European Super Football

Scotland 4 - 2 Denmark A remarkable night in Glasgow.  Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Hampden Park A pair of injury time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean handed Scotland a dramatic victory over Denmark and sealed their return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Scott McTominay set the tone at Hampden Park with a superb bicycle kick after only three minutes, although Rasmus Hojlund soon pulled Denmark level to stall the early surge of optimism. Scotland needed all three points to finish top of Group C and claim an automatic place at the finals. Lawrence Shankland and Patrick Dorgu exchanged goals after the break, but Tierney and McLean produced two remarkable late strikes that sent the home support into raptures as Scott Clarke’s side held their nerve.  A closer analysis of what happened   Inside three minutes, Scott McTominay rose astonishingly high to steer the ball beyond Kasper Schmeichel with an audacious overhead finish. Hampden e...

Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 0 Copenhagen  Ten-man Tottenham delivered a stirring Champions League display as they swept aside Copenhagen to stay unbeaten in the competition Author | Greg S Stadium | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium  Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert put Spurs firmly in control before Johnson’s dismissal for a late challenge on Marcos Lopez briefly threatened to derail their momentum. Any fears were quickly silenced when Van de Ven produced a moment of extraordinary brilliance. Collecting the ball deep inside his own half, the defender surged past five Copenhagen players before slotting home with the composure of a seasoned striker – a goal destined to feature among the best of the season. It was a defiant response from a side booed off after their limp 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend. This time, Spurs’ supporters were on their feet, applauding as Joao Palhinha added a fourth after fine work from Cristian Romero. Tottenham could have had a fifth in stoppage time, but ...

Nottingham Forest 2 - 3 Midtjylland Ange Postecoglou endured a furious supporter backlash as his winless start as Nottingham Forest head coach stretched on with a damaging defeat to Midtjylland. Author | Frank L Stadium | The City Ground The Danes spoiled Forest’s party on the club’s long-awaited return to European football at the City Ground, 29 years since their last appearance. Postecoglou has failed to win any of his opening six matches since taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo last month and chants of “sacked in the morning” rang out from the stands as the game drifted towards its close. Midtjylland exposed Forest’s frailty at set pieces in the first half, with Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech punishing slack defending. Dan Ndoye briefly drew the hosts level between those goals, only for the visitors, second in Denmark’s Superliga, to reclaim the lead within two minutes. It was a stuttering performance from Forest, who lost Murillo to injury again, against a physical and well-dril...

Denmark 0 - 0 Scotland Scotland began their bid to reach a first World Cup since 1998 with a valuable draw against Denmark in a feverish atmosphere. Author | Sean M Stadium | Parken Stadium Pre-match atmosphere Steve Clarke’s side, who were swept aside on their last visit four years ago, stood firm this time and even threatened to claim a famous victory in Copenhagen, something not achieved since 1975. Ryan Christie nodded narrowly wide and John McGinn spurned a good chance at the far post during a first half that exceeded expectations. After the interval Scott McTominay wriggled to the byline only for Kasper Schmeichel to save, while Lyndon Dykes delayed fatally when the goal beckoned. Denmark were restricted mostly to speculative efforts until the closing minutes, when Angus Gunn had to react sharply to Rasmus Højlund’s volley. Scotland ’s resilience was matched by a touch of fortune as substitute Max Johnston escaped with only a yellow card after handling to deny a clear opportunit...

Denmark v Scotland preview Could we be seeing the beginning of Steve Clarke's last dance as Scotland boss? Author | Alan White Stadium | Parken Scotland players celebrate a memorable win over Denmark in 2021 Scotland look in danger of stalling under Steve Clarke, who is still searching for a first World Cup qualification of this century. The March international break brought fresh disappointment as they were relegated from their Nations League group after a chastening defeat to Greece . The players building their careers and thriving in Italy Scotland have retained individual quality, with the likes of Scott McTominay central to their hopes. Like the former Manchester United midfielder, Billy Gilmour is also a league winner with Napoli , while Lewis Ferguson captains Bologna and lifted the Coppa Italia last season.  Teenager Lennon Miller has already traded Motherwell for Udinese after making his international debut earlier this year. Che Adams is starting his second season ...

Hibernian 1 - 2 Midtjylland (Midtjylland won 3-2 on aggregate) Hibernian suffered European heartache as Junior Brumado's sensational goal for Midtjylland in the last moments of extra-time knocked them out of Europa League qualifying. Author | Sean M Stadium | Easter Road A bumper crowd inside Easter Road were silenced by the piece of brilliance from the Brazilian, whose winner came as the game looked destined for a penalty shootout. The second-round tie was finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg, and it took until four minutes into extra-time in Edinburgh before Dario Osorio's powerful strike from distance opened the scoring in the second. Rocky Bushiri responded to draw Hibs level as bedlam ensued in the stands, but Brumado would have the final say with a magical finish. Hibernian now drop into Conference League qualifying where they will face Partizan Belgrade next week. More analysis of what happened After holding their own in Denmark against seasoned European camp...

FC Copenhagen 1 - 2 Chelsea Chelsea took a significant step towards the Europa Conference League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in Denmark. Author - Lauren W Stadium - Parken Enzo Maresca’s side were uninspiring in the first half, failing to register a shot on target, but they burst into life immediately after the break. Marc Cucurella, introduced at half-time for the injured Malo Gusto, made an instant impact by surging down the left and cutting the ball back for captain Reece James, who lashed a superb low drive into the bottom corner from 30 yards out. Copenhagen came agonisingly close to an equaliser moments later when Viktor Claesson’s angled strike cannoned off the inside of the post and fell kindly into the hands of relieved Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The Blues made their hosts pay for that missed opportunity in the 65th minute. Cucurella, once again influential, won possession high up the pitch before Christopher Nkunku played in T...

The Scottish champions have replaced former keeper Joe Hart Celtic have signed Denmark captain Kasper Schmeichel on a one-year deal after the goalkeeper led his country to the last 16 at Euro 24. Schmeichel, 37, was a free agent after leaving the Belgian club Anderlecht at the end of last season and replaces former Manchester City club-mate Joe Hart, who has now retired. International goalkeeper, an English Premier league winner. We've seen this movie before. Welcome to the finest team in Scotland Kasper Schmeichel. 🍀 pic.twitter.com/QSpjihOfhT — Boyle (@Boyle_67) July 18, 2024 The Dane has earned 105 international caps and will join his new teammates in the United States, where the Scottish champions are on tour. Schmeichel is best known for his 11-year stint with Leicester City, during which the club won an improbable Premier League crown in 2016. He would later work with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at King Power Stadium, where the pair claimed the 2021 FA Cup and subs...

Germany 2 - 0 Denmark Euro 2024 hosts Germany advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Denmark.  The game at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion was dramatically interrupted for about 20 minutes towards the end of the first half due to a spectacular storm, with lightning illuminating the sky and hail and heavy rain drenching the pitch. Current scenes in Dortmund. #EURO2024 https://t.co/gJjIQ72CSW pic.twitter.com/ZrhJuu9ukM — European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) June 29, 2024 Several crucial video assistant referee (VAR) decisions were to have a huge impact on what happened next. Germany's Nico Schlotterbeck had previously had a header ruled out by VAR, and Denmark saw Joachim Andersen’s goal disallowed in the second half due to Thomas Delaney being marginally offside. Germany celebrated when another VAR decision went in their favour, leading to referee Michael Oliver awarding a penalty for handball against the unfortunate Andersen. You'd have to argue that it p...

Denmark 0 - 0 Serbia Denmark secured second place in Group C thanks to their superior disciplinary record compared to Slovenia after a lacklustre draw with Serbia. Neither team showcased their full potential, though Denmark were marginally better in a forgettable match in Munich. Denmark and Slovenia ended with identical records, requiring the teams to be separated by their yellow card tally. Both teams received six yellow cards, but Slovenian coach Novakovic Milivoje was also booked in the first game, which UEFA does not include in their disciplinary statistics , ultimately giving Denmark the narrowest of advantages. While Denmark and Slovenia progress to the next round, Serbia are eliminated, despite none of the three teams securing a win in the group stage. Euro 2024 news and stories (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) Euro 2024: Denmark hold England (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) Jonas Wind had a goal disallowed for Denmark in the first half because the ball had gone out of play...

England 1 - 1 Denmark England wasted the chance to secure their place in the Euro 2024 knockout stages as Group C winners after a draw against Denmark in Frankfurt. Pre match atmosphere in Frankfurt Gareth Southgate’s side would have topped Group C with a win after the earlier draw between Slovenia and Serbia.  Harry Kane scored in his fourth successive major tournament to give England an 18th-minute lead. Still, Denmark soon got an equaliser they deserved when Morten Hjulmand struck a thunderous 25-yard equaliser after 34 minutes. Phil Foden struck the post after the break and, while England are still at the head of their group, they must deliver vast improvements in their final group game against Slovenia. England battle to win against Serbia (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) Slovenia hold Denmark to a draw (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) As an audition for potential favourites to win Euro 2024, this was a disappointing failure. England’s players were often seen complaining a...

Slovenia 1 - 1 Denmark Christian Eriksen made a triumphant return to the European Championship but this goal wasn't enough against a determined Slovenia side.  Eriksen's tournament began spectacularly as he scored the opening goal for his team 17 minutes in, skilfully slotting the ball into the bottom left corner after a clever flick-on from Jonas Wind. He was a standout performer, with Denmark dominating possession in the first half and creating several opportunities to increase their lead. However, Slovenia, supported by their loud and enthusiastic fans, equalised when Erik Janza’s powerful shot flew past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with just 13 minutes remaining. Click here for more news from the tournament:  Euro 2024 news and stories  Slovenia's pressure had been mounting in the second half, and star player Benjamin Sesko had already sent a warning shot when he struck the post earlier. Matjaz Kek’s team, who struggled to contain Eriksen in the first half, nearly...

Let's explore the key results and stories as the Champions League returned this week Lazio 1 - 0 Bayern Munich Ciro Immobile scored a penalty to give Lazio a surprising victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. The penalty was scored from the spot midway through the second half after Dayot Upamecano was sent off for a foul on Gustav Isaksen. Bayern featured the likes of Harry Kane but they were unable to respond in an underwhelming display. This was another low point in a bad few days for Bayern after their poor result and performance against Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Highlights below from TNT Sports:  Immobile Sinks 10-Man Bayern 😳 | Lazio 1-0 Bayern Munich | Champions League Round Of 16 Highlights - YouTube Paris Saint Germain 2 - 0 Real Sociedad  Kylian Mbappe put in a great performance for PSG as his side took control of their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Sociedad. Mbappe, who has reportedly requested a move...

 FC Copenhagen 4 - 3 Manchester United VAR stole the spotlight again Stadium - Parken On a wild night in Copenhagen, fans witnessed seven goals, two spot-kicks, a game-altering red card, a protester causing a stir, and a thrilling last-minute winner courtesy of a 17-year-old substitute.  Goal. FC Copenhagen make it 4-3. #MUFC || #UCL — Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 8, 2023 Amidst the chaos reminiscent of Monday's madness at Tottenham, video technology played a pivotal role in crucial decisions that impacted Manchester United's fate in the Champions League. Manager Erik ten Hag believed that VAR's intervention in dismissing Marcus Rashford for a challenge on Elias Jelert was a "game-changer," and it's tough to dispute that claim. Referee Donatas Rumsas was summoned to the pitchside monitor twice more, awarding penalties to both sides for handballs, described as soft by most people.  UCL: Emotional and dramatic night at Old Trafford (eurosuperfootba...

Manchester United 1 - 0 FC Copenhagen Andre Onana saved a penalty in the final seconds to give Manchester United a dramatic victory against Copenhagen. On what was always going to be an an emotional night in Manchester, a lone piper walked the teams out playing the United anthem 'We'll Never Die' as Old Trafford paid its respects to Sir Bobby Charlton. The match report in brief The vast majority of United fans were hoping that Harry Maguire's first goal since February 2022 had given them the win they craved. Christian Eriksen delivered a superb curling cross to the far post 18 minutes from time, Maguire met it perfectly, shrugging off the attentions of a defender to make sure he was in position to head home. However, with the four minutes of added time played, Scott McTominay conceded a penalty by swinging a high boot dangerously near Mohamed Elyounoussi's face. In dramatic circumstances, Onana turned Jordan Larsson's effort wide with what turned out to be ...

England 1 - 0 Denmark Six minutes into her first World Cup start, Lauren James announced herself on the global stage with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. An apparent injury to Barcelona midfielder Walsh dampened what was a positive, attacking performance from the Lionesses after a scrappy 1-0 win over Haiti. Previous match report:  England start with a win (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) Walsh went down under little contact and immediately gestured to the dugout that she was in pain. Over 40,000 people were in attendance in Sydney. A Sydney Football Stadium dominated by Lionesses fans was flattened by the sight of England's most crucial player injured. Despite England's deserved half-time lead, Denmark capitalised on this change of mood and created a chance for former Chelsea striker Pernille Harder, which she scuffed wide. Throughout, James showed she is more than deserving of a regular starting position with England, showing the creativity and unpredictabilit...

West Ham United 3 - 1 Viborg FF Gianluca Scamacca scored his first West Ham goal as they beat Danish side Viborg in their Europa Conference League play-off first leg at London Stadium. The Italian forward, a £30.5m signing from Sassuolo, was handed his first start and took just 24 minutes to make an impact when he headed in following neat play on the left from fellow new arrival Maxwel Cornet. West Ham players celebrate - Picture from  Football Pictures | Flickr It set the hosts on their way to a first victory this season, having lost their opening two Premier League games without scoring a goal. Jarrod Bowen zipped a second into the bottom corner from distance with 26 minutes to go. However, the visitors hit back immediately through Jakob Bonde's header. That almost made life uncomfortable for the Hammers until Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio combined for the latter to tap into an empty net and secure a healthy advantage going into the second leg. That second leg will take p...

France 1 - 2 Denmark Andreas Cornelius scored twice as Denmark came from behind to beat holders France in the Nations League. Karim Benzema opened the scoring with a stunning effort. He cut in from the right-wing before dummying his way past three defenders and slotting in. Cornelius volleyed in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's ball over the top to level. The 60th-minute substitute won the game when he ran onto a long ball before firing in. This was the first time the former Cardiff striker has scored twice in an international game. What a time to do it! Denmark look like a team that are on the rise. It will be interesting to see them progress over the next few years. Both sides had several chances in a lively opening game to group A1. In the first half, Denmark's Joakim Maehle hit the outside of the post and Benzema had a goal disallowed. In between Cornelius' two goals, France's N'Golo Kante crashed a shot off the post and Denmark's Christian Eriksen forced a save ...

Randers FC 1 - 3 Leicester City (2-7 on aggregate) James Maddison scored two beauties as Leicester made light work of Danish side Randers with a 7-2 rout on aggregate to reach the last 16 of the Europa Conference League. Brendan Rodgers' men came into this knockout stage play-off round after finishing third in their Europa League group, but navigated the tie with few issues. Holding a 4-1 lead from the first leg, it took Leicester just 100 seconds to extend their advantage as Harvey Barnes broke clear and curled a delightful finish into the far corner. Into the next round ✅ #UECL pic.twitter.com/83IbACQ1J5 — Leicester City (@LCFC) February 24, 2022 The England international could have added another in the second half but fired wide from an acute angle. Compatriot Maddison then netted twice in the space of four minutes with a free-kick into the top corner and a sumptuous curling strike from 25 yards. Randers did pull a goal back late on when Kasper Schmeichel's heavy touch...