International Football
NATIONS LEAGUE: CONFIDENT ENGLAND READY FOR ICELAND
Iceland will forever bear a scar for English football, after an embarrassing exit at Euro 2016 to a country with a population of less than 1 per cent the pool on offer to the Three Lions.
Four years on, the nations meet today in the Nations League for the first time since that fateful night in Nice, with the visitors in Reykjavik a much-changed side.
Only six of the England squad who lost in the round of 16 in that tournament remain.
Among them, captain Harry Kane, 27, and Raheem Sterling, 25, are now the senior figures in a squad filled with youth, flair and far less fear than the side who were racked by self-doubt after falling 2-1 behind just 18 minutes into that famous defeat by Iceland.
Phil Foden, 20, and Mason Greenwood, 18, have been handed their first senior call-ups after impressing for Manchester City and Manchester United respectively since football returned from the coronavirus shutdown in June.
They could be two of the beneficiaries of the one-year delay to the European Championship, with England one of the favourites for a tournament they will largely play on home soil next summer.
“They are realistic challengers,” said England boss Gareth Southgate about Foden and Greenwood’s prospects for Euro 2020.
Both will have to fight their way into one of the most star-studded front lines in world football, one which already boasts Kane, Sterling, Greenwood’s United teammate Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund.
Southgate added: “We’re a year away from a European Championship, let’s see if they can break into that team. It gives us great competition for places.”
Neither player seems to lack confidence when it comes to making an impact on international football.
Greenwood has been hailed by former England greats Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney for his ability to finish clinically with either foot. He scored 19 goals in his breakthrough season.
Foden also has lofty ambitions as he hopes to be the man to fill David Silva’s shoes at City next season.
Named player of the tournament when England won the Under-17 World Cup three years ago, he has already experienced success at international level.
He and England’s new generation still have to prove themselves at senior level, but they are providing far more cause for optimism than the crop that will forever be remembered for crumbling to Iceland.
Meanwhile, Spain captain Sergio Ramos has praised his side for not giving up the fight, as Jose Luis Gaya snatched a late point in their 1-1 Nations League draw with Germany in Stuttgart on Thursday.
The Germans were seconds away from victory in the League A, Group 4 clash after Chelsea’s new signing Timo Werner gave the hosts a second-half lead, only for Gaya to tap home a Rodrigo Moreno header in the sixth minute of added time.
“We fought until the end. It was a good test for the start of the season,” said Ramos to German broadcaster ZDF.
–AFP
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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