European Super Football

It's going wrong at Manchester United again For the third successive year, United have publicly and financially backed a manager over the summer, only for results to fall short of expectations. Author | Olivia T Ruben Amorim lasted until January, but the shock League Cup defeat by League Two Grimsby last August and the dismal performance at Brentford less than a month later eroded his safety net. When he subsequently challenged the influence of United's hierarchy, the club's decision-makers had little room to manoeuvre. United had extensively considered alternatives, including Thomas Tuchel and Roberto de Zerbi, in the summer of 2024 before opting to retain Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman was dismissed in October. Now the focus is on Carrick. There were dissenting voices when he was appointed permanently in May, but most supporters felt that 12 wins in 17 games as interim manager and a return to the Champions League after a two-year absence had earned the 45-year-old former Unit...

Manchester City 2 - 4 PSG The French and European champions with a performance that proved they're the best team in the world Author | Macca Stadium | Etihad Stadium City were brought back down to earth by a masterclass from Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium. The 2023 Champions League winners, watched by former manager Pep Guardiola on his return to the club, were playing their first home match since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. Amid an atmosphere of defiance among City's supporters, PSG stunned Enzo Maresca's side by racing into a three-goal lead before half-time. Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a low shot past City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, before delivering a perfect cross for Ousmane Dembele to head home the second two minutes later. Footage from TNT Sports, click image to watch highlights from Manchester   PSG were cutting City apart, with Vitinha adding a third after 32 m...

Croatia 1 - 2 Spain Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored twice as world champions Spain recovered from a goal down to beat Croatia in the Nations League and book their place in the quarter-finals. Author | Jack L Stadium | Stadion Poljud Luis de la Fuente's side went into the game seeking an 11th consecutive victory, but found themselves behind in the 17th minute when Ivan Perisic headed home. Croatia had been thrashed 7-0 by England in their previous Nations League fixture but earned a standing ovation at half-time after producing a much-improved display. Spain, though, grew stronger after the break and levelled in the 61st minute when Dani Olmo capitalised on a poor clearance and picked out Merino, who made no mistake. READ MORE | Nations League news on European Super Football Lamine Yamal saw a goalbound effort blocked as Spain pressed for a winner, before Perisic was sent off for Croatia moments after seeing a powerful shot saved. The 37-year-old was shown a second yellow ca...

Croatia 0 - 7 England England produced arguably their most impressive performance under head coach Thomas Tuchel as they delivered a devastating attacking display to thrash Croatia Author | George B Stadium | Stadion HNK Rijeka The game was officially staged behind closed doors as a sanction against Croatia supporters for previous bad behaviour, although 6,000 schoolchildren and 100 visiting fans were in attendance as rampant England ran riot to humiliate Slaven Bilic's side. England had bounced back from their opening defeat by Spain at Wembley with a deserved victory against the Czech Republic in Prague, but they moved to another level to dismantle Croatia, 108 days after beating the same opposition 4-2 at the World Cup in Dallas. A closer analysis of a great night for England and Thomas Tuchel Harry Kane put England ahead after eight minutes, ruthlessly punishing a mistake by Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol. He took Jude Bellingham's pass in his stride before firing ...

Ukraine 0 - 3 Northern Ireland Northern Ireland produced one of their best away performances under Michael O'Neill as they beat Ukraine in Slovakia in the Nations League. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | City Arena Ciaron Brown scored his first international goal to open the scoring before Isaac Price headed home a second in an excellent first half for Northern Ireland. Brown added his second in bizarre fashion in the 61st minute when Ukraine goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk came out of his area and missed his header, allowing the ball to roll into an empty net. The victory preserves Northern Ireland's unbeaten start to the Nations League and leaves them top of Group B2 with two wins and a draw from their three matches. They can complete the opening set of four games unbeaten if they avoid defeat against Georgia at Windsor Park on Monday. Having secured their first away Nations League victory in Tbilisi, Northern Ireland made a bright start, with Jamie Donley and Terry Devlin both going clo...

England 2 - 3 Spain England were beaten 3-2 in an entertaining game by world champions Spain Author | George B Stadium | Wembley Stadium Lamine Yamal put Spain ahead before goals from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane turned the game around for England. Kane then missed a penalty before Alex Baena curled in an equaliser, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the winner. Here's how the England players rated? Did James Trafford impress on a rare England start? James Trafford: Showed early on that he was comfortable playing out from the back but conceded after just two minutes when Guehi gifted the ball to Lamine Yamal. Produced an important save to deny Torres making it 2-0 in the first half. 6 Did one defender have something else on his mind? Jarell Quansah: Continued at right-back after showing his ability in the position at the World Cup. A physically commanding performance and came close to scoring but headed over. 6 Ezri Konsa: Had some shaky moments alongside England's back four but the...

Italy 0 - 2 Belgium Mark van Bommel's Belgium began their Nations League campaign with a victory over Roberto Mancini's Italy in Rome. Author | Ed  Stadium | Stadio Olympico  The former Netherlands midfielder was taking charge of the Red Devils for the first time, while Mancini was beginning his second spell as Italy manager. Mancini spoke with the media after the match, saying: "We need to think positively and not keep banging on all the time about what has happened in the past," Mancini said when asked whether Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup was still hanging over the country. Mancini previously managed Italy between 2018 and 2023, guiding them to victory at Euro 2020. A closer analysis of what happened here Paris St-Germain's Mika Godts opened the scoring with his first Belgium goal, cutting inside two defenders in the penalty area before firing into the net. Benfica's Dodi Lukebakio then doubled the lead after carrying the ball from his ow...