List of All Articles with Tag 'sports'

John McGinn said the “big moments went against Scotland” and made victory in Spain “near enough impossible” as Steve Clarke’s side missed out on the chance to secure early qualification for Euro 2024 following a controversial 2-0 defeat in Seville. Scotland needed a point against Spain to book their place at the Euros next summer and, although they had to survive spells of pressure against the hosts, thought they had made the breakthrough when Scott McTominay scored a sublime free-kick on 59 minutes. But McTominay’s goal was disallowed by referee Serdar Gozubuyuk after a VAR check, with the initial explanation being that Scotland defender Jack Hendry had infringed on Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. However, McGinn said the Dutch official then clarified that Hendry was offside and was interfering with play. Spain took the lead moments later through Alvaro Morata and although Scotland will still qualify if Norway fail to beat La Roja in Oslo on Sunday, the visitors were left to rue some significant blows. Scotland also lost captain Andy Robertson to a dislocated shoulder before half time. Scotland were aiming to become the first team to take a point off Spain in home Euro qualifiers since 2003, a run that is now 25 matches ago, and McGinn said: “The big moments went against us. We can still improve, but we put in some shift. “We knew at least a point tonight would get us there, so that’s a really tough one to take. It’s a sore blow losing Robbo early, then thinking we’re ahead, we regroup and then they score. “We competed for long spells. It’s very difficult to win here and, under the circumstances, it was near enough impossible. “You need to be very careful what you say. I think everyone watching that game tonight from a Scotland point of view, wherever you were, it just felt like we weren’t getting any 50/50 decision - it made it very difficult against a world class team. “You need a perfect performance here to win, and everything to align and it was just never going to happen. “He (the referee) changed it (his reasoning on the VAR check) in the game, which is the annoying thing. It means it’s not clear and obvious. “Is he going to save it? No chance. No goalkeeper in the world is going to save that. However, at one point he’s said it’s a foul, realises it isn’t a foul, so changes it to offside.” Scotland manager Clarke meanwhile said his players have to move on after the defeat. Clarke’s men face France in a friendly in Lille next Tuesday but Spain face Norway in Oslo two days earlier and if the Norwegians drop points, Scotland’s place in Germany will be secured. The Scots also have Georgia away and Norway at home in November. “The team played well and the players are disappointed,” said Clarke. “We came here determined to qualify. It hasn’t happened tonight but I think there was a lot to be pleased about in the performance. “The big moment in the game is probably the close decision on the Scott McTominay goal. At the time we think it is a goal. You know when the referee gets told to look at it he is probably going to chalk it off. They have made the call, there is no point me going on about it.” Includes reporting from PA Read More Scotland forced to wait for Euro 2024 — but they will not understand how Steve Clarke insists Scotland must move on from disappointing VAR decision Andy Robertson injury: Scotland provide update on dislocated shoulder against Spain Scotland provide update after Andy Robertson appears to dislocate shoulder Steve Clarke insists Scotland must move on from disappointing VAR decision Scotland forced to wait for Euro 2024 – but they will not understand how

Nic Hague and Nicolas Roy scored in the final 2 minutes of the second period and the Vegas Golden Knights spoiled San Jose’s season opener by beating the Sharks 4-1

Russell Wilson's inability to keep the Denver offense on the field proved costly in a 19-8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs

Donovan Smith threw a 49-yard touchdown pass that was caught by Stephon Johnson as time expired to give Houston a thrilling 41-39 win over West Virginia

Nick Castellanos became the first player to hit multiple homers in consecutive postseason games, sending the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-1 win in Game 4 of their NL Division Series that knocked the 104-win Atlanta Braves out of the playoffs for the second straight year

Jason Robertson and newcomer Matt Duchene scored in the shootout as the Dallas Stars beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in the season opener for both teams

Patrick Mahomes threw for 306 yards and a touchdown, Harrison Butker kicked four field goals, and the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Denver Broncos 19-8

Mikal Bridges hit six 3-pointers and scored 23 points to help, Harry Giles III had 16 points and 10 rebounds and the Brooklyn Nets beat Maccabi Ra’anana if Israel 135-103 on Thursday night in preseason play

Brock Faber got his first NHL goal in the first period and Filip Gustavsson stopped 41 shots for a season-opening shutout as the Minnesota Wild beat the Florida Panthers 2-0

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Chris Kreider scored power-play and short-handed goals, Igor Shesterkin stopped 23 shots for his 100th career victory and the New York Rangers beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-1 in their season opener Thursday night.

Dougie Hamilton snapped a third-period tie, Vitek Vanecek made 32 saves and the New Jersey Devils beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in the season opener for each team

Lexi Thompson is holding her own on the PGA Tour