European Super Football

Craig Bellamy is the new Wales manager The 44-year-old succeeds former team-mate Robert Page, who was sacked in June. Cardiff-born Bellamy won 78 Wales caps and captained the side between 2007-2010. He takes up the role having left Burnley, where he had been acting head coach before Scott Parker's appointment last week. Parker was keen to work with the Welshman, but Bellamy leaves Burnley with the blessings of everyone at the club. Bellamy, back in the day, with a certain Gareth Bale stood behind him.  Reports from across Wales and beyond had suggested that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Georgia boss Willy Sagnol and surprise contender Des Buckingham, the Oxford United manager, were all spoken to. However, it has now been confirmed that Bellamy was the Football Association of Wales first choice. Bellamy is said to have impressed during discussions - and will now get the chance to lead the side in qualification for the 2026 World Cup. His first game as Wales manager will be a N...

Montenegro 1 - 2 Wales Craig Bellamy secured his first victory as Wales head coach in a high-octane Nations League clash against Montenegro, played in dreadful conditions in rain-soaked Niksic. Kieffer Moore gave Wales an early lead just 37 seconds in with a sharp finish, followed by Harry Wilson doubling the advantage with a brilliant 25-yard shot two minutes later. Great memories in the Nations League for Wales fans. https://t.co/4bqtHt7LQr https://t.co/axWiOLvszN — European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) September 10, 2024 The relentless rain wreaked havoc on the pitch, making the game at times seem chaotic, but it also added to the excitement of a thrilling match with opportunities at both ends. Montenegro’s captain, Stevan Jovetic, came close with a remarkable effort from his own half that struck the crossbar, while Driton Camaj saw his chance blocked on the line by Ben Davies. Moore missed a golden chance to make it 3-0 in the second half when he fired over from close ran...

Wales 4 - 1 Croatia Wales pulled off an extraordinary return to the Nations League's top tier with a commanding comeback victory over Iceland in Cardiff, aided by Montenegro’s crucial win against Turkey.  The result sealed promotion for Craig Bellamy’s side, sparking celebrations at the Cardiff City Stadium. Author - Stephen Chad Turkey had started the evening atop Group B4, two points clear of second-placed Wales, with Iceland a further two points back in third. For Wales to achieve promotion, they needed to win and hope Montenegro could do them a favour. The night began ominously for the hosts when Andri Gudjohnsen struck for Iceland in the seventh minute. Danny Ward had made a stunning save to deny Orri Oskarsson’s header, but Gudjohnsen, son of former Chelsea striker Eidur, pounced on the rebound to fire through Ward’s legs.  That goal ended Wales’ 321-minute home clean sheet streak , stretching back to March’s 4-1 defeat to Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off semi-fin...

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,...

Opinion: We think he's a worthy winner Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior has been crowned Men’s Player of the Year at the FIFA Best Awards. Author - Jack L Picture from  Real Madrid | Flickr Vinícius was instrumental in Real Madrid’s success during their 2023-24 campaign, which saw them clinch both the Champions Leagu e and La Liga titles. He contributed an impressive 24 goals and 11 assists over the season. Earlier in the evening, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí was named Women’s Player of the Year, securing the award for the second consecutive year. This marks Vinícius’ first win at the FIFA Best Awards, offering a more positive end to the season following October’s Ballon d’Or snub. The Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Awards are widely regarded as the two most prestigious accolades in football. Prior to this year, Lionel Messi had claimed the FIFA Best title for two consecutive years, with Robert Lewandowski winning the two before that. This award, covering performances between August...

North Macedonia 1 - 1 Wales Wales salvaged a dramatic World Cup qualifying draw in North Macedonia after a chaotic finale, where they conceded in stoppage time only for David Brooks to snatch an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game. Author - Stephen Chad Stadium - Toše Proeski Arena For 90 minutes, the contest had been edging towards a goalless draw, but a calamitous backpass from substitute Joe Allen gifted Bojan Miovski a golden chance. The Macedonian forward made no mistake, latching onto the loose ball and finishing coolly to send the home crowd into raptures. With defeat looming, Wales threw everything forward. Kieffer Moore rose highest to nod the ball down and Brooks reacted quickest, bundling it home from close range. The visitors erupted in celebration, an odd sight given the frustration that had gripped them only moments earlier. But in the circumstances, this was a dramatic way to extend their unbeaten start to World Cup qualifying and Craig Bellamy’s unble...