Champions League

GARY LINEKER knows more than most about England’s 58 years of hurt — the bloke even has his name mentioned in the lyrics of Three Lions.And the former World Cup Golden Boot winner believes that Gareth Southgate’s side can end decades of agony after developing a mentality reminiscent of Real Madrid in the Champions League.Three Lions’ boss Gareth Southgate may bow out but wants a final roarCredit: GettyEzri Konsa, Jude Bellingham, Ollie Watkins and Marc Guehi celebrate victory over the Netherlands, leaving England with just Spain to comeCredit: GettyGary Lineker has explained why he reckons Southgate deserves an honourCredit: APThe record 15-time champions of Europe at club level never know when they are beaten.And despite being a Barcelona man, Lineker recognises the same qualities in England after they came from behind to claim three dramatic wins in the knock-out stages of these Euros.Lineker, who will anchor the BBC’s live coverage of tomorrow’s final against Spain, said: “England didn’t start well but they have grown. They have developed a ‘Real Madrid in the Champions League’ mentality.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS“The Bellingham overhead kick to equalise in the 96th minute against Slovakia, five perfect penalties against Switzerland, then the Ollie Watkins moment at the death against Holland.”Lineker was the six-goal leading scorer at the 1986 World Cup but was denied by Diego Maradona’s controversial Hand of God and then suffered the heartache of defeat in a semi-final shootout by West Germany at Italia 90.And the 63-year-old said: “It was always my ambition to win a trophy as a player for England.“Subsequently, as a broadcaster, it’s always been my ambition to be able to say ‘England are European champions’ or ‘England are world champions’. And I’m getting older, so it needs to happen soon!Most read in Euro 2024Harry Kane hailed his match-winning replacement Ollie Watkins vs the DutchCredit: APEngland vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Spain have been the team of the tournament so far — but the real team of the tournament are ultimately the team that wins it.“There’s no doubt Spain have been the best team to watch. They have had six games, six wins, none of them on penalties, and no one has ever done that before.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesGreatest English sporting moments since 1966David Platt’s last-minute extra-time winner vs Belgium at Italia 90Paul Gascoigne’s wondergoal vs Scotland at Euro 96Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal to win the 2003 Rugby World CupAshes victory over Australia in 2005Super Saturday at London 2012Ben Stokes’ heroics to win 2019 Cricket World Cup finalLionesses winning 2022 Women’s Euros at Wembley“But England have given us three magical moments — and magical moments are what winning tournaments are based on.“First there was Bellingham’s overhead kick and if that hadn’t gone in we’d have been distraught.“Then the five boys stepping up to take the penalties, especially Bukayo Saka.“Along with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, Saka got racial abuse after missing penalties in the last Euros final. So to see five black or mixed-race players step forward courageously and take perfect penalties was brilliant.“Then Watkins’ moment, which was such a brilliant finish. He gives you something different, he makes runs that stretch a defence. That’s not Harry Kane’s game.“Gareth changed it and that was brave to bring his captain off. Now he knows that he can trust Watkins. “He will start with Kane in the final but if it’s not quite happening, he can bring on fresh legs that want to run in behind.”Lineker created a  storm  when he referred to England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark as being ‘s**t’ on his The Rest Is Football podcast.That caused skipper Kane to hit back at criticism from former players working as pundits.But Lineker said: “I think I was a bit shafted by the journalist who asked the question to Kane saying I’d said England were ‘s**t’, I’d actually said the game was ‘s**t’ — so I feel that was unfair.“The first couple of games were turgid, the balance wasn’t right. Harry and Gareth said they were struggling. We were basically right.“On the BBC and the podcast, you have to say what you think, as long as you don’t get personal — and we were talking tactically about how things could improve.You can say it hasn’t been pretty, but England are in the final… and we’re peaking at just the right time, says Jack WilshereAFTER what has been a tough tournament of times, what an opportunity Gareth Southgate and his team will have to end in the best possible way, writes Jack Wilshere.We might like a team that played better football. But it’s a results business.Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and of course Holland would love to be where we are.People will say we’re lucky because we’re on this side of the draw.But we won the group. France didn’t and then ran into Spain.You can say it wasn’t that pretty, but we’re there.Gareth and his coaches won’t have been happy with some of the performances.But I did like the way Gareth and his team have dealt with it.There was no panic coming out of the camp.Everyone gave the same message: ‘We know we can better, but we’re here still.’And on Sunday they will be in Berlin to play Spain.They will probably have to produce two halves of football as good as the first against Holland to beat them.We have improved as the tournament has gone on and that is how you win things.You want to peak in the final.If Gareth can lead England to that major trophy we’ve all been waiting for, it will be the perfect answer to the critics and a brilliant day for us all.Read Jack Wilshere’s England vs Holland verdict in full.Or check out all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euros 2024 opinions…“Tournaments are hard. We kept stipulating that — being honest.“Alan Shearer and myself both got to semi-finals but there were times in those tournaments when we weren’t very good.“In the last two games, England have been much freer and we are eulogising them and that’s what we want to be doing — hopefully even more so after the final.”Lineker expects Sunday’s final to be the last match of Southgate’s eight-match reign and he hopes the Three Lions boss rides off with a Knighthood. He said: “I think Gareth will go, win or lose. It is very difficult to be England manager for that long.“You could see earlier in this tournament that he wasn’t himself, that he was finding it hard. I think he’ll probably call it a day.“If it doesn’t happen again, then the disappointment might be too much for him — but if we win, it is a glorious way to go.“Go off into the sunset, stick that Knighthood on his chest and everybody will love him forever.“Whether you agree with his tactics or not, Gareth  has brought harmony to that squad and given respect back to English footballers.“He’s a thoroughly decent human being. I’d love them to win it for him.“He’s got everything right in the last few games. He realised his system wasn’t working and he changed it — he deserves all the credit in the world. He’s got his subs and penalty-takers right.“But England have also had a bit of luck, especially the penalty against the Dutch, which was a poor decision.“I played in two tournaments where we didn’t have the breaks — the Hand of God and then in the semi-final in 1990, in extra-time, Chris Waddle had a shot like Watkins but it hit the inside of the post and came out.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You can add Gazza’s studs  just missing the ball for what would have been a winner in the ’96 semi-final and Frank Lampard’s goal being disallowed when it was a yard over the line in 2010.”‘All those oh so nears’, as the song goes. But perhaps Sunday will  be  the  night  when football finally comes home.Meet Spain’s Euro 2024 WagsSpain Wags range from teenager sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.Alice Campello (Alvaro Morata’s wife)Alice Campello is an Italian model and fashion designer and has been married to Alvaro Morata since 2017. The pair has four children together.Sara Botello (Aymeric Laporte’s wife)Sara Botello is a trained dancer, having performed ballet and contemporary dance in shows around Spain. She married Aymeric Laporte in 2023 and the pair have two children together.Tatiana Trouboul (David Raya’s girlfriend)Tatiana Trouboul is the girlfriend of David Raya. Before moving to London with him, she worked in a nightclub. Now she is working as a model.Claudia Rodriguez (Marc Cucurella’s girlfriend)Claudia and Marc met in Barcelona after he messaged her on Instagram. The pair has third children together and have been together since six years.Lola Liberal ( Mikel Merino’s wife)Lola Liberal is a blogger and loves to share loving moments with ex-Newcastle star Mikel Merino. The pair married in January 2024.Laura Cascante (Rodrigo Hernández’s girlfriend)Laura Iglesias is a medical student and is training to become a surgeon. The pair met during university.Laura Abla Schmitt (Dani Olmo’s girlfriend)Laura Abla Schmitt and Dani Olmo made their relationship public on New Year’s Day in 2024. Read more about the Wags supporting Spain at Euro 2024 here More

TONI KROOS joked he is looking to avoid unemployment after announcing his retirement from football.The German legend leaves the Spanish capital after his contract expired and in turn the game for good. Toni Kroos is looking to avoid unemployment after announcing his retirementCredit: GettyKroos won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League medals during his time at the Bernabeu. But after his deal expired, the midfielder looks set to hang up his boots following the conclusion of Euro 2024. It means he could technically become the first German to win the Euros while not contracted to a club. Kroos is now looking for his next venture, as discussed on the podcast he runs with his brother Felix. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPer Bild, Former football Felix said: “From today on, you are without a club.” Older brother Kroos, with a laugh, replied: “It’s good that you call it without a club and not unemployed. “That gives me a good feeling until the end of the tournament.”Felix added: “But I read that you could become Germany’s first clubless European champion. That’s a goal, too.” Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKroos responded: “I haven’t really thought about that.”The former Bayern Munich star could now turn his attention to his small-field “Icon League”.Kroos launched the league with YouTuber Elias Nerlich with footballers, entertainers and content creators to play against each other. The Sun’s Tom Barclay gives England squad update from training ahead of quarter final clash with Switzerland More

JUDE BELLINGHAM revealed he felt like Cristiano Ronaldo when firing home his instantly-iconic overhead kick against Slovakia.But when watching it back he realised his effort was not quite as acrobatic as the Portuguese legend famously pulled off for Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2018.England superstar Jude Bellingham scored a wondergoal against SlovakiaCredit: GettyBellingham felt like Cristiano Ronaldo after his overhead kick against Juventus in 2018Credit: Getty Images – GettyBellingham praised England team-mate Marc Guehi for his assist against SlovakiaCredit: RexEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYRonaldo’s effort back then against Juventus saw him jump six feet in the air and is widely regarded as one of greatest bicycle kicks this century.Talking through his own wonderstrike on the FA’s Diary Room show, current Real icon Bellingham said: “It was really instinct more than anything, it kind of fell in the perfect spot, it was a little bit behind me.“When I was in the air, I thought, ‘My God, I’m like, six feet off the ground, and it’s like, Ronaldo’, but I watched it back and I’ve still got one arm on the floor, so it wasn’t the most acrobatic!”Bellingham was spotted on Tuesday with his family at a restaurant in Erfurt, about half an hour from England’s camp in Blankenhain, eastern Germany.Read More on FootballThe players were given a day off to relax with their families by boss Gareth Southgate.Some of the squad, including Kyle Walker, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, watched a short game between the England media team, who were managed by Kieran Trippier, and the press.Bellingham’s brilliant goal against Slovakia came from Walker’s long throw, which was flicked on by Marc Guehi.Guehi, who is suspended for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland, went in for a handshake at full-time with Bellingham, who was having none of that and hugged the Crystal Palace defender in appreciation.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Real Madrid megastar praised Guehi – or “gave him his flowers”, as Bellingham put it – for his crucial role during the tournament.The 21-year-ol added: “Marc probably made the best flick-on header in England history, and he’ll never take any credit for it, but it’s important he knows how appreciative I am and the team is for his contribution.Jude Bellingham takes selfies with fans as England star prepares for Switzerland clash”He’s the most humble geezer, he thought I’d let him get away with a little handshake [at full-time] but he’s just set up the most important goal of my life.”I’m really big on giving people their flowers, especially when they’ve been as good as he has so far this tournament.”He’s only a little bit older than me, but when you speak to him or are around him, you get the idea that he’s like 40 and played three careers!”He’s such a nice guy, you forget about his physical presence and playing against him. Whenever I see him going for headers, I think it’s nice-guy Marc and then boom, it’s not-so-nice Marc!”He’s a brilliant guy, uncle Marc!”Bellingham led England to a comeback victory over Slovakia at Euro 2024Jude Bellingham is like David Beckham – Emile HeskeyEXCLUSIVE by Tom Barclay in ErfurtEMILE HESKEY witnessed up close the David Beckham phenomenon.And in current England hero Jude Bellingham, the former striker sees a kindred spirit to Goldenballs who too possesses a power to transcend football.Ex-Leicester and Liverpool forward Heskey played with Beckham for many years for the national team.They competed together at Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands, World Cup 2002 in Japan and South Korea and Euro 2004 in Portugal.Beckham mania was at its height during that period and Heskey had a front row seat to it all, so is well-placed to observe if man-of-the-moment Bellingham is following a similar path.Heskey, 46, told SunSport courtesy of 888Sport: “Beckham was an icon. He took the world by storm, not just football.“He was the very first figure that took it outside of football. Transcend not just being a footballer, but being this big icon.“I was at the 2002 World Cup and everyone was sporting Beckham haircuts, from kids to grown-men, to women.“You’re a huge superstar when you’re doing that, especially in places like Japan.“We had 3,000 watching training sessions and that was because of him.“He’s a fantastic and wonderful icon. You can see where Jude is going with that with some of the stuff he’s doing.”The similarities between Beckham and Bellingham are clear – both are trend-setting pin-up boys who revel in the limelight.First and foremost, as Heskey pointed out, is their ability on the pitch which is capable of lifting an entire team with one moment of brilliance.Beckham had it with that unforgettable, last-gasp free-kick against Greece in 2001.Bellingham had his three days ago in Gelsenkirchen with THAT overhead kick against Slovakia.Heskey was captained many times by Beckham for England. He recalled: “Becks was quite quiet to be honest.“He was a fantastic captain because he led by example. You can see that in Jude.“He’s the one that really wants to take the game by the scruff of the neck, whether it be technically, physically or emotionally.“He’s the one getting the crowd going, he’s the one that is willing to put his foot in where it hurts. He’s a great all-round leader.“Becks was that. He was fantastic as a captain for me in the sense of what a captain does. He was the first one there, he led us by example. If there were any problems, he’s the one we can go to and he sorted all that out.“You can see the similar sort of traits in Jude. A wonderful, wonderful player, a great character who is doing tremendous things on the pitch.”Heskey is confident his fellow former Birmingham man Bellingham will be able to handle the ever-brightening spotlight that is on him, thanks to the strength of his support network.And Michael Owen’s old strike partner has been so impressed with how the Real Madrid midfielder speaks publicly despite only turning 21 on Saturday.Heskey added: “Jude’s family nucleus is very strong.“His dad is an ex-footballer, a policeman as well. His mother is a role model in the sense of being his mum. You see how strong they are as a family.“That’s when you’re getting a real grounded and well-versed child who is growing into an amazing man. I think he’ll be able to handle all that.“Football clubs have all these different ways of helping players with certain things that are going on, even down to media training.“I doubt Becks would have had any media training. I never had any media training, so you get thrust into that.“But when you look at the likes of Jude, you see how well they talk on the mic and the television.”England are still sweating on if Bellingham will escape a ban for Saturday’s quarter-final with Switzerland.Uefa are investigating a “potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct” after he made what seemed to be a crude gesture when celebrating his amazing leveller against the Slovaks.Heskey admits missing Bellingham in Dusseldorf would be a huge blow, but pointed to how back-up players led England to glory the last time we won a major trophy in 1966.The ex-Aston Villa and Wigan forward added: “Hopefully we don’t lose him.“Then again it’s then for others, having the opportunity that they might not have had, to step up to the plate.“We’ve seen it so many times. Even when talking about the last time we won a trophy, I believe that Jimmy Greaves was the one who was supposed to be playing.“Then you have an injury or a setback and you’ve got to step up to the plate. And the rest is history.” More