Cliftonville star is proud of historic goal but he's determined to make it count with European progress
As well as being his maiden strike on the continental stage, Curran's headed opener in Gibraltar was the first goal scored in this season's UEFA Conference League — but the 31-year-old wants more than personal landmarks to reflect on from the tie.
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Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Richard Keys calls for huge rule change in penalty shootouts - as controversial former Sky Sports star reveals the 'distinct advantage' given to the Lionesses during Euro 2025 triumph over Spain
Richard Keys believes there should be a major change in the rules over penalty shootouts - arguing the Lionesses had a 'distinct advantage' in their Euro 2025 shootout win. The former Sky Sports presenter, who now works for beIN, thinks there is an unfair advantage given to the side who are taking spot kicks in front of their own fans. The Lionesses won the toss after extra time against Spain in the final of Euro 2025 on Sunday, selecting the penalties to take place at the end in front of England supporters. Keys wrote on X: 'Pens in front of your own fans is a distinct advantage. We should take them at both ends but for now - Come on England.' The current rules are that there are two coin tosses before penalties, one to decide which end they are taken and another to see which side will go first. If Keys' idea to have penalties taken at both ends came to fruition, it may even the balance but alter the spectacle, with attention split between two halves and those on the halfway line turning to watch each time. The Lionesses held off Spain in extra time to reach the lottery of the shootout having cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's opener with Alessia Russo's second-half header. Beth Mead thought she had scored the first goal of the penalties for England but double-kicked the ball as she slipped. She had to retake it and saw her effort saved to give Spain the advantage but it mattered little in the end. Hannah Hampton saved twice and Salma Paralluelo dragged wide of the post before Chloe Kelly stepped up to smash the winner and confirm England as back-to-back European champions. It seems unlikely that Keys' penalty idea will be adopted and he is no stranger to a controversial opinion on X. The broadcaster, earlier this year claimed Man United boss Ruben Amorim was 'trying' to get sacked. He also hinted that Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan both owe their successful careers to him in astonishing rant after they were lined up as part of the trio, along with Mark Chapman, to present Match of the Day. Writing in his blog, he posted: 'Congrats to Kelly Cates on her new job. I'm proud of her but not surprised. Success has many fathers and I'm sure there'll be a few people lining up to take credit for her career, but Kelly, Kenny and me know the truth. 'Kenny and I once fell out about her getting a job at Sky. "It meant she didn't finish Uni" he said to me. "No" I replied. "But you asked me to get her a job". Her dad is a man of many contradictions – but that one was a belter. I'm not holding my breath expecting he'll call now to apologise. 'Kelly is good. Very good. But I'm still surprised she's making the move. There's nothing like presenting live football. I would never have made that decision. Highlights shows are deadly dull. 'MotD desperately needs fresh blood, but I'm not sure it will survive for very much longer. Eventually Grandstand died for similar reasons – the march of time.' Keys and former colleague Andy Gray left their roles with Sky after a series of sexist conversations were picked up and leaked in January 2011 when they thought their microphones were off. Both Keys and Gray left the UK and are the face of Premier League coverage across the Middle East and North Africa with beIN Sports.
The Independent
7 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lionesses announce first Wembley fixture since Euro 2025 triumph
European champions England have announced they will play China, the champions of Asia, at Wembley in November as the Lionesses turn their attention towards the 2027 Women's World Cup. England celebrated their Euro 2025 triumph with a memorable homecoming outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday but Sarina Wiegman is already looking ahead to the start of England's World Cup qualifying campaign. The Lionesses will play China at Wembley on Saturday 29 November, in their third match at the national stadium this year. England also played at Wembley for the wins over Spain and Portugal before the Euros. England will arrange fixtures for the international window in October, while details of a second November game have also yet to be announced. England played China during the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, winning 6-1. 'After an incredible month and the celebrations this week, we are already planning ahead,' England manager Wiegman said. 'It will be special to have a final visit to Wembley this year and something for us all to look forward to once the new season starts. 'Even though we have just finished the Euro, our World Cup qualifiers are not too far away. There are not many opportunities for us to play non-European opposition in the calendar, so I am happy we have been able to secure a top Asian side like China for this Fifa window. 'I'm sure China will give us a very different game to what we experienced in Australia. Whenever we face a squad where most of the players are based away from Europe or the United States, it is a new challenge. And with the start of the qualification campaign soon approaching, this will be valuable experience with the 2027 World Cup in mind.'
Scottish Sun
7 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland star left unemployed at 33 as he leaves club just two games into next season
SCOTLAND centre-back Liam Cooper is leaving Bulgarian First League side CSKA Sofia after less than a year at the club. Cooper featured 25 times for CSKA last season after making the move to Bulgaria as a free agent in September, following a decade long spell at Leeds United. 1 Liam Cooper in training for Scotland at the Euros in 2024 Credit: Kenny Ramsay The defender was keen to get involved at the Bulgarian club, speaking to the CSKA Sofia website he said: 'I spent an amazing 10 years at Leeds, the club that will always be my home and close to my heart. But it was an opportunity I couldn't refuse. 'European football for a huge club in Bulgaria is all I wanted, to challenge myself in a new culture and a new environment. 'I've never had an opportunity like this. This one seems good for me and my family.' He spoke about Scottish Premiership legend Stiliyan Petrov's involvement in the transfer: "When I first heard about the interest in me, I was very enthusiastic - to come to a European capital, a big city and a club with such a history. 'I spoke to Stiliyan Petrov and Iliya Gruev, who is at Leeds. They told me great things, which made the decision easier." Championship clubs will be on high alert with the former Leeds captain likely favouring a move back to England. The 33-year-old would add a welcomed surge of experience to any club in the league with over 200 appearances in the English Championship for Leeds United. Cooper joined Leeds from Chesterfield in 2014/15 and started his 10-year long journey at the club, becoming a hugely influential figure both on and off the pitch. He captained the club to Championship glory in 2020 under Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa. Earning them their awaited return to the Premier League after a decade long stint in the Championship. Major Mikey Moore Rangers loan doubts & 'strange situation' at Celtic + transfer news Go Ballistic Cooper's impressive form for Leeds United earned him 19 caps for Scotland, making his debut for his country in a 2-1 loss to Russia in 2019. He has since became a Scotland regular and was selected for Steve Clarke's Euro 2024 squad. Championship club Hull City could be a potential destination for the Scottish centre-back. Cooper came through the youth ranks at the club, and with the Tigers currently subject to a transfer embargo, it is likely that they will be monitoring the free agent market. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
