International Soccer

Luxembourg Is Back, Baby! Recapping The Biggest Upsets From International Break

While there were no headlining matchups, the latest cycle of international qualifying across the globe provided us with some unexpected upsets — if you know where to look.

North Macedonia over Germany and Luxembourg beating the Republic of Ireland were tabbed as the biggest surprises of the international break, but there plenty more stunning results from across Europe and beyond.

These were the best of the bunch:

Gareth Bale Shows Racism The Elbow, Literally

Rangers' Europa League tie against Slavia Prague made headlines for all the wrong reasons. 

During the second leg, which resulted in a 2-0 win for the Czech side, Slavia player Ondrej Kudela approached Rangers' Glen Kamara and whispered something into his ear, which sparked a flare-up as a visibly angry Kamara and Connor Goldson went after the player. Kamara and his teammates allege that Kudela called the Finland international a "f***** monkey.” 

Gareth Southgate, England Get Set To Host Poland

The top two teams in UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group I will face off on Wednesday as Poland travels to Wembley to play Gareth Southgate's England. 

England opened up qualifying with an expectedly lopsided 5-0 victory over San Marino last week in which Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin bagged a brace. Southgate's side next took on Albania and came out victorious thanks to goals from captain Harry Kane and Mason Mount. Southgate has announced that Mount, who missed training ahead of the Poland game, should be fine to take part. 

Ronaldo Reaches 103 International Goals, But It Looks Like No. 104 Might Be Cursed

LUXEMBOURG - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign but then missed a sitter as the visitors came from behind to beat Luxembourg 3-1 on Tuesday.

The hosts went into the match full of confidence after winning 1-0 away to Ireland and took a shock lead against the European champions when Portuguese-born Gerson Rodrigues glanced in a header on the half-hour for his second goal in two games.

Egypt Is Dead Set On Getting Mohamed Salah To The Olympic Games

The manager of the Egypt national under-23 team, Shawky Gharib, hinted at the presence of Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah at the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

"The only senior player who has been chosen is Mohamed Salah, he's one of the three best players in the world," the coach said. "The remaining choices will depend on the team's need." 

Mongolia Keeper Records 11 Saves Against Japan, Still Loses 14-0

Waking up and looking at Tuesday’s schedule of international football, I couldn’t help but notice the final score of one match that had already finished out in Chiba, Japan. The Japan national team had put up two touchdowns — a fortnight of scoring — on Mongolia in World Cup qualifying. 

The 14-0 win isn’t the biggest in Japan’s history (15-0 over the Philippines in 1967), nor was it the biggest defeat in 190th-ranked Mongolia’s (15-0 to Uzbekistan in 1998). 

Cheer Up Portugal Fans! Reminisce About Ricardo's Barehanded Penalty Save At Euro 2004

Portuguese football fans will be understandably aggrieved following the goal-line controversy in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Serbia. It's important to remember though that the Seleção is still tied for first in its qualifying group — a very easy group at that.

Mexico Stands In Solidarity With Wales Against Racist Acts

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) stands alongside the Football Association of Wales (FAW) after Wales denounced racists acts against their players on social media following a friendly match, which Wales won 1-0.

"We urge fans, the relevant authorities and all those involved in each of the participating countries, to take action against those who commit these types of actions," the FMF said in a statement.

Atalanta's Josip Iličić Scores A Stunner For Slovenia

Within the space of 10 first-half minutes, Slovenia found itself in a 2-0 hole on Saturday thanks to a brace from Russia's Artem Dzyuba. 

Atalanta's Josip Iličić pulled one back for Slovenia just a minute after Dzyuba's second goal of the day with his 11th international goal, a wonderful first-time strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. 

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