Latest news with #Euro2004
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I knew Wayne Rooney when he was a teen - his true colours were clear'
Wayne Rooney took many people aback with his talent when he burst onto the scene at 16 with Everton, with a former club physio revealing the traits that marked him as a future star When Wayne Rooney broke into Everton 's first-team at the age of just 16, many were shocked by the extent of the youngster's talents. The striker quickly made his name in football with a famous late winner for Everton against Arsenal in the Premier League in October 2002 after emerging through the club's academy. Rooney's impact for his boyhood team was instant and he enjoyed two impressive breakthrough seasons in Merseyside, as well as a stunning Euro 2004 campaign with England, before leaving for Manchester United. Rooney went on to win five Premier League titles, one FA Cup and a Champions League trophy at the club, becoming the side's all-time top goal scorer. He returned to Everton towards the end of his career before retiring in 2021 and moving into management with Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle. It's now more than 22 years since Rooney grabbed the attention of everyone inside Goodison Park with that wonder goal against Arsenal. One person watching from the touchline that day was unsurprised by how coolly Rooney took his chance. Former Everton physio Mick Rathbone is someone who got to see first-hand what he was like behind the scenes. The ex-Birmingham, Blackburn and Preston defender opened up on the traits which made Rooney destined for the top in his memoir, The Smell of Football. Rathbone wrote: "I have had so many high spots in my career, but being able to say I worked with Wayne is probably the top one. Everybody knows about him as a player, but I was lucky enough to know him as a lad. "He is a very modest, polite young man, always courteous, always on time, hard-working, very bright and switched on. What sets these once-in-a-generation players apart from the rest? "Obviously, much of it is natural ability and athleticism but lots of players are talented and athletic. With Wayne it was those things and - contrary to what many people think - the most incredible, unflappable temperament." Rathbone said he first gained an understanding of Rooney's calm nature after observing his behaviour ahead of his first Merseyside derby match at Goodison Park in April 2003. He said the young forward's relaxed demeanour was in stark contrast to his own and a sign that he was meant to make it big. Rathbone said: "I remember about 30 minutes came into the medical room and started juggling the ball and generally larking about. He was laughing and clowning around. I couldn't believe how relaxed he was. "I was sh*****g myself, as you would no doubt expect, even though I was only the physio, because the Merseyside derby is a big, big game. "I was fascinated to get an insight into how he really felt, remembering when I was 17 years of age and about to cross the white line. That was it then, in a nutshell. Born to be great, born to play at the highest level." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Celtic legend's warning for Irish football fans and Heimir Hallgrimsson record
Former Celtic and Aston Villa legend Stiliyan Petrov notes Ireland's recent form under new management - four wins, four losses and two the former international star has warned against misplaced optimism about the 'win' column as his country accounts for two of those may have been to seven World Cups (finishing 4th in 1994) but they have not been to a major championship since Euro2004 and are practically uncompetitive at present. Recent Bulgaria results include a five-goal defeat against Northern Ireland, four-goal defeats to Greece, Switzerland, a 2-5 reverse at home to Georgia, draws with Belarus twice, Cyprus, Luxembourg..."Bulgarian football is shadowed by corruption and match-fixing and people who depend on political support," says Petrov who made a record 105 appearances and scored eight goals for his country."And this makes it even harder for the younger players, for the coaches and for all the football ecosystem in Bulgarian football to flourish because we've been struggling for many, many years and it seems like we are still struggling."We used to play against teams, against Ireland, against the North, and expect to win, now you can see how far we are behind."We are a football nation and I think the fans and people around football want a change but it seems like people who run the carpentry, do the building, don't want to change and this is the biggest downfall for Bulgarian football." Ranked no3 in the world in June 1995, Bulgaria currently languish at 71st."I'm not surprised they could not win against Ireland, I'm not surprised at all."I mean, our national team, our players, are really struggling to play in the big teams and the big leagues, to create leaders, which was a really big problem for Bulgarian football and this has been going on for the last 20 years."And it seems like there's more people who don't want to change then want to change something for good." As it stands, Ireland have played 10 games since announcing Heimir Hallgrimsson as their new coach on July 10, 2024. The Icelandic-born coach's previous job had been as the Jamaica coach but had tendered his resignation at the end June, 2024, following the Reggae Boyz' poor showing at the Copa America where they shipped three defeats in three pool had been beaten 0-1 by Mexico in their opening game, 1-3 by Ecuador in their second outing and finished with a 0-3 loss to had been high in advance for a squad that carried English Premier players such as West Ham striker Michail Antonio, Fulham's Bobby de Cordova-Reid alongside another half-dozen Championship regulars, the then Clermont-based Shamar Nicholson and with another cohort of players across the Ireland regime started with a 0-2 reverse against England in Dublin followed by another 0-2 defeat in Dublin, this time to next four games provided two wins and two losses, with Ireland completing an home and away double, single goal wins over Finland, but having previous form franked when suffering 0-2 in Greece and 0-5 in next two matches, Nations League play-off games - and the ones the former Bulgaria captain Petrov was specifically referring to - were consecutive 2-1 victories over Bulgaria, firstly in Sofia and then Dublin and, remarkably, earned having gone behind in both recently there were early June, 2025, friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, both of which finished as draws and garnered mixed reactions with former Ireland stars Gary Breen and Kevin Kilbane notably immediate programme features 2026 World cup Qualifiers, starting with Hungary at home and Armenia away in September followed by Portugal away and Armenia at home in pool finishes with Portugal at home and Hungary away in November. *Stiliyan Petrov will be featuring in a Premier League XI playing against Ayrfield Utd (founded 1977) at Blunden Drive, Coolock, Dublin, today. The game is a fundraiser for Ayrfield Utd's new clubhouse, youth club and sensory room for neurodivergent children and adults within the community, i.e. people with autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome. And what a teeam it is! Premier League XI (courtesy LegendsXI/Tony Browne): David James; Stephen Carr, Ian Harte, Jaap Stam, Wes Browne; Karol Poborsky, Jason McAteer, Keith Gillespie; Jermaine Beckford, Yakubu - plus guests.
Daily Tribune
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Portugal clinch Nations League title
Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. 'Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today,' Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. 'When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat.' After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was 'equal'. 'We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you,' he said. Portugal equalise twice While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Portugal beat Spain to win Nations League
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Nations League trophy for the second time in his illustrious career. Photo: AFP Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. "When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. Portugal equalise twice While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
Observer
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Portugal beat Spain to win Nations League
MUNICH, Germany: Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, said. "When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters PORTUGAL EQUALISE TWICE While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals — against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch. — Reuters
