramos (for Félix, 78')—all ineffective in breaking down Ireland's defense.

Match Summary

Ireland produced one of their finest performances in recent years, absorbing intense Portuguese pressure while capitalizing on counter-attacks. Portugal dominated possession (68%) and shots (18-6), but lacked clinical finishing, hitting the woodwork twice and wasting chances through wastefulness from Félix and Dalot. Ireland's defense, led by O'Shea and Kelleher (key saves), held firm, extending their unbeaten home streak to six matches (W4 D2). The win marks Ireland's first victory over Portugal since 1988 and their biggest scalp since beating Germany in 2014.

First Half

• 17' GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Portugal (Troy Parrott): Parrott, in red-hot form with 13 goals in 14 AZ Alkmaar games this season, latched onto a long ball from O'Shea, outpaced Inácio, cut inside Dias, and fired low past Costa at the near post. Ireland's first real attack breaks the deadlock.
• 19' Chance Portugal: João Neves' angled drive flashes across goal—close, but no touch.
• 38' Chance Ireland: Ogbene races onto O'Shea's clearance and rattles the far post with a fierce shot. Agonizingly near for a 2-0 lead.
• 45' Chance Portugal: Félix heads Dias' cross over from 6 yards—wasteful.
• 45+1' GOAL! Ireland 2-0 Portugal (Troy Parrott): Just before halftime, Parrott again exploits space, timing a run onto O'Shea's lofted pass perfectly. He shrugs off Mendes, turns inside, and slots home at the near post. Parrott's brace (his first international goals) sends the Aviva into delirium. Half-time: Ireland 2-0.

Second Half

• 45' Restart: Portugal push hard, with Dalot firing over twice early on. Kelleher denies Félix from a tight angle (52').
• 61' RED CARD! Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo swings an elbow at O'Shea's back off the ball during a corner tussle. Initially yellow-carded, VAR prompts a review—upgraded to red for violent conduct. Ronaldo's first Portugal sending-off; he shakes hands with Hallgrímsson before trudging off. Portugal down to 10 men.
• 63'-78' Portugal Onslaught: Waves of attacks—Leão and Fernandes enter, but Ireland repel. Dalot skies another effort; Ramos heads wide. Kelleher's save on Silva's curler (79') is pivotal.
• 86' Late Chance Portugal: Bernardo Silva's free-kick forces a fingertip save from Kelleher. Desperate but denied.
• Full Time: Ireland hold on for a historic 2-0 win. Portugal's first loss since March 2025.

Key Stats

Category	Ireland	Portugal
Possession	32%	68%
Shots (On Target)	6 (3)	18 (5)
Corners	2	8
Fouls	12	9
Yellow Cards	1 (Cullen)	2 (Ronaldo red, Dias)
Offsides	1	3
xG (Expected Goals)	1.2	2.1

• Man of the Match: Troy Parrott (Ireland) – Brace, constant threat, 9.2/10 rating.
• Discipline Impact: Ronaldo's red (Article 14(i) FIFA code: potential 3-match ban, carrying over to World Cup group stage if Portugal qualify top).
• Group F Standings (Post-Match):
  1. Portugal: 10 pts (+7 GD)
  2. Hungary: 7 pts (+3 GD)
  3. Ireland: 7 pts (-1 GD)
  4. Armenia: 3 pts (-9 GD)

Post-Match Reactions

• Heimir Hallgrímsson (Ireland Manager): "This is probably the best night of my life. The hard work paid off—we defended like lions and struck clinically. Troy [Parrott] is a star."
• Roberto Martínez (Portugal Manager): "Devastating. We dominated but couldn't convert. The red card changed everything, but credit to Ireland—they deserved it."
• Cristiano Ronaldo: No comment; visible frustration on exit. This loss delays his 7th straight World Cup qualification.
• Fan Buzz on X: Shockwaves, with clips of Ronaldo's red going viral (e.g., "Ronaldo's first red in 226 caps—karma?"). Irish fans celebrate "new folklore," while Portuguese supporters eye Armenia revenge.

#ronaldo #goals #highlights #kinghighlights #camerahighlight #matchhighlightsfc #footballhighlights #soccertopic

Chelsea vs Liverpool 2-1

 

Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-1 in their Premier League match on October 4, 2025, at Stamford Bridge. Below is a detailed summary of the match based on available information.

 Match Result

- Final Score: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

- Goals:

  - Chelsea: Moisés Caicedo (14th minute), Estêvão (90+5th minute)

  - Liverpool: Cody Gakpo (63rd minute)

- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

- Referee: Anthony Taylor

- Kick-off: 5:30 PM BST (12:30 PM ET)

 Match Summary

- First Half:

  - Chelsea took the lead in the 14th minute when Moisés Caicedo scored a stunning long-range strike, blasting the ball into the top left corner after slipping past Alexis Mac Allister.

  - Chelsea dominated possession (53.2%) and created more chances in the first half, though Liverpool had opportunities, including two missed chances by Mohamed Salah.

  - Liverpool struggled to convert their chances, with their only shot on target in the first half being a missed opportunity.

- Second Half:

  - Liverpool equalized in the 63rd minute through Cody Gakpo, who scored from close range after a fine touch from Alexander Isak off a Dominik Szoboszlai cross.

  - Chelsea faced challenges with injuries, as defenders Benoit Badiashile (54th minute) and Josh Acheampong (67th minute) were forced off, replaced by Roméo Lavia and Jorrel Hato, respectively.

  - Chelsea made a triple substitution in the 74th minute, bringing on Estêvão, Marc Guiu, and Jamie Gittens for Pedro Neto, João Pedro, and Alejandro Garnacho.

  - The match remained intense, with both teams creating chances. Chelsea's Enzo Fernández hit the post with a header from an Estêvão cross, while Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones missed opportunities.

  - In the 95th minute of stoppage time, Estêvão scored the winning goal for Chelsea, sliding in to convert a low cross from Marc Cucurella, sparking wild celebrations. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was sent off for his enthusiastic celebrations, receiving a second yellow card.

 Key Match Statistics

- Possession: Chelsea 53.2%, Liverpool 46.8%

- Shots: Both teams had 12 shots, with Chelsea having 6 on target and Liverpool 2.

- Corners: Chelsea 7, Liverpool 2

- Saves: Chelsea 1, Liverpool 4

- Yellow Cards: Chelsea 0, Liverpool 2 (Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai)

- Red Cards: None (though Maresca was sent off post-match)

- Big Chances Created: Chelsea 2, Liverpool not specified

- Passes Completed: Chelsea 421/505, Liverpool 373/449

 Team Lineups

- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Robert Sánchez; Reece James, Josh Acheampong (Jorrel Hato 67’), Benoit Badiashile (Roméo Lavia 54’), Marc Cucurella; Malo Gusto, Moisés Caicedo; Pedro Neto (Estêvão 74’), Enzo Fernández, Alejandro Garnacho (Jamie Gittens 74’); João Pedro (Marc Guiu 74’).

- Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Conor Bradley (Florian Wirtz 45’), Ibrahima Konaté (Curtis Jones 56’), Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez (Andrew Robertson 55’); Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister (Wataru Endō 86’); Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo; Alexander Isak (Hugo Ekitike 74’).

 Key Moments

- 14’: Moisés Caicedo opens the scoring for Chelsea with a long-range strike.

- 45’: Liverpool substitute Florian Wirtz for Conor Bradley at halftime to spark their attack.

- 54’: Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile is substituted due to injury, replaced by Roméo Lavia.

- 55’: Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez is replaced by Andrew Robertson.

- 56’: Ibrahima Konaté limps off for Liverpool, replaced by Curtis Jones.

- 62’: Cody Gakpo equalizes for Liverpool.

- 67’: Josh Acheampong is substituted for Chelsea due to injury, replaced by Jorrel Hato.

- 74’: Chelsea make a triple substitution, bringing on Estêvão, Marc Guiu, and Jamie Gittens.

- 90+4’: Liverpool’s Curtis Jones misses a chance to win it, shooting high and wide.

- 90+5’: Estêvão scores the dramatic winner for Chelsea, assisted by Marc Cucurella.

- Post-Match: Enzo Maresca is sent off for his celebrations.

 Notable Performances

- Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea): Scored the opener and was pivotal in midfield, earning praise as the best player on the pitch.

- Estêvão (Chelsea): The 18-year-old Brazilian substitute scored the decisive goal, marking his first Premier League goal for Chelsea.

- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea): Provided the assist for the winning goal and was exceptional defensively, particularly against Mohamed Salah.

- Cody Gakpo (Liverpool): Scored Liverpool’s equalizer but missed other chances to secure the win.

- Arne Slot (Liverpool Manager): Noted the fine margins costing his team, as Liverpool suffered their third consecutive defeat across all competitions.

 Context and Impact

- Chelsea: The victory marked a significant turnaround for Chelsea, who had lost their previous two Premier League matches. Despite an injury crisis (missing players like Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana), the win boosted their confidence and strengthened the bond between fans and manager Enzo Maresca. Chelsea moved to 8th in the Premier League with 8 points (W3 D2 L2).

- Liverpool: The defeat was Liverpool’s third consecutive loss (including a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League and a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace). This marked the first time Arne Slot lost three matches in a row in his managerial career. Liverpool remained in second place with 15 points (W5 D0 L2), but Arsenal took the top spot after their win over West Ham.

- Injuries: Chelsea faced defensive issues with Badiashile and Acheampong going off injured, while Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté also limped off, raising concerns about a potential centre-back crisis.

 Additional Notes

- The match was described as a thrilling, end-to-end encounter, with Chelsea finishing stronger despite Liverpool’s equalizer.

- Liverpool’s Arne Slot highlighted the fine margins in the game, noting both teams had chances to win. He also expressed frustration over a denied penalty appeal for Alexander Isak.

- Chelsea assistant manager Willy Caballero spoke post-match, expressing delight at the win and Maresca’s happiness despite his sending-off.

- The victory was seen as a statement win for Chelsea, while Liverpool’s loss sparked discussions of a “mini crisis” as described by former midfielder Jamie Redknapp.

Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Villarreal sees Vinicius Jr. shine with a goal and a penalty, while Mbappe's gesture to let Vinicius take the penalty is discussed

 

Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 3-1 in their LaLiga match on October 4, 2025, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Below is a detailed summary of the match, including key events, player performances, and statistics, as derived from the provided sports data and web sources.

 Match Result

- Final Score: Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal

- Goals:

  - Real Madrid: Vinícius Júnior (47', 69' penalty), Kylian Mbappé (81')

  - Villarreal: Georges Mikautadze (73')

- Date: October 4, 2025

- Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain

- Competition: LaLiga 2025-26, Matchday 8

 Match Summary

First Half:

- The first half was cagey, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Real Madrid dominated possession (69.5% for the match) but faced a resilient Villarreal defense. A key moment came when Villarreal's Tani Oluwaseyi broke through, racing past defenders Dean Huijsen and Éder Militão, but Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save to keep the score at 0-0. Real Madrid's players were whistled off by fans at halftime due to their lack of incisiveness.

Second Half:

- Real Madrid came out strongly after the break. Just 90 seconds into the second half, Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring (47'). He cut in from the left, and his shot deflected off Villarreal's Santi Comesaña, wrong-footing goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

- In the 69th minute, Vinícius won and converted a penalty after being fouled by Rafa Marín, making it 2-0.

- Villarreal responded in the 73rd minute with a stunning strike from Georges Mikautadze, who scored from a Pape Gueye pass, halving the deficit to 2-1.

- Moments later, Villarreal's Santiago Mouriño received a second yellow card (77'), reducing his team to 10 men after fouling Vinícius.

- Real Madrid capitalized on the numerical advantage. In the 81st minute, Kylian Mbappé scored the third goal, assisted by a selfless pass from substitute Brahim Díaz, restoring the two-goal lead (3-1).

- Mbappé suffered a mild ankle sprain shortly after and was substituted by Rodrygo in the 83rd minute.

- The match ended after four minutes of stoppage time, with Real Madrid securing a comfortable victory despite a late volley from Mikautadze that went just over the bar.

 Key Player Performances

- Real Madrid:

  - Vinícius Júnior: Man of the match, scoring twice (47', 69') and winning the penalty. His electric performance set the tone for Real Madrid’s dominance in the second half.

  - Kylian Mbappé: Scored once (81') and provided a flick-on for Vinícius’ first goal. He was substituted due to an ankle injury but was a constant threat, continuing his scoring streak (9 straight games for club and country).

  - Thibaut Courtois: Made a critical save against Oluwaseyi in the first half, preventing Villarreal from taking the lead.

  - Santi Comesaña: Led Villarreal with 11 ball recoveries but was unfortunate with the deflection for Real Madrid’s first goal.

- Villarreal:

  - Georges Mikautadze: Scored a superb goal and nearly added another with a late volley, proving dangerous on the counter.

  - Santiago Mouriño: Struggled, receiving a red card after two yellows, which significantly impacted Villarreal’s chances.

  - Arnau Tenas: Made four saves, including two against Jude Bellingham, but couldn’t stop the penalty or Mbappé’s goal.

 Team Statistics

- Real Madrid:

  - Formation: 4-2-3-1

  - Goals: 3

  - Shots: 26

  - Shots on Target: 7

  - Possession: 69.5%

  - Passes Completed: 659/716

  - Tackles: 26

  - Corners: 4

  - Yellow Cards: 2 (Franco Mastantuono, Aurélien Tchouaméni)

  - Saves: 1

- Villarreal:

  - Formation: 4-4-2

  - Goals: 1

  - Shots: 9

  - Shots on Target: 2

  - Possession: 30.5%

  - Passes Completed: 261/324

  - Tackles: 29

  - Corners: 0

  - Yellow Cards: 4 (Sergi Cardona, Pape Gueye, Santiago Mouriño x2)

  - Red Cards: 1 (Mouriño)

  - Saves: 4

 Lineups

- Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Ceballos (Bellingham 64'); Güler (Camavinga 64'), Mastantuono (Díaz 75'), Vinícius; Mbappé (Rodrygo 83').

- Villarreal (4-4-2): Tenas; Mouriño, Marín, Veiga, Cardona; Buchanan (Mikautadze 45'), Comesaña (Parejo 86'), Partey, Gueye (Pedraza 73'); Oluwaseyi (Altimira 82'), Moleiro (Pépé 45').

 Match Context

- Real MadridF: The victory moved Real Madrid to the top of LaLiga with 21 points, bouncing back from a 5-2 loss to Atlético Madrid in the previous league match. Despite defensive injuries (Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy), they showed resilience and attacking prowess.

- Villarreal: The loss ended their three-game winning streak in LaLiga. Despite a strong start to the season (5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), they struggled against Real Madrid’s second-half intensity, especially after Mouriño’s red card.

- Impact: Real Madrid regained momentum ahead of the international break and the upcoming El Clásico, while Villarreal remained in third place with 16 points.

 Notable Moments

- Courtois’ Save: His one-on-one stop against Oluwaseyi was pivotal in keeping the game level before Real Madrid’s second-half surge.

- Vinícius’ Impact: His quick start to the second half and penalty conversion were decisive, earning praise from coach Xabi Alonso.

- Mbappé’s Injury: The ankle sprain raised concerns, with coach Xabi Alonso confirming he would be assessed post-match.

- Villarreal’s Resilience: Despite the loss, their counter-attacking threat, led by Mikautadze, kept Real Madrid on edge momentarily.

Manchester United secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea at a rain-drenched Old Trafford

 

 Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea: Match Recap (Premier League, September 20, 2025)

Manchester United secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea at a rain-drenched Old Trafford on Saturday evening, easing the mounting pressure on manager Ruben Amorim after a dismal start to the 2025-26 season. This win marked just United's second in the league so far, lifting them from the relegation zone to ninth place, while Chelsea slipped to sixth following their first defeat of the campaign. The match was a chaotic affair, defined by two red cards in the first half, a sodden pitch that disrupted play, and a tense finish.

 Key Events and Goals

- 5' - Chelsea Red Card: The game exploded into life early when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was sent off for a reckless last-man challenge on Bryan Mbeumo just five minutes in. Referee Peter Bankes had little choice, forcing Enzo Maresca to sacrifice Pedro Neto and bring on backup keeper Filip Jørgensen, while shifting to a defensive back-five setup.

- 14' - Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea (Casemiro): With the numerical advantage, United capitalized quickly. Casemiro slotted home from close range after a scramble in the box, his first goal of the season and a vital strike against his former rivals.

- 28' - Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea (Bruno Fernandes): Captain Bruno Fernandes marked his 200th Premier League appearance for United—and his 100th goal for the club—with a clinical finish. The Portuguese midfielder poked the ball past Jørgensen after a deft one-two with Joshua Zirkzee, sending the home crowd into raptures.

- 38' - Manchester United Red Card: The momentum swung back when Casemiro picked up a second yellow for a needless foul on Enzo Fernández, reducing United to 10 men and leveling the numbers. The Brazilian's dismissal turned what could have been a procession into a gritty battle.

- 67' - Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea (Trevoh Chalobah): Chelsea mounted a late resurgence, with Trevoh Chalobah rising highest to head home a corner from Cole Palmer, setting up a nervy finale. Despite sustained pressure—including several corners in stoppage time—United's defense, led by Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, held firm.

 How Rain Affected the Match

Torrential downpours lashed Old Trafford from kickoff, turning the pitch into a slippery, waterlogged mess that heavily influenced the game's flow. Play became increasingly scrappy after the 30-minute mark, with passes skidding off the surface, fouls multiplying (Enzo Fernández and Chalobah both booked for cynical challenges), and both sides struggling for rhythm. As one observer noted, the conditions stripped away the "superhuman" gloss of professional football, making it resemble "kids playing on a muddy field in the park." The weather contributed to the chaos, exacerbating errors like Casemiro's rash tackle and hindering Chelsea's attempts to build from the back in the second half. Despite the deluge, neither side sought a postponement, and the match proceeded to its conclusion amid standing water.

Lineups and Notable Performances

Team	Starting XI	Key Substitutions	Standout Player
Manchester United	Onana; Dalot, Maguire, De Ligt, Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Garnacho, Fernandes (c), Zirkzee; Højlund	Mainoo for Fernandes (78'); Mount for Garnacho (65')	Bruno Fernandes (8.5/10): Milestone goal and tireless leadership; dictated play before his withdrawal.
Chelsea	Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernández; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson	Jørgensen for Neto (7', after red); Adarabioyo for Estêvão (10'); Santos for Palmer (21', injury)	Trevoh Chalobah (7/10): Scored the consolation and was solid defensively despite the conditions.

United's victory preserves their unbeaten home record against Chelsea since 2013, but it wasn't pretty—Amorim admitted post-match that his side "made heavy weather of it, literally." For Chelsea, the loss compounds a tough week after a European thrashing, with questions now swirling around their goalkeeping depth. Next up for United: A trip to Tottenham on September 28; Chelsea host Arsenal three days earlier.

Marcus Rashford scored both goals for Barcelona

 

Barcelona defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League match on September 18, 2025, at St. James' Park. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, scored both goals for Barcelona—a header in the 58th minute from a Jules Koundé cross and a stunning long-range strike in the 67th minute. Anthony Gordon pulled one back for Newcastle in the 90th minute, but it was too late to equalize. 

#barcelona #newcastle #rashford #robertlewandowski #lamineyamal #championsleague2025 #cungkaball #kinghighlights #matchhighlightsfc

Cristiano Ronaldo scored 2 Goals

 

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in Portugal's 5-0 victory over Armenia in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on September 6, 2025, at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan. His first goal was a close-range tap-in in the 21st minute from a Pedro Neto cross, and his second was a stunning long-range strike just 45 seconds into the second half. These goals brought his international tally to 140, further extending his record as the highest scorer in men's international football, and his World Cup qualifier tally to 38, one behind the all-time leader, Carlos Ruíz of Guatemala.

Inter Miami vs Seattle Sounders - Highlights & All Goals

 

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, lost 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders in the 2025 Leagues Cup final on August 31, 2025, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Sounders secured their first Leagues Cup title with goals from Osaze De Rosario (26th minute), Alex Roldan (penalty, 84th minute), and Paul Rothrock (89th minute). Despite Inter Miami controlling possession in parts of the match, they missed key chances, including a shot by Messi in the 50th minute and another by Tadeo Allende in the 60th, both set up by Luis Suarez. The match ended with a post-game brawl involving players from both teams, with reports of Suarez spitting at a Sounders staff member. The game drew a record-breaking 69,314 fans, the highest attendance in Leagues Cup history.