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Showing posts with the label Sophie T

Ruthless PSG thrash Leverkusen

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Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 7 PSG Holders Paris St-Germain delivered a devastating attacking performance to crush Bayer Leverkusen and maintain their perfect start in the Champions League. Author | Sophie T Stadium | BayArena Fantastic atmosphere from both sets of fans Desire Doue struck twice, with Willian Pacho and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also on target in a rampant first half that saw PSG lead 4-1 at the break. Nuno Mendes, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, and Vitinha added further gloss to the scoreline after the interval. Pacho opened the scoring after just seven minutes, meeting Mendes’ teasing in-swinging cross with a firm header. Leverkusen had a chance to level when Illia Zabarnyi fouled Claudio Echeverri in the area, but Alejandro Grimaldo struck the post from the spot. Moments later, captain Robert Andrich saw a yellow card upgraded to red after VAR spotted an elbow on Doue. PSG’s man advantage was short-lived. Zabarnyi was dismissed soon after for hauling down Christian K...

Sarina Wiegman crowned women's coach of the year

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England manager recognised after guiding Lionesses to back-to-back European titles Sarina Wiegman has been named women’s coach of the year at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, her achievement coming after steering the Lionesses to a second successive European Championship triumph. Author | Sophie T Sarina Wiegman from @Lionesses is the women's Johan Cruyff Trophy winner! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/vQKWpntnDg — Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 22, 2025 The Dutch coach, 55, finished ahead of four rivals in the vote, with Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor and Arsenal’s Renee Slegers among those shortlisted. England clinched Euro 2025 in Switzerland by beating Spain 3-1 on penalties, the final ending 1-1 after extra time. The victory ensured Wiegman’s side successfully defended the title they first secured on home soil in 2021. Wiegman has told the media: "This award means even more because it is named after Johan Cruyff. He believed in the power of sport and believed in every ki...

Italy leave it late against Norway

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Italy 2 - 1 Norway  Italy left it very late to defeat Norway Author | Sophie T Stadium | Stade de Genève Cristiana Girelli scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner to send Italy into the Euro 2025 semi-finals with a 2–1 victory over Norway, setting up the prospect of a meeting with defending champions England. Girelli, the Italy captain, had earlier opened the scoring after a commanding first-half display, only for Ada Hegerberg to cancel it out after recovering from a missed penalty. But with extra time looming, the veteran striker met Sofia Cantore’s cross with a well-timed header to seal Italy’s place in the last four for the first time since 1997. Their semi-final opponents will be confirmed on Thursday, when England take on Sweden in the last of the quarter-finals. A closer look at what happened Italy controlled proceedings in the opening period and were unfortunate not to be ahead at the break. Girelli, Arianna Caruso, Emma Severini and Lucia Di Guglielmo all had chances,...

Bradford promoted with virtually the last kick of the season

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Bradford City 1 - 0 Fleetwood Town Bradford City secured a dramatic late victory over Fleetwood Town to confirm their return to League One after six years in the fourth tier. Author - Sophie T Stadium - University of Bradford Stadium The Bantams, who began the day in third place, appeared set for the play-offs until Antoni Sarcevic diverted a mis-hit George Lapslie shot into the bottom corner deep into stoppage time.  The goal sparked jubilant scenes at the stadium as home supporters poured onto the pitch, causing a lengthy delay. Players were temporarily taken off before returning to complete the final moments of the match. Once the final whistle was blown, celebrations began in earnest. Bradford now join Doncaster and Port Vale as the three automatically promoted clubs from League Two. A closer look at how Braford achieved promotion after a dramatic season The West Yorkshire side were 12th on Christmas Day after a 3-0 defeat at Notts County on 21 December. However, a...

Salford earn comfortable win against Notts County

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Salford City 3 - 0 Notts County Salford made it two home wins on the bounce with a composed display that saw them ease past Notts County. Author - Sophie T Conor McAleny opened the scoring, capitalising on a defensive blunder, before Cole Stockton netted twice – one in each half – to secure a dominant victory for the Ammies. Notts County had an early chance to take the lead after just 10 minutes when Alassana Jatta broke through on goal, but Salford keeper Matty Young stood his ground to produce a crucial save. The breakthrough came four minutes later, courtesy of a costly error from visiting goalkeeper Alex Bass. He misplaced a pass straight to Ossama Ashley, who teed up McAleny to calmly slot home. EFL: 2024/2025 McAleny then turned provider, showcasing clever footwork with a backheel to Stockton, who smashed the ball past Bass to double Salford’s lead on 31 minutes. Salford’s dominance was underlined shortly after the break. Kelly Nmai cut in from the left and saw his effort par...