The Irish Times

Tipping Point: Being the butt of the joke an unenviable position for a sports star

Missing an open goal or simply your appearance can lead to ongoing public derision

Mon Oct 11 2021 - 06:37

Ken Early: Empty echoes are bad but simulated crowd noises are worse

Audio-wallpaper crowds are already used by some match commentators on radio and TV

Mon Jun 08 2020 - 06:00

Fernando Torres announces retirement from football

35-year-old Spanish striker had been playing in Japan since leaving Atlético last year

Fri Jun 21 2019 - 12:17

Klopp praises ‘world class’ Mohamed Salah after chaotic win

The forward’s two goals made it 50 in 72 matches to match Fernando Torres’ record

Sat Jan 19 2019 - 20:22

Ronaldo’s Old Trafford return harks back to happier times

Juventus player comes back to Manchester under a dark cloud

Tue Oct 23 2018 - 06:00

Wales’ Gareth Bale set to be fit for Ireland clash

Real Madrid player came off during last weekend’s defeat to Alaves but will be fit

Tue Oct 09 2018 - 22:30

Experts predict reduced spending will lead to January spree

European clubs may have been holding back waiting for Premier League window to close

Fri Aug 10 2018 - 09:14

Iniesta announces Barcelona departure as Guardiola expresses gratitude

Cultured midfielder gives tearful press conference to call time on his glittering career at the Camp Nou

Fri Apr 27 2018 - 20:38

Conte plays cautious but Chelsea know risk may bring reward

Preview: Uefa Champions League, last 16, second leg Chelsea v Barcelona

Tue Mar 13 2018 - 21:30

All in the Game: Silence golden and respected for Messi

Ineffective Berbatov gets a lot off his chest, quote of the week and by the numbers

Mon Mar 05 2018 - 14:00

How Liverpool react to Coutinho’s exit will shape Klopp’s legacy

Departure shows manager has failed in bid to make Anfield a destination for top players

Mon Jan 08 2018 - 01:00

Diego Costa’s love affair with Atletico Madrid is on and off again

Former Chelsea striker scores Copa del Rey goal on his return to Spanish club

Wed Jan 03 2018 - 21:23

Chelsea peg Atlético back but Roma emerge top of the pile

Stamford Bridge draw means Conte’s side finish second

Tue Dec 05 2017 - 22:07

Jurgen Klopp has a selection headache - at one end of the pitch

Whatever combination, Liverpool are likely to score lots of goals. But can they stop them?

Sun Sept 24 2017 - 23:35

The wonder of Wanda: Atlético Madrid unveil their new home

Club hopes to attract Champions League final to their €310m stadium

Mon Sept 18 2017 - 20:05

Liverpool reject €80m Barcelona bid for Philippe Coutinho

Klopp: ‘The very important message is that we are not a selling club and that’s how it is’

Fri Jul 21 2017 - 14:19

Chelsea close to sealing deal for Álvaro Morata

Real Madrid striker is set to shortly make the move to London for a club record fee

Wed Jul 19 2017 - 18:20

Zinedine Zidane returns elusive La Liga as doubters answered

‘I’d like to get up here and dance. I’m not going to, but inside I’m very, very happy’

Mon May 22 2017 - 18:13

Real Madrid march on to Cardiff after quelling Atletico rising

Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in opening 16 minutes

Wed May 10 2017 - 22:13

Un-Real! Ronaldo’s hat-trick puts champions in control

Portuguese superstar continues Champions League goal bonanza in Madrid derby

Tue May 02 2017 - 22:10

Leicester weather Atletico storm to keep European dream alive

Antoine Griezmann’s penalty gives Spanish side a slim advantage ahead of trip to England

Thu Apr 20 2017 - 16:40

Fernando Torres discharged from hospital after head injury

Atletico Madrid striker recived a blow to the head in their draw with Deportivo La Coruna

Fri Mar 03 2017 - 10:35

Fernando Torres ‘conscious and stable’ after head injury in Atletico draw

Sevilla go one point adrift of Barcelona in top spot after 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao

Thu Mar 02 2017 - 22:48

Atletico Madrid show lethal edge to leave Leverkusen reeling

Diego Simeone’s side on course for quarter-final slot after scoring four in Germany

Tue Feb 21 2017 - 22:31

Lionel Messi collects another record as Barca sink Athletic Bilbao

Fernando Torres scores twice as Atletico Madrid beat neighbours Leganes

Sat Feb 04 2017 - 22:18

Jurgen Klopp’s energy creates a red tide of belief at Liverpool

Anfield manager’s infectious enthusiasm has had clear effect one year into his reign

Fri Oct 07 2016 - 23:05

Barcelona crash to defeat at Celta Vigo

Atlético Madrid leapfrog neighbours after Real held by Eibar

Sun Oct 02 2016 - 22:12

Italy v Spain: A blood stained rivalry that may spill over

After period of ascendancy over Azzurri, Spain fear return of old order in Euros clash

Mon Jun 27 2016 - 09:58

France 84, Holland 88, Spain 08: which is the best ever Euros team?

Ahead of the Euros take a look at the best team’s ever to grace the tournament

Sun Jun 05 2016 - 19:33

Ken Early: Atlético Madrid stand tall in pain of defeat

As in Lisbon two years ago hard work not enough as Real’s quality shines through

Mon May 30 2016 - 07:00

Atlético hearts shattered as Real Madrid conquer Europe

Cristiano Ronaldo scores deciding penalty as Diego Simeone’s side fall agonisingly short

Sat May 28 2016 - 23:05

Euro 2016: Spain aiming to claim record fourth title

Vicente del Bosque’s men out to prove 2014 group stage exit in Brazil was a mere blip for the reigning champions

Thu May 26 2016 - 18:12

Diego Costa and Juan Mata left out Spain’s provisional 25

Vincent Del Bosque also omits Fernando Torres and Santi Cazorla from Euros squad

Tue May 17 2016 - 12:17

Barcelona hammer Espanyol as Atlético Madrid crash out of title race

Real Madrid leapfrog neighbours into econd spot after 3-2 win over Valencia

Sun May 08 2016 - 18:22