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Italy seal 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in WC qualification playoff semis | FIFA World Cup 2022

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Italy finally won a match in the World Cup playoffs. Now the four-time champion needs to win one more to avoid failing to qualify for a third straight time. The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European semifinals on Thursday.


Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half for Italy at home in Bergamo and then set up another goal for Moise Kean.


“After taking the lead, we cleared our minds,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. “We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday. We have to win. We have no other choice.” 
Also advancing to the playoff finals scheduled for Tuesday were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Poland, Turkey, Kosovo, Denmark and the Czech Republic.

 

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Italy next visits Bosnia and Herzegovina needing another victory to reach the upcoming tournament in North America and avoid going at least 16 years without even playing a match at soccer’s biggest event.


Bosnia beat Wales, and the Czech Republic beat Ireland in penalty shootouts.


The other finals matchups are: Sweden vs. Poland; Turkey vs. Kosovo; and Denmark vs. the Czech Republic.


Italy was eliminated by Sweden over two winless legs in the playoffs for the 2018 World Cup then was stunned by North Macedonia in the semifinal round in 2022.

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Italy’s World Cup struggles go back all the way to 2010 and 2014, having failed to advance from its group on both occasions.


The Azzurri’s last World Cup knockout match was when they won the title in 2006 by beating France in a penalty shootout.


Italy produced seven shots on goal while Northern Ireland had none.


For the second goal, Tonali’s cross-field pass set up Kean, who made an expert control and finish.

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“We didn’t have many moments of quality, but we did well to make the most of them when we did,” Tonali said. “We focused on not giving them their strengths and were concentrated on the set plays, so when we do that, it’s unlikely we’ll concede to this kind of team.


“We’ve been feeling positive since the coach arrived, we’ve got to continue like this, there’s no other option but to win,” Tonali said of Gattuso, who replaced the fired Luciano Spalletti in June.


Gyokeres scores three for Sweden


Viktor Gyokeres hit a hat trick to send Sweden past Ukraine 3-1 despite not having scored for his country since 2024. Until Thursday, Gyokeres was scoreless and Sweden winless in a miserable qualifying group campaign.


The game was played in Spain because Ukraine hasn’t hosted international games since the Russian invasion of 2022.

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“Viktor Gyokeres made the difference tonight,” Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov said. “He showed his quality and proved he’s one of the best strikers in Europe.” 
Sweden will face Poland after 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski scored a crucial header in a 2-1 win over Albania, keeping alive the Barcelona striker’s bid to reach a third World Cup.


Albania took the lead through Arber Hoxha just before halftime after a defensive blunder by Poland. Lewandowski’s header at a corner got his team back into the game before Piotr Zielinski’s goal put Poland in front.


Kosovo is a game away from its first-ever World Cup after twice recovering from a goal down to upset Slovakia 4-3. That sets up a playoff with Turkey for a World Cup spot.


Gustav Isaksen scored twice in two minutes in a Denmark’s 4-0 win over North Macedonia.

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Bosnia and Czechs win penalty shootouts


Bosnia advanced after 40-year-old Edin Dzeko leveled the score and 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic converted the winning spot-kick in a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Wales following a 1-1 draw.


The Czech Republic awaits next for Denmark after beating Ireland 4-3 on penalties. Ireland gave up an early 2-0 lead in the game, and was also leading the shootout before failing to convert either of its last two attempts.


Lucescu’s Romania eliminated


In an early match, Turkey beat Romania 1-0 and will face either Slovakia or Kosovo for a spot at its first World Cup since a third-place run in 2002.


Turkey took the lead shortly after the break when Ferdi Kadioglu was set up in front of the goal with a long, accurate pass from Arda Guler, a 21-year-old winger for Real Madrid who could become one of the World Cup’s younger standouts.

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Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey squad reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championship.


Romania’s elimination means that 80-year-old Mircea Lucescu won’t get a chance to coach at the World Cup for the first time. Lucescu captained Romania at the 1970 World Cup. He previously coached Turkey.


Nicolae Stanciu hit the post for Romania in the second half in Istanbul.


“We knew it would be a tough match. Lucescu knows us well and prepared accordingly,” Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu said. “In the first half, we could have made better runs in behind. In the second half, Ferdi scored with a ball in behind. … From then, it was ours.

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New Vikings Rumors Build around Kirk Cousins to Packers, the KOC-Kwesi Theory, D.J. Reader

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Jaire Alexander sacks Kirk Cousins in the end zone for a safety at U.S. Bank Stadium
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is taken down in his own end zone by Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) for a safety during second-quarter action, as pressure collapses quickly around the pocket on Sep. 13, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

The NFL Draft is 26 days away, and the Minnesota Vikings have nine picks. With the event so close, the rumor mill stays quite loud, and this is the first batch of the weekend.

The rumor mill hit Kirk Cousins, KOC, and D.J. Reader in one swing.

It focuses on a former Vikings quarterback’s connection to a rival, a hypothesis about what got Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, and a defensive tackle option in free agency.

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Latest Vikings Chatter Covers Three Very Different Angles

The Purple Rumor Mill for Saturday, March 28th.

Kirk Cousins stands on the sideline watching play during a Falcons vs Vikings game. Vikings rumors.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) watches from the sideline during second-quarter action, tracking the flow of the game against his former team as emotions and familiarity intersect on Dec. 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the Vikings controlling key moments throughout the matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Rumor: Kirk Cousins is an ideal free-agent fit for the Packers.

Matt Schneidman of The Athletic analyzed free agents for Green Bay this week, and Cousins was mentioned.

He explained, “Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love and Malik Willis have all been backup quarterbacks for the Packers. All three could be starting in the NFL come September. Green Bay really values the position, which might make it unlikely that Desmond Ridder or Kyle McCord — the only other quarterbacks on the roster besides Love — are in the No. 2 role come Week 1.”

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“The idea of adding a proven veteran like Cousins, who can at least help the Packers tread water if Love goes down, might entice head coach Matt LaFleur. Cousins might (understandably) want to sign with a team whose starter is less entrenched than Love, but perhaps the idea of reuniting with his position coach from his first two years in the NFL (LaFleur) entices him, too.”

Green Bay has also visited the recent rumor mill for an Anthony Richardson trade.

Either way, because of the Matt LaFleur connection — LaFleur was Cousins’s first quarterback coach in Washington 14 years ago — Cousins to Wisconsin cannot be ruled out.

Rumor: Kevin O’Connell was denied every step of the way last offseason at quarterback.

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Mike Florio, the boss at Pro Football Talk, led the way with this theory last week.

He said, “As I understand it, O’Connell got overruled. He wanted to have Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers, and he got overruled. They said no to Rodgers. Rodgers wanted to play for them last year, and they said no. They’re sticking with J.J. McCarthy. And Jones is really the one that I think gulled O’Connell the most, because I think they thought they had something special with Jones.”

“They fired the GM because he had Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and an interested Aaron Rodgers in the building, and he said,” No, we’re good with J.J. McCarthy, and Max Brosmer and Carson Wentz are gonna be his backups. They’re not going to make the same mistake twice.”

This one actually makes sense, especially for explaining the timing of Adofo-Mensah’s firing — five days after the Seattle Seahawks reached the Super Bowl, led by Darnold.

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Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell speak at a Vikings press conference. Vikings rumors.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell address media members, outlining expectations and roster outlook during a pre-training camp press conference held on July 22, 2025, as both leaders discuss team direction, player development, and goals entering another pivotal NFL season. Image Courtesy of YouTube.

Darnold silenced his doubters in Seattle, proving his strong 2024 season in Minnesota was no fluke. He led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2025, a feat the Vikings have been chasing for 65 years.

In Indianapolis, Jones emerged as an early MVP candidate before his performance waned in November. A torn Achilles tendon cut his season short, and despite this, rumors surfaced that Minnesota hoped to bring him back in 2025. Ultimately, Jones chose to try the Colts, betting on a starting role under Shane Steichen — a decision that proved prescient.

Meanwhile, Rodgers guided the Steelers to the playoffs, though their run ended in the first round, marking the end of Mike Tomlin’s tenure. Despite the early exit, Pittsburgh secured a playoff berth, while Minnesota narrowly missed out.

If Florio is correct, every quarterback option O’Connell wanted would have led to success.

Rumor: The Vikings should sign DT D.J. Reader.

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Reader got the shoulder tap from Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox on a late-March free-agent list, and he claimed that Reader should pick the Vikings or Dallas Cowboys for his 2026 plan.

DJ Reader lines up on the defensive line during a Lions vs Eagles game. Vikings rumors.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) lines up at the line of scrimmage, preparing for the snap and engaging the interior during defensive action against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 16, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as trench battles shape the tone of the game. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.

Knox explained, “D.J. Reader will turn 32 this summer and isn’t the sort of attacking interior pass-rusher that many teams want at defensive tackle. However, he remains a high-end starter, a legitimate force against the run, and a very durable defender. Reader would be a great addition for the Dallas Cowboys, who traded away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.”

“He could serve as a run-stuffing specialist behind Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams to help boost a defense that allowed 4.7 yards per carry in 2025. The Minnesota Vikings should also take a long look at their former division rival. Minnesota released defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in cap-saving moves earlier this offseason. Best Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings.”

Reader is a damn steady defensive tackle, similar to former Vikings defender Dalvin Tomlinson of yesteryear. He would look great in purple for a couple of seasons. Minnesota almost never showcases a true nose tackle. That would change with Reader.


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Jaxson Dart admits having whirlwind romance with Marissa Ayers, 1 week after posing in pilgrim outfit for model gf

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Jaxson Dart opened up about his whirlwind romance with girlfriend Marissa Ayers. The New York Giants quarterback has been dating the fashion model for around six months now.

They met in October, and their romance blossomed quickly. Last week, Dart appeared at the Clarins Night of Extra on March 20, where he opened up about his relationship with Ayers and discussed their fast-moving connection in an interview with People magazine.

“She’s been amazing. I mean, I can’t say good enough things about her,” Ayers said (via PEOPLE). “Things have come around so fast between us.

“It’s really cool when you have two people who are independent what they do, but at the same time… are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. She’s amazing and she’s going to do amazing things, so I can’t wait to support her,” she added.

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Before the event, Jaxson Dart made headlines after his girlfriend, Marissa Ayers, shared a glimpse of their romantic outing on her Instagram account last week. She shared a few romantic photos with the NFL star with a sweet caption

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“in our own little world,” she wrote.

For the outing, Jaxson Dart wore a black coat with a white collar. He paired it with white shoes and posed with his girlfriend, who wore a black dress.

Dart was trolled for his outfit, with fans saying it looked like he dressed for a pilgrimage. Even LSU Tigers coach Lane Kiffin poked fun at his outfit and reacted to it with a laughing emoji.

Also Read: Jaxson Dart’s GF Marissa Ayers seemingly drops major relationship update with Giants QB


Jaxson Dart shuts down the trolls

Jaxson Dart opened up about his pilgrim robe outfit at the Clarins Night of Extra event last week. While talking to reporters, he was asked for his take. The 22-year-old shut down the trolls with his reply.

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“I thought it was a great fit,” he said. “I think, I can understand a little bit because it was a Celine outfit. The shirt kind of blended in with the pants but it was a great fit. I definitely do not regret wearing it.”

“I think there’s a lot of people who have opinions about fashion and I think that’s a great thing about this world. You’re able to wear what you want to wear confidently and I love it.”

Jaxson Dart is enjoying the offseason after his amazing rookie season. He played in 14 games in 2025 and recorded 2,272 passing yards.

Also Read: Jaxson Dart’s GF Marissa Ayers responds after QB gets ridiculed for pilgrim robe outfit