European Super Football

Turkey 0 - 0 Wales Turkey’s striker, Kerem Akturkoglu, squandered an 89th-minute penalty, keeping Wales’ slim hopes of promotion to the Nations League’s top tier alive after a tense goalless draw in Kayseri. Author - Stephen Chad Backed by a fiercely hostile home crowd, Turkey dominated much of the first half. However, it was Wales who came closest to scoring, with Harry Wilson’s effort rattling the post. After the break, Turkey’s substitute Enes Unal missed a golden opportunity, somehow firing wide from just a yard out. As the match edged towards its conclusion, the home side were awarded a contentious penalty when Yunus Akgun went down under a challenge from Neco Williams. But Akturkoglu, the competition’s leading scorer for Turkey, failed to capitalise, his penalty clipping the outside of the post and going wide, to the despair of the home fans. This result leaves Turkey top of Group B4 with 11 points, Wales second on nine, and Iceland third on seven. For Wales to top the group,...

Galatasaray 3 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur Victor Osimhen struck twice as Galatasaray handed 10-man Tottenham their first Europa League defeat of the season in Istanbul. Author - Greg S Teenage forward Will Lankshear, who had earlier celebrated his maiden senior goal in just his second start for Spurs, was shown a second yellow card and dismissed on the hour mark. By then, Tottenham had already squandered several opportunities, leaving the final scoreline flattering them somewhat, given the hosts' dominant display. Despite the setback, Ange Postecoglou’s side remain well-positioned to progress from the group stage, sitting on nine points from four games, although Galatasaray have now overtaken them in the standings. A closer look at what happened Tottenham’s shaky attempts to play out from the back, coupled with some chaotic defending, made for a difficult evening in a notoriously intimidating atmosphere. The tone was set by Yunus Akgun's sublime sixth-minute strike, a left-foote...

Fenerbahce 1-1 Manchester United  Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho was shown a red card as Manchester United battled to secure a 1-1 draw in their Europa League clash in Istanbul.  Author - Liam C The former United manager was dismissed midway through the second half when tensions escalated after the home side were denied a penalty following Manuel Ugarte's challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the scoreline locked at 1-1. A closer look at what happened United had gone into the break with a lead, thanks to Christian Eriksen’s fourth goal of the season. However, four minutes into the second half, the hosts drew level when Youssef En-Nesyri slipped between United's defenders to nod in Allan Saint-Maximin’s close-range cross. As the atmosphere intensified and the noise levels soared, Mourinho was sent off by French referee Clément Turpin just before the hour mark. The dismissal came after Mourinho led fervent appeals for a penalty when Bright Osayi-Samuel went down following...

Galatasaray 0 - 1 Young Boys Young Boys won 4 - 2 on aggregate  After a tense 86 minutes, Mauro Icardi’s blocked shot led to a rapid counter-attack by Young Boys with Cedric Itten setting up Alan Virginius, who outpaced his marker to slot home the decisive goal in the 87th minute, sealing a 1-0 victory. Galatasaray, favourites going into the tie, never managed to live up to expectations. A closer look at what happened After a first leg defeat. fans expected a fiery response from Galatasaray. However, the Turkish champions, known as "the Lions," failed to muster more than a faint roar in their home stadium for most of the match. As the clock ticked down and defeat loomed, Galatasaray created a handful of chances, but none of them posed a serious threat. Champions League: 2024/2025 (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) The visitors from Bern celebrated reaching Europe’s top competition for the second season in a row, fully deserving the win and creating numerous chances that cou...

Netherlands 2 - 1 Turkey The Netherlands came from behind to defeat Turkey, setting up a Euro 2024 semi-final against England. An own goal by Mert Muldur, pressured by Cody Gakpo, helped the Dutch take the lead after trailing at half-time. Turkey's centre-back Samet Akaydin had put his team ahead, heading in Arda Guler's cross after an impressive first half. He celebrated by running to the fans, kissing his badge, and kneeling to pray, while the substitutes sprinted down the touchline. However, Turkey's joy was short-lived as the Netherlands, sluggish in the first half, came alive after the break, inspired by substitute Wout Weghorst. Stefan de Vrij equalised with a header, shortly after Weghorst made a crucial defensive interception to prevent Kaan Ayhan from scoring. Turkey nearly extended their lead when Real Madrid's Guler hit the post with a stunning free-kick but failed to capitalise on their opportunities. Now, Ronald Koeman's side will face England in Do...

Turkey 0-3 Portugal Portugal secured their spot in the last 16 as group winners at Euro 2024 with a straightforward victory over Turkey in Dortmund. Manchester City's Bernardo Silva opened the scoring midway through the first half, deftly placing the ball past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir after Nuno Mendes' cross from the left was deflected into his path. A disastrous own goal doubled Portugal's lead when defender Samet Akaydin, without looking up, passed the ball back to Bayindir, who was unable to stop it from rolling into his own net. This blunder dampened the spirits of the enthusiastic Turkish supporters, who had arrived at the stadium in droves from the city centre, proudly waving their flags. Portugal's fans, though less in number, were just as spirited and celebrated as their team played with confidence and style. The victory was sealed when Cristiano Ronaldo selflessly set up Bruno Fernandes for a simple tap-in to make it 3-0 before the hour mark. The 2016 c...

 Jose Mourinho is set to become the new manager of Fenerbahce The 61-year-old will take over from Ismail Kartal, who left Fenerbahce after they finished second in the league to city rivals Galatasaray.  Despite losing just one game and recording 99 points last season, Fenerbahce finished as runners-up. How much of an impact will have Mourinho in Turkey? The club hinted at Mourinho's appointment in a video featuring the Portuguese manager directly addressing the fans with the words "See you tomorrow". Are you ready for tomorrow? 🔥😄 pic.twitter.com/PgbdiegcjE — Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) June 1, 2024 Mourinho, who has previously managed Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, is the only manager to have won the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League .  Over his 24-year managerial career, he has won 21 major honors, beginning in his home country of Portugal at Benfica and including stints at Porto, Inter Milan, and Tottenham.  M...

 Wales 1 - 1 Turkey Following a fiery draw at home to Turkey, Wales will have to reach Euro 2024 via the play-offs in March. Wales had to secure a victory against Group D leaders Turkey  and cross their fingers for Croatia to stumble against Armenia. Throughout Tuesday night, it appeared that Robert Page's team might hold up their end of the bargain when Neco Williams scored in the seventh minute, putting them in the lead. However, Croatia's triumph over Armenia meant that even a Welsh victory wouldn't be sufficient. To add to their woes, Turkey levelled the score in the second half through a contentious penalty converted by Yusuf Yazici. Referee Matej Jug's decision to award the penalty seemed unfair to Wales captain Ben Davies, as his contact with Kenan Yildiz was minimal. The frustration among the hosts increased as the referee dismissed three Welsh penalty appeals in the first half. The initial anger among the Welsh team was replaced by a disheartening se...

Manchester United 2 - 3 Galatasaray  Manchester United have endured a tough run of form this season.  It took a turn for the worse  as they suffered a defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League at Old Trafford. Mauro Icardi delivered a crucial blow in the 81st minute, securing the Turkish giants their historic first-ever victory on English soil. Despite missing an earlier penalty opportunity to put the visitors in front at Old Trafford, Icardi showed his clinical side by capitalizing on Davinson Sanchez's header, lofting a shot past United's goalkeeper Andre Onana. This marked United's sixth loss in 10 games this season, with the team now facing its second defeat in the opening two matches of Group A in the Champions League. Adding to the woes of their manager, Erik ten Hag, his team had twice taken the lead thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund in both halves. On both occasions, Galatasaray responded swiftly to level the score. Furthermore, the situation escalated whe...

A player has left the Premier League Dele Alli has completed a season’s loan move from Everton to Besiktas that gives the Turkish club the option to buy the midfielder. Alli has experienced a disappointing spell at Everton since joining from Tottenham last January, making 13 appearances, including two as a substitute this season. Besiktas have an option to buy for £6m before 1 January or for £8m after that until June. Alli will otherwise return to Everton, where he would have one year on his contract. Everton signed Alli on a free but have to pay Spurs £10m if he makes 20 appearances for them. Further add-ons are dependent on team and individual achievements. Besiktas are level with the top club, Fenerbahce, after three matches. Besiktas supporters gave Alli a raucous welcome when he arrived at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul to seal his transfer. Winger Nicolas Pépé has left Arsenal to join Nice on loan for the 2022-23 season. The Ivory Coast international returns to Ligue 1, having p...