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Belfast Telegraph
3 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Ireland fightback to defeat Czechia in Portugal: ‘We made life difficult for ourselves'
Having trailed 3-1, an impressive third quarter display saw Ireland take control of the game, with Johnny McKee, Matthew Nelson and a Lee Cole brace giving Ireland a lead that they saw out to secure the win. Ireland dominated possession in the opening minutes, with Matthew Nelson's early effort deflected over the bar by the Czech defenders. McKee earned Ireland the first penalty corner of the match after Louis Rowe did well to release his Banbridge teammate on the break. Cole's effort from the corner was well saved. Czechia, however, drew first blood, breaking the deadlock just before the end of the first quarter, a deft touch in the circle from a crash ball beating Jaime Carr in the Irish net. Czechia added a second to their tally halfway through quarter 2, but Ireland pulled a goal back just before half-time thanks to some individual brilliance from Daragh Walsh. He cut inside from the right-hand side and beat two players before finding McKee on the penalty spot to strike into the back of the net. Czechia's pace on the break continued to cause Ireland problems in the second half, as they won a penalty corner after two minutes, which Ireland did well to defend initially. However, Czechia eventually found the net from the follow-up. Ireland responded immediately, McKee getting his second and a great pass from Matthew Nelson to fire in on his reverse from a tight angle. With the momentum now in their favour, Ireland launched another attack, McKee yet again getting involved with his effort at goal blocked on the line by a Czech body to win Ireland a penalty stroke, which Cole dispatched to draw Ireland level at 3-3. Sean Murray and Matthew Nelson combined to put Ireland ahead for the first time in the game, Murray weaving his way along the baseline and calmly flicking towards goal for Nelson to touch into the net. Ireland pressed immediately from the restart, with Cole eventually winning ball on the edge of the Czech circle and drawing a heavy foul to win a second penalty stroke, which he again dispatched to extend Ireland's lead to 5-3 and that was enough for victory. Speaking after the game, Ireland Head Coach Mark Tumilty said: 'We made that difficult for ourselves today. Any time they got into our circle they looked dangerous. We have enough experience in this competition to know how difficult it can be, but we need to manage those challenging patches better.' Discussing Ireland's comeback, Tumilty added: 'The positive was quarter three where we played better hockey, were more aggressive in the press, and scored some good goals.' Ireland will face Italy in their next game of Pool A on Tuesday, July 29 at 3.15pm.


The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
England only had one key trait over Spain – but it led them to Euro 2025 glory
History repeated, once with force. Chloe Kelly again decided the European Championship for England, this time with a penalty that reflected all of the fight in this team. It was proper grit, proper character… yes, proper England, who remain European champions. Sarina Wiegman's side produced another miracle, as she claimed a third successive winners' medal in this competition. These are all historic feats in themselves, but they are elevated by the manner of it. It went to even deeper wells of resolve than Kelly winning it in extra-time at Wembley against Germany three years ago. And to manage that against this Spanish side, in this way, is the best reflection of this team's spirit. It shouldn't really have been possible given how they went behind. It shouldn't really have been possible given the visible fatigue as Spain kept the ball and kept England working. Except, the two-hour-plus football match was almost the most appropriate distillation of England's ultimately victorious tournament. Just like these Euros as a whole, Wiegman's side could have been beaten four times over in the match. They could have been beaten twice over in penalties. And yet they're still here, left alone on the podium to lift the trophy, above them only sky. That's because they just don't say die. The argument will persist that Spain are the best team in the world, and the best team in Europe. It doesn't matter. They still had to stay on watching England pick up their medals, substitute Michelle Agyemang going first to pick up the award for young player of the tournament. And, this time, in the actual game, it was the player she usually replaces that proved the difference. Alessia Russo got all the rewards for her hard work. She got the goal that eluded her for so long, a supreme soaring header with its very trajectory seemingly symbolising a change in the game. It, of course, came from another Kelly intervention, sent on for the injured Lauren James, to give something different. Something decisive. Spain, who had previously been imperious after Mariona Caldentey's fine headed goal of her own, started to stumble. The passing wasn't as crisp. There was a laxness. Even Aitana Bonmati began to make bad choices, which culminated in her fateful missed penalty. All of that is ultimately down to the spirit that has driven England through these Euros, instilled by Wiegman. They might have only led for four minutes of actual play in the knock-out stages, but they still did what mattered. No matter how many other arguments anyone might have about that or their performance, you can't fault their resolve. There is a unique defiance there that any team would envy. Wiegman went into detail about that on the eve of the final, talking about how crucial she sees that together. It wasn't just talk. They walked it, even if that meant hobbling through some tough moments. Lucy Bronze and George Stanway both symbolised that above anyone, having to go off injured in this final. And yet still the team persevered. Stanway had put in an admirable shift, especially given how Spain utterly exhaust you in midfield. Behind her, Keira Walsh was a ferocious presence. She tends to be targeted in such games. She stood her ground, as did that defence. That was perhaps the most admirable aspect of the performance, and the decisive factor in actually keeping level with Spain. Montse Tome's side just couldn't get beyond that Leah Williamson-led rearguard. England defended defiantly. There were so many moments when Spain looked to be in and around that six-yard box, only for one challenge, one crucial interception, to just put them off. Vicky Lopez curled about four shots over. Salma Paralluelo had two big chances, including one effort when she could have just swept the ball in rather than backheeling it from three yards out. There were so many what-ifs for Spain like that. But, on the rare occasions when they did get beyond, there was Hannah Hampton. She again proved the penalty hero alongside Kelly, further vindicating another Wiegman decision. Hampton was ultimately named player of the match. Spain might well say that a goalkeeper being awarded that displays their dominance and that they threw this game away. Finals, as Wiegman might tell them, however, aren't for playing. They're for winning. The Dutch coach has instilled England with that quality. They were outclassed by France and Sweden, outpassed by Spain, but they're here on a Swiss pitch after all of them. There, they'd given everything, the gripping tension of the occasion only further speaking to that spirit. They even recovered from the mishap of Beth Mead slipping to double-touch that first penalty, so it had to be retaken and saved. It could have played on another team's mind. It could have been another crucial turn. Instead, Patricia Guijarro was to be the first Spanish shoot-out scorer and the last. Alex Greenwood and Niamh Charles scored, their names necessary to record for the historical posterity if it all. Hampton saved, even from Aitana. England kept fighting this month. They kept going. And now they can keep calling themselves the European champions.


The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sweet moment Michelle Agyemang's former club reacts to England's Euro 2025 joy
Crowds gathered at England star Michelle Agyemang 's former club, Brandon Groves Community Club in Essex, to watch the Lionesses ' penalties secure their victory against Spain in the Euro 2025 final on Sunday, 27 July. The 19-year-old was named young player of the tournament, and the Prince of Wales was among those to heap praise on the striker during the presentation ceremony. Agyemang, who has risen to stardom just four years on from her days as a ball girl, said of England's Euro 2025 journey: "It's so hard coming from a loss in the first game to now, but everything happens for a reason and now we're European champions."