Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Portugal 6 – Bosnia-Herzegovina 2 (Agg. 6-2) (Euro 2012 playoffs second leg, November 15, 2011) (Alternative highlights & Longer highlights.) Cristiano Ronaldo placed a trademark free-kick into the bottom left hand corner to put the Portuguese ahead on the night and in the tie. (Ronaldo had won the free-kick after being squashed by two Bosnian defenders.) On 24 Nani made it 2-0 with a stunning strike that gave Begovic no chance. B-H had a great opportunity to get back into the tie but Edin Dzeko hit the bar when he probably should have scored. The Bosnians did get back in it four minutes before the break thanks to a debatable penalty for a Coentrao handball, converted by Zvjezdan Misimovic. (Cristiano Ronaldo protests Bosnia-Herzegovina penalty.) Eight minutes after the break Cristiano Ronaldo ran through on to a Moutinho through ball, rounded Begovic and slotted home the killer third. Senad Lulic was sent off for protesting the goal. But on 65, Bosnia grabbed another lifeline, Emir Spahic tapping in from close range. On 72 Portugal regained their two-goal lead, Helder Postiga scoring the fourth. With 10 minutes remaining Miguel Veloso curled in a fine free-kick for the fifth Portugal goal. A minute later Helder Postiga headed in the sixth.

Portugal final whistle celebrations.

Individual highlights: Cristiano Ronaldo & Luis Nani.

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Republic of Ireland 1 – Estonia 1 (Agg. 5-1) (Euro 2012 playoffs second leg, November 15, 2011) (Alternative highlights.) Cruising from a 4-0 lead in the first leg, Ireland went ahead on the night just after the half hour as Stephen Ward tapped in from close range. Konstantin Vassiljev pulled a goal back for Estonia from outside the box, shooting through Shay Given.

Post-match interviews: Giovanni Trapattoni, Damien Duff & Shay Given.

Post-match celebrations & the RTE panel react to Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualification.

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Montenegro 0 – Czech Republic 1 (Agg. 0-3) (Euro 2012 playoffs second leg, November 15, 2011) Petr Jiracek confirmed the Czechs place at Euro 2012 scoring a killer away goal ten minutes from time.

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Croatia 0 – Turkey 0 (Agg. 3-0) (Euro 2012 playoffs second leg, November 15, 2011) Stipe Pletikosa made a fine save from Colin Kazim Richards early on and Luka Modric went close with a header for Croatia. Looks set to be Guus Hiddink’s last match in charge of Turkey.

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Estonia 0 – Ireland 4 (Euro 2012 playoffs first leg, November 11, 2011) The Irish netted a vital away goal in the 18th minute as Keith Andrews rose above his marker to get on the end of an Aiden McGeady cross and plant home his header. Estonian defender Andrei Stepanov was sent-off then, for a second yellow card, and Ireland took advantage in the second half with Jonathan Walters forcing in a header and Robbie Keane making it 3-0. Estonia were down to nine men when Raio Piiroja was dismissed before Keane got the fourth with a late penalty.

Post match interviews: Robbie Keane, Keith Andrews & Giovanni Trapattoni.

Watch full RTE post-match analysis here.

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Czech Republic 2 – Montenegro 0 (Euro 2012 playoffs first leg, November 11, 2011) Just past the hour Rosicky teed up Vaclav Pilar to wallop home the opener for the Czechs. As the final minutes ticked over Tomas Sivok headed in a crucial second for the Czechs.

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Turkey 0 – Croatia 3 (Euro 2012 playoffs first leg, November 11, 2011) Croatian had a dream start inside two minutes as Tottenham’s Corluka unlocked the home defence of the left hand side and Ivica Olic finished from a yard out. Croatia doubled their advantage just after the half hour when a right wing cross was headed home by Mario Mandzukic. Turkey’s hopes looked dead and buried in the 51st minute as more awful defending was exposed as a Srna free-kick was headed home by Vedran Corluka.

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Bosnia 0 – Portugal 0 (Euro 2012 playoffs first leg, November 11, 2011) Raul Meireles hit the target early doors as Portugal looked for the opener, while Cristiano Ronaldo blew a good opportunity midway through the first half. The chances continued to flow for Portugal after the break as Cristiano Ronaldo and Helder Positiga both missed good chances to score, while at the other end Edin Dzeko flashed a 35-yard effort just over the bar.

Individual highlights: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Nani & Fabio Coentrao.

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Bulgaria 0 – Wales 1 (Euro 2012 qualifier, October 11, 2011) Wales ended their Euro 2012 campaign on a high as Gareth Bale’s goal gave them their first back-to-back victories in competitive fixtures for six years.

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

France 1 – Bosnia 1 (Euro 2012 qualifier, October 11, 2011) Bosnia scored a massive goal five minutes before the break as Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko rolled French defender Adil Rami on the edge of his box before curling a beauty into Lloris’ far top corner. Twelve minutes from time Samir Nasri pulled Les Bleus level from the penalty spot.