Dubliner Roberto Lopes secures World Cup qualification with Cape Verde
Cape Verde have made history by becoming the second smallest country in history to qualify for the World Cup, with Dubliner Roberto Lopes part of the team.
Shamrock Rovers Sport News
Champions League restarts with World Cup star Lopes of Cape Verde missing for Shamrock Rovers
GENEVA: Far from the World Cup spotlight, the Champions League has restarted with Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes unable to play because of his memorable tournament run with Cape Verde. In 10 games played Tuesday in the Champions League first qualifying round, the first goal of the season was scored in Gibraltar by a player even older than Cristiano Ronaldo — 41-year-old Nano, the left back for Lincoln Red Imps. Lopes returned to Dublin on Monday three days after Cape Verde thrilled the World Cup by pushing defending champion Argentina and Lionel Messi to the limit in a 3-2 loss in the round of 32 at Miami Gardens. Shamrock, where the 34-year-old Lopes has played since 2016, lost 2-0 to Floriana in the first leg in Malta. “I’ll miss the game in Malta, unfortunately,” Lopes had told reporters at Dublin airport, “but I’m looking forward to getting back into training and getting back to doing what I love.” Rovers host the second leg next Tuesday. Champions League in soccer outposts Champions League action played out Tuesday in a swath of soccer nations that never qualified for a World Cup — Gibraltar, San Marino, Faroe Islands — and one which did, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnian champion Borac Banja Luka drew their first leg at home, 1-1 against Levski Sofia, though without their only player who went to the World Cup, 18-year-old goalkeeper Mladen Jurkas. In Gibraltar, Lincoln opened the competition’s scoring with a 16th-minute penalty by Nano in a 3-1 win over Inter Club d’Escaldes of Andorra. Kairat’s return Four more games are played Wednesday, including in Estonia, Moldova and Kazakhstan, where Kairat Almaty start again in the first qualifying round. Kairat reaching the lucrative main phase in the last
Cape Verde and Dubliner Roberto 'Pico' Lopes make history as they progress to knockouts
Cape Verde has reached the knockout stage of the World Cup, becoming the smallest country in history to qualify for the next phase of the competition after a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
Dubliner Roberto Lopes plays key role for Cape Verde in World Cup draw with Spain
Cape Verde have pulled off a huge shock by holding European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in thier World Cup Group H opener in Atlanta.
LOI: Shamrock Rovers remain top after late win against Bohemians
Shamrock Rovers remain top of the League of Ireland after they came behind to win 2-1 against rivals Bohemians at Dalymount Park
Irish footballers, celebrities urge boycott of Israel match
(Corrects bullet point with Ireland hosting October match)
Rory McIlroy named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year
Rory McIlroy has been named RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year for 2025. The world number two-ranked player became the sixth golfer ever to complete a career Grand Slam when he won the Masters at Augusta in April.
Derry City beat Shamrock Rovers to put title celebrations on hold for Dublin side
Shamrock Rovers' title party has been put on hold.
Shamrock Rovers' Bradley faces helicopter dash ahead of title clash
High-flying Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley will do a warm-up with a difference by running the Dublin Marathon for charity on Sunday before being whisked by helicopter to a potential title decider away to second-placed Derry City.