13/10/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | OCT 13, 2025

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Portugal break Irish hearts Last-gasp Neves winner leaves Ireland coach Hallgrimsson heartbroken P ORTUGAL’S Ruben Neves scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win over Ireland that preserved their 100% record in World Cup qualifying Group F siege with his tall defenders, notably captain Nathan Collins, proving their worth. Heimir Hallgrimsson was left heartbroken after seeing the Republic of Ireland succumb to Portugal in stoppage-time. Hallgrimsson said: “Was it correct? I wouldn’t have given it, but the rules are like this. “If the referee gives a penalty, then the VAR needs to say it’s a wrong decision, so I think we cannot argue that it went to the hand, but the hand was close to the chest.

Spain edge closer to World Cup spot

SPAIN continued their dominant World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after goals from Jeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal at Elche’s Manuel Martinez Valero stadium yesterday. The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in Group E as they edge closer to a place at the 2026 tournament having scored 11 goals in three matches without conceding. Spain are top with nine points, three ahead of Turkey, while Georgia remain third on three. Bulgaria sit bottom, having suffered three consecutive defeats. Despite the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the match with over 80% possession and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity. The hosts were thwarted by Giorgi Mamardashvili, though, as the goalkeeper was determined to prevent a rout. Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a well-executed set-piece routine. Georgia’s defence faltered four minutes later when Saba Goglichidze’s misplaced back pass led to Mamardashvili tripping Ferran Torres in the area. However, the keeper made amends by diving low to his left to save Torres’ spot-kick. Mamardashvili was in top form all night, also saving Pedro Porro’s long srange effort in the 30th minute. In the second half, Spain’s remained in control. The breakthrough for the second goal arrived in the 64th minute as Oyarzabal unleashed a stunning freekick from the edge of the box, finding the top corner and sealing the result. “We’re very happy with the victory,” Porro told Spain’s TVE . “The team played very well in all aspects of the game. We had to watch out for their transitions and I think the team did very well. “The defence in general did a great job. It’s our third clean sheet, which is important for building confidence. Now we have another tough match ahead of us on Tuesday.” Spain host Bulgaria in Valladolid on Wednesday when Georgia visit Turkey in Izmit. – Reuters SERBIA coach Dragan Stojkovic announced yesterday he was quitting after his team lost to Albania 0-1 in their World Cup qualifier at home. “This defeat should not have happened, and I accept responsibility. I’m here to face the consequences,” Stojkovic told a press conference after the match played in the southern town of Leskovac. “I spoke with the president and secretary general of the Serbian Football Association. “I have offered my resignation, they will make an announcement also, but I will not travel to Andorra and lead the team,” he said, quoted by the state-run RTS broadcaster. He referred to Serbia’s next World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Wednesday. “Yesterday’s result was really poor, I did not expect this”, the 60-year-old said, blaming himself for the loss. “I have also spoken to the players and told them everything. It’s not a tragedy when a coach leaves, and Serbia will always have a great supporter in me. I have led my country more than 50 times.” Serbia are third in their group K, with England on top and Albania second. Meanwhile, Serbian media reported that Stojkovic could be replaced by former player and football manager Veljko Paunovic. – AFP Stojkovic quits as Serbia coach

and consolidated top spot yesterday. Portugal moved to nine points at the halfway stage of the campaign with a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary, who they host on Wednesday when they could secure qualifica tion. Neves headed home a minute into added time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for his first international goal in 60 appearances. It was a poignant tribute to close friend Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July and whose No. 21 jersey Neves wore in Portugal’s first home game since the Liverpool player’s death. Cristiano Ronaldo had a penalty saved in the 75th minute as Ireland threatened to hold the hosts to a draw but the late strike kept the Irish bottom of the standings with one point. Neves rose to head home Francisco Trincao’s cross, getting to the ball ahead of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. It will have come as a relief to Portugal, who had a frustrating evening trying to break down resolute Irish resistance. The excellent Kelleher also made several key stops as Ireland were under almost constant

A deflated Hallgrimsson said after the match: “It’s just painful, really painful and a heartbreak ing result. “Sometimes we coaches try to look at per formance when we lose games. “I think what we planned to do, our game plan, worked. Team effort, team-work were excellent. “There was a lot of energy put into this match. “Just being so close and ending up with noth ing going back to Ireland is painful. That’s my reaction to the game. “Maybe you want to ask about tactical things and stuff, but this is how I feel after the game. It’s painful.” Hallgrimsson’s men head into Wednesday’s must-win clash with Armenia in Dublin bruised, but buoyed by an impressive rearguard action in Lisbon, although a return of just a single point from their first nine on offer tells its own story. Asked about the penalty decision – which was awarded after Francisco Trincao’s shot had hit Dara O’Shea’s arm –

“Probably most referees wouldn’t have given it, but once you give it, the VAR needs to say that you gave a wrong decision. “That’s how the rules are, so I can’t complain about that.” Portugal boss Roberto Martinez admitted he had not been fooled by Ireland’s performance in Yerevan and saw the game unfold exactly as he had expected. Martinez said: “We realised the game against Armenia wasn’t of the level we expected. We knew it was a game of reaction, of all or nothing, a game played as a final. “We were not surprised with the tactical aspect, but we were surprised by the aggression, winning the duels, defending so well, having incredible solidarity for each other. “For us, we deserved to win. Sure, it’s frustrat ing for Ireland to concede so late.” Earlier, Hungary beat Armenia 2-0 in Budapest to go second with four points, while Armenia have three. – Reuters/The Independent

Portugal’s Ruben Neves scores their first goal. – REUTERSPIC

Haaland runs riot, Italy stay in hunt

ERLING HAALAND scored a hattrick to pass 50 international goals in record time as Norway cruised to a 5-0 thrashing of Israel yesterday, edging closer to qualifying for a first World Cup finals since 1998. Before the match in Oslo, hundreds of people attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration, chanting “Free Palestine” to protest against Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza, AFP journalists reported. Norwegian police dispersed a gathering of pro-Palestinian activists with tear gas and made several arrests. Inside the Ullevaal Stadium, several dozen Israeli fans waved their country’s flag and a banner reading “Let the Ball Talk!”. Norway now lead Group I with

kick for encroachment inside the area, only for Peretz to parry away Haaland’s second effort. But Norway forged ahead in the 18th minute through an Anan Khalaili own goal, before Haaland raced clear to score. Norway got their third from an Idan Nachmias’s own goal. Haaland added his second with a powerful header before nodding in to complete his sixth hattrick for his country with 18 minutes left. “Qualifying for the World Cup would be like a big nation winning it,” he previously said. “It would be the biggest party of all.” Italy raced into a fourth minute lead when Federico Dimarco played the ball into the feet of Kean who twisted and turned his to be retaken

18 points, six more than second placed Italy, who beat Estonia 3-1 in Tallinn to stay on track for qualification. The comfortable win in Oslo leaves Norway firmly in control of the group as they seek a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. After a meek performance, Israel take on Italy in Udine on Wednesday knowing they must win to keep alive their fading hopes of qualifying. Haaland became the fastest player in men’s international football to reach 50 goals for his country and now boasts 51 goals for Norway in just 46 games. His early penalty was saved by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz but the referee ordered the spot

way into the area before unleashing a shot into the far corner. Shortly afterwards, Kean was replaced by Esposito whose only previous international appearance also came off the bench against Estonia in September. The second half was a tamer affair until Leonardo Spinazzola’s ball into the area was met first time by Esposito to net his first international goal in the 74th minute. “I’m very emotional, these are things you can’t explain or fully grasp in the moment,” Esposito told Sky . “I still need to process it, but I’m incredibly happy, everything happened so fast.” – AFP/Reuters/ The Independent