Euro 2020 LIVE: Henderson OUT for England, France vs Germany, Hungary vs Portugal build up, Cancelo Covid positive

 JOAO CANCEL

Manchester City star Joao Cancelo has been ruled out of Euro 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19.

Cancelo has been replaced by Manchester United loanee Diogo Dalot in the Portugal national team.

The full-back tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday and is “doing well” after being placed in isolation.

The reigning European champions said: “In accordance with the COVID-19 protocol defined by UEFA before the Euro 2020 matches, all players and members of the entourage underwent RT-PCR tests on Saturday.

“The results, with the exception of Cancelo, were negative”

HUNGARY VS PORTUGAL SUBS

Hungary: Lang, Kecskes, Nego, Cseri, Dibusz, Edmundsson, Siger, Varga, Bogdan, Nikolic, Schon, Bolla

Portugal: Fonte, Moutinho, A Silva, Lopes, R Silva, Sanches, Neves, Goncalves, Rui Silva, Felix, Oliveira, Mendes

TEAM SHEETS ARE IN!!!

Hungary: Gulacsi, Botka, Orban, At. Szalai, Viera, Kleinheisler, Nagy, Schafer, Fiola, Ad. Szalai, Sallai

Ronaldo: Patricio, Semedo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro, Pereira, Carvalho, Fernandes, Silva, Ronaldo, Jota

HEND-ING THERE

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been ruled out for the rest of Euro 2020 due to a hip injury but Jose Mourinho still believes he will become a “phenomenal” player.

Mourinho told The Times: “I think they [England’s trio] are good goalkeepers. I don’t think they are phenomenal goalkeepers or, in Dean Henderson’s case, not yet phenomenal. When I say not yet, I say he will be.

“I met him at United when he was a kid and I always remember him asking me to go on loan. He was saying when I come back, I come back to be the No1.

“He told me that when he was the fourth choice. He is a kid with an incredible self-confidence and I think he is ready”

WHAT’S ON

Today marks perhaps the most exciting day of the Euro 2020 group stage with the group of death in full action.

Underdogs Hungary, who had the misfortune of joining three of the tournament’s biggest favourites, will take on Portugal in one-and-a-half hours at the Puskas Arena.

And later tonight we will get to watch the most highly-anticipated game of the first round of fixtures.

Germany and France are going to collide in what promises to be a highly entertaining encounter

‘FREEDOM’

Paul Pogba says he has more ‘freedom’ with France than he does at Man Utd.

Speaking to L’Equipe, he said: “It’s true that at Juve it was different from Manchester United.

“We were already playing with three midfielders [at Juve], in 5-3-2. I had the freedom, I had to be in the box, to attack. 

“It was an obligation. In Manchester, I have the freedom to go into the box, but the priority is to play and defend.

“We [France] play in 4-2-3-1, also a diamond. I am a little more in the transmission, in the construction. 

“But I have more freedom than in Manchester to enter the box, to make runs forwards.

“At the same time, when you have Griezmann, Kylian, you don’t want to enter their spaces, you don’t need to.

“I would like [at Manchester United] to play more offensive [laughs]. To score fifteen goals per season is what I would like.

“But Patrick [Vieira] said it, we must put ourselves at the service of the collective. 

“In Manchester, as in blue, the collective will always come before the player.”

‘WE WERE CONFIDENT’

Scotland captain Andy Robertson said both the country and the team were confident heading into their group stage opener against the Czech Republic.

But the host nation fell to a 2-0 defeat with Schick getting on the scoresheet twice.

Robertson said: “It’s hard to put your finger on it just now. Everyone in the country wanted to get off to a good start.

“We were confident, excited, and it comes down to not taking our chances.

“You can’t say we’ve not created, we’ve had some really, really good chances that we should have done better with. If you do better on that, then it’s a different game.

“It’s a tough lesson for us that at the highest level, at the best tournaments, you have to take your chances. Czech Republic did that, we didn’t.”

RON TOP

The legendary Cristiano Ronaldo is taking part in his 5th European Championships!

The football Icon has scored 104 goals for his country in 175 appearances.

And he helped Portugal win the competition back in 2016, but got injured early on in the final.

Eder stepped up to the plate and beat Lloris from distance!

GERMANY TEAM GUIDE

Germany face France later on today in their Euro 2020 group stage opener!

FAMILY FIRST

Rio Ferdinand believes Christian Eriksen is unlikely to play football again after his cardiac arrest. 

The 29-year-old was resuscitated on the field during Denmark’s Euro 2020 defeat to Finland on Saturday.

Medics confirmed that he ‘was gone’ before being given CPR and shocked with a defibrillator.

Eriksen is now recovering in hospital and provided a positive update reassuring fans that he ‘is fine under the circumstances.’

His collapse left the footballing world in shock including BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand who spoke of his emotions seeing Eriksen fighting for his life. 

Speaking on his Vibe With Five Youtube show, he said: “I don’t think he plays again, I’ve got to be honest.

“If I’m him I’m not thinking about that probably, I’d just want to be healthy for the sake of my family really.”

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RICE: WEST HAM FORM GAVE ME FULL CONFIDENCE

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has said that his fine form has given him full confidence for Euro 2020.

He said: “I did see the comments before the game (Croatia) and of course you don’t want to talk too much.

“You want to just go out on the field and show what you can do. I thought our gameplan was excellent.

“We – me, Mase [Mount] and Kalv [Phillips] – have been working on our distances and Mase and Kalv pressing and me sitting just behind them and allowing them to express themselves and having the freedom to do what they want and I think it worked really well on Sunday.”

Rice has taken confidence from his strong performance on Sunday in the win against Croatia.

He continued: “We knew we had to be at the top level and if I’d have had asked myself two years ago to go out there and perform at a high standard, of course I’d have gone out there and done it but maybe I’d have had some doubts.

“But on Sunday, in my mind, after the season I’ve had with West Ham and the performances I’ve had with England recently I had full confidence before the game that I could go out there and perform to a high standard and I think everyone did that.”

GREALISH NOT TRAINING

Jack Grealish is not part of training with the rest of the England team today.

According to Sky Sports, Grealish is in the gym doing some work on his own – but it is unknown whether it is injury related.

Dean Henderson dropped out of the squad not long ago, hopefully Southgate isn’t handed another injury worry.

BREAKING: HEND OF THE ROAD

Dean Henderson has been forced to WITHDRAW from England’s Euro 2020 squad with a hip injury.

Sheffield United stopper Aaron Ramsdale has been called-up as his replacement.

Henderson, 24, has returned to Manchester United after picking up a hip injury in training, with his Euros campaign over.

The Old Trafford stopper had been on the bench for the 1-0 win over Croatia.

FRANCE TEAM GUIDE

France are the firm favourites to win this summer’s Euros, and they have the likes of Mbappe, Griezmann, Pogba and Kante to pull it off.

The French lost on home soil back in 2016 to Portugal in the final – a shock defeat.

Now, five years on and a World Cup under their belt from 2018, they’ll look to add a European Championship to the collection.

GOOD LUCK, LENO

Arsenal wish their No1 goalkeeper good luck ahead of Germany’s group stage opener against France tonight.

SHOULD NEV-ER HAPPEN

 Gary Neville has blasted the decision to allow full crowds into the Wimbledon finals this summer.

The Manchester United legend let rip on Twitter after the plans were announced despite Boris Johnson’s decision to delay ‘Freedom Day’ until July 19.

Wembley will host half capacity 45,000 crowds for FOUR Euro 2020 games.

Euro matches have been officially declared Covid-19 vaccine ‘pilot events’.

This means fans who’ve been double jabbed for more than two weeks will be allowed to attend, along with un-vaccinated supporters who can show they’ve tested negative.

Wimbledon’s men’s and women’s finals at Centre Court could also be played at maximum capacity under the trial.

They would be the first events in 15 months to be packed to the rafters. 

And the government is also in talks with F1 bosses at Silverstone about hosting next month’s British Grand Prix in front of a capacity 140,000 crowd.

But well-liked pundit Neville was furious when the news was announced.

The 46-year-old, referencing the latest advice to wedding attendees, tweeted: “Can’t dance at a wedding but can stuff strawberries and champagne down your neck at The All England Club packed with tens of thousands crammed like sardines in a tin.”

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GASCOIGNE BLONDE

Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka surprised his wife with his new hairstyle, and he shared her reaction to Instagram.

The midfielder is currently away on international duty with Switzerland. 

And his new hairdo will make its debut when Switzerland takes on Italy tomorrow night.

REDKNAPP ON TAKING THE KNEE

Former footballer and manager Harry Redknapp stands against all forms of racism.

But questions how long players will continue to take the knee.

Redknapp says he was ‘all for it early on’ but ‘now maybe we have to look somewhere else’.

Speaking to GB News, he said: “I don’t know how much longer we go with it (taking the knee).

“Anything that can eradicate racism out of sport I’m all for it, but…. I don’t know really, I hate it when there’s people booing it.

“It’s not a good way to start a football match or anything really, it shouldn’t happen.

“I think that’s totally wrong that they (fans) do that.

“I’ve been all for it early on, but maybe now we have to look somewhere else, and…. I don’t know how long we’re going to keep doing it for – it can’t go on forever can it.”

HUNGARY TEAM GUIDE

Hungary face European champions Portugal today at 5pm, and they’re without key man Dominik Szoboszlai.

PAU-ER PLAY

Manchester United centre-back Victor Lindelof won the man-of-the-match award after Sweden’s 0-0 draw against Spain.

The 26-year-old shone as his side held on for a draw in their Euro 2020 opener against a Spanish side including United defensive target Pau Torres who could replace Lindelof in the Red Devils’ starting XI.

Posting a picture of Lindelof with his star-of-the-match trophy after the game, the official Euro 2020 Twitter account wrote: “Excelled in the air, organised his defence and brought calm to proceedings.”

Many in the comments argued Sweden’s keeper Robin Olsen should have been given the award after making several key saves.

But Lindelof – who often gets stick from United fans – played very well as his country picked up a well earned point from arguably their toughest Group E fixture.

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HUNGARY FOR SUCCESS 

A group of death and an injury to their best player before the tournament – Hungary are up against it at Euro 2020.

Marco Rossi’s underdog side will be without star man Dominik Szoboszlai when his team plays three semi-finalists from Euro 2016 in Group F.

According to transfermarket, the value of Hungary’s expected first XI for the tournament is a measly £47.5million.

The central European side still have a few notable names in Szoboszlai’s absence including his RB Leipzig team-mate Peter Gulacsi.

But the rest are made up of players from teams in the Hungarian league, the Slovakian first division and even Bristol City in the Championship.

And it is those men that will be tasked with competing against the £1.2BILLION worth of superstars at France, Germany and Portugal.

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PORTUGAL TEAM GUIDE

Portugal are one of the favourites to win this summer’s Euros.

SMILE!

Christian Eriksen has shared a photo from his hospital bed on Instagram.

And the Danish midfielder appears to be in good spirits, which is fantastic to see!

He captioned the post: “Hello everyone.

“Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. 

“It means a lot to me and my family. ♥️🙏

“I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.

“Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark 🇩🇰. Best, Christian.”

HOLY SCHICK

Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick scored goal of the tournament so far yesterday.

And it’s hard to see how his halfway line strike can be topped…… maybe an Alisson-esque goal?

TODAY’S GAMES

There are two games to be played today and the focus is firmly on the ‘Group of death’, Group F.

Hungary take on defending champions Portugal in Budapest, with kick-off expected at 5pm.

And France take on Germany at the Allianz Arena, Germany at 8pm.

The expectation is that three teams will go through from this group, with one of France, Germany, or Portugal qualifying for the knockout stages as one of the best 3rd place teams.