UEFA Champions League 1st Qualifying Round
Linfield 1 - 1 FT Shelbourne
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Linfield
Midfielders
C. Kearns
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Caffrey
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Barrett
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Ledwidge
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Wilson
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. McInroy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Lunney
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Coyle
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Odubeko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Coote
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
H. Wood
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
L. Healy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Topcu
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Gannon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Chapman
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Boyd
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Martin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Bone
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. O'Sullivan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Kelly
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Norris
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Temple
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Ring
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Shelbourne
Midfielders
C. Johns
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Orr
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Hall
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. East
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. McGee
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Shields
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Mulgrew
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Archer
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Millar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Fitzpatrick
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Morrison
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
D. Walsh
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Roscoe
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Whiteside
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Offord
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Allen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. McKee
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Brown
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. McCullough
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Annett
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. McKay
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/07/2025 | Shelbourne | 1 - 0 | Linfield | UEFA Champions League | Tolka Park |
09/07/2025
Linfield Win
Shelbourne Win
Draw
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Shelbourne and Linfield Share the Spoils in Tempestuous Windsor Park Clash
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 46/100. A volatile encounter at Windsor Park saw both sides unable to break the deadlock, leaving European qualification hanging in the balance after a chaotic 1-1 draw.
Early Advantage Squandered
Shelbourne struck first through A. Coote's composed finish in the 25th minute, assisted by E. Caffrey, giving the visitors a crucial Intensity advantage in the opening exchanges. The goal arrived when Linfield were still finding their rhythm, and for 20 minutes, Shelbourne controlled the tempo with precision passing and intelligent movement. The home side, however, refused to capitulate.
Penalty Drama and Numerical Disadvantage
Just before the interval, C. Shields restored parity from the penalty spot at the 45-minute mark, levelling the Stakes and setting up a second-half battle. But the narrative shifted catastrophically in the 63rd minute when Ben Hall was sent off for violent conduct, leaving Linfield to navigate 27 minutes with 10 men. The red card fundamentally altered the Balance of the encounter—Shelbourne's numerical superiority should have proved decisive, yet they failed to capitalise on their advantage. The Upset Factor grew as Linfield's depleted ranks dug in with remarkable resilience.
A Stalemate That Settles Nothing
Neither side could find the breakthrough despite Shelbourne's man advantage, and the final whistle arrived with honours even. For a Champions League qualifier, a 1-1 draw at Windsor Park represents a missed opportunity for both teams—Shelbourne failed to punish 10-man Linfield, while the home side's disciplinary lapse cost them dearly. The match embodied the Intensity of European football but lacked the clinical finishing to produce a decisive result. Both managers will rue the chances left on the pitch and the emotional toll of such a fractious encounter.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Ben Hall impact the match?
Linfield's numerical disadvantage should have favoured Shelbourne, but resolute defending kept them at bay until full-time despite 27 minutes of pressure.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Tension Peaks in Belfast Qualification Duel
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 8/100. This first qualifying round tie is defined more by tactical rigidity and historical proximity than by expansive European flair.
The Setup
On July 16, 2025, Linfield welcomes their southern neighbours for a clash where the Stakes are immense despite the early summer date. Hosted at Windsor Park, this fixture carries the weight of a cross-border rivalry, adding an extra layer of pressure to the typical continental qualifying narrative. The Balance of the tie is remarkably even, with both squads entering the pitch lacking significant Stars but possessing a wealth of collective discipline. With Form difficult to gauge so early in the qualification cycle, the match is expected to be a test of endurance and nerve.
Key Battle
The decisive factor will be the clash between the Linfield midfield engine and the Shelbourne defensive structure. The home side will likely attempt to dictate the tempo and break lines through sustained possession, but they face a visiting backline that has historically thrived on being difficult to break down. This unit-vs-unit struggle in the middle third will determine whether the game opens up or remains a claustrophobic encounter defined by set-pieces and physical duels.
Our Prediction
Expect a cautious opening forty-five minutes where neither manager is willing to risk a catastrophic first-leg deficit. Shelbourne will likely look to absorb pressure and exploit transitions, while the hosts will rely on the atmosphere at Windsor Park to find a breakthrough. A 1-1 draw is the most probable outcome, a result that would leave the tie on a knife-edge ahead of the return fixture. The match will likely unfold as a slow-burn tactical stalemate rather than a high-scoring thriller.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Only if you enjoy gritty, high-stakes tactical chess between local rivals with massive qualifying implications.
What's the predicted outcome?
A cagey 1-1 draw that leaves the qualification path wide open for the second leg.
Where are Linfield and Shelbourne in the league table?
This is a knockout qualifying round; domestic league positions are secondary to this immediate continental objective.
What is Shelbourne's current form?
They enter this tie with a reputation for being defensively resolute and very difficult to beat away.
What does this mean for qualification?
The winner progresses toward the lucrative league stage, while the loser is diverted to the Conference League.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.