O'Neill returns to Northern Ireland role on long-term deal
Michael O'Neill is back as Northern Ireland boss a little over two and a half years after leaving the job for Stoke.
Switzerland Sport News
Ronaldo a bystander as Portugal find magic touch at World Cup
DOHA: Cristiano Ronaldo first found himself unloved and unwanted by Manchester United. Now the unthinkable has happened — he has been dumped by Portugal. The superstar forward was largely a spectator as the side he has captained for so long threw off the shackles and romped to a 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the World Cup last-16 on Tuesday. Young striker Goncalo Ramos, brought in for Ronaldo, scored a stunning hat-trick and at least competed with his illustrious teammate for the headlines. Ronaldo came to the World Cup seeking respite after his troubled spell at Old Trafford this season, where he had become a peripheral figure under new manager Erik ten Hag. Those frustrations boiled over last month in an explosive TV interview in which he lashed out at the club and the coach, leading to an inevitable parting of the ways. The 37-year-old landed in Qatar to the usual fanfare, once again the focus of fawning attention from the world’s media. Things even went to script in Portugal’s first game, when he scored the opener from the penalty spot in a 3-2 win against Ghana, becoming the first man to score goals at five World Cups. But things went downhill from there. He huffed and puffed through games against Uruguay and South Korea but failed to find the net and Portugal were less than the sum of their considerable parts. Portugal coach Fernando Santos, who masterminded the side’s triumph at Euro 2016, finally took the decision to leave his star man out against the Swiss and was vindicated in spectacular fashion. Portugal turned on the style, with Benfica’s Ramos, 21, netting three times in a free-flowing attacking performance.
Pass-masters Spain fail World Cup test, face identity crisis
DOHA: Spain arrived in Qatar with grand dreams of winning a second World Cup, fully convinced in their style of play, but departed early Wednesday, ruminating on an identity crisis. La Roja last lifted a major trophy a decade ago at Euro 2012, while they have not won a single knockout game at the World Cup since triumphing in South Africa in 2010. Luis Enrique’s side huffed and puffed but could not blow Morocco’s sturdy house down in the last 16 on Tuesday, falling 3-0 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.
Morocco knocks out Spain on penalties : the story of a stunning defence and three spotkick misses
The specialists had predicted a balanced game between Portugal and Switzerland but it ended with a spectacular result. 7-1 in favour of the Portuguese who immediately imposed their rhythm as the Swiss struggled not to concede any more goals . One player made a lot of noise during this game, it was Gonçalo Ramos. The 21-year-old started in the position usually occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo and scored a hat-trick for his team, a first since 1966.
Dropping Ronaldo purely 'strategic' says Portugal coach
Portugal coach Fernando Santos said his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of his starting team for Tuesday's 6-1 triumph over Switzerland in the World Cup last 16 had been "strategic and nothing more."
FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals: Who Will Play Whom And Where?
With Portugal decimating Switzerland 6-1 in the final Round of 16 match, the line-up for the quarter-finals of the tournament is decided. Top teams like Germany and Belgium were already eliminated in the group stage while the Round of 16 saw 2010 champions Spain crashing out after a defeat to Morocco on penalties. Giants like France, Brazil, Portugal, and England have booked their qualification into the last 8 with convincing results. Some exciting contests await in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup from where only 4 teams will go through to the semi-finals.
'Sorcerer' Ramos dazzles with hat-trick in first World Cup start
LUSAIL, Qatar: Few fans had heard of Goncalo Ramos before Portugal's 6-1 demolition of Switzerland on Tuesday (Dec 6) took them into the World Cup quarter-finals but after a hat-trick and an assist the striker made sure they will never forget him.
IOC warns Afghanistan over women’s sports and Olympics
LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday warned that it could stop working with Afghanistan ahead of the next Olympics in 2024 if women are not allowed to play sports under Taliban rule.