List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

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Spain have their revenge and Rodri has his retribution. Now, though, it is Scotland who have reason to fume – and Steve Clarke’s side surely will over the coming days as the waiting begins. Qualification for Euro 2024 could yet be secured on Sunday, should Spain defeat Norway in Oslo. Thanks to Scotland’s perfect start to Group A, they may yet avoid a nervy November. But, if it was not for the finest of margins on a night of major controversy, they may not have needed to rely on favours from elsewhere. There is no shame in losing to Spain but Scotland will not quite believe how this unfolded. As expected, Spain were dominant and Scotland had to survive waves of pressure. The visitors would have had no complaints had Luis de la Fuente’s improved side taken a deserved lead but Scotland went into half-time with the match goalless and their plan very much alive. Scotland only needed a chance to turn their rearguard approach into a perfect one and Scott McTominay looked to have found it with a moment of magic. Clarke and his team will feel the decision to disallow it for a foul on the Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was not the only one that went against them in Seville. The angle of the free-kick appeared too tight to shoot, but McTominay, a player transformed when he pulls on his national jersey, shot anyway. The result was extraordinary, a free-kick full of whip and curl, flashed into the top corner of Simon’s goal. McTominay wheeled away in disbelief, a seventh goal of Euro 2024 qualifying, and his most stunning yet. But the celebrations were then cut short, and from there, Scotland’s night unravelled. When looking back, Scotland will not find it hard to identify this was where the night started to turn. McTominay’s goal was disallowed following a VAR review, taken away supposedly for the slightest of fouls on Simon by Scotland’s Jack Hendry, who barely backed into him. That, at least, was the initial explanation provided by Uefa. A subsequent replay showed Hendry had been ruled offside, although still barely. Whether the defender was doing enough to interfere with play and block Simon is another question in this mystery. Scotland and the SFA will undoubtedly be asking for immediate answers. Scotland still had the result they needed but with the game returning to its goalless state, the momentum swung back in Spain’s direction. The hosts were dominant throughout, apart from the occasional Scotland spell, but they had grown frustrated with Clarke’s deep defence. Instead, the McTominay reprieve revived them. Still, it required a veteran substitute in the 37-year-old Jesus Navas to provide the breakthrough moment. Navas found Alvaro Morata with a sublime cross that took the Scotland defence out of the equation; Morata’s glance was just enough to take the ball past Angus Gunn. From there, Spain pounced on Aaron Hickey’s slip, with Ryan Porteous helping the cross over the line as he tried to clear. It was the latest cruel blow: both Hickey and Porteous had been outstanding. Clarke’s side responded well to going behind, just as they had shown bravery with the way they had taken to their task at La Cartuja. There was a chance in between the two Spain goals, with Che Adams unable to prod past Simon following a dribble from Hickey into the box. Ultimately, Spain deserved to win on the balance of play but Scotland will be furious that certain moments did not go their way. Another came when captain Andy Roberton was forced off before half time with what looked to be a dislocated shoulder. The contact from goalkeeper Simon when coming out to collect a cross was significant, on this occasion. A game plan from Clarke was not far away from coming off. Spain were always going to have the majority of the ball but Scotland needed to do as they did at Hampden and restrict La Roja to few scoring chances. Clarke’s approach would have been in tatters had Ferran Torres, inside two minutes, converted a clear opening when Morata split the visiting defence open with a precise through pass. Yet the visitors tightened the barricades and survived the opening waves of Spain pressure; for all Spain looked far sharper than they were at Hampden, with Gavi and Mikel Merino classy operators in midfield, Gunn remained untroubled in goal. And the longer it remained goalless, the edgier La Cartuja became. There was always going to be tension between these teams, with any ill-feeling that remained from Scotland’s victory at Hampden increased following Rodri’s comments after the game. That travelling Tartan Army booed the Manchester City midfielder’s every touch. The home supporters jeered and whistled any time a Scotland player stood over a free-kick, a clear result of Rodri’s accusations of time-wasting and gamesmanship. Lyndon Dykes then went into the book as the referee looked to clamp down on his aerial duels with Aymeric Laporte. Scotland, though, were up against it. They did not have a shot in the first half but Spain goalkeeper Simon’s only involvement was to make their task significantly more difficult: crashing into captain Robertson and leaving the Liverpool left back flattened on the turf. Already without Kieran Tierney, the Scotland captain left the field with his arm in his shirt as a makeshift sling. Scotland also had some good fortune to make it into half-time level, particularly when Merino’s shot struck the inside of the post but somehow stayed out. Scotland managed to survive before they started to offer Spain some problems, the Euros within reach as McTominay’s shot crashed inside the far post, only for it to be taken away. And so, as the waiting now begins, it is the moments that went against them that will linger in their minds in the coming days. Read More John McGinn claims Scotland beating Spain made ‘impossible’ after VAR controversy Scotland provide update after Andy Robertson appears to dislocate shoulder Steve Clarke insists Scotland must move on from disappointing VAR decision What do Scotland need to qualify for Euro 2024? Spain vs Scotland LIVE: Latest Euro 2024 qualifier updates How Scotland became the one team Rodri could not defeat

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Steve Clarke insists Scotland simply have to move on after Scott McTominay had a goal chalked off after a VAR check before losing 2-0 to Spain in Seville. The Scots had won their first five Group A qualifiers including a 2-0 win over the Spanish at Hampden Park in March, and they thought they had taken the lead when McTominay, who scored twice in Glasgow, fired in a wonderful free-kick in the 59th minute only to see it ruled out after a VAR check for a Jack Hendry infringement. Alvaro Morata headed in after 73 minutes and substitute Oihan Sancet, making his debut, added a second in the 86th minute to leave Group A leaders Scotland three points ahead of Spain having played a game more. Clarke’s men face France in a friendly in Lille next Tuesday but Spain face Norway in Oslo two days earlier and if the Norwegians drop points, Scotland’s place in Germany will be secured while the Scots also have Georgia away and Norway at home in November. “The team played well and the players are disappointed,” said Clarke, who confirmed skipper Andy Robertson will go back to Liverpool for treatment with a shoulder injury which saw him replaced by Nathan Patterson just before the break. “We came here determined to qualify. It hasn’t happened tonight but I think there was a lot to be pleased about in the performance. “The big moment in the game is probably the close decision on the Scott McTominay goal. “At the time we think it is a goal. “You know when the referee gets told to look at it he is probably going to chalk it off. “They have made the call, there is no point me going on about it. “I think there was a little bit confusion at the time, whether it was offside or for a foul on the keeper. “If you take those two together, Jack Hendry was marginally offside and when he steps towards the goalkeeper they have interpreted that as Jack being involved in the play but I will tell you now there is now way in the world the keeper was saving that no matter where Jack Hendry was. “You just move on, it is a VAR decision that goes against you. “When we conceded it makes it more difficult and the second goal puts gloss on for Spain I don’t think they deserve. “Tonight was a first chance to qualify. It has gone beyond us. Maybe the result on Sunday night goes in our favour and we qualify from that. But we won’t qualify from that, we will qualify for the work we have done, we have 15 points from six games. “If the result doesn’t go our way and Norway then we have a very realistic chance in the two games in November to win the section.” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, speaking through an interpreter, was pleased with his side’s team spirit. He said: “We knew they were a strong team and strong from set-pieces and free-kicks, and that free-kick, I was told it was offside and a foul on Unai Simon. We thought it was offside but in the end it was offside. “Opponents always get chances we were prepared and very strong mentally. “Even if the goal had stood I am convinced we would have reacted. “It was a team effort and I value the hard work of the team because a game lasts 90 minutes and more.” “Norway, will be different, a different team to Scotland. We will try to take initiative and cause them problems and minimise their offensive potential.” Read More Scotland forced to wait for Euro 2024 — but they will not understand how Andy Robertson injury: Scotland provide update on dislocated shoulder against Spain What do Scotland need to qualify for Euro 2024? Shane Duffy hoping Evan Ferguson can be Ireland talisman for years to come Lee Carsley full of praise for ‘cutthroat’ England youngsters Northern Ireland rising star Isaac Price grateful to former boss Frank Lampard

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England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley hailed his goal-hungry Young Lions after they crushed Serbia 9-1. The hosts ran riot at the City Ground to continue a flawless start to their European title defence. Noni Madueke, Jaden Philogene and Harvey Elliott scored twice as Liam Delap, Jonathan Rowe and Luka Subotic’s own goal completed the Euro 2025 qualifying win. A dominant England had to come from behind after Vladimir Lucic’s shock opener but the Young Lions remain top of Group F. “You can’t afford to waste too many chances and they were cutthroat in the second half. It was good to see because it helps with their confidence,” said Carsley, who takes his team to Slovakia to face Ukraine on Monday. “Sometimes when you see the scoreline, if you hadn’t been at the game, you’d think it was a walk in the park but it didn’t feel like that, especially going a goal down. “We spoke about it a few days ago, how will this squad react to a setback? To go a goal down when you are so in control, it’s testament to the players they responded the right way.” England were dominant from the off and Charlie Cresswell, Elliott and Philogene had already gone close before the visitors struck when Lucic guided the ball into the top corner. But Hull’s Philogene levelled after 38 minutes, with Delap and Elliott giving England a 3-1 lead at the break. Two goals in seven second-half minutes from Madueke put England in complete control and Philogene added a sixth after 63 minutes. A comical Subotic own goal made it seven before Rowe and Elliott wrapped it up. Carsley added: “The fundamentals of tonight were based on outworking your opponent. It’s important if you are going to get a long career and play for England you can be technically and physically better than your opponent. “We did that all over the pitch. When the scoreline started getting away from Serbia we didn’t stop.” Read More Shane Duffy hoping Evan Ferguson can be Ireland talisman for years to come Northern Ireland rising star Isaac Price grateful to former boss Frank Lampard Nathan Broadhead keen to maintain scoring form after ‘Perfect’ Ed Sheeran boost Marcus Smith set for full-back role in England’s World Cup quarter-final Young Lions go goal crazy as they put nine past Serbia in qualifier FA would face criticism one way or another for conflict response – Southgate

Shane Duffy is hoping Evan Ferguson can be the Republic of Ireland’s talisman for years to come as the teenager finds his feet on the international stage. The 18-year-old Brighton striker’s absence through injury for last month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and the Netherlands left manager Stephen Kenny without perhaps his most potent weapon and in his absence, Ireland’s hopes of dragging themselves back into the race for qualification from Group B were effectively ended. Ferguson is back in harness for Friday night’s clash with Greece at the Aviva Stadium and having witnessed his emergence both in the Premier League and for his country, former Seagulls team-mate Duffy is confident he has what it takes to succeed. He said: “For me, he’s got everything, he’s the full package. He’s a strong boy, he’s a top finisher, he’s willing to work for the team and he’s willing to learn. For an 18-year-old, there is so much pressure on him already, you think that’s a good habit to have. “We’re all really excited for the future for him. Hopefully with a bit of luck, he’s our talisman for years to come and gets the goals we all want. He’s a really good boy, he has a really bright future.” Ferguson’s blossoming talent has inevitably invited comparisons to Ireland’s record goalscorer Robbie Keane, who made his senior international debut against the Czech Republic as a 17-year-old in March 1998. Keane went on to score 68 goals in 146 appearances – also a record – for his country over more than 18 years, for many of them the focal point of a team which he helped reach the World Cup finals in 2002 and Euro 2012 and 2016. For me, he’s got everything to be a top striker in the Premier League and in Europe. Shane Duffy However, Duffy has warned Ferguson he needs to keep his feet firmly on the ground if he is to fulfil his potential, and has seen signs that he will be able to do that. He said: “First of all, he’s a great boy. He’s a really good head on his shoulders. He’s humble first and foremost, he never gets ahead of himself. “He came to Brighton at 16 and he was like a man already. He stood out unbelievably well. He’s got a lot of potential. He’s only 18 and there’s a lot of pressure on him already. “He will produce. For me, he’s got everything to be a top striker in the Premier League and in Europe. He just needs to keep going the way he is going, not to get too ahead of himself.” Now 31, Duffy is approaching the opposite end of his career to Ferguson and will be 36 by the time Euro 2028, for which Ireland and the United Kingdom were this week named hosts, comes around. Asked if that was in his sights, the Norwich defender replied with a smile: “I’m just trying to survive until Friday, never mind 2028. I can’t look that far ahead, honestly. “Listen, I’ll never give up. I don’t know where I’m going to be in 2028. I’ll be the kit man or something.” Read More Lee Carsley full of praise for ‘cutthroat’ England youngsters Northern Ireland rising star Isaac Price grateful to former boss Frank Lampard Nathan Broadhead keen to maintain scoring form after ‘Perfect’ Ed Sheeran boost Marcus Smith set for full-back role in England’s World Cup quarter-final Young Lions go goal crazy as they put nine past Serbia in qualifier FA would face criticism one way or another for conflict response – Southgate