'You know how you have to stay professional? I couldn't!'
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison says he struggled to "stay professional" at Wembley as Palace held their nerve to lift the FA Cup.Morrison, who was commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live for the game, told the Football Daily podcast "it is bonkers" that the South London club are going to be playing European football."Everyone thought Manchester City were favourites but Palace always had a glimmer of hope because of the attacking players they have as well as a great manager in Oliver Glasner," said Morrison."The message is to take the cup seriously because that is what Glasner has done since the very first round. He has put out a strong team in every game."I was in the commentary box, and you know how you have to stay professional? I couldn't! Crystal Palace are going to be playing Europa League football."It is bonkers! I never thought I would see that in my lifetime."Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Portugal sink Spain in penalty shootout to win Nations League crown
When the moment came, Cristiano Ronaldo hid his face and leant on his international teammates. Over on the touchline at the Allianz Arena he couldn't watch but he heard the roar as Rúben Neves scored the penalty that took Portugal to the title and then the tears came. It had taken a shoot out but Portugal have their second Nations League, defeating Spain in Munich. He had scored the goal that helped them get that far, been forced to make made way with minutes remaining, listened to the tension as Álvaro Morata missed and Unai Simón could not save the last kick, then off he went to collect the trophy, his 34th at 40 years of age. It had been a long night, and if it was a battle of the generations, between him and Lamine Yamal, he had won it. In truth, though, this had been about many more men than them. About Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Zubimendi, Nuno Mendes too. And in the end, about Diogo Costa who saved Spain's fourth penalty and Neves who scored Portugal's fifth. It wasn't long before Lamine Yamal threatened, getting the better of Nuno Mendes, evading a reckless challenge from Bernardo Silva that was a penalty in waiting, and eventually getting taken down by Bruno Fernandes on the edge of the area. The free-kick flew over but the way they had dived in on the teenager said something of the threat he carries and the fear felt; it also turned out to be significant, drawing opponents, the ball and the play in, as if the pitch was tilted his way like a snooker table with a slope, and leaving a free wing over on the other side. Whether a plan or a happy coincidence, from the touchline Luis de la Fuente was shouting at his players to switch it and when Spain were able to, attracting their opponents in and then hitting the space it left, the advantage was clear. Not least because João Neves found himself exposed and struggling. A superb long diagonal from Dean Huijsen saw Nico Williams control brilliantly, dash into the Portuguese area and pull back for Pedri to side-foot just wide. Then a moment later, another quick switch had Williams cutting inside and whipping a shot fractionally past the far post. That was not the only place where Portugal were drawn in and when Oyarzabal tempted them back towards his own half, another lovely subtle touch from the Real Sociedad forward turned them and cut them open, leaving Martin Zubimendi running through. He found Lamine Yamal whose chipped return ball in wasn't dealt with by Rúben Dias, Neves, or goalkeeper Diogo Costa and Zubimendi put in the loose ball from close range. Portugal responded fast and from almost nowhere, Nuno Mendes stepping past two challenges to hit a hard, clean low shot into the corner. But Spain reasserted themselves, another misjudgment from Costa seeing Williams nudge just wide and, just before half-time, Oyarzabal gave them the lead again, Pedri slipping the pass through for him to turn into the net. This was the 16th goal Oyarzabal has scored for Spain, his third in a final. His fourth if you include the 2020 Olympics. There is something about him: a subtlety, intelligence and quality of touch too often overlooked, a man lacking in ego or a lobby. And if Spain lost the 2021 Nations League final to France, and had to settle for a silver medal against Brazil in Tokyo, his was the winner against England in Berlin last summer, now it seemed he had set Spain on course for a third title in a row. But then he appeared, which he tends to do; which he has done so, so many times. It can seem that Ronaldo is not there at times – a lot of the time these days, in truth – but he always is. And when Nuno Mendes escaped Lamine Yamal and his cross took a deflection, looping up and dropping behind Marc Cucurella, there he was again, to volley in from close range. It was his 134 goal for Portugal; that thousand-goal target which he insists is no target at all genuinely may be met one day. A thousand, for goodness' sake. Off he went, pointing at his chest, kissing the ball. Spain could hardly believe it. They were not dominating as they had, not creating either, yet nor did they feel under threat. Now though the control they had slipped away, even if Williams did then send a shot whistling wide. Indeed, they could feel grateful when Nélson Semedo's cross went straight into Simón's hands. The departure of Pedri and Fabian had perhaps undermined them, their play lacking edge or acceleration; legs looked heavy and opportunities were few until, with seven minutes left, Isco took aim and Costa dived to push over. At the other end, Simon had to save Fernandes's free-kick on 90 minutes. By then, Ronaldo had just gone off and extra time brought a different flow, a different Portugal, at least to begin with. They should have had the lead immediately when Nuno Mendes, who was becoming the most threatening man out there, set up Semedo for a startling miss from five yards, and the game was tilting their way. Spain were struggling, with Nuno Mendes and the substitute Rafael Leão in particular. Although the next time Nuno Mendes raced into the area and went down it was a dive, Spain were on edge when that left wing got up and running. And yet they did get hold of the game again. Enough, at least, to worry Portugal again and, with Diogo Jota heading a wonderful opportunity over with twenty seconds left, it was time to head back to the spot, where history waited.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Portugal win Nations League with penalty shootout victory over Spain
Diogo Costa was the shootout hero as Portugal won the Nations League by defeating defending champions Spain 5-3 on penalties after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 in Munich. Porto goalkeeper Costa denied Alvaro Morata from the spot before Ruben Neves slammed home the next kick to seal glory for Roberto Martinez 's men. Talk of the first meeting between 40-year-old Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and 17-year-old Spain winger Lamine Yamal dominated the build-up to the Allianz Arena showdown. Ronaldo's 61st-minute equaliser forced extra time but both players had been substituted by the time an absorbing contest was decided from 12 yards. Mikel Oyarzabal had earlier given Spain a half-time lead after the opening goal from his Real Sociedad team-mate Martin Zubimendi was cancelled out by impressive Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes. Portugal celebrated a second Nations League triumph, having won the inaugural tournament in 2019, with Ronaldo pictured in tears following the shootout. Goals seemed extremely likely in Bavaria, with Euro 2024 winners Spain having reached the final with a thrilling 5-4 win over France, while Portugal came from behind to beat Germany 2-1. Pedri and Nico Williams each threatened before Luis de la Fuente's side capitalised on their early ascendancy with a scrappy 21st-minute opener. Oyarzabal sparked the attack with a delightful flick in midfield and, after Portugal goalkeeper Costa and defenders Ruben Dias and Joao Neves made a mess of dealing with Yamal's delivery into the box, Zubimendi was on hand for a simple finish into the unguarded net. Portugal trailed for just four minutes. Marauding left-back Mendes - fresh from his Champions League triumph with Paris St Germain - claimed the leveller, bursting into the box beyond Oscar Mingueza to blast an angled drive into the bottom right corner for his first international goal. Martinez's side enjoyed increased possession and were largely subduing Spain before falling behind again in the final minute of the half. With Portuguese players appealing for a foul on Bernardo Silva by Robin Le Normand, Pedri drove forward and poked the ball through for Oyarzabal - who scored the winner in last summer's European Championship final against England - to divert an instinctive, first-time finish past Costa. Bruno Fernandes briefly thought he had levelled four minutes into the second period but Pedro Neto was offside before providing the assist. A second equaliser of the evening eventually arrived with 29 minutes to go. Mendes breezed past Yamal on Portugal's left and, after his low cross looped up off Le Normand, Ronaldo held off Marc Cucurella to volley home his 138th goal for his country. With the clock ticking towards an additional half an hour, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner limped off two minutes from time to be replaced by Goncalo Ramos. Portugal substitute Nelson Semedo scuffed wide early in extra time, while tempers threatened to boil over during a brief flashpoint after Mendes went down in Spain's box under a challenge from Alex Baena. Yamal was withdrawn ahead of a cagey second period of extra time before Portugal held their nerve to prevail on spot-kicks, with Spain substitute Morata the only man to miss.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Tijjani Reijnders ‘really excited' to link up with Man City for Club World Cup
The 26-year-old Netherlands midfielder has agreed a five-year contract to move to City from AC Milan for 55million euros (approximately £46million) and told Italian media he had spent Sunday conducting a medical with Pep Guardiola's side. City will play their first match of the Club World Cup against Morocco's Wydad AC on June 18 and the arrival of Reijnders could also impact the future of Jack Grealish at the Etihad. First win secured on the road to 2026. 🇳🇱🌎#FINNED — Tijjani Reijnders (@T_Reijnders) June 8, 2025 Reijnders told Gazzetta: 'The medical? I couldn't wait to do it. The plan is to take part at the Club World Cup with City. I'm really excited about that. 'Doing that means I'll get to know my new team-mates sooner.' Reijnders was a bright spark in a disappointing season for Milan, who only finished eighth in Serie A, missing out on qualification for Europe. Reijnders, who joined the Italian giants from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023, scored 15 goals in 2024-25 and will bolster Guardiola's midfield options following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne. As first reported by the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, England international Grealish looks set to miss out on City's final 35-man squad for the Club World Cup. The 29-year-old was not summoned from the bench in last month's FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace and omitted from the squad for the last game of the season at Fulham altogether.
