Higgins 1

The season kicked off with an intense clash between Ireland and Higgins, set against the backdrop of a field filled with the strong smell of manure.

Ireland came out strong, dominating possession early on. Their efforts paid off when Benji found the back of the net, converting a well-executed throw-in from Villu to give Ireland a 1-0 lead at halftime. It was a hard-fought first half, with Ireland holding their own.

However, the second half was a different story. Ireland’s 4-1-4-1 struggled against Higgins’ 3-5-2 formation, especially as the game became more physical. Gineste nearly doubled Ireland’s lead after some great team play, but his shot missed by just 30 cm, skimming past the right post.

Higgins managed to equalize with a penalty (!) after a big scramble in the box. From there, Ireland found it tough to build up play, held back by the heat and the wind working against them. Higgins then pulled ahead, catching Ireland’s defense off guard with a ball over the top that led to a 1-on-1 finish, making it 2-1.

Despite a late push, Ireland couldn’t find an equalizer, and the match ended in a 2-1 defeat. MOTM: BB7