Euro 2020

ENGLAND take on Germany in the last-16 of Euro 2020 with fans already dreading the prospect of a penalty shootout.The Three Lions trudged through the group with wins over Croatia and Czech Republic, as well as a draw with Scotland.

Harry Kane is easily England’s most-experienced penalty taker with 45 scored from 51 attempts, including 11 spot-kick goals for EnglandCredit: Getty
England now know their fate, with an astonishingly friendly-looking route to the final.
Gareth Southgate’s squad will face Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals and one of Denmark or Czech Republic – who stunned Holland in the last-16 – in the semis.
But first, they must face arguably the toughest test of all – a game against old rivals Germany at Wembley.
England have an infamously poor penalty shootout record against the Germans, losing in the semi-finals of both Italia 90 and Euro 96 – with now-boss Southgate missing his effort in the latter.
Many of the youthful Three Lions squad weren’t alive for the Euro 96 heartbreak on home soil, while only Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson were born before Italia 90, both by a matter of weeks.
But England have still lost many a shootout in recent years including major tournament exits in 1998, 2004, 2006 and 2012.
However, Southgate boasts a wealth of spot-taking talent in his squad should Tuesday’s clash go the distance and will hope to add to their 2018 World Cup last-16 shootout win over Colombia.
Two players – Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – both boast 100 per cent record for their career for club and country.

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Sancho has taken and scored four, including one for England – while Calvert-Lewin has two in two, with one of those for his country.
It suggests those two should be on the pitch if the match nears the end of extra-time – however, Southgate has so far been reluctant to use them, giving the England boss a dilemma.
Three more players all boast strong success rates of 80 per cent of higher.
Captain Harry Kane has scored 45 of his 51 attempts (88 per cent), including a staggering 11 for England.
Marcus Rashford has only missed two of his 16 spot-kicks (87 per cent), while netting four for his country. His injury time penalty for Manchester United against PSG in 2019 suggests he has the stomach for a high-pressure pen.
Mason Mount has scored four of his five penalties (80 per cent) – all for his clubs down the years, including one for Derby in their shock Carabao Cup win over Manchester United in 2018-19.
Kalvin Phillips has only skewed one of his three efforts (67 per cent) but is yet to take one for his country.
SUDDEN DEATH OPTIONS
From there, things start to get a little dicey, with the next SIX best penalty takers holding a poor 50 per cent record.
Raheem Sterling – who scored both of England’s group stage goals from open play – has scored four of his eight efforts, but has netted two for England.

Harry Maguire has netted two of his five club penalties, and scored the first in the shoot-out win over Switzerland in the nations League finals.
Meanwhile Kieran Trippier has missed half of his four spot-kicks, scoring once for England in the 2018 win over Colombia.
Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and Conor Coady has all scored one and missed one for their clubs.
Six players have taken and scored just one penalty in their careers – Jordan Pickford, Phil Foden, Luke Shaw, Walker, Ben Chilwell and John Stones.
NO WAY HENDO
But one player who would likely take a penalty for England may be better off sitting any potential shootout out.
Henderson has scored just one of his FOUR penalty attempts during his career.
The Liverpool skipper has never scored for England in 60 games, part of an exclusive club to win 50 or more caps for the Three Lions without scoring.
Most-recently, Henderson took the ball from Calvert-Lewin – and subsequently missed – in the 1-0 Euro 2020 warm-up win over Romania earlier this month.
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Southgate says England are well prepared for a penalty with a process that works for them More

THIS IS the shock moment that Cristiano Ronaldo booted the captain’s armband seconds after throwing it to the floor after Portugal were dumped out of Euro 2020.The Juventus striker was obviously fuming after the defending champs were eliminated by Belgium thanks to a Thorgan Hazard thunderbolt.
Cristiano Ronaldo was slammed after throwing his captain’s armband to the ground last night
Now new footage shows him booting it just seconds after Portugal were dumped out of the Euros
Ronaldo was seen throwing the blue armband to the turf while Belgium players celebrated reaching the quarter-finals.
And now further footage has emerged of the 36-year-old then launching it with his boot as his frustration boiled over.
Ronaldo did finish his tournament with five goals, and is the joint-leading all-time international scorer with Iran legend Ali Daei on 109.
But despite all of his best efforts, his actions after the final whistle saw fans label the mega-star a disgrace and disrespectful.
One supporter tweeted: “It’s really disrespectful to throw the CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND which tells you that you’re leading the country with millions of expectations and out of millions of people you were the one chosen to wear it and you just kick it?”
Another said: “Any team built around Ronald is bound to fail. He takes away from their individual play just to be the center of attraction. And when they fail he blames them.”
As a fellow fan commented: “Throwing the captain’s armband on the floor is a disgrace.”
Ronaldo was fuming back in March when he was denied a winner in a game against Serbia and threw the armband then too.

It’s really disrespectful to throw the CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND which tells you that you’re leading the country with millions of expectations and out of millions of people you were the one chosen to wear it and you just kick it?— Blaugrana The Best🔟 (@LaPulgaKing) June 28, 2021

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And after his latest armband antics, another viewer described it as ‘a hissy fit’ while it was the ‘highlight’ of the last-16 contest for another named Dean Lewis.
And many were keen to add that the former Manchester United man might not have had his best game for his country.
Terry Griffiths posted: “Ronaldo kicking his captains armband like a child not getting his way.
“Must be disappointed not to have played in tonight’s game.”
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SWITZERLAND’s goalkeepers have set their sights on causing a Euro 2020 upset tonight against France.The Swiss stoppers were spotted wearing special sunglasses while training for Monday’s last 16 clash.
Yann Sommer sets his sights on taking down FranceCredit: AFP
Jonas Omlin eyes a Euro 2020 shock against FranceCredit: AFP
Yann Sommer, Jonas Omlin, Yvon Mvogo and Gregor Kobel were all seen focusing their attention on the Bucharest knockout clash.
Their goalkeepers have been wearing the glasses to help their preparation.
The battery-powered eye-wear create a slow-mo effect and help the shot stoppers improve their anticipation.
They’re made by Japanese company VisionUp and cost upwards of £350.
And the Swiss stoppers will all be eyeing up a quarter-final berth by taking down the world champions on Monday.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka says he and Switzerland are ready to “make history” by ditching their reputation as last-16 flops.
The Swiss skipper said: “We were eliminated in the last 16 at our last three tournaments.
“But the team is ready to make history. France are obviously the favourites but we don’t need to hide ourselves.”
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Yvon Mvogo focuses his sights on the task aheadCredit: AFP
Gregor Kobel trains while wearing the special glassesCredit: EPA
He added: “France have top stars in their ranks and you have to be clever, smart and find the right balance between pressing and staying a little bit deeper.
“But it doesn’t mean if you stand deep that you are defensive. You have to win the duels and play football.
“We don’t want to go into the stadium just to play long balls. We want to show our qualities. We know France’s weaknesses and we want to punish them.

“The team is relaxed and calm. It is a big match for us but we don’t have to be anxious.
“It is not about being afraid, it is about enjoyment. It doesn’t matter who you play.
“We know how strong the French team is but they also know about our qualities as well.”

France suffer DOUBLE Euro 2020 injury scare as wingers Thomas Lemar and Marcus Thuram both hobble out of training More

ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate is facing a selection headache for Tuesday’s clash with Germany at Wembley.The Three Lions boss has a whole host of attacking riches at his disposal for the huge last 16 showdown.
Gareth Southgate has some tough choices to make on Tuesday nightCredit: AP
England train for their battle with Germany in the last 16Credit: AP
And his headache wasn’t helped by Bukayo Saka’s excellent performance against Czech Republic as well as Jack Grealish’s impact.
But there are other decisions England boss Southgate has to make as well all over the pitch.
SunSport wants YOU to choose the Three Lions’ best starting XI to take down Germany and secure a quarter-final berth.
CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
Who will Gareth Southgate play at centre-back?
Harry Maguire is ready to go again after injury hampered the start of his tournament.
Tyrone Mings stepped in for the Man Utd defender alongside John Stones to start the campaign.
Now Southgate has to try and find the right combination at the heard of defence to keep the Germans at bay.
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FULL BACKING
Full-back is another area where the England boss faces some hard decisions.
Kieran Trippier faces competition from Man City’s Kyle Walker and Chelsea full-back Reece James at right-back.
But the Atletico Madrid defender could cover at left-back too, where Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw are also in the mix.

IN THE MIDDLE
Kalvin Phillips has been a revelation in central midfield since making his England debut nine months ago.
The Leeds midfielder started alongside Declan Rice in all three group games in this campaign.
But he’s acknowledged he faces a battle with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson to keep hold of his place.
And Jude Bellingham is another option to partner Rice in midfield given the Dortmund star’s Bundesliga knowledge and impressive showings when given a chance.

JACK IN THE BOX
Will Jack Grealish retain his place in the starting line-up?
The Aston Villa star played just behind the striker against Czech Republic on Tuesday night with Mason Mount out.
Chelsea midfielder Mount was the man in possession of the spot against Croatia and Scotland – but was forced into isolation.
Will he get his spot back?

STERLING WORK
Raheem Sterling has scored both England goals in the tournament so far and set to start out side on Tuesday.
But who will partner him on the opposite flank?
Phil Foden started against Croatia and Scotland, but Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka was man of the match on Tuesday against Czech Republic.
And don’t forget about Jadon Sancho either, because Germany are well aware of the Dortmund star’s talents.

FRONT UP
Harry Kane is England’s main man but has yet to find his form at this tournament.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin would provide a like-for-like replacement with Kane struggling up front.
But Marcus Rashford is also an option to lead the line if Spurs striker Kane doesn’t start.

Kalvin Phillips says England can sink rivals Germany on Tuesday by taking ‘more risks’ as Three Lions train for showdown More

CRISTIANO RONALDO has vowed to come back stronger for the World Cup after Portugal’s Euro heartache.The defending champions were sent packing on Monday night after Thorgan Hazard’s brilliant strike sent Belgium into the next round.
Cristiano Ronaldo has left a defiant message to Portugal fans after their knockoutCredit: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo was left distraught after defeat against BelgiumCredit: EPA
Ronaldo, 36, is currently the tournament’s top scorer with five goals – one ahead of Czech Republic’s Patrick Schick.
The legendary captain spoke out for the first time since the knockout claiming his team are ‘proud’ of their tournament.
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “We didn’t get the result we wanted and we left the race sooner than we wanted. 
“But we are proud of our journey, we gave everything to renew the title of European Champions and this group proved that it can still give much joy to the Portuguese.
“Our fans were tireless in supporting the team from start to finish. 
“We ran and fought for them, in order to live up to the trust they placed in us. It was not possible to get where we all wanted, but here is our sincere and profound thanks.
“Congratulations to Belgium and good luck to all the teams that remain in the competition. As for us, we will come back stronger. Force Portugal!”
Ronaldo, who has represented Portugal in nine major tournaments, previously revealed how he believes the World Cup in Qatar is likely to be his last.

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Ronaldo insists Portugal are proud of their Euros journey and vowed to come back strongerCredit: AFP

He is his country’s top scorer with 109 goals, equalling the all-time international record set by Ali Daei.
The Juventus ace, who will be 37 by the start of the next tournament, said: “I expect Qatar could be my final World Cup. I often go on holidays there, to Qatar as well as Dubai.
“I am happy because for sure it will be last international tournament.”
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