Three hundred and four days is a long time for a footballer to go without playing in a game. And 1,135 days must feel like a lifetime for a striker to go without scoring. The former Real Madrid forward Mariano Diaz ended both of those personal droughts within the first 20 minutes of a friendly … Read more
Brazil have endured so many low ebbs over the past 15 years that it can be hard to remember them all. The historically embarrassing 7-1 defeat to Germany at their own World Cup? Sure, but don’t forget the moronic reappointment of Dunga as coach in the immediate aftermath or the twin Copa America meltdowns of … Read more
“My phone kept buzzing with messages, but I was so tired, I went straight to sleep — I hadn’t realised I’d set the record!” For Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew, last Tuesday night was just like any other. The 38-year-old midfielder spent the evening coaching the club’s under-18s. Once home, he watched the football, then went … Read more
It is so often the way with goalkeepers — 90 minutes of relative inactivity, one big moment, then a whole lot of judgement. For Matt Turner, that’s what came deep into added time at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, when Panama took their only shot on target all game — from the right … Read more