International Soccer

Italian Apocalypse Looms Following Shock First Leg Defeat To Sweden

Sweden registered a famous 1-0 victory over Italy in their World Cup qualifying playoff first leg in Stockholm thanks to a deflected effort from substitute Jakob Johansson. The return leg is on Monday in Milan with Italy’s hopes of a 19th World Cup appearance in serious jeopardy. 

Johansson’s 61st minute strike was vital, but Sweden’s ability to successfully keep Italy off the scoresheet was just as big. An away goal in Milan would almost certainly be enough to send Sweden through, and this Swedish side has enough talent to go toe-to-toe with the four-time world champions.

The Own Goal That Helped Send Senegal To The World Cup Was Properly Stupid

Senegal qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia by beating South Africa 2-0 in a World Cup qualification replay on Friday. For the second goal, South Africa capitulated in perhaps the most painful way possible: the shambolic own goal.

Watch Marcelo’s Wild Screamer Against Japan

Many of us are not fans of international friendlies. One often gets the feeling that the soccer world stops spinning in order for some meaningless and frequently boring matches to take place.

However, there are times when friendlies feature some impressive plays, skills and goals.

Colombia produjo un espectáculo de 30 segundos totalmente vergonzoso para la humanidad

Un amistoso entre los participantes en la Copa Mundial de 2018, Corea del Sur y Colombia en Suwon, alcanzó niveles totalmente deplorables en el minuto 62, con los coreanos liderando 2-0 tras un doblete del delantero del Tottenham Son Heung-Min. 

La estrella colombiana James Rodríguez estuvo en el centro de la desdicha cuando, a sabiendas y de forma muy obvia, le propinó una patada a Jin-Su Kim mientras fingía un intento de controlar el balón. El contacto pudo haber sido mínimo, pero James luego procedió a arrastrar a Kim fuera del campo.

Alex Morgan’s Sweet Volley Keeps Canada’s USWNT Jinx Alive And Well

The Canadian women’s program is undoubtedly on the rise, but their hex against the USWNT remains an unsolvable issue dating back to their last victory against their southern neighbors in 2001. On Thursday night in Vancouver they had their chances, but the United States held on for a 1-1 draw after Alex Morgan’s sweetly struck volley was canceled out by Adriana Leon.

In 1973, Chile Scored The Easiest And Saddest Goal In World Cup History

There’s easy goals and then there is this abnormal, ghostly goal Chile scored in the 1973 World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs against the Soviet Union. 

But why ghostly? Some context is required in order to understand how this came to pass. In the 1970s, the Cold War was in full swing. The USA and the Soviet Union were competing to achieve world hegemony in terms of political and economical influence. 

Awful Penalty Call Means Northern Ireland Are Almost Certainly Not Qualifying For Russia

Northern Ireland's World Cup hopes were all but dashed Thursday as the hosts lost 1-0 to Switzerland in the first leg of their World Cup playoff. The goal came via a Ricardo Rodriguez penalty in the 56th minute. Ricardo Rodriguez should not have scored that goal because a penalty should not have been called. Take a look for yourself:

Taylor Twellman is adamant that this is a penalty and you know what, reader? Taylor Twellman is wrong.

Ludicrous Goalkeeping Mistake Portends Shocking Greek Defensive Collapse Against Croatia

Of the four UEFA World Cup qualifying playoffs, few would have expected this sort of entertainment from the Croatia vs. Greece match. Greece, a team that once turned winning while attacking as little as possible into an art form, were away to a resolute Croatia with its star striker on the bench in what is usually a cagey first leg. But the match was refreshingly exciting. 

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