European Super Football

Portugal 2 - 1 Scotland Cristiano Ronaldo’s late winner shattered Scottish hopes in Portugal, continuing Steve Clarke’s team's miserable run of form. Video and pictures from the European Super Football YouTube Scotland stunned everyone by taking a surprise lead in the seventh minute with a header from Scott McTominay, and they defended resolutely against Portugal’s 16 shots before half-time. However, another mistake cost them the lead. Angus Gunn failed to stop a long-range effort from Bruno Fernandes after the break, letting the ball slip into the net. Ronaldo, who came on at half-time, struck the post twice before finally breaking through, tapping in a brilliant cross from Nuno Mendes for his 901st career goal. The defeat, coming on the back of a loss to Poland on Thursday, means Scotland have now gone eight competitive games without a win —the worst run in their history—and have won just one of their last 14 matches. Despite this, Clarke might find some hope in how his ...

Scotland 1 - 1 Switzerland Scotland entered this match with one aim: to avoid being sent home with regrets.  A loss in Cologne would have left them needing unlikely help from other groups, even if they managed to beat Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday. Now, Scotland know a win against Hungary would bring them to a four-point total, likely enough to secure a coveted spot in the tournament knockout stages for the first time. The Scots bounced back admirably from their 5-1 thrashing by Germany. However, as the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, they may felt they deserved more. Just 102 seconds in, John McGinn won Scotland a corner, showing more attacking intent than in their painful loss in Munich on Friday. Scott McTominay took the set-piece, but it was deflected by a defender. Euro 2024 news and stories  Scotland's breakthrough came from a Swiss corner. The Swiss hesitated after taking it short, allowing Scotland to counter. Billy Gilmour, back in the starting lineup, ...

Leeds United 4 - 0 Norwich City  There was a fantastic atmosphere at Elland Road before the match. After a dill and dreary stalemate in the first leg, Leeds United were out to shine against Norwich City. The home side, who finished three places and 17 points above the Canaries, took a deserved early lead. Ilia Gruev's long-range free-kick beat Angus Gunn at his near post. Elland Road was bouncing Joel Piroe then made it 2-0 when he headed in Willy Gnonto's deep cross to the far post. Norwich keeper Gunn was caught in no man's land, this left them 2-0 early on and with a mountain to climb. Despite their poor performance, they did have opportunities that, if scored, would have made a game of it. They should have pulled one back immediately. Josh Sargent was thwarted by keeper Illan Meslier one-on-one.  This is the place for all the latest EFL news and stories (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) EFL: We all love the drama of the playoffs. (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) It...

Scotland 2 - 3 Poland Scotland's tough 2024 continued in heartbreaking fashion as Poland were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, crushing a spirited Nations League comeback at Hampden. Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay scored second-half goals to revive Scotland after Sebastian Szymanski's long-range strike and Robert Lewandowski's expertly-taken penalty put the visitors ahead. However, as Steve Clarke's men pushed for a late winner , Nicola Zalewski was brought down by a reckless challenge from Grant Hanley. Zalewski, who had also won the earlier penalty, stepped up to slot home the decisive goal in the 97th minute. Scotland, who made a tame exit from this summer's Euros with just one point from three group games, now face a daunting trip to Portugal on Sunday. They have managed only one win in 13 matches in 2024, suffering five defeats. The manner in which this game ended was hard to believe, especially given Scotland’s poor first-half performance.  Clarke'...

Oxford United 2 - 0 Norwich City Oxford United marked their return to the Championship after more than two decades with a well-earned 2-0 victory over Norwich City. Striker Mark Harris, a key player for Oxford, scored their first goal in the second tier this century. He capitalised on a mistake by Norwich captain Grant Hanley, skilfully cutting inside Shane Duffy and slotting the ball through Angus Gunn’s legs. Cameron Brannagan doubled the lead just before the hour mark with a beautifully curled shot from the edge of the box, following a precise cross from Sam Long. Norwich's best opportunity came late in the game, but Jack Stacey’s shot was bravely blocked by Oxford’s left-back, Joe Bennett, capping a tough first match for new City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup. EFL: 2024/2025 (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) More Oxford United news and stories Oxford fans created a fantastic atmosphere. Thorup’s day got off to a bad start when winger Jonathan Rowe withdrew from the squad ...

Sheffield United 2 - 0 Norwich City Harrison Burrows scored twice to propel Sheffield United back to the top of the Championship table following a commanding 2-0 win over Norwich City at Bramall Lane. Author - Craig H The Blades took the lead midway through the first half when Burrows pounced on a loose clearance, chesting the ball down before unleashing a powerful shot that ricocheted off both posts and into the net. The 23-year-old later doubled the advantage with a clinical penalty, dispatched into the bottom corner after Sam McCallum was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Ben Chrisene. This win marked Sheffield United’s 10th home victory of the season, sending Chris Wilder’s side two points clear of Burnley, who drew with Sunderland, and Leeds United, who host Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Click here for more news from across the English Football League A closer look at what happened in Sheffield Despite fielding a depleted squad with just 15 fit first-team players, Nor...

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...

 Birmingham City 1 - 0 Norwich City Birmingham have been relegated from the Championship despite a 1-0 home win over Norwich City on the final day.  You can watch the highlights of the match in the video below. Footage from the Norwich City YouTube account. Birmingham's turbulent campaign. where six men have managed the club, has meant their 13-season stay in the Championship is over.  Many fans would have taken a mid-table finish this season but a promising start meant some started thinking about a play off push. The season then started to go very wrong and different decisions about managers changed the direction of their season in a drastic way. EFL: Wayne Rooney appointed Birmingham City manager (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) EFL News: Rooney sacked by Birmingham (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) They return to the third tier for the first time in 29 years. The Blues beat promotion-chasing Norwich after Seung-Ho Paik's second-half winner. They would have stayed up...

Scotland 2 - 1 Belarus With supporters expecting goals against a beleaguered Belarus side who had already conceded 13 times in Group C, Scotland managed only two. Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Hampden Park It might have been a far more uncomfortable evening for Steve Clarke, who was taking charge of his record 72nd match as men’s head coach. Evgeni Malashevich’s composed finish for what would have been a Belarus equaliser was ruled out following a VAR review, and Hleb Kuchko’s injury-time effort reduced the deficit with just minutes remaining. There were moments in the second half, with the score still 1-0, when unease spread around Hampden Park. Belarus were moving the ball confidently while Scotland sat deep, prompting boos from the stands. Those jeers returned at full time, mingling with scattered applause. It was a reaction born of frustration that had simmered from the start as Belarus played with more intent than many expected. Scotland’s smash-and-grab win over Greece...

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 ...

 Germany 5 - 1 Scotland There were six goals in the first game of Euro 2024. Unfortunately for Scotland, they only managed one. Pictures from the Euro 2024 Opening Ceremony The atmosphere at Allianz Arena was electric right from the start. Just ten minutes in, Florian Wirtz effortlessly found the net to open the scoring. Shortly after, Jamal Musiala unleashed a powerful shot that almost broke both Angus Gunn’s net and the hearts of the stunned Scottish fans behind the goal. Before half-time, Kai Havertz made it three from the penalty spot, following Ryan Porteous’ red card which left Scotland facing an uphill battle. Substitute Niclas Fullkrug added a fourth for Germany with a high shot into the net, though Antonio Rudiger’s late deflected own goal offered a glimmer of hope for Scotland. Their joy was short-lived, however, as Emre Can silenced the Scottish supporters deep into injury time. This result marked the biggest win in the opening game of a European Championships. ...

Scotland 3 -  1 Greece Scotland moved closer to a World Cup play-off place as Lewis Ferguson scored his first international goal to inspire a dramatic comeback against a dominant Greece at Hampden. Author | Sean M Stadium | Hampden Park In his record-equalling 71st game in charge, head coach Steve Clarke’s side sought revenge for their Nations League relegation at the hands of Greece at the same stadium in March. For more than an hour, Scotland struggled against the visitors, who looked certain to be ahead by at least three goals before Roma left-back Kostas Tsimikas converted a rebound just after the hour. The Tartan Army voiced their frustration loudly, but Ryan Christie quickly restored parity from a corner, with his effort surviving a lengthy VAR review, setting the stage for a remarkable turnaround. Ferguson then struck from close range following a scrappy free-kick with 10 minutes remaining, turning tension into euphoria as Clarke’s side seized a priceless lead. The victo...

 Scotland 1 - 3 England In a raucous Hampden Park friendly, England continued their modern-day superiority over Scotland.  Scots last won this fixture in 1999, but hopes of a 42nd win appeared ominously faint as Phil Foden's opener silenced the stadium before Jude Bellingham added a second. A shaken Scotland eventually awoke the home crowd as Harry Maguire sent Andy Robertson's cross screeching beyond Aaron Ramsdale. A mesmerizing Bellingham assist enabled Harry Kane to score England's third as a result of England's classy play and intricate movement. Top of their European Championship qualifying group with five wins from five and facing an England team held by Ukraine on Saturday , Steve Clarke spoke before the match about the desire to see how much his team had narrowed the gap between themselves and England. An almost ruthless first half from Gareth Southgate's team offered a sobering reply. After a slick, composed and controlled performance, the visitors des...