EURO 2020 is rolling on at pace as we reach the knockout stages!
And it’s old rivals Germany up next for England in what should be a thrilling Last 16 tie at Wembley.
France and Portugal have qualified too, while heartbroken Hungary are out
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
SHEAR BELIEF
Alan Shearer believes England are not the only top team at Euro 2020 to have shown negatives so far.
He told the BBC: “I’m sure Gareth has looked at it and thought if England had a weakness it was defensively. They’ve done very well with that.
“It’s taken a bit away from the attacking side but … there’s plenty of positives to look forward to.
“Look at the teams tonight in Portugal and France. They have their downsides too.”
FT – PORTUGAL 2 FRANCE 2
Portugal will take on world No1 side Belgium in the last 16 after a third-place group finish.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties as the current Euro champions were held by France.
Didier Deschamps’ world champs will face Switzerland after Karim Benzema’s double earned them a point tonight.
READ THE MATCH REPORT HERE
FT – GERMANY 2 HUNGARY 2
Germany set up a last-16 clash against England at Wembley as they finished second in their group.
Joachim Low’s men went behind twice at home but fought back with goals thanks to Kai Havertz and Leon Goretzka.
READ THE REPORT HERE
ENGLAND FATE DECIDED
England will play Germany in the last 16 of Euro 2020.
The two old foes will clash next Tuesday at Wembley in a tasty clash.
FANS IN THE RON
Cristiano Ronaldo was pelted with objects by fans as he celebrated his second goal during Portugal’s crunch game against France.
The Juventus superstar was interrupted during his trademark jump in the air and swivel after he was struck in the back by cups.
The incident happened after Ronnie fired in a second penalty to level the scores at 2-2.
Cristiano Ronaldo pelted with objects as he celebrates second Portugal goal in France crunchRON OF A KIND
Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Miroslav Klose’s record of goals in tournament football.
The Portugal star, 36, levelled the legendary Klose’s tally of 19 with his strike against the Germans on matchday two.
And it took him just half an hour of tonight’s match to reach the magic 20 with a penalty against France.
CHASE THE RAINBOW
A pitch invader crashed Germany’s clash against Hungary tonight carrying a rainbow flag after UEFA’s controversial ban.
Rainbow flags were handed out to supporters attending the final group stage fixture in Munich.
And one fan made it onto the field holding the colours aloft in front of Hungary’s players during their national anthem.
The pitch invader was greeted with loud cheers from the German supporters in the Allianz Arena before he was tackled by security.
Pitch invader crashes Germany vs Hungary carrying pride flag after controversial Uefa rainbow stadium banEXCLUSIVE BY JOE BROPHY
Uefa have been accused of “staggering failure” after insisting they DO support the LGBTIQ+ rainbow despite banning it from being used tonight.
Euro bosses refused to give permission for the rainbow colours to light up Bayern Munich’s home ahead of Germany’s final group game with Hungary.
READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE
FLIGHT CAMERA ACTION
A Euro 2020 cameraman ensured he kept his eyes on the action by heading the ball back into play without dropping his equipment.
The television operator was tasked with screening Spain’s 5-0 demolition of Slovakia for UEFA’s feed across the continent.
And the cameraman gained plenty of plaudits for fans for his skilful way he allowed the match to continue without jeopardising the action.
As the ball was lofted out of play the man in charge of filming managed to head it towards Peter Pekarik whilst walking backwards.
Euro 2020 cameraman heads the ball back into play without dropping his equipment during Spain vs Slovakia
TEAM NEWS – PORTUGAL VS FRANCE
Bruno Fernandes has been DROPPED for Portugal’s crunch clash against France, with William Carvalho also out.
Renato Sanches and Joao Moutinho are both involved, with Cristiano Ronaldo continuing to lead the line.
Meanwhile, France have left out Benjamin Pavard and Adrien Rabiot.
Jules Kounde and Corentin Tolisso have both been drafted in by Didier Deschamp, but Karim Benzema keeps his place up front ahead of Olivier Giroud.
FOLLOW THE ACTION WITH OUR LIVE MATCH BLOG
TEAM NEWS – GERMANY VS HUNGARY
Germany have made just one change for their final Euros group game against Hungary.
Leroy Sane comes in for Thomas Muller up top as the Germans look for their second win.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig stars Willi Orban and Peter Gulacsi both start for Hungary, who still have a chance of making the last 16.
FOLLOW THE ACTION WITH OUR LIVE MATCH BLOG
FT – SWEDEN 3 POLAND 2
Robert Lewandowski scored twice but it was not enough as Poland finished bottom of their Euros group to exit the competition.
Emil Forsberg also bagged two goals before Viktor Claesson netted in the final minute.
Sweden will now face one of Ukraine, Czech Republic or Switzerland in their battle to reach the quarters.
READ THE MATCH REPORT HERE
FT – SLOVAKIA 0 SPAIN 5
Slovakia scored two own goals as they were hammered by Spain.
Aymeric Laporte, Pablo Sarabia and Ferran Torres were all on target as Luis Enrique’s finished second in their group to set up a last-16 tie with Croatia.
But Slovakia have crashed out of the tournament despite finishing third.
READ THE MATCH REPORT HERE
EUR INVITED
Wembley will reportedly host up to 2,000 overseas fans for the Euro 2020 final in July.
Up to 1,000 supporters from each finalist country will be allowed to travel to watch the match without having to quarantine.
But they will remain in a bubble for the duration of their UK visit, and will fly in just before the match and return to their respective countries immediately after the final draws to a close.
ABSOLUTELY ROB’D
Robert Lewandowksi somehow spurned a golden opportunity for Poland in their Euro 2020 decider against Sweden.
The Bayern Munich star came agonisingly close to levelling the score as his side trailed 1-0.
A corner from the right was met by the 32-year-old’s downward header, which pinged off the frame of the goal.
But the ball bounced back straight towards Lewandowski for what appeared to be a tap in.
Amazingly, he got a bit too underneath the second header and once again planted his effort against the crossbar.
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
MOR’S DUB
Alvaro Morata’s Euro 2020 nightmare continued as he saw an 11th minute penalty SAVED by Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka.
It means Spain have missed their last FIVE penalties.
But Dubravka had a huge howler of his own as he palmed the ball into his own net moments later to give Spain the lead.
And Aymeric Laporte netted his first international goal just before the break to make it 2-0.
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING
Relaxed Germany stars have been singing and playing guitars ahead of their crunch Euro 2020 clash with Hungary tonight.
Leeds star Robin Koch has taken to Instagram to show off his ‘boyband’ team-mates having a sing-song as they enjoy some down time between matches.
Serge Gnabry, Kevin Volland and Joshua Kimmich can be seen playing their guitars, while belting out 90’s girl-band 4 Non Blondes’ hit ‘What’s Up?’.
The footballers turned musicians are also joined by Mats Hummels and Kevin Trapp, who sing along with their joyful team-mates.
Germany stars sing 4 Non Blondes’ ‘What’s Up’ and play guitars ahead of Euro 2020 clash vs HungarySWEDEN VS POLAND
Andre Isak leads the line for Sweden in their final Euros group game.
But there’s still no room for Juventus star Dejan Kulusevski.
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski is up front for Poland.
FOLLOW THE ACTION WITH OUR LIVE MATCH BLOG
SPAIN TEAM
Luis Enrique has made several changes for Spain’s clash with Slovakia.
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Man City’s soon-to-be-Barcelona defender Eric Garcia are both starting.
Sergio Busquets will make his first tournament appearance after recovering from Covid, while Pablo Sarabia lines up in attack.
FOLLOW THE ACTION WITH OUR LIVE MATCH BLOG
YOUNG BUK
It was a performance where Bukayo Saka came of age on the biggest stage.
The Arsenal star shined as England beat Czech Republic 1-0 to seal top spot in their Euros group.
But did you know that Saka was a model student with A* GCSEs, who also snubbed Chelsea for the Gunners?
READ MORE ABOUT ENGLAND’S NEW HERO HERE
CASE FOR DEFENCE
Man Utd captain Harry Maguire has defended England’s defensive march to the Euro 2020 knockout stage – claiming they are playing the football needed to win tournaments.
Maguire said: “I know everyone wants to play well and create numerous chances but teams are well drilled and organised.
“It’s not all perfect, we can improve but you can’t argue with seven points from three games.
“Can we play better? Of course we can. Will we improve? We will do everything we can to improve.
“The fundamentals are there and now we’ve got to tidy up in every part of our game when we’re on the ball and there is a little bit more we can get out of each other and push each other.
“If we are going to progress in this tournament we’re going to have to do that.”
‘WE ARE SORRY’
Andy Robertson has issued a message on Twitter today, apologising for Scotland’s early Euro 2020 exit.
He said: “Where to even start?! I suppose the first thing to do is to say that we are sorry for falling short in the end.
“We desperately wanted to make even more history but we didn’t quite get there and it hurts.
“Seeing the entire country not only following what we’ve done and supporting us but lifting us every step of the way made a big difference.
“From the incredible support of the Tartan Army to the kids in the street wearing Scotland shirts,we’ve felt your love and been inspired by it.
“To captain this country and these boys means the world to me and the feeling I’ve had leading them out in a tournament is impossible to describe!
“What matters now is that we do all that we can to ensure that this is the start of a wonderful journey rather than the end.
“We want more. We want to qualify for more tournaments and we want to make the people of this magnificent country even prouder!
“We will give everything we have to make this a reality.
“Scotland it’s been a pleasure.”
IT’S COMING HOME
West Ham and Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek believes England are favourites to win Euro 2020.
Soucek started for the Czech Republic in last night’s 1-0 loss against England at Wembley.
And he came up against midfield partner Declan Rice.
He said (quotes via RMC Sport): “We play to win every game, but we didn’t start well.
“England were dominant at the start, then we chatted in the locker room and the second half was much better.
“But we weren’t clear enough around the opponent’s area. We could have created more chances. But it’s good preparation for the next game.
“We created some good situations for ourselves but we couldn’t do the job to finish.
“I think England are favourites to win the tournament. They showed their quality. We wanted to finish. first in the group, beat England, but we didn’t.”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES TEAM NEWS: SLOVAKIA VS SPAIN
There are growing calls from Spanish press for Cesar Azpilicueta to start and lead Spain’s defence, writes SANDRA BROBBEY.
The return of the Chelsea ace could see Marcus Llorente return to a role further forward with the attacker currently playing at right-back.
And midfield dynamo Sergio Busquets could be set to make a much-needed return after missing Spain’s first two games due to a positive Covid-19 test.
The Barcelona stalwart’s return could see Rodri drop to the bench after the player received a yellow card against Poland.
CHIEF CREATOR
Man Utd left-back Luke Shaw has created the most chances for England in the group stages despite playing two of the three games.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
