KARIM BENZEMA has handed world champs France a scare by limping off injured in their 3-0 Euro 2020 warm-up win over Bulgaria.
The striker appeared to be hurt following a challenge with Bulgarian defender Ivan Turitsov during the first half.
The veteran tried to play on but soon went down and signalled he could not continue as he hobbled off favouring his right knee in the 37th minute at the Stade de France.
And things aren’t looking much better for Spain after the whole squad went into isolation following a positive Covid test for Sergio Busquets.
While the under-21s excelled in beating the Lithuania senior team 4-0, La Roja’s Euro 2020 opener could be under threat after Diego Llorente tested positive.
Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
SPAIN VS SWEDEN UPDATE
Spain and Sweden’s Euro 2020 opener against each other has been thrown into chaos after four players returned positive COVID-19 tests.
Furia Roja stars Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente were put into isolation after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Janne Andersson’s side also suffered a similar set back as Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg also tested positive.
The Sweden duo is also isolating and the Group E fixture – due to be held in Seville on Monday – between the two nations is now in serious jeopardy
SOUTHGATE OPEN LETTER
England manager Gareth Southgate has issued a passionate open letter to fans ahead of Euro 2020.
Southgate wrote a long piece for the Players Tribune where he insisted that all of his players, and those who didn’t make the cut, are immensely honoured and proud to represent their country.
The 50-year-old added that his players should not “stick to football” and believes they have a “duty” to interact with the public on important matters such as equality, inclusivity and racial injustice.
This comes after a loud minority booed England players for taking the knee during the last two friendlies against Austria and Romania
NEVER SAY NEVES
Wolves ace Ruben Neves has been linked with a £35million move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Neves’ club are willing to drop his asking price as they seek to refresh their squad following the arrival of new boss Bruno Lage.
The star midfielder has been touted as a potential replacement for the departing Granit Xhaka, who is likely to join Roma.
Neves is currently preparing for Euro 2020 with Portugal
ENGLAND SQUAD
Let’s revisit the squad England boss Gareth Southgate has put together ahead of Euro 2020:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford
Defenders:, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling
TWO DAYS TO GO
We are almost at the 48 hours to go mark before the European Championships start.
Turkey vs Italy kicks the tournament off at 8pm GMT on Friday night.
The first England game is then on Sunday at 2pm when they begin their campaign against Croatia at Wembley Stadium.
Credit: Getty STERLING EFFORT
Raheem Sterling is going into the Euros with a smile on his face despite Manchester City’s Champions League defeat.
The forward claims he has put the loss in Porto behind him and is excited ahead of Sunday’s opener against Croatia at Wembley.
The England attacker said: “Honestly, I can’t wait. I actually can’t wait. It’s been a long season but I’m here with England now.
“It’s been a good season with Man City, we’ve won some trophies. I am disappointed that we didn’t get the Champions League.
“I’m playing at Wembley, the team’s playing at Wembley.
“For me, this is what dreams are made of and I’m just going into this with a lovely mindset.”
Credit: Getty PADDY POWER ODDS FOR EURO 2020
Paddy Power – Get a £20 risk-free bet HERE*
#WhatOddsPaddy UEFA Euro 2020 – Featured
- Each team to score 1 or more goals in the tournament – EVS
- 100 or more goals in the group stages – 2/1
- England, Wales & Scotland combine for 21 or more goals – 3/1
- Romelu Lukaku to be the top tournament goalscorer & Mason Mount to be the UEFA Best Young Player of the Tournament – 40/1
- France win the tournament, Kylian Mbappe player of the tournament & Romelu Lukaku top tournament goalscorer – 80/1
Credit: Getty – Contributor LAST NIGHT’S RESULTS
Here are some of the standout results from last night’s international friendlies as teams prepare to head into the Euros.
- France 3-0 Bulgaria
- Spain 4-0 Lithuania
- Poland 2-2 Iceland
- Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
- Czech Republic 3-1 Albania
DONNY DONE
Donny van de Beek is out of the Euros due to injury.
The Manchester United and Netherlands midfielder, 24, did not feature in either warm-up friendly against Scotland or Georgia ahead of the tournament.
And he trained separate from the rest of the team on Monday.
Now the KNVB have confirmed Van de Beek is ‘struggling with an injury’ and has been ruled out.
United team-mate Marcus Rashford sent a message of support for his pal.
The England forward tweeted: “sorry mate @Donny_beek6 take some time for yourself and keep your head high x”
Manager Frank de Boer will not call up a replacement to fill his spot in the 26-man squad.
DIEGO COVID BLOW
Leeds star Diego Llorente has become the second Spain player to test positive for Covid-19 throwing the Spaniards’ Euro 2020 preparation into chaos.
La Roja captain Sergio Busquets tested positive on Sunday which saw the whole squad thrust into isolation.
That saw the Spanish forced to play an Under-21 side for their friendly against Lithuania on Tuesday – the same day Llorente returned a positive test.
And as a result, six senior stars – Kepa Arrizabalaga, Raul Albiol, Brais Mendez, Pablo Fornals, Rodrigo Moreno and Carlos Soler – have been called up and made to train in a parallel bubble to the original group.
Following Spain’s 4-0 win over the Lithuanians, the Spanish FA have confirmed a number of Under-21 players will also remain in Madrid to train there.
And it looks more and more likely players from the reserve groups will have to be used after Llorente, 27, was struck down.
ROUND THE BENZ
Karim Benzema has handed France an injury scare ahead of Euro 2020 as he limped out of their friendly with Bulgaria.
Les Bleus cruised to a 3-0 win in their final match before they kick off the tournament on Tuesday against Germany in Munich.
The Real Madrid star, 33, was handed a shock international recall following a six-year absence for the showpiece.
And he looked poised to play a huge role for the reigning world champions before he suffered a blow during the first half of Tuesday night’s game.
Benzema appeared to be hurt following a challenge with Bulgarian defender Ivan Turitsov during the first half.
The veteran tried to play on but soon went down and signalled he could not continue as he hobbled off favouring his right knee in the 37th minute at the Stade de France.
France boss Didier Deschamps said: “It’s a knock.
“He took a good hit on the muscle above the left knee, and he felt that it was hardening so we took no risk. The medical staff is currently with him.”
SUMMER OF LOVE
Gareth Southgate delivered a rousing message to England’s players and fans as his Euros prep cranked up a gear.
The Three Lions boss united the nation on the march to the World Cup semi-final in 2018 and now he wants the power of sport to lift the country again.
Southgate, whose team face Croatia in the Euro 2020 opener at Wembley on Sunday, recognised the nightmare 15 months of Covid-19 and wants his players to be part of a summer of love again.
He said: “There’s something I tell our players before every England game, and the reason that I repeat it is because I really believe it with all my heart.
“I tell them that when you go out there, in this shirt, you have the opportunity to produce moments that people will remember forever. You are a part of an experience that lasts in the collective consciousness of our country.
“We saw that during Russia 2018, with the street parties, the barbecues and with every drop of beer thrown into the air in celebration.”
GOLD OFFER
Punters can back Harry Kane at a colossal 100/1 to finish as the top scorer at Euro 2020.
That’s right, William Hill are offering new customers 100/1 that England captain Kane will be the Golden Boot winner at the European Championships.
The Tottenham talisman enjoyed another stellar campaign – scoring 33 goals in 49 appearances with a further 17 assists to boot.
He also became only the third player to win the Premier League’s Golden Boot on three separate occasions, after Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer.
The 27-year-old is in fine fettle and leading the line for an England side expected to go deep into the tournament.
Kane finished top scorer during the qualifying process with 12 goals and knows what it takes at this level having won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup.
And YOU can back him to add the Euro 2020 top scorer title to his collection at a colossal 100/1!
Simply click this link HERE* and register using the Promo Code EPHK100. Good luck!
BEST BETS
- Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Romelu Lukaku each to have 8 or more shots on target in the tournament – Was 10/1 Now 11/1 (BETFAIR CLAIM HERE*)
- Cristiano Ronaldo To Score A Header – Was 10/3 Now 5/1 (WILLIAM HILL CLAIM HERE*)
- France win the tournament, Kylian Mbappe player of the tournament & Romelu Lukaku top tournament goalscorer – 80/1 (PADDY POWER CLAIM HERE*)
BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1
EURO 2016 MEMORY
One of the highlights of Euro 2016. When Hal Robson-Kanu scored this majestic goal in Wales’ famous 3-1 win over Belgium.
LIONS READY TO ROAR
Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling are set to ‘explode’ into life for England at this summer’s European Championship, according to Roy Keane.
Both Three Lions stars endured a slight slump in form last season.
Sterling, 26, scored just ten goals – less than half of his 2019-20 – tally, with emerging superstar Phil Foden often preferred by Pep Guardiola.
Rashford, too, saw his goal-scoring tally dip from 17 to 11 in the Premier League.
But Manchester United icon Keane reckons that bodes well for England with Rashford, 23, and Sterling set to take out their frustrations on their Euro 2020 rivals.
Keane said: “Sometimes you look at players who have had a quiet spell – quiet because they’ve set such high standards.
“Rashford and Sterling, for example. But I think that is a good thing. You’re going into the tournament going ‘these lads are ready to explode’.
“Gareth [Southgate] definitely likes Rashford and Sterling.”
DONNY DONE
Donny van de Beek is out of the Euros due to injury.
The Manchester United and Netherlands midfielder, 24, did not feature in either warm-up friendly against Scotland or Georgia ahead of the tournament.
And he trained separate from the rest of the team on Monday.
Now the KNVB have confirmed Van de Beek is ‘struggling with an injury’ and has been ruled out.
United team-mate Marcus Rashford sent a message of support for his pal.
The England forward tweeted: “sorry mate @Donny_beek6 take some time for yourself and keep your head high x”
Manager Frank de Boer will not call up a replacement to fill his spot in the 26-man squad.
HEND GAME
Glenn Hoddle admits he is worried about the inclusion of Jordan Henderson in England’s Euros squad.
But the former Three Lions boss is confident the Liverpool skipper can still have an impact with the younger players off the pitch.
Speaking to Betfair, Hoddle said: “Henderson has been brought into the squad and I think it is a risk.
“But I can see Gareth saying he needs someone with that experience who can settle people off the pitch. What happens off the pitch is not as important but it is massively important.
“For that down time when you’re not training, having that experience around is key, and if you haven’t got that to lean on and watch it can be tough.
“As a younger player you watch the older players and how they react and deal with it.”
SHEARER AT EURO 96
GRIEZI DOES IT
Antoine Griezmann with a lovely little bicycle kick last night. May have deflected but it’s still wonderful to see.
ROUND THE BENZ
Karim Benzema has handed France an injury scare ahead of Euro 2020 as he limped out of their friendly with Bulgaria.
Les Bleus cruised to a 3-0 win in their final match before they kick off the tournament on Tuesday against Germany in Munich.
The Real Madrid star, 33, was handed a shock international recall following a six-year absence for the showpiece.
And he looked poised to play a huge role for the reigning world champions before he suffered a blow during the first half of Tuesday night’s game.
Benzema appeared to be hurt following a challenge with Bulgarian defender Ivan Turitsov during the first half.
The veteran tried to play on but soon went down and signalled he could not continue as he hobbled off favouring his right knee in the 37th minute at the Stade de France.
France boss Didier Deschamps said: “It’s a knock.
“He took a good hit on the muscle above the left knee, and he felt that it was hardening so we took no risk. The medical staff is currently with him.”
LET’S FO!
Phil Foden has thanked Gareth Southgate for his shot at redemption — after being sent home in disgrace from England duty last autumn.
The Manchester City maestro was punished for breaking Covid restrictions when he and Mason Greenwood smuggled two Icelandic beauty queens into a Reykjavik hotel room.
It came the day after Foden, now 21, and Manchester United star Greenwood made their international debuts last September.
And starlet Foden admitted that ‘not many managers’ would have forgiven him so swiftly, as he prepares to start in Sunday’s Euros opener against Croatia.
Speaking publicly about it for the first time, Foden said: “Obviously I made a massive mistake but Gareth said if I keep doing well and keep performing I should get another opportunity.
“So I had to work hard for it and there are not many managers who would give you another opportunity so I have to thank Gareth a lot for giving me another chance.”
DIEGO COVID BLOW
Leeds star Diego Llorente has become the second Spain player to test positive for Covid-19 throwing the Spaniards’ Euro 2020 preparation into chaos.
La Roja captain Sergio Busquets tested positive on Sunday which saw the whole squad thrust into isolation.
That saw the Spanish forced to play an Under-21 side for their friendly against Lithuania on Tuesday – the same day Llorente returned a positive test.
And as a result, six senior stars – Kepa Arrizabalaga, Raul Albiol, Brais Mendez, Pablo Fornals, Rodrigo Moreno and Carlos Soler – have been called up and made to train in a parallel bubble to the original group.
Following Spain’s 4-0 win over the Lithuanians, the Spanish FA have confirmed a number of Under-21 players will also remain in Madrid to train there.
And it looks more and more likely players from the reserve groups will have to be used after Llorente, 27, was struck down.
GOOD MORNING EUROS FANS
Fans attending England’s games at Wembley will have to show either proof of both Covid jabs or a negative lateral flow test to gain access to the stadium.
Roy Keane has backed Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling to explode into life this summer after quiet spells recently.
Harry Kane is dreaming of leading England to Euro 2020 glory and winning the Golden Boot in a double triumph this summer.
Phil Foden paid tribute to Paul Gascoigne by recreating his famous Euro 96 haircut ahead of this summer’s tournament.
And Foden has thanked Gareth Southgate for giving him a shot at redemption after his Covid-19 shame in Iceland.
Ben White has revealed he was travelling home to Brighton when he got the call from Gareth Southgate telling him he’d been promoted to the England squad.
France suffered an injury scare after Karim Benzema was taken off during their friendly win over Bulgaria.
Virgil van Dijk will offer a helping hand as a coach for the Netherlands at Euro 2020 despite his injury layoff.
Aaron Ramsey has declared he is raring to go for Wales at this summer’s Euros.
And Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek was ruled out of the tournament for the Netherlands due to an injury.
FO PROBLEM
Phil Foden has thanked Gareth Southgate for his shot at redemption after being sent home in disgrace from England duty last autumn.
The Manchester City maestro was punished for breaking Covid restrictions when he and Mason Greenwood smuggled two Icelandic beauty queens into a Reykjavik hotel room.
And starlet Foden admitted that ‘not many managers’ would have forgiven him so swiftly, as he prepares to start in Sunday’s Euros opener against Croatia.
Credit: Getty Speaking publicly about it for the first time, Foden said: “Obviously I made a massive mistake but Gareth said if I keep doing well and keep performing I should get another opportunity.
“So I had to work hard for it and there are not many managers who would give you another opportunity so I have to thank Gareth a lot for giving me another chance.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
