EURO 2020 is in full swing as the group stage nears completion.And Wales have booked their place in the Last 16 despite losing 1-0 to Italy in Rome.
Rob Page’s side join Italy, Holland and Belgium as the teams through to the second round so far at the tournament hots up.
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Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
STERLING WANTS TO BE BUSIER
Raheem Sterling hopes he and Manchester City star Phil Foden get more involved in England’s Group D finale against group leaders the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
The Three Lions’ raider said: “I feel like, for me and Phil (Foden) and the other wingers, the more we can get on the ball at the edge of the opposition box, be a threat there, it will be better for us because those are the positions we want to be in.
“At the same time, we have to understand that this is international football and teams are more robust, they sit in, defending for their lives.
“We’ve just got to use the ball better and try to get the players on the ball in the right positions so we can harm the opposition.”
ENGLAND’S ‘YIKES!’ TO DYKES
Scotland hardman Lyndon Dykes claims England did not like it up ’em when they collided at Wembley on Friday night.
The Aussie-born striker made his intentions clear right from the off when he clattered Luke Shaw in the first minute of the cross-border clash.
And England’s spiky reaction to the physical approach left Dykes convinced he had rattled Gareth Southgate’s men.
He said: “It set the tone when I smashed into Shaw and I think that a few of the boys from the England team didn’t really want it.
“It was right from the kick-off and it was up to me to win the first challenge and I’ve taken him out as well, so it was a good start for us.
“It wasn’t deliberate but I caught him with my knee on his leg and I knew he didn’t like it.
“Shaw didn’t say anything but the referee tried to make me say sorry after I’d got him.
“The ref had actually pulled me in the warm-up before the game had even started and tried to warn me about my headers and stuff.
“But if the ball is there to be won I’m going to challenge for it and that’s what I did.”
MY HAZ-BEEN FEAR
Eden Hazard fears he will never be the same player again after an injury ravaged two seasons with Real Madrid.
The two-time Premier League winner at Chelsea will start his first game in the Euros for Belgium against Finland hopeful he can regain some form.
The 30-year-old has suffered various muscle injuries of late but it is his ankle that he has the biggest worries about going forward.
Hazard said: “I have broken my ankle three times and I don’t know whether it will ever be the same again.
“It will not be like it was ten years ago when I was starting out.
“I know if I am fighting fit exactly what I can do on the pitch and show what I am made of.
“But I have been injured a lot.”
Hazard has made just 30 appearances out of a possible 76 in his two seasons in his underwhelming time in LaLiga.
NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MANCINI ‘CLASS’
Roberto Mancini was hailed as a ‘class act’ after his decision to bring on substitute Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
Eyebrows were raised when the veteran stopper, 34, was brought on in the 1-0 win against 10-man Wales with just a couple of minutes to play.
But the decision was made by Mancini given his own regret at not playing in the 1990 World Cup.
The Sampdoria legend was part of the Azzuri squad on home soil but never played a minute of the tournament – and has since called it the biggest regret of his career.
With Italy already through to the knockout stages after winning their opening two matches, the pressure was off against Wales.
Mancini made wholesale changes with only Donnarumma, Jorginho and Leonardo Bonucci maintaining their place in the side from those two wins.
Gaetano Castrovilli, Francesco Acerbi and Giacomo Raspadori also played from the bench – and with Sirigiu’s introduction it means 25 of the 26 Italians in the squad have played at the tournament. Only third-choice keeper Alex Meret, 24, has not played.
And Mancini’s desire to hand minutes to even his backup goalkeeper has earned plaudits from fans, with plenty calling him a ‘class act’. One fan summed it up when writing: “Mancini is pure class. No wonder the players love him.”
BALE’S SIGH OF RELIEF
Wales captain Gareth Bale spurned ANOTHER glorious chance to score – but was a relieved man after his country qualified for the Euro 2020 knockout stages anyway.
Robert Page’s side were 1-0 down to Italy and playing with ten men after defender Ethan Ampadu was sent off.
But with 75 minutes on the clock, Joe Rodon flicked a header towards the back post straight to star man and Real Madrid attacker Bale.
But the 31-year-old opted to take the shot on the volley, and blasted an effort well over. In their previous game against Turkey, Bale also blasted a penalty over the woodwork.
But despite a 1-0 loss to Roberto Mancini’s Group B table-toppers, the Dragons are into the last 16.
Speaking about THAT chance after the game, Bale told ITV Sport: “I saw the ball coming over, but I didn’t quite get over the ball enough.
“But it is what it is. It made no difference in the end because we still finished second.”
‘POGBA FOR VARANE SWAP TALK’
Manchester United are prepared to offer Paul Pogba to Real Madrid in exchange for Raphael Varane, according to reports.
The France defender, 28, has been on United’s radar for some time and is said to be one of the club’s top targets this summer.
Previous managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho both wanted to bring Varane to Old Trafford.
Ed Woodward was even prepared to spend £100million on the defender in 2018, but never came close to striking a deal.
But Varane now reportedly prefers a move to United over PSG, and his representatives are keen to hold a meeting with the Red Devils.
And according to AS, via the Express, United could offer up Pogba in order to get a deal over the line.
United fear Pogba will not agree a new contract and leave on a free next summer.
The club had previously placed a £150million asking price on the midfielder to ward off interest from Juventus and Real Madrid.
Talks opened over a new contract for Pogba earlier this month, while the Italian press claim a swap deal involving Cristiano Ronaldo is also on the cards.
RUDIGER ‘NOT THE SMARTEST’
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira doesn’t believe Germany can rely on Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger at Euro 2020.
The 28-year-old has impressed under new Blues boss Thomas Tuchel in recent months but has a endured a tricky start to the tournament.
Rudiger was criticised for allegedly biting Manchester United star Paul Pogba during Germany’s Euros defeat to France.
And in his country’s next match against Portugal, Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo mocked the defender with some audacious skill.
Speaking to ITV Sport, Vieira said: “You need two around [Mats Hummels] to give him more protection.
“But I don’t know if Rudiger is the type of player that you can count on, he’s not the smartest one. Sometimes he makes a poor decision that gives his team-mates big big problems.
“We saw the goals that Germany conceded against France he can do silly things… the bite on Pogba – he’s somebody that can lose his head in any moment during a game.”
CZECH THIS JOURNEY OUT!
A group of Croatia fans hired a private plane to take them to Scotland for the 1-1 draw with Czech Republic – only for them to watch it in Prague instead.
Sebastian Jagic Njare, his brother Simo and friends Domagoj Raljevic and Luka Vojvodic decided that the game was a must-see.
And after securing match tickets, they then decided to book a private jet to fly them from Zemun Airport on Friday morning for the showdown.
But after travelling to Serbia and enjoying a smooth take off, things hit a snag once they arrived in Scotland. And amazingly they ended up watching the game with their rival supporters 1,178 MILES AWAY!
Sebastian said: “When we arrived over Scotland, the pilot told us that he had just been informed that we had to leave Scottish airspace because due to the pandemic, they were not allowing us to land and arrive.
“Man, what a disappointment that was! Firstly, we will not watch the match, and secondly, ‘who will return from shame now and watch the match from Zadar? From Zemunik, maybe? Hahaha, that was out of the question.
“We were thinking in the air, on the plane, where to tell the pilot to take us. And we decided to ask permission to enter the Czech Republic.
“And here we are in Prague, we watched the game there, with Czech fans.”
HUNGARY FACE RACISM PROBE OVER FANS
UEFA is probing alleged racism and homophobia by Hungarian fans during Euro 2020 games in Budapest.
French black players were subjected to monkey chants during Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
That followed claims of homophobic chants through last week’s defeat by Portugal.
Budapest’s Puskas Arena is the only stadium at the tournament operating at full capacity, with crowds of 60,000.
But right-wing and self-proclaimed Nazi groups are among Hungary’s most fervent supporters.
One large group held a march protesting against anti-rascism gestures last week.
And before the France game, thousands of Hungary fans set off flares and unveiled an anti-kneeling banner in the streets of Budapest.
A number of reports in French media highlighted the racism directed at Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Kylian Mbappe and other black players.
WALES SNEAK RUNNERS-UP SPOT
Wales survived a tense 45 minutes in BOTH Group A finale games to clinch runners-up spot on goal difference and reach the KO stage.
Ethan Ampadu’s red card left the Dragons clinging to just a 1-0 defeat against impressive group winners Italy, with Wales keeper Danny Ward inspirational
Two-goal Xherdan Shaqiri spearheaded Switzerland to a 3-1 defeat of Turkey that put them level with Wales on four points.
But the Welsh went through with a plus-on GD, compared to minus-one for the Swiss.
GROUP A LATEST
Switzerland 3 Turkey 1: Irfan Can Kahveci’s 61st-mknute solo goal cut the deficit for the Turks.
But Xherdan Shaqiri blasted his second six minutes later to restore Switzerland’s two-goal advantage.
Italy 1 Wales 0: Ethan Ampadu’s 54th-minute red card made unwanted history and left Wales’ qualification hopes in doubt.
Dragons’ keeper Danny Ward kept the Italians out after that.
Ampadu is the youngest ever Euros player to be sent off, aged 20 years and 279 days..
His challenge on Federico Bernardeschi was late and reckless.
H/.T SCORES: DRAGONS IN DANGER
Italy 1 Wales 0: Matteo Pessina’s neat finish from a well-worked free-kick deservedly earned the Azzurri a half-time lead on 39 minutes.
Dan James’ pace was virtually Wales’ only attacking outlet.
Switzerland 2 Turkey 0: The Swiss ae scenting a place in the knockout stages after edging a lively first period full of chance for both teams.
If the scores stay as they are, Wales would still be second behind Italy – as the Swiss would be level on four points with the Dragons but behind on goal difference.
GROUP A UPDATE
Italy 0 Wales 0: The Azzurri continued to have way more of the possession and chances past the half-hour mark, with keeper Danny Ward the busiest Welsh player.
GOAL – Switzerland 2 Turkey 0: Xherdan Shaqiri doubled Switzerland’s lead by lashing one of the goals of the tournament on 26 minutes with his wesker, right foot.
Yet Turkey have had plenty of half-chances.
LATEST FROM GROUP A FINALE
Italy 0 Wales 0: The Dragons are defending solidly in the early stages, with Ethan Ampadu is in the middle of Wales’ back three.
Switzerland 1 Turkey 0: Haris Seferovic surged away for a brilliant opener on six minutes.
If it stays the same, Italy would top the point on seven points, Wales would finish second on five points, with the Swiss on four.
POSH ‘N PECS
Cristiano Ronaldo and partner Georgina Rodriguez have made a splash online with their incredible physiques.
Ronaldo, 36, left Euro 2020 organisers fuming earlier this week, when he removed a Coca Cola bottle from his desk at a press conference.
Cristiano Ronaldo dazzled fans with his ripped physique
Georgina posted an orange bikini pic on Instagram
He insisted ‘drink water’ – and it’s this sort of sentiment that has seen him become one of the most ripped athletes on the planet.
The Juventus star has been in sensational form at the Euros, although couldn’t stop his Portugal side from falling to a 4-2 defeat to Germany yesterday.
But many fans couldn’t help but marvel at his muscles after the game.
Looking visibly gutted by the result, Ronaldo removed his shirt as he left the pitch. And a picture of him, pulsing pectorals and bulging biceps galore, has gone viral online.
Partner Georgina, 27, has also dropped jaws on social media. The model posted a picture of herself in an orange bikini on Instagram yesterday. And the image has received a staggering 1.6million likes… and counting.
SORRY FOR SCARING YOU
Hungary hero Attila Fiola has apologised for trashing a journalist’s desk after scoring against France.
The 31-year-old right-back sent Budapest wild after stunning the world champions with the opener in their 1-1 draw on Saturday.
Fiola, lost in the moment, celebrated by running towards the crowd inside the full capacity 67,000 Puskas Arena.
His emotions then got the better of him as he wildly swiped at a pitch-side reporter’s desk, leaving her in shock.
The images went viral following the incident with reporter Edit Szalay becoming an internet sensation.
With the dust settled, Fiola has apologised to Szalay on Instagram by sending her a video.
According to Hungarian journalist Matyas Szeli, the player said: “Hi Edit, sorry for overwhelming you, that was one of the nicest moment of our lives, we’ve seen after the initial shock you were happy for our goal.
“Good luck for the rest of the Euros.”
SWITZERLAND VS TURKEY: BOTH NEED WIN
Bottom side Switzerland, with one point, and point-less Turkey each need victory in their 5pm game to have any chance of going through.
Even if the Swiss win, they would only finish in the top two if Wale slose to Italy with a swing of five on goal difference.
Four points could be enough as four third-placed teams going through.
ITALY VS WALES TEAM NEWS
Rob Page makes three changes for his Dragons for the 5pm Group A finale.
Neco Williams, Chris Gunter and Ethan Ampadu replace Ben Davies, Chris Mepham and Kiefer Moore
Neco Williams, Chris Gunter and Ethan Ampadu come in.
WALES: Ward, Roberts, Williams, Rodon, Ampadu, Gunter, Allen, Morrell, Ramsey, Bale, James.
Italy also make a host of changes.
Ciro Immobile, Manuel Locatelli, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Lorenzo Insigne are all rested, while Giorgio Chiellini is left out altogether.
ITALY: Donnarumma, Toloi, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson, Verratti, Jorginho, Pessina, Chiesa, Belotti, Bernardeschi.
TEAM NEWS: SWITZERLAND VS TURKEY
SWITZERLAND XI: Sommer; Nico Elvedi, Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez; Widmer, Granit Xhaka, Freuler, Zuber; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic.
TURKEY XI: Çakir; Çelik, Demiral, Soyunçu, Muldur; Ayhan, Tufan; Ünder, Kahveci, Calhanoglu; Burak Yilmaz.
Follow all the latest for the game between Switzerland and Turkey HERE
TEAM NEWS: ITALY VS WALES
WALES XI: Ward, Roberts, Williams, Rodon, Ampadu, Gunter, Allen, Morrell, Ramsey, Bale, James.
ITALY XI: Donnarumma, Toloi, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson, Verratti, Jorginho, Pessina, Chiesa, Belotti, Bernardeschi.
Follow all the latest for the game between Italy and Wales HERE
GROUP A
We’re under two hours away from the first Euro 2020 game of the day, and Italy are welcoming Wales to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.
Kick-off is scheduled for 5pm.
And Switzerland and Turkey is due to get underway at 5pm as well.
Italy and Wales are all but through, but Switzerland need a win to stand a chance of qualifying – possibly as one of four of the best third placed teams.
‘NONSENSE’
Graeme Souness has insisted that moaning Bruno Fernandes ‘would not have lasted five minutes in my dressing room’ after his latest display for Portugal, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
The 26-year-old started for his country yesterday against Germany but was subbed off in the second half of their 4-2 Euro 2020 defeat.
Speaking on ITV Sport, Souness said: “He’s an exceptionally talented boy, there is so much to like about him.
“A great striker of the ball, when he shoots he makes the goalkeeper work.
“I played with players that would not be accepting of the thing you just touched on [petulance], you know he doesn’t get the ball and he is waving his hands around.
“He would not have lasted more than five minutes in my dressing room, but he is a wonderful talented boy.”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
‘LEAVE CHRISTIAN ALONE’
Daley Blind has hit out at claims Christian Eriksen may never be able to play again following his cardiac arrest, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
The Danish midfielder, 29, collapsed against Finland after suffering a cardiac arrest and has now been fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) last Saturday.
It remains unclear whether the former Tottenham star will be able to play football again but he has made a good recovery and was fit enough to be released from hospital on Friday.
As reported by the Metro, Blind said: “When this happened to me, the whole world was telling me I was finished as a player, that I would not be able to play again.
“Look where I am today. This is why I say to everyone, ‘Leave Christian alone!’
“I felt I was ready and I felt comfortable to return once I got the green light from the doctors in the hospital and the medical staff at Ajax.
“There was no reason why I could not play at the top level again.
“The most important thing is that you have to feel free in your head.”
Christian Eriksen’s life was saved by the fast reactions of team-mates and medics
HOLY SCHICK
Nobody has managed to beat Schick’s wonder-strike against Scotland yet!
Patrik Schick’s incredible goal for the Czech Republic vs Scotland
NEW PAGE
Wales boss Rob Page wants his team to compete with Italy today, and wants his team to go out and try to win every game.
He said: “We can’t plan for [qualification], if four points is good enough to get through then brilliant.
“We’ll pick a team and formation to go out against Italy and compete, and get the win.
“We want to win every game we play, and it’s no different on Sunday.”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
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