Republic of Ireland beaten by Slovenia in Nations League
Republic of Ireland went down to a 4-0 defeat by a clinical Slovenia side in their second Uefa Nations League game.
The hosts led 3-0 at the break thanks to ruthless finishing as they cut through the Irish defence and capitalised on their chances.
Slovenia struck after just three minutes with Lara Prasnikar firing past Courtney Brosnan and into the top corner.
The striker flicked in at the near-post to double the lead before Zara Kamsar added the third with a close-range finish.
The visitors dominated the second half but failed to find the net again until substitute Nina Kajzba blasted home after 82 minutes in a rare Slovenia attack.
Denise O'Sullivan went closest for the Irish by hitting the crossbar a minute later on what was a frustrating night for the team.
Carla Ward started her reign as Republic of Ireland manager with a win over Turkey on Friday night but she have much to ponder after this disappointing performance.
More to follow
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ronaldo ends Germany curse to send Portugal into Nations League final
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates victory after the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Sven Hoppe/dpa Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner after Francisco Conceicao emulated his father as Portugal ended their long curse against hosts Germany with a 2-1 comeback victory on Wednesday for a place in the Nations League final. Man of the Match Conceicao with a superb curling shot in the 63rd and Ronaldo's tap-in five minutes later reversed Germany's 48th minute lead from a header by Liverpool target Florian Wirtz. Advertisement It was the 137th national team goal for the 40-year-old Ronaldo in his 220th cap, both figures being world records. Portuguse delight Portugal previously last beat Germany 25 years ago at Euro 2000 - 3-0 from a hat-trick by Conceicao's father, Sergio Conceicao. They then lost five times in a row against them, with Ronaldo featuring in all of them. Winners of the inaugural Nations League in 2019, Portugal advanced into Sunday's final in the same Munich arena which will be a contest for a second title because they will face either 2021 winners France or 2023 champions Spain. "Conceding wasn't easy but we showed a lot of character," midfielder Bernardo Silva told streaming portal DAZN, adding "hopefully to win" the final but warning that "France and Spain have a lot of quality." Advertisement Looking at Ronaldo, he praised "his ambition to keep going. We are happy to have him with us." Coach Roberto Martinez hailed his team's "tactical flexibility" as he said: "I never felt Germany had control. It is one of the games where you feel really proud as a coach." German revival stalls Germany, who lacked in many aspects, will play for third place in Stuttgart on Sunday as their dream of a first title since the 2017 Confederations Cup ended with a first defeat since the Euro 2024 quarter-finals against eventual champions Spain. "We were not good enough over 90 minutes to win this game. We didn't have enough courage and weren't clean enough. A lot more would have been possible," said captain Joshua Kimmich, who earned his 100th cap. Advertisement "We have to learn our lessons and try to win on Sunday," Kimmich said. Coach Julian Nagelsmann said: "We weren't as ruthless as in previous games. We were not active after scoring, lost many balls." TerStegen returns, Vitinha starts on subs' bench Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned between the Germany posts from a severe knee injury and in-form VfB Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade started after being called up for the first time from a depleted squad missing the likes of Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Antonio Rüdiger. Portugal midfielder Vitinha was benched five days after his heroics in the same stadium in Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan, while his PSG team-mates Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves started. Advertisement Portugal's strong start, Germany try to hit back The match started a few minutes late because a hailstorm had delayed the warm-up, and although the hosts threatened early from Leon Goretzka it was Portugal who had the brighter start with high pressing. Ronaldo failed to hit the ball properly after a determined run from Pedro Neto down the left as Ter Stegen easily gathered, and Neto blazed over shortly afterwards. Germany grew into the game, and now Portugal keeper Diogo Costa needed big saves to deny first Woltemade in the 19th and Goretzka two minutes later. Portugal almost pounced seconds after the restart when Ronaldo just failed to connect with Mendes' sharp cross from the left at the far post. Advertisement Wirtz scores but Portugal hit back Wirtz had been no major factor but in the 48th got the ball, passed it to Kimmich, ran into the penalty area and headed the captain's chipped ball into the far right corner for 1-0. Bruno Fernandes curled wide as Portugal sought a response and also brought fresh blood including Vitinha and Conceicao. Ronaldo headed over and had a free-kick blocked but Portugal were level in the 63rd when Conceicao cut inside from the right and sensationally curled into the far bottom corner. Germany were rattled and Portugal were ahead five minutes later when Ronaldo had no problems finishing off another low cross from Mendes. Advertisement German substitute Karim Adeyemi hit the outside post but Portugal remained the more dangerous side. Ter Stegen saved superbly from Diogo Jota and Conceicao, and again from Jota seconds before the final whistle. Germany's Joshua Kimmich (C) and his teammates thank the fans after the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Sven Hoppe/dpa Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo reacts during the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Federico Gambarini/dpa Portugal's Francisco Conceicao celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Federico Gambarini/dpa
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
WATCH: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen responds to Barcelona critics with incredible double save for Germany
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has been strongly linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer, with the club set to sign Joan Garcia to be the new first-choice goalkeeper. But the veteran stopper is determined to fight for his place, and on Wednesday, he showed that he is still capable of being the Catalans' number one. Ter Stegen has been at Barcelona for over a decade, and for the vast majority of that period, he has been the club's starter. But that looks set to change with Garcia's impending arrival, which would see him drop to third-choice in the pecking order (also behind Wojciech Szczesny). Image via Getty Images In recent days, Ter Stegen has made it clear that he has no desire to leave Barcelona, and he still sees himself as being more than capable of the starting spot in Hansi Flick's team. And he put those words into action when playing for Germany in their UEFA Nations League semi-final against Portugal. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen makes big saves for Germany Late on in Munich, Ter Stegen produced an excellent double save to deny Portugal attackers Diogo Jota and Francisco Conceicao. There has been a lot of doubts about Ter Stegen's level over the last few years, with many Barcelona supporters urging the club to move on from the 33-year-old. And while it appears that they will get their wish this summer, it is far from guaranteed that Garcia will come in and take the jersey right away – especially if Ter Stegen refuses to leave. But it is clear that Ter Stegen will want to play regular football in order to ensure that he is Germany's starter for next summer's World Cup. And if he cannot get that at Barcelona, he may have to accept defeat and move to another club.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Cristiano Ronaldo Ends Germany's UEFA Nations League Run
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his winner against Germany in the UEFA Nations League. (Photo by ... More Christina Pahnke - sampics/Corbis via Getty Images) There will be no first trophy contested by Germany in the Julian Nagelsmann era on Sunday after Germany lost 2-1 to Portugal in the semifinal of the UEFA Nations League. While Florian Wirtz (48') opened the scoring for Germany in front of 70,000 fans at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Portugal managed to strike back in the form of Francisco Conceicao (63') and Cristiano Ronaldo (68'). The semifinal of the UEFA Nations League was also the 100th cap of Germany captain Joshua Kimmich. According to Transfermarkt, the 30-year-old becomes just the 14th German men's national team player to reach this milestone. It is an incredible milestone for Kimmich. But it also comes with a bitter note. Among the list of players who have played 100 games or more, Kimmich is the only one to have never won a World Cup for his country. Indeed, the only trophy Kimmich has won with Germany is the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. With that in mind, the UEFA Nations League would hardly have been a compensation for generation Kimmich. But winning the title would have gone a long way toward improving Germany's chances at future tournaments. After all, wins in games against top teams like Portugal improve the FIFA coefficient standings and increase the chance of an easier group at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. "That was one of our worst games,' Kimmich said after the game. 'It was an absolutely deserved defeat. We weren't good enough with or without the ball. After going 1-0 up, we showed nothing at all. We must learn from that. If we don't bring energy, we can't compete against top European teams." While the result was disappointing for Germany, it was the first win for Cristiano Ronaldo against Die Nationalmannschaft. The Portuguese striker had lost the five previous games against Germany, and now, at the tender age of 40 years and 119 days, he has finally slayed his demon. Indeed, the legendary Portuguese striker secured the win with a tap-in goal in the second half. Great for Ronaldo and Portugal, but for Germany, it underlined significant weaknesses in the backline without Real Madrid center-back Antonio Rüdiger. 'We made two massive tactical mistakes ahead of the goals,' Nagelsmann said. 'That is why we lost the game.' Nagelsmann also admitted that his changes didn't have the desired impact. 'Their substitutions worked better.' The back-three of Waldemar Anton, Robin Koch, and Jonathan Tah struggled whenever Portugal quickly broke forward. Even before Portugal turned around the result, the quick wingers Pedro Neto and Trincao overran the backline at times. The winner, too, easily tapped home by Ronaldo, was a complete capitulation by Germany's defense. Florian Wirtz gave Germany the lead. But his goal wasn't enough. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages) Portugal was closer to the third goal than Germany was to the equalizer. It was only thanks to Marc-André ter Stegen's brilliant double save in the second half that Germany was in it until the very end of the game. Meanwhile, in the attack, Germany struggled to create many good chances in the first half. At least Portugal, too, struggled to produce much. The Portuguese only woke up after a brilliant moment by Wirtz that gave Germany the lead. That goal highlighted why Liverpool is currently in advanced talks to sign Wirtz from Leverkusen. Those talks are progressing well, despite both sides still being significantly apart in the negotiations. Be that as it may, Liverpool will also find out that games can't be won by Wirtz alone. The problem is that it seemed to be Germany's strategy. Aside from the 22-year-old, Germany lacked brilliant moments, or rather, Wirtz's congenial partner and one-on-one specialist, Jamal Musiala. 'The key is that we have to give 100%,' Nagelsmann said when asked about Germany's depth. 'When we do that, we are better even. But if we don't take on one-on-one situations all the time, then we would lose to an amateur team. If players don't give everything, then you will struggle against top nations. We didn't give 100%. That's why we didn't win.' So, what then is the major takeaway from this game? While Germany has closed the gap to the top nations, there are still some significant weaknesses in Nagelsmann's squad. The backline at times lacks speed and depth beyond Rüdiger and Tah. In the attack, promising players are coming, but without Musiala, this team lacks the special extra. Furthermore, certain players have also highlighted that their time in the national team might have come to an end. Leroy Sané was industrious in the first half, but his inability to shoot with both feet hurt him and his team overall. Serge Gnabry came on in the second half and failed to impress. Finally, Niclas Füllkrug had zero impact. In other words, losing this Nations League semifinal isn't the end of the world. But only if Nagelsmann draws the correct conclusions from the game.
