Last night in Dublin, Wales defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 thanks to Harry Wilson’s stunning free kick in the 58th minute. The win put the Dragons at the top of UEFA Nations League B Group 4, and a victory over Denmark in Cardiff on Nov. 16 would see the nation promoted to League A — an achievement that would make Ryan Giggs’ early tenure as boss a resounding success.
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford for only the second time since making his 2009 then-world-record-transfer of nearly $110 million to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ronaldo has played against Manchester United in three competitive matches over the following period — the 2012-13 Champions League Round of 16 and a brief, seven-minute cameo during the 2017 UEFA Super Cup in Macedonia.
Belgium and newly crowned world champion Holland played to a 1-1 friendly draw Tuesday at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, but the match was blessed with an almighty banger from Dries Mertens and the first international goal for 21-year-old Dutchman Arnaut Groeneveld.
The future of Japan’s promising attack was on full display Tuesday as the Samurai Blue put four goals past the vaunted defense of the world’s fifth-ranked side, Uruguay.
Tucked in behind Werder Bremen striker Yuya Osako was 20-year-old Groningen starlet Ritsu Doan, 23-year-old Red Bull Salzburg forward Takumi Minamino and 24-year-old Portimonense midfielder Shoya Nakajima, and the quartet combined to provide the likes of Diego Godin, Sebastian Coates, Lucas Torreira and Rodrigo Bentancur a nightmarish night at Saitama Stadium.