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Former Arsenal and England midfielder named Luton Town boss

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Luton Town look to turn the tide with new appointment Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere has been appointed manager of League One side Luton Town. Author | Benjamin Hampson Ready to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/3pJUkZqnGj — Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) October 13, 2025 The 33-year-old takes over from Matt Bloomfield, who was dismissed earlier this month after less than a year at Kenilworth Road. Wilshere steps into his first full-time managerial role with Luton currently 11th in the third tier, following consecutive relegations. He was chosen ahead of Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens and is reported to have signed a three-year contract. READ MORE |  How Luton Town were relegated from the Championship last season Chris Powell has also joined the club as Wilshere’s assistant. The former England left-back had briefly been at Walsall as interim first-team coach, covering for Gary Waddock while he recovers from ankle surgery. Wilshere's career in for football so far Thro...

A defining night for Wales awaits

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Wales v Belgium preview Wales’ World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Monday was always likely to feel significant. Now, it has the potential to be decisive. Author | Stephen Chad Stadium | Cardiff City Stadium Their fate is once again in their own hands after Belgium were held to a goalless draw by North Macedonia on Friday. If Craig Bellamy’s side win their final three matches, they will secure a place at next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. That remains a sizeable challenge. The most daunting obstacle comes next. This may not be the same Belgium that finished third at the 2018 World Cup or topped the world rankings three years ago, but they still possess a wealth of talent, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among their array of attacking options. Not that Wales are likely to be overawed, particularly under a head coach as determined and optimistic as Bellamy. The current state of the play in the group North Macedonia lead the group on 12 points, o...

It was a nervy win for Scotland over Belarus

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Scotland 2 - 1 Belarus With supporters expecting goals against a beleaguered Belarus side who had already conceded 13 times in Group C, Scotland managed only two. Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Hampden Park It might have been a far more uncomfortable evening for Steve Clarke, who was taking charge of his record 72nd match as men’s head coach. Evgeni Malashevich’s composed finish for what would have been a Belarus equaliser was ruled out following a VAR review, and Hleb Kuchko’s injury-time effort reduced the deficit with just minutes remaining. There were moments in the second half, with the score still 1-0, when unease spread around Hampden Park. Belarus were moving the ball confidently while Scotland sat deep, prompting boos from the stands. Those jeers returned at full time, mingling with scattered applause. It was a reaction born of frustration that had simmered from the start as Belarus played with more intent than many expected. Scotland’s smash-and-grab win over Greece...

Spain remain on course to qualify for World Cup

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Spain 2 - 0 Georgia Spain maintained their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with a comfortable victory over Georgia in Elche. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero Crystal Palace midfielder Yeremy Pino opened the scoring after 24 minutes, tapping in from close range after Robin le Normand’s knockdown. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili then conceded a penalty for fouling Ferran Torres, but redeemed himself moments later by saving the Barcelona forward’s spot-kick. Tottenham defender Pedro Porro struck the post with a curling effort as Spain continued to control proceedings and carve out chances. Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal eventually made it 2-0 with a superb free-kick, beating Mamardashvili at his near post with a powerful strike. Mamardashvili continued to impress though. He denied Torres once more in the 88th minute, helping to keep the scoreline respectable for Georgia, who were otherwise outclassed. The result keeps Spain firmly on track ...

Heartbreak for Ireland in Portugal

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Portugal 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland Rúben Neves' stoppage-time header shattered Republic of Ireland’s resistance and sealed a dramatic World Cup qualifying victory for Portugal. Author | Lee Francis Stadium | Estádio José Alvalade View from the stands Neves climbed superbly to meet Francisco Trincão’s cross and glance it beyond Caoimhín Kelleher, rescuing Portugal and sparing Ronaldo’s embarrassment following his missed spot-kick. Ronaldo had seen his penalty saved by Kelleher 15 minutes from time after Dara O’Shea was penalised for handball when blocking Trincão’s goalbound effort. Before that and for much of the evening, it appeared that Ireland would hold firm and leave the Estádio da Luz with a hard-earned point, but Neves’ late intervention condemned them to a second successive defeat, following last month’s surprise loss to Armenia in Yerevan. Ronaldo has penalty saved A 2-0 victory for Hungary over Armenia in Group F’s other match leaves them five points behind leaders Portu...

Northern Ireland boost hopes of achieving at least a play-off place

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Northern Ireland 2 - 0 Slovakia Northern Ireland moved level at the top of their World Cup qualifying group after a thoroughly deserved win over Slovakia. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Windsor Park An own goal from Patrik Hrehovsky put them ahead in the first half, before Trai Hume sealed the result with his first international goal late in the second half. Ultimately, Slovakia didn't deserve anything; Northern Ireland were streets ahead of them. Closer analysis of what happened The hosts began brightly, though clear chances were at a premium until Conor Bradley and Ethan Galbraith combined neatly down the right. Galbraith’s low cross was diverted into his own net by Hrosovsky, giving Northern Ireland a deserved lead. Jamie Reid should have doubled it shortly before half-time but blazed over from close range on his weaker foot. Slovakia were largely subdued and had to wait until the 52nd minute for a real sight of goal, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell reacting sharply to push away Ma...

Straightforward win for England Under 21s

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Moldova Under 21s 0 - 4 England Under 21s Divin Mubama struck twice as England Under-21s made it two wins from two at the start of their qualification campaign for the 2027 European Championship. Author | Benjamin Hampson Stadium | Stadionul Zimbru Moldova launched the first attack of the match, but England’s defence dealt with it comfortably, conceding only a corner. From the resulting delivery, James Beadle was called into action to deny Matteo Obleac’s header. Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens opened the scoring, cutting inside from the left and beating Moldova goalkeeper Victor Dodon at his near post with a fierce strike. Mubama, currently on loan at Stoke City from Man City, extended England’s lead after racing on to Ethan Nwaneri’s through ball and finishing confidently past Dodon. The 20-year-old added his second just four minutes later, sending a composed penalty into the bottom corner after Fulham midfielder Josh King was brought down inside the area.  READ MORE |  Eng...