English Premier League: Christian Eriksen (1′) Tottenham 1-0 Manchester United Christian Eriksen’s 11 second strike for Tottenham against Manchester United on Wednesday was the third fastest goal in Premier League history. But who else has scored one of the quickest goals of all-time? 8.1 seconds: Christian Benteke (Belgium 6-0 Gibraltar, World Cup qualifier 2017) Belgium striker
World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
Gab Marcotti is given the floor to share his true feelings on Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Alexis Sanchez and Gareth Bale headline a host of big names who will be absent from next summer’s World Cup after Chile and Wales failed to qualify for the tournament. Italy were the
Sweden held off Italy to advance to the 2018 World Cup, while the Italians failed to qualify for the first time since 1958. Sweden held off Italy to advance to the 2018 World Cup, while the Italians failed to qualify for the first time since 1958. Gab Marcotti is given the floor to share his
Janusz Michallik and Alexis Nunes break down Sunday’s World Cup playoff matches, as Switzerland and Croatia qualify. Basel will replace the pitch on ahead of next week’s Champions League game against Manchester United because of the damage sustained in Switzerland’s World Cup qualifier. Heavy rain in the build-up to Sunday’s goalless draw against Northern Ireland
Shaka Hislop and Mark Donaldson look at France’s new generation of players and who the best natural leader is. France left-back Layvin Kurzawa has insisted his derogatory comments about France coach Didier Deschamps were just a “youthful mistake.” Kurzawa was the victim of an alleged blackmail attempt a few months ago when it emerged he
Gab Marcotti is given the floor to share his true feelings on Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Gab Marcotti and Craig Burley go back and forth on how much Gian Piero Ventura is at fault for Italy missing the World Cup. Sweden held off Italy to advance to the 2018
Gab Marcotti rips into Gian Piero Ventura for saying Italy deserved better than their first-leg playoff defeat at Sweden. Gigi Buffon issues a rallying cry to Italy as they approach their must-win World Cup playoff second leg against Sweden. Gian Piero Ventura says Italy will have plenty of opportunities to overcome Sweden’s advantage and reach
The FC guys share their predictions for Northern Ireland’s clash against Switzerland and Greece’s trip to face Croatia. Alison Bender and Mark Ogden look ahead to what could be an historic week for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Martin O’Neill hopes his Ireland players remain injury free over the next few weeks
The ESPN FC crew answer your tweets, including whether or not Pep Guardiola’s influential style of play is ruining Serie A. The FC crew examine the World Cup playoff draw in Europe and Italy’s chances of qualifying for Russia. Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini says a generation of Italian defenders have been “ruined” by Pep Guardiola’s
Alejandro Moreno and Alexis Nunes predict the crucial World Cup playoff matches. For eight European teams, the World Cup next summer is agonisingly in reach — but first they need to negotiate a nervy playoff during the international break to book their ticket to Russia. From four-time winners Italy to Euro 2004 winners Greece, teams
Alejandro Moreno and Alexis Nunes preview and predict the playoff fixtures of World Cup qualifying. With the playoff teams set in Europe, the FC crew assess which unseeded side has the best chance of reaching the World Cup. Martin O’Neill hopes his Ireland players remain injury free over the next few weeks ahead of their
Massimiliano Allegri has been in charge of Juventus since 2014. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says he could consider coaching Italy one day, although he insists his immediate future is with the Bianconeri. Allegri has been mentioned as a potential successor to Gian Piero Ventura, who has come under fire with Italy struggling in the final
The FC panel debate whether Belgium can win the World Cup or merely prove to be an entertaining side in Russia. Eden and Thorgan Hazard jokingly told Belgium teammate Michy Batshuayi he “wouldn’t touch the ball” when they played together for their country earlier this week. The brothers were in the team for the World
ESPN FC’s Mark Ogden explains the significance of having Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at Russia 2018. Portugal’s victory over Switzerland sealed the top spot in Group B and earned a berth for the 2018 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo is enjoying “the best spell of his career” after scoring 15 goals in Portugal’s successful World Cup
Gabriel Jesus and Brazil ended Chile’s World Cup hopes with a convincing 3-0 win in Sao Paulo. Dick Advocaat praises retiring Dutch star Arjen Robben, saying the Netherlands will miss having his quality on the pitch. Jorge Sampaoli says he gets emotional coaching Lionel Messi, whom he calls the best player in history. Max Bretos,
After becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, Iceland celebrated with their famous Viking clap. The FC crew break down how Iceland were able to make history and become the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Iceland have become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup
Mark Ogden reports from Lisbon as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi face a defining night in their international careers. Alejandro Moreno explains why Argentina could find it difficult to get the result they need at Ecuador. Craig Burley and Alexis Nunes go toe-to-toe in predictor ahead of the final round of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
Marouane Fellaini was taken off against Bosnia. Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini lasted just 30 minutes of Belgium’s World Cup qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina before limping off with a knee injury. Fellaini had been suffering from an Achilles problem earlier this week but was named in the starting XI on Saturday afternoon, despite Belgium having already
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever professional goal for Sporting CP in 2002 against Moreirense. Rio Ferdinand visited Cristiano Ronaldo at home to ahead of the launch of his new Nike boots. Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken of his pride at seeing a full Bernabeu when he joined Real Madrid in 2009. There is a piece of
Joachim Low says Germany must bring the enjoyment back to football in the country. Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos will not play in Germany’s final World Cup qualifying game against Azerbaijan this Sunday because of a rib injury. Kroos completed the 90 minutes as the reigning world champions sealed qualification for next summer’s tournament with