Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ansu Fati got the winner for Barcelona to fire them into second in Group E

Champions League round-up: Barcelona edge back into mix

Barcelona moved above Benfica into second place in Group E with a 1-0 win at Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Soccer • 02 Nov 21

Cristiano Ronaldo and David De Gea made the difference

Solskjaer hails De Gea and Ronaldo after last-gasp win

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lauded world-class David De Gea and matchwinner Cristiano Ronaldo after Manchester United secured a thrilling last-gasp Champions League comeback win against Villarreal.

Soccer • 30 Sep 21

Referee Francois Letexier sends off the United right-back in Switzerland

Wan-Bissaka has Champions League ban extended

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had the ban for his red card against Young Boys in the Champions League extended to two matches by a UEFA disciplinary panel.

Soccer • 29 Sep 21

Cristiano Ronaldo wheels around in celebration after Man United beat Villarreal at the death

Ronaldo strikes late as Man United edge past Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo capped his record-breaking Champions League appearance by firing Manchester United to a stunning late comeback win against Europa League final foes Villarreal.

Soccer • 30 Sep 21

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw during the opening Group F defeat in Switzerland

Updated Maguire sidelined but Shaw not ruled out

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were absent from training ahead of Manchester United's Champions League clash with Villarreal.

Soccer • 28 Sep 21

Boulaye Dia of Villarreal shows his frustration

LaLiga wrap: Goalless draws in both games in Spain

Villarreal were unable to break down Granada as both sides started their LaLiga season with a point apiece following a goalless draw at El Madrigal.

Soccer • 16 Aug 21

Kepa off the bench as Blues win Super Cup on penalties

Kepa Arrizabalaga came off the bench to save two penalties and earn Chelsea Super Cup success in a shoot-out victory over Villarreal.

Soccer • 12 Aug 21

Wesley Fofana emerged as a key figure in defence for the Foxes last season

Leicester 'devastated' after Fofana injury

Brendan Rodgers said Leicester were "devastated" for Wesley Fofana as the club awaited further information regarding the "horrendous" injury the defender sustained on Wednesday evening.

Soccer • 05 Aug 21

European Cup holders Chelsea will play in Belfast in August

UEFA confirms Belfast will host Super Cup

UEFA has confirmed that the 2021 Super Cup will be played in Belfast on 11 August, the Irish FA has said.

Soccer • 03 Jun 21

Solskjaer: It's not been a successful season

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Europa League final means that this season could not be regarded as a successful one for his side.

Soccer • 26 May 21

Senna: Villarreal have 'great chance' of beating United

Villarreal have a great chance of causing a surprise and beating star-studded Manchester United in tonight's Europa League final if they play as they have done all season, the club's former captain Marcos Senna said.

Soccer • 26 May 21

Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the goal that secured the La Liga title for Atletico Madrid

Suarez revels in proving Barcelona wrong with title win

Luis Suarez has said believes he was underestimated by Barcelona after firing Atletico Madrid to their first LaLiga title in seven years.

Soccer • 23 May 21

Mikel Arteta casts a dejected figure at the Emirates

Arteta keen to continue as Arsenal boss

Mikel Arteta insists he is still the man to lead Arsenal back to glory despite his side failing to reach the Europa League final after being eliminated by Villarreal.

Soccer • 06 May 21

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in Unai Emery's only full season in charge of Arsenal

Emery wary of threat posed by Arsenal hitman Aubameyang

Unai Emery described Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a "killer" as he hopes the forward does not repeat his Europa League semi-final heroics of 2019 on Thursday night.

Soccer • 06 May 21

Raul Albiol scores Villarreal's second goal against Arsenal

Pepe penalty keeps Arsenal's Europa hopes alive

Villarreal claimed a narrow advantage in their Europa League semi-final against Arsenal with a 2-1 home victory in the first leg on Thursday, although they will feel frustrated at letting the London club off the hook.

Soccer • 29 Apr 21

Recap: Man United thrash Roma, 10-man Arsenal lose 2-1

Manchester United fought back to beat Roma 6-2 at Old Trafford in the Europa League semi-final first leg, while 10-man Arsenal earned an away goal in a 2-1 loss at Villarreal in the other last-four tie.

Soccer • 29 Apr 21

Dzeko celebrates his crucial Roma equaliser

Roma and Villarreal join United and Arsenal in semis

Roma and Villarreal booked Europa League semi-final ties against Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

Europa League • 15 Apr 21

Former Valencia pair Dani Parejo (r) and Paco Alcacer (c) helped the Yellow Submarine sink their provincial rivals

Euro wrap: Parejo haunts Valencia as Villarreal soar

Dani Parejo returned to haunt his former club as Villarreal beat Valencia 2-1 to maintain their strong start to the new La Liga season.

Soccer • 18 Oct 20

Leo Messi and Ronald Koeman during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Elche CF on 19 September

Upset Messi still motivated for La Liga opener - Koeman

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman says he understood why Lionel Messi was upset about the departure of his long-time strike partner and friend Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid but did not believe it would affect him on the pitch ahead of the club's first La Liga fixture of the new season.

Soccer • 26 Sep 20

Unai Emery could be heading back to Spain

Unai Emery set to take the reins at Villarreal

Former Arsenal coach Unai Emery has signed a pre-contract agreement to coach La Liga side Villarreal next season, according to reports in Spanish newspapers Marca and AS.

Soccer • 20 Jul 20

Cazorla has put his injury troubles behind him since returning to Villarreal

Ex-Gunner Cazorla to leave Villarreal at season's end

Villarreal have announced that former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla will leave the club after playing in the final La Liga game of the season at home to Eibar on Sunday.

Soccer • 18 Jul 20

Pablo Fornals is set to feature for Spain at the European Under-21 Championships in Italy

West Ham iron out deal for Spain's Pablo Fornals

West Ham have announced the signing of Spain international attacking midfielder Pablo Fornals from Villarreal.

Soccer • 14 Jun 19

Benfica's Joao Felix (c) was the star in Lisbon

Europa League wrap: Advantage Valencia and Benfica

Valencia scored twice in added-time to put one foot in the Europa League semi-finals with a 3-1 win over local rivals Villarreal at El Madrigal, while Benfica have the advantage against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Soccer • 11 Apr 19

Luis Suarez is mobbed after his dramatic leveller

Barca salvage draw in incredible eight-goal thriller

Lionel Messi came off the bench to help Barcelona salvage a dramatic 4-4 draw at struggling Villarreal.

Soccer • 02 Apr 19

Europa League round-up

Napoli, Dynamo Zagreb, Villarreal and Valencia will take victories into next week's second legs, while Sevilla against Slavia Prague and Eintracht Frankfurt versus Inter Milan ended all square.

Soccer • 07 Mar 19