Scotland field strikers, Spain field world champions

Having netted two against possibly the worlds best goalkeeper and the world champions, Scotland were virtually ten minutes away from a very well earned, well fought and very well deserved point against the current European and world champions Spain but Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque realised his side were lacking something something during the late stages of this highly anticipated fixture so he brought on striker Fernando Llorente. Seven minutes later he broke Scottish hearts as he scored Spain's winner on the 79th minute. Scotland started the match with good movement and good attacking intent but this skill of the game was then turned over to the Spaniards as they taunted the Scots with exceptional possesion and worrying passing in and out the Scotland penalty area. Although Spain passed the ball around like the world champions they are they had some defending to do as Scotland created a few chances. One of these chances fell to the feet of James Morrison, Kenny Millers pass to him gave Morrison a shooting oportunity in Cassilas' box but he fired straight at the 29 year old. David Silva was the victim of one of Spain's best chances of the game. Xabi Alonso played a delightful chip into his path but Silva's volley was missed kicked. Scotland were lucky this time but the pressure mounted. Just before the half time whistle Spain made a break through, Sergio Ramos' shot sruck the arm of Steven Whittaker and a penalty was awarded to Spain. Whittaker recieved a yellow card which was to prove costly for him near the end of the game. Villa the top scorer at the last European Championship stepped up and scored despite McGregors touch on the way past. Half time and 1-0 the second half started pretty much as the first ended Spain dominating this time it only took tem minutes after the whistle to score. Cazorla works an opening but his shot is blocked although Iniesta is there to score what looked as though (despite it was early on) was going to be a winner. This goal had an impact on the scots as they replied just two minutes later. Steven Naismith's diving header giving Scotland hope. Less than ten minutes after their first Scotland got an equaliser. Darren Fletcher played a great ball to James Morrison who crossed into Spain's six yard box and Gerard Pique could only turn the ball into his own net. Game on! Spain passed and passed brilliantly to try and create an opening to destroy the Scots but Levein's side kept them out (at least for another ten long minutes or so). Spain did eventually get the winner. Capdevilla crossed into the box, Mcmanus completely mised a header and Llorente tapped in the winner for the Spaniards. The drama of this fantastic match ended just four minutes before the final whistle when Steven Whittaker recieved a second yellow for bad challenge on Sergio Ramos. A bad night for Steven and a mixed night for Scotland. Unlucky some would say others would compare this result to the 4-6-0 formation that lost 1-0 to the Czech Republic and ask questions. On the night no Brittish teams witnesed victory, Northern Ireland had a frustrating 1-1 draw with Faroe Islands, Kyle Lafferty proving why Nigel Worthington played him from the start with a fantastic performance. Wales lost 4-1 away in Switzerland and England were booed off to a 0-0 draw against Montenegro at Wembley. Not quite brittian but Republic of Ireland earned a 1-1 draw in Slovakia, Robbie Keane missing a penalty. Scotland now 3rd in their group although they've played an extra game. Scotland host Czech Republic next, if they play anything like tonight Scotland could ease past the Czechs.

Northern Ireland VS Spain

'We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland..........'

Tiger can still roar!

Okay, sorry. Soccer Talker sounds like an obsesive football fan which in actual fact, yep, thats me but I'm not all soccer. Rugby, Golf, Boxing, American football and (at a good real push) tennis, these are other sports I've expressed an interest in.Obviously being a golfing fan it is exciting when the Ryder Cup comes around and we weren't dissapointed this year. A very exciting and tense final day which went literally down to the last swings of the ball. This years Ryder Cup was hosted at the Celtic manor resort in Wales, the US team captained by Corey Pavin and Europe captained by Scotsman Colin Montgomery. Anyway I wanted to keep this short so to get to my point. Less than a year ago a story broke out that reached almost every news paper, news station, radio etc. you name it you'd probably hear about it. This story was about Tiger Woods, I won't get into detail but this led into his divorce and also to his sex addiction. The sporting world was shocked, a player like Woods the winner of 49 major awards and achievments, a father, an idol for young folks was to act in such a way as to be driven to rehab for sex addiction was massive! Tiger recieved huge criticism for his rehab and addiction. Back to the Ryder cup and a year on Tiger Woods is still playing the golf that has caught the eyes and ears of golf fans around the globe, during USA's unfortunate 14 half - 13 half  loss of the Ryder cup Tiger Woods achieved a birdie, another birdie, a third birdie then an astonishing and fantastically hit eagle. For me Tiger Woods has shown great courage and strenghth to come back and play what I will more than happily call 'world class golf'. Keep the roar Tiger!