European Super Football

Armenia 2 - 1 Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup took a damaging hit as they slumped to a deserved defeat against Armenia in Yerevan. Author | Jordan F Stadium | Vazgen Sargsyan anvan Hanrapetakan Marzadasht Three years after a shock Nations League loss to the same opposition, Ireland were humbled once more by a side ranked 105th in the world, 45 places below them. Eduard Spertsyan, who struck the winner in 2022, gave Armenia the lead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after captain Nathan Collins fouled Lucas Zelarayan. Ireland’s problems deepened when Grant-Leon Ranos doubled the advantage six minutes into the second half. Evan Ferguson pulled one back almost immediately, but Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side were fortunate not to concede again, with Artur Serobyan’s late effort ruled out for offside. READ MORE |  Scotland secure a routine but important victory over Belarus READ MORE |  World Cup 2026 Qualifying news an...

Serbia 0 - 5 England analysis Thomas Tuchel spoke like a man who sensed his best night as England manager was coming the moment he touched down in Belgrade. Author | Josh D Goals from Harry Kane , Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa , Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford seal a wonderful night in Belgrade for the Three Lions. They have taken a huge step towards next summer’s World Cup. A much improved performance Questions over Tuchel 's methods had grown louder after Saturday’s laboured World Cup qualifying win against Andorra. It was a fourth straight competitive victory, yet one that ended with swathes of the Villa Park crowd heading for the exits long before full time. This was an emphatic response. Tuchel’s team produced a masterclass that dismantled Serbia in their own fortress, silencing a hostile crowd almost from the first whistle with a performance of complete dominance. For Tuchel it was close to perfection. England not only claimed a resounding win that leaves them five points fro...

Serbia 0 - 5 England live text commentary recap Thomas Tuchel's side made it five wins from five in their qualifying campaign Author | Josh D Stadium | Rajko Mitic Stadium Goals from Harry Kane , Noni Madueke , Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford seal a memorable night in Belgrade for the Three Lions , who have taken a huge step towards next summer’s World Cup. Full-time | A five-star performance from Tuchel's side On paper this was a daunting trip, yet England have delivered one of their best performances in some time. The job is complete and the mission accomplished in Serbia. 90 minutes | Rashford makes it 5 (five) from the penalty spot. Ollie Watkins was brought down in the penalty area by Strahinja Erakovic . Marcus Rashford took the penalty and calmly placed it beyond the Serbian keeper. 75 minutes | Another goal. It’s becoming too easy for England. Nikola Milenkovic ’s foul proves doubly costly for Serbia. He is shown a red card and from the resulting free-k...

Belarus 0 - 2 Scotland Scotland claimed a straightforward but valuable win over Belarus to maintain their promising start to World Cup qualifying. Author | Sean M Stadium | ZTE-Aréna  Friday’s battling draw in Denmark had been hard won but risked being diminished had Steve Clarke ’s side slipped against the group’s lowest-ranked team. There was little danger of that once Che Adams struck the opener before forcing the own goal that sealed the points after the interval. Closer look at what happened With no atmosphere to feed off, the onus was on Scotland to create their own intensity. This had the potential to be a difficult match.  Clarke made four changes, one of them recalling Bournemouth’s Ben Gannon Doak. The 19-year-old was the player who most often quickened the pulse with his direct running, even if his final ball occasionally lacked precision. More established figures again carried the threat, with Scott McTominay heading John McGinn ’s cross into Adams’ path fo...

Germany 3 - 1 Northern Ireland Northern Ireland produced a determined display but could not prevent Germany from claiming a first win in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Author | Ed Stadium | RheinEnergieSTADION The under-pressure hosts took an early lead in the seventh minute through Serge Gnabry, but on a tense night in Cologne, Isaac Price's volley 11 minutes before half-time brought Northern Ireland back on level terms against Julian Nagelsmann's side. Northern Ireland held firm until the 69th minute, when Nadiem Amiri took advantage of a rare lapse at the back before a curling free-kick from Liverpool's Florian Wirtz made it 3-1. Closer analysis of what happened Coming off three successive defeats, including Thursday's 2-0 loss in Slovakia to begin their Group A campaign, Germany could hardly have hoped for a stronger start. A heavy touch from centre-back Eoin Toal allowed Newcastle United's new signing Nick Woltemade to nip in and steal the ball, ...

England 2 - 0 Andorra England overcame stubborn resistance from Andorra to record a fourth successive victory under head coach Thomas Tuchel in World Cup qualifiers. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Villa Park In what was effectively a match of defence against attack, England once again laboured for long periods before finally making their quality count against the minnows ranked 174th in the world. Tuchel gave a debut to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson , who was one of the more impressive performers in a largely drab encounter at Villa Park. England broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when Andorra defender Christian Garcia headed Noni Madueke 's cross past keeper Iker Alvarez into his own net. Andorra's defensive ranks held firm, helped by keeper Alvarez when he saved superbly from Anderson, until Declan Rice headed in Reece James ' fine cross at the far post after 67 minutes. England now move on to what will be the toughest test of Tuchel's reign so...

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...

Luxembourg 1 - 3 Northern Ireland Northern Ireland began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a win over Luxembourg. Author | Alan White Stadium | Stade de Luxembourg Jamie Reid gave the visitors the lead in the eighth minute, but Luxembourg deservedly equalised through Aiman Dardari after half an hour. Michael O'Neill 's side were much improved after the break and earned victory thanks to first international goals from Shea Charles and Justin Devenny with Luxembourg's Seid Korac shown a second yellow in between. This was a hard-fought three points and gives Northern Ireland a positive start to their campaign on a night where Slovakia beat Germany and potentially gave O'Neill's side more hopes of qualifying.  A closer look at what happened Northern Ireland started on the front foot and twice tested goalkeeper Anthony Moris in the opening three minutes. It was in the build-up to the second opportunity, when Reid was through on goal, that ref...

Kazakhstan 0-1 Wales Wales were made to work hard in Kazakhstan, clinging to a slender victory that takes them to the top of their World Cup qualifying group. Author | Stephen Chadwick Stadium | Astana Arena Wales fans and players celebrate at full-time Kieffer Moore , winning his 50th cap, opened the scoring midway through the first half, sliding in after Liam Cullen ’s header from a Harry Wilson free-kick had been parried. The visitors controlled the early stages but soon lost their rhythm, and Kazakhstan, ranked 114th in the world, almost equalised when Galymzhan Kenzhebek ’s curling strike from distance was pushed on to the bar by Karl Darlow . The atmosphere inside the Astana Arena lifted as the hosts grew in belief. Dastan Satpayev , the 17-year-old striker set to join Chelsea next year, tested Darlow again as Craig Bellamy ’s side came under sustained pressure.  READ MORE |  World Cup 2026 Qualifying news and stories Wales did create chances to settle the contest,...

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 ...

Luxembourg v Northern Ireland preview Northern Ireland will begin another World Cup qualifying campaign with an away game in Luxembourg. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Stade de Luxembourg The 2026 World Cup will arrive 40 years after Northern Ireland last graced football’s biggest stage, and a decade since their memorable run at Euro 2016 . In the years since, progress has been limited, but the introduction of younger players and a recent Nations League group victory have injected fresh belief. Qualification rules may also work in their favour, with Nations League winners who do not finish in the top two of their groups handed another route into the finals. READ MORE |  Wales resume their attempt to reach the World Cup Michael O’Neill’s side have taken seven wins from their last 15 matches, including a 1-0 friendly victory over Iceland in June, a sign of steady progress under the manager who guided them to France in 2016. While qualifying began for most of Europe back in March,...

Kazakhstan v Wales preview Wales resume their attempt to reach a second successive World Cup when they meet Kazakhstan in Astana. Author | Stephen Chadwick Stadium | Astana Arena The stadium that will host the match Wales have made an encouraging start under Craig Bellamy . After earning promotion to the top tier of the Nations League at the end of last year, they have taken seven points from their opening four World Cup 2026 qualifiers . They are also the leading scorers in Group J with ten goals. An opening victory over Kazakhstan was followed by a stoppage-time equaliser in North Macedonia, when David Brooks rescued a point. A 3-0 win at home to Liechtenstein then set the stage for an eye-catching performance in Brussels . Wales fought back from three goals down against Belgium, only for Kevin De Bruyne ’s late strike to seal the points for the hosts. READ MORE |  Heartbreak for Wales in Belgium READ MORE |  Wales snatch dramatic draw in North Macedonia That result...

Various nations have discovered their opponents for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers following a draw in Zurich. Are you happy with the draw? Author - Mark Lee England, now led by new head coach Thomas Tuchel, will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in their group. Wales find themselves up against familiar rivals Belgium, alongside North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein. Scotland’s group includes Greece, Belarus, and the loser of the Portugal v Denmark Nations League quarter-final, while Northern Ireland will take on Slovakia, Luxembourg, and the winner of the Germany v Italy Nations League clash. Matches will take place over five international breaks from March to November 2025. Group winners will secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, with runners-up heading into play-offs. Scotland and Northern Ireland, drawn in smaller four-team groups, will start their campaigns in September. Meanwhile, Scotland also face Greece in ...