FAI's David Courell happy to conduct reviews
FAI CEO David Courell says he is happy to lead a review into the performance of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson if a replacement for outgoing chief football officer Marc Canham is not in place before the climax of Ireland's World Cup campaign in the autumn.
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Vinicius Júnior goal sends Brazil to 2026 World Cup, delighting fans in Ancelotti's home debut
A goal by Vinicius Júnior secured Brazil a place in the 2026 World Cup, quite a momentous home debut for Carlo Ancelotti as head coach. The once prolific duo at Real Madrid helped Brazil to a 1-0 win over Paraguay at Sao Paulo. Ecuador secured its place at next year's global tournament later on Tuesday with a 0-0 draw at Peru. Defending champions Argentina, held to a 1-1 draw by Colombia, had already qualified and are assured of finishing on top of South American qualifying. Ecuador and Brazil each have 25 points in the standings, but the Ecuadorians are in second spot based on victories. The two nations are 10 points behind Argentina but, crucially, more than six points clear of the seventh-place team with two games remaining in the qualifying campaign. The top six teams in South America earn direct entries to the 48-team World Cup. Chile will miss a third consecutive World Cup after losing 2-0 at Bolivia to remain last in 10-nation round-robin competition, a result that cost head coach Ricardo Gareca his job. Uruguay beat Venezuela at home 2-0, with goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and edged closer to one of the direct spots with 24 points. Venezuela, with 18, are one ahead of Bolivia in the contest for seventh place that grants an intercontinental playoff berth. Lionel Messi had a quiet night in Argentina's draw with Colombia in Buenos Aires. Luis Díaz opened the scoring for the visitors in the 24th minute. Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 70th minute to the disappointment of more than 80,000 fans at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium. But Julián Alvarez scored the equalizer in the 81st with a low, crossed shot. Madrid-Sao Paulo Ancelotti received some frustration from fans after Thursday's 0-0 draw with Ecuador, as his team focused on defending the entire match. The Italian coach, who turned 66 Tuesday, promised changes to make his team more aggressive at the NeoQuimica Arena. He was welcomed by 46,000 fans, including NBA star Gianni Antetokounmpo, who displayed a tifo in yellow and green that read 'Parabens, Carleto' (Happy birthday, Carleto in Portuguese). Gabriel Martinelli replaced midfielder Gerson and was one of the best players of the encounter. Raphinha returned after suspension and created many problems for Paraguay's defense. And Vinicius Júnior was often seen as a targetman, sharing the duties with Matheus Cunha. A mistake by Paraguay's defense, a low cross by Cunha and a gentle touch by Brazil's new No. 10 produced the only goal of the match. 'It is for you,' the striker told the coach as he celebrated. Despite the low score, the hosts were much more aggressive than in most of its games in this World Cup qualifying campaign. 'We needed to win here for our people. Now we have more time to work, see what we can improve,' Vinicius said after the match. He won't play Brazil's next game in qualifying against Chile due to suspension. 'We need to celebrate this. After September it is all about the World Cup.' After the final whistle, a clip of Ancelotti's first days on the job was shown in big screens around the stadium. A raucous celebration erupted again, as if the Italian coach had brought new life to a team that only three months ago appeared lost and doomed. He said the team was balanced despite having four strikers. He also said that Cunha's role, as a playmaker, is the one he figures will be Neymar's if the veteran fully recovers his fitness. 'It's no problem to play with three or four up front. We need 10 players to run, to sacrifice,' Ancelotti said. 'Rodrygo did this many times, I know him well. And Neymar will also do it.' Golden generation gone Chile's golden generation won two Copa America titles — in 2015 and '16 — but are out of contention for next year's expanded 48-team tournament. 'Sad, I am feeling bad. Never lived something like this. We have to ask people to forgive us,' veteran Chile striker Alexis Sánchez said. 'We have to keep working. There's change already, the golden generation is buried, I am the only one left.' Bolivia scored first via Miguel Terceros in the fifth minute and added a second in the 90th with Enzo Monteiro at the 4,150-meter high El Alto Stadium, outside La Paz. Gareca, the 67-year-old Argentinian coach who took Peru to the 2018 World Cup, told a post-game news conference he was leaving the team after a 17-match stretch that included four wins, four draws and nine losses. Final rounds The South American qualifying tournament will finish in September. Uruguay and Paraguay each need one point to secure their direct spots. The Uruguayans will face Peru and Chile. The Paraguayans will take on Ecuador and Peru. Colombia, in sixth place with 22 points, will play for its World Cup future against Bolivia and Venezuela. Bolivia will seek its first chance to play at the World Cup since 1994 against the Colombians and then Brazil. Venezuela's rivals will be Argentina and Colombia. AP
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez sent off after leaving opponent covered in blood during Argentina vs Colombia clash
ENZO FERNANDEZ was sent off last night after leaving his opponent bloodied with a kick to the head. The Advertisement 6 Enzo Fernandez caught Kevin Castano with a high boot 6 Castano was left in a heap on the turf Credit: AFP 6 The Colombian star suffered a nasty cut in the incident 6 Fernandez, 24, was sent off for the poor challenge Credit: AFP Colombia took the lead on 24 minutes via The match became more heated in the second half, and reached a boiling point with 20 minutes remaining. Challenging for the ball, Fernandez's high boot caught Colombia star Kevin Castano in the face. The midfielder was subsequently sent off for the challenge, while Castano received treatment. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Lionel Messi appeared to be frustrated by the incident, and was seen animatedly exchanging words with Colombia veteran James Rodriguez. Just a few minutes after the flashpoint, Messi appeared to throw an elbow towards The It proved to be an inspired move, with Palacios setting up Thiago Almada's equaliser for 10-man Argentina just a few minutes later. Advertisement Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 Lionel Messi exchanged words with James Rodriguez Credit: X After the 1-1 draw, Argentine boss Lionel Scaloni explained: "Leo wasn't going to come off, but he ended up coming off near the end. "He told me it was better for him to come off, and so we decided to change him. Advertisement 'Do you want me to send you off' - Lionel Messi reaches boiling point with referee as Inter Miami woes worsen "The good thing we always showed, with 10 men and without Messi, is that we kept looking, not giving up on a ball. "That makes us very satisfied." Argentina have already qualified for next year's World Cup, with last night's draw putting them 10 points clear of second place Fernandez will serve a suspension when Scaloni's men return to action this September. Advertisement The reigning world champions will host Venezuela on September 9, before travelling to Ecuador on September 14. 6 Messi, 37, appeared to throw an elbow towards Daniel Munoz Credit: X
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Mauricio Pochettino breaks unwanted record as USA humbled by Switzerland just a year before World Cup begins
MAURICIO POCHETTINO's nightmare start as USMNT boss continued with a thumping loss against Switzerland. The HALF-TIME infront of an embarrassed Poch in Tennessee. 4 Mauricio Pochettino watched his US side fall to another defeat on Tuesday Credit: Getty 4 The Star and Stripes shipped four goals in a dreadful first half Credit: Getty 4 The loss comes on the eve of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Credit: AP Pochettino's side have now lost four matches on the bounce since March. The 53-year-old had declared his team had But two months on, the USMNT are enduring their worst run of form since 2007. It comes just twelve months before the country hosts the World Cup. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Tuesday's humiliating defeat was also the first time since 1980 the US have shipped four goals in one half. Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer, Breel Embolo and Johan Manzambi were all on target for the Swiss at a stunned Geodis Park. All four goals arrived in a 23-minute flurry before the break. Pochettino's men are preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 15. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And after making a host of changes, the Argentine admitted he might have tinkered too much. The former Spurs boss said: "First of all, I think it, of course, is our responsibility and my responsibility, the decision of the choice of the starting eleven. USA manager Mauricio Pochettino gives reaction to 2-1 loss to Canada "I think we wanted to give the possibility to the whole roster to have minutes and play for different circumstances and I think that is the risk that we took. "The combination of the starting eleven of the team, wasn't, I think, now after 90 minutes, the best. "We need to say, blame ourselves. Criticise us. Because it was my decision, and that decision didn't work, and when that doesn't work, you need to be critical with yourself." Former Chelsea star 4 Christian Pulisic has been slammed for skipping the Gold Cup Credit: Getty And the 26-year-old's decision has been slammed by former USA forward Langdon Donovan. After watching "And if you don't want to take this, as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. "This is what it means. He's [Ronaldo] 40 years old, he played a long-a** season, he's tired, he was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process. "And I can't help but think about some of our [USMNT] guys on vacation right now, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's p***ing me off.'
