Shamrock Rovers claim Euro record win as Saints leave it late
Bradley's charges made the second leg of this UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie a formality, with an early goal from Rory Gaffney and a flurry of three goals in nine minutes midway through the second half from Danny Mandriou, John McGovern and Jack Byrne sealed the 4-0 scoreline.
In the 13th minute Gaffney raced onto a pass from Matt Healy and lobbed the onrushing goalkeeper. Rory Gaffney scores the opener for Shamrock Rovers. Pic: Salva Castizo/Sportsfile
Stephen Bradley made a series of changes early in the second half, bringing on Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff and three minutes later Rovers exteded their lead through Mandroiu's longrange shot.
Michael Noonan and John McGovern came on next, and again the result was almost instant, the youngster's cross swept in by McGovern.
A Jack Byrne screamer from outside the box virtually guaranteed the Hoops a slot in the third qualifying round. Danny Mandroiu (right) celebrates his goal. Pic: Salva Castizo/Sportsfile
It was Rovers' 12th away win in their long run in European competition, and the sixth under Bradley.
In Inchicore, St Patrick's Athletic took a slender lead to Tallinn with a 90th minute winner by sub Chris Forrester to beat Kalju Nomme 1-0. Chris Forrester celebrates scoring the winner for St Patrick's Athletic. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In a bad tempered tie the Estonians had Rommi Siht sent off after 69 minutes for a second yellow, and his teammate Danyil Mashchenko followed two minutes later.
Tempers frayed when Tambedou pushed Mason Melia into an advertising hoarding.
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The 42
28 minutes ago
- The 42
Back to back champions England, epic drama, Wiegman's genius - Euro 2025 final talking points
1. England find a way England are back to back European champions after a rollercoaster tournament in Switzerland. Sarina Wiegman's side again came from behind, forced extra time, and turned it around in a dramatic penalty shootout. They found a way once more, this time against Spain in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. After pre-tournament upheaval, England lost their opening game to France 2-1. They bounced back with wins over the Netherlands (4-0) and Wales (6-1) to come through the Group of Death, before remarkable comebacks in the knockout stages. They trailed Sweden 2-0 in the quarter-final as the 80th minute approached; they scored a 96th-minute equaliser, and 119th-minute winner, against Italy in the semi-final. Yesterday, they went 1-0 down in the 25th minute after Mariona Caldentey's opener. The first half was effectively one-way traffic, but the second period was more even, punctuated by Alessia Russo's 57th-minute equaliser. Two headers, two Arsenal goalscorers. Momentum swung back towards Spain in the closing minutes of normal time, and they assumed control in the extra period with a raft of chances. But England held firm in their third extra time in a row, and maintained their 100% record in penalty shootouts under Wiegman. Beath Mead's first spot kick was saved after a retake. Captain Leah Williamson also missed, but Hannah Hampton stepped up with big saves on Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati, and Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles and Chloe Kelly all scored theirs as the Lionesses retained their title. 'The word 'team' really described who we are – a team,' as Wiegman said afterwards. 'We said we can win by any means and that's what we have shown again today.' 2. Clutch Chloe Kelly Chloe Kelly secured safe passage to England's third consecutive major final after a rebounded 119th-minute penalty. She had just one chance with the last effort in yesterday's shootout, and she nailed it. Kelly scored the extra-time winner in the Euro 2022 final against Germany at Wembley Stadium, and the super sub landed the killer blow once again in Basel. Advertisement Kelly taking the winning penalty. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Having been called to action earlier than usual, in the first half for the injured Lauren James, she also assisted Russo with a brilliant cross. A big game player, who thrives under pressure. Kelly's 2025 turnaround has been remarkable. The 27-year-old almost quit football in January as she was frozen out at Manchester City and lost her place in the England squad, and forced a loan move to Arsenal on transfer deadline day. The return to her former club restored her love of the game and reinvigorated her career, and she finished the season as a key player in their Champions League success and has since signed a permanent contract. Now a European champion for club and country, Kelly wrapped up the England press conference with a mic drop: 'Thank you to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful.' 3. Spain regret The pain was etched across every Spanish face the the aftermath. The tears flowed as England celebrated. The world champions were the favourites for this tournament from the outset, but their first Euros final ended in heartbreak. Spain dominated for the most part, and will rue several missed chances in extra-time, particularly from Salma Paralluelo. They ultimately couldn't make their sustained pressure count, the stats telling a tale: 65% / 35% possession, 763 / 419 passes, 22 / 8 shots, both with five on target. Dejected Spanish players during the trophy presentation. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo First penalty taker Patri Guijarro was the only to score, Caldentey and Bonmati denied by Hampton before Paralluelo dragged wide and the writing was on the wall for this star-studded La Roja outfit. 'I think this team deserved more,' manager Montse Tomé said afterwards. 'We worked so hard for a long time to get here, to the final against a top-level side in England, and I thought the team deserved more, or at least to not be left with the feeling we have now. 'I thought we were the better team but in football it is not always the best team which wins.' 4. Sarina Wiegman's genius Wiegman has won the last three Euros, the 2017 success with her native Netherlands coming before the England double. Yesterday was her fifth consecutive major final, having guided both nations to the last two World Cup deciders. After celebrating with her management team at the final whistle, Wiegman ran to embrace her players. She let out a roar here and there, and danced and sang. This may have been the sweetest victory yet. Pressure mounted as Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby all stepped away for various reasons pre-tournament. Talk of crisis in the camp heightened. Wiegman made some big selection decisions, with one-cap teenager Michelle Agyemang the bolter. She was England's saviour — her name literally translates as such — and finished as Young Player of the Tournament. It was one of many big Wiegman calls vindicated, her player management and in-game decisions all factors of this success. 'I just can't believe it, but I have a medal around my neck and we have a trophy,' she said afterwards. 'It has been the most chaotic tournament on the pitch – all the challenges we had on the pitch against our opponents. 'From the first game it was chaos. Losing your first game and becoming European champions is incredible. Football is chaos.' Sarina Wiegman celebrates. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 5. Drama to the death of brilliant tournament Football is indeed chaos, and that was seen time and time again over the last three weeks or so. Euro 2025 was a tournament of marathon matches and penalty drama, so it was only fitting that the final went the distance. Indeed, the last time the decider was settled by a penalty shootout was the inaugural tournament in 1984, when Sweden beat England. Of seven knockout games in Switzerland, five went to extra-time and three advanced all the way to spot kicks. England featured in two: who could ever forget the quarter-final against Sweden, and perhaps the best, worst shootout in history? The thrills and spills were endless throughout, with a bunch of records set in Switzerland: 106 was the most goals ever scored at a Women's Euros, while goalkeeping heroics — Hampton and Germany's Ann-Katrin Berger, in particular — will be remembered fondly. This was the highest-attended Women's Euros in history too, with 657,291 the record aggregate attendance. Widely viewed as a roaring success, it's just a pity Ireland played no part.
The Irish Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Bitter Spanish press slam Chloe Kelly's ‘cocky' celebration as stars moan they were much BETTER than ‘lucky' England
THE Spanish media have blasted England Women and labelled them as "cocky" and "time wasters" in a bitter attack on the Euro 2025 winners. 4 The Spanish media has hit out at the Lionesses Credit: GETTY 4 They lost on penalties to England Credit: AP 4 The Lionesses became back-to-back European champions on Sunday Credit: EPA 4 Hero Kelly has triggered the Spanish press Credit: Getty Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw But despite Spain 's media think Basel . Chloe Kelly and her "cocky" gesture after her spot kick, which saw her coolly point a finger at the crowd. The Spanish outlet wrote: "This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly's cocky gesture to [goalkeeper] Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty. "The read more on euro 2025 In their match report, the outlet said: "The dream ends in a nightmare. "Spain lost the European Championship on penalties. England tied a match that Spain largely dominated. " History is made by victories, and also by defeats. Spain fell in the Euro Cup final but left its name sealed in gold. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Most read in Football "England robbed them of their dream; the world champions couldn't close the circle they began to write two years ago in Sydney . "They couldn't have been crueler in the penalty shootout, tossing a few dice in the air." Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain 2023 World Cup winners Spain's players labelled England as "lucky" in their post-match interviews . Captain Irene Paredes told Spanish TV "We tried everything, all the different ways, and then the penalties didn't go our way. I thought we deserved it more but in the end it is not about who deserves it. "It is about having that bit of luck and England had that throughout the whole tournament. We thought we could overcome that but we weren't able to. England are queens of Europe England legend Lucy Bronze reveals she played Player ratings - see how England's finest in Chloe Kelly steals the show after Eagle-eyed fans stunned at where Joyous "I think we had more control of the game than they did, we created more clear chances, we had more possession… But yeah, nothing else." Meanwhile, two-time reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati thought her side were "far superior". Bonmati, who missed her penalty in the shoot out, told Spainsh outlet I think we've all given up; it's been a long time here, and it's been very cruel . "In terms of play, we were far superior to our opponents, but in football , that's not enough. " She added: "To be a winning team in a tournament like this, you have to have some luck, and they had plenty of luck. "We know how to do it better when it comes to penalties." Mariona Caldentey's first half header was cancelled out by Alessia Russo in the 57th minute, with the score locked all the way to the end of extra time. England's Euro 2022 winning goalscorer Kelly hammered her spot kick into the top left hand corner to avenge her side's World Cup 2023 defeat to Spain and seal victory for her country.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Sarina Wiegman used wash bag with brilliant X-rated message to inspire England Lionesses to Euro 2025 glory
SARINA WIEGMAN used an X-rated wash bag to inspire England to Euros glory. Lionesses star Beth Mead revealed how England boss Wiegman used a toiletry bag with the words "b****** get s*** done" emblazoned on it to fire them up. 4 Wiegman had a unique way of firing her squad up for the final Credit: GETTY 4 The Lionesses became back-to-back European champions on Sunday Credit: EPA 4 They beat Spain 3-1 on penalties Credit: AP 4 This is the sort of bag Wiegman was carrying around the dressing room Credit: Huvama Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw The squad have hailed their Dutch manager, who has now won three consecutive Euros titles, for her impassioned and inspirational speeches throughout the tournament. Ahead of both the Italy and Sweden games Wiegman fired the squad up and they went on to come from behind, across extra time, in all three knockout games in Switzerland. Asked about Wiegman's pep-talks, Mead said: "Sarina had a certain little way of motivating us, it was great, it was funny, it was everything. "She did it again tonight. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "She had a little toiletry bag that said 'b****** get s*** done', and b****** got s*** done today. "That is it, drop the mic." Asked about Wiegman's message, captain Leah Williamson said: "You can have all of those words and sport has all those words circulating all the time. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Most read in Football "It's really brave to put that into action and to decide that you're going to go for it and you leave yourself vulnerable." England are queens of Europe England legend Lucy Bronze reveals she played Player ratings - see how England's finest in Chloe Kelly steals the show after Eagle-eyed fans stunned at where Joyous 'This is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played' says Sarina Wiegman
