Sean Maguire pulled the strings as the Republic of Ireland beat New Zealand 3-1 in their Dublin friendly.
The Preston North End forward scored the goal of the game and was the home team s most lively performer, with Blackburn Rovers Derrick Williams and Sheffield United s Callum Robinson also netting for Mick McCarthy s side.
For all three scorers, the goals were their first at international level.
Youngster Callum McCowatt had given New Zealand a lead on the half-hour mark and he caught the eye more than Burnley s Chris Wood, before the All Whites ran out of steam.
Your Man of the Match
Sean Maguire
— FAIreland (@FAIreland)
Thursday s clash was a warm-up, ostensibly, for the Republic before a crucial Euro 2020 qualifi…
The wait is coming to an end. River Plate and Boca Juniors will meet in the Copa Libertadores final second leg on Saturday in one of the most anticipated clashes in the history of football.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, El Monumental will host an epic match that is likely remain in the memory of all Argentines and a large section of football fans around the globe.
Unlike previous finals in the competition, this edition has even more at stake as the whole world falls back in love with South American club football.
As Buenos Aires, Argentina and the planet are poised with baited breath, Omnisport takes a look at some of the key talking points for this weekend s ultimate Superclasico.
Sólo hay lugar para una
¿Cuál será la chapa del campe…
French league giants Lyon were handed a rude wake-up call Sunday thanks to a 2-0 defeat to Bordeaux which left the former seven-time consecutive champions fourth from bottom of the table.
Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff had provided much of the pre-match buzz following his shock move to the Stade Gerland from Bordeaux two weeks ago.
But despite calmly brushing off the jeers of some disgruntled fans, the versatile France international failed to light up a match which left his new coach, Claude Puel, covering his face in despair.
In the end, goals by Bordeaux midfielder Alou Diarra and a last-minute gem from Brazilian striker Jussie left Lyon with only one win, and five points, from six games.
Peul admitted that his side s lack of success is starting to tel…
Stoke City F.C. manager Mark Hughes has revealed he would like midfielder Stephen Ireland to ink a long-term deal at the Britannia Stadium.
Ireland, formerly of Manchester City, joined Stoke from Aston Villa on a permanent deal in January after impressing during his time on loan with the Potters earlier this term.
The former Republic of Ireland international, 27, is out of a contract at the end of the season but Mark Hughes is hoping the 27-year-old can agree a new deal in the coming weeks.
We are very hopeful that something is going to be concluded very quickly, Hughes said after his side came from a goal to win 4-1 at Villa Park on Sunday.
He was really disappointed he couldn t take part today but we hope it will be concluded.
Steph…
Paulo Bento has agreed a new contract with Portugal that will see him remain in charge of the national team until 2016.
The 44-year-old whose deal will take him to the end of the UEFA European Championships in 2016 has been at the helm since September 2010 and is preparing for his third major finals at the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal lost just once to eventual Group F winners Russia on their way to qualifying for the tournament in Brazil but had to go through via the play-offs, where Bento masterminded a 4-3 aggregate victory over Sweden.
He will now hope to do better than Portugal s quarter-final appearance at the 2010 World Cup.
The news was announced on the Portuguese football association s website on Wednesday with president Fernando Gomes declaring that he was …
A level-headed Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool are not allowing themselves to be swept up in the hype surrounding their Premier League title tilt.
The leaders take a seven-point advantage over champions Manchester City into Thursday s crunch encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Hope of a first top-flight title since 1990 will soar if they can inflict a fourth league defeat in six matches on Pep Guardiola s men and make it 21 games unbeaten to start the Premier League season.
Expectations of silverware might be growing on Merseyside but Klopp is unconcerned by how his players will cope with the fanfare.
We don t feel it, the German told talkSPORT. We know that we are in a good moment, but it s not important.
That s how the world is: there are the…
Gabriel Jesus scored a brace as Manchester City beat 10-man Wolves 3-0 at home to cut Liverpool s lead at the top of the Premier League back to four points.
Jesus followed his five goals in two cup games last week with a first-half double as City recorded a fifth straight win in all competitions at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.
Wolves had Willy Boly sent off in between Jesus goals, the centre-back dismissed for a lunge on Bernardo Silva although he got some of the ball, with Nuno Espirito Santo s side well beaten.
Conor Coady s late own goal completed the scoring on a particularly special occasion for David Silva, whose 267th Premier League game for City moves him above Joe Hart into top spot in the club s appearance list for the competition.
Our record…
Manchester United have reached the end of their tether with Cristiano Ronaldo and want the superstar out of the club as soon as January, reports say.
The apparent refusal by Ronaldo to come on as a substitute against Tottenham on Wednesday, before flouncing off before the final whistle, has led to the striker being barred from playing any part in this weekend s Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Now Ronaldo may have played his last game for the club, unless bridges can be rebuilt.
TOP STORY – RONALDO S UNITED FUTURE IN DOUBT
Ronaldo s last visible matchday act as a Manchester United player could turn out to be the moment he walked down the tunnel before the final whistle blew in the Spurs game.
That act looks to have been one of rebellion, with …
Don´t pay much attention to bull**** – Guardiola defends ´exceptional gentleman´ Bruce after Newcast
Pep Guardiola came to the defence of exceptional gentleman Steve Bruce following his recent departure from Newcastle United earlier this week.
A decision that looked on the cards following the completion of the club s Saudi Arabian-backed takeover, Bruce left the Magpies by mutual consent on Wednesday after a difficult start to the Premier League season.
Newcastle are yet to win in the league this season, having collected just three points from 24 on offer.
The 60-year-old subsequently suggested it could be his final managerial role due to the abuse he received during his two-year tenure.
I think this might be my last job. It s not just about me, it s taken its toll on my whole family because they are all Geordies and I can t ignore that, Bruce told…
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will be searching hard to pick up players in the summer.
Bruce s men started strongly and were in sixth place at the turn of the year but have struggled with a mountain of injuries and are in 14th place ahead of the curtain-closing fixture at relegated West Ham on Sunday.
I would have thought we will be very active over the summer, Bruce said on Friday.
We will be bringing a few people into the squad. There will be phone calls with every Tom, Dick and Harry I assume.
You are looking at players when you get back to work in July. I think all of us managers have a sort of mutual respect and we leave each other alone in June.
Bruce was sad to see Avram Grant sacked by West Ham after their relegation was confirmed …