Euro 2020

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN rose to the occasion with the goal that spared France from an embarrassing upset.Unfancied Hungary led the Euro 2020 favourites and world champions for more than 20 minutes until the Les Blues stalwart rescued a point and spared his team’s blushes.
Antoine Griezmann salvaged a point for the tournament favouritesCredit: AFP
Attila Fiola stuns the tournament favourites after opening the scoringCredit: AFP
Fiola broke through the French defence and found the bottom cornerCredit: Reuters
Griezmann, 30, was playing a record 50th successive international and was hailed beforehand as one of the greatest players of all time by France boss Didier Deschamps.
The Barcelona midfielder repaid the compliment with the 67th minute goal that denied gutsy Hungary the shock of the tournament so far.
Even so France were brought crashing down to earth after beating Germany in their first game amid steamy heat and a broiling atmosphere in Budapest.
Hungary’s football-mad and strong-willed PM Viktor Oban seems to have brushed off Covid concerns and is allowing huge crowds into the 67,000 capacity Puskas Arena.
The fervent fans are clearly an advantage for the home side and even in 35 degree heat the Hungarians have been putting in the extra yards and raising their games up against enormous odds.
They held on until five minutes from time against defending Euro champs Portugal on Tuesday before crumbling to lose 3-0 when mental fatigue took its toll.
And there was no let up with World Cup holders France next up.
But the Group F outsiders gave it everything and enjoyed good fortune when Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema in particular came dangerously close to scoring in a first half dominated by the French.
Fiola’s goal sparked mass celebrations in BudapestCredit: Getty
Antoine Griezmann couldn’t miss from six yards to score the equaliserCredit: AFP
Paul Pogba takes a breather from the scorching conditionsCredit: Getty
Having lost captain Adam Szalai after 25 minutes to possible concussion the outlook looked even more grim with one of their best players forced off so early.
But the breakthrough and reward came two minutes into first half injury time thanks to a stunning finish by wing back Attila Fiola.
Picking up the ball on the flank he outpaced Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard and Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane before squeezing a shot into an impossible gap between Hugo Lloris and the post.
It triggered wild scenes with Fiola, back in the international reckoning after a two year absence, racing to the corner of the stands and wiping out a shell-shocked female reporter’s entire work desk including laptop computer with a mighty sweep of his hand.
It was Hungary’s day as they upset the odds to earn a pointCredit: AFP
Didier Deschamps looked a worried man at times from the touchlineCredit: Getty

The formidable mental strength of this understated team then kept France at bay until the 66th minute when Griezmann pounced onto a slight deflection off an Mbappe cross to drill home the equaliser.
It is the second time Hungary coach Marco Rossi’s team has been heartbroken but after a defeat and now a draw in the so-called group of death there is hope at least they can get something against Germany in the final match on Wednesday.
Hungary host England in September in a World Cup qualifier and there is no doubt national team boss Gareth Southgate will have watched and taken on board what he faces in September.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Hungary fans hold anti-kneeling banner and set off flares as thousands march in Budapest before Euro 2020 France clash More

GERMANY international Mats Hummels claims his three-year-old son celebrated his own-goal against France at Euro 2020.The Borussia Dortmund defender hit the ball beyond Manuel Neuer to give the defending world champions a 1-0 win in Munich.
Germany defender Mats Hummels scored an own goal against FranceCredit: Getty
But the 32-year-old’s young son was delighted to see his daddy hit the back of the net
The 32-year-old’s nightmare began when Manchester United star Paul Pogba played a lovely pass to Lucas Hernandez.
The Bayern Munich left back, playing at his home ground, hit a bouncing ball across the six-yard box.
Knowing Kylian Mbappe was waiting to finish the move, Hummels tried to clear the danger but hammered his effort into the top corner.
The defender’s mistake left German fans devastated – but at least his son thought it was a cracking effort.
Speaking to Bild, Hummels said: “Thankfully, he doesn’t know yet what an own goal is.
“He thinks the ball in the net is always right. I was told that he was celebrating. I’ll probably have to teach him that.”

BETTING SPECIAL: GET CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE VS GERMANY AT 30/1

Hummels will be hoping to keep a clean sheet in Germany’s next match against Portugal this evening.
Joachim Low’s side need to stop the defending champions and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo if they want to keep their European hopes alive.
Portugal defeated Hungary 3-0 in their opening match of the tournament thanks to a late brace from the Juventus forward.

Ronaldo now has 11 goals in the competition, the most in European Championship history.
Hummels’ own goal wasn’t the biggest talking point of the match between Germany and France as an environmental protester parachuted onto the pitch.
And manager Low was caught sniffing his fingers AGAIN in his team’s defeat.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Roy Keane mocked by ITV pundits over ‘captain’s armband’ jumper worn for France’s Euro 2020 win over Germany More

ENGLAND could have had Diego Maradona or Cristiano Ronaldo up front last night and wouldn’t have scored, blasted Steve McManaman.The Three Lions were blunted by Scotland at Wembley, rarely threatening David Marshall’s goal.
Steve McManaman says England could have had Ronaldo or Maradona up front and they still wouldn’t have had a chance against Scotland 😳 pic.twitter.com/T9FmClVrun— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 18, 2021

Harry Kane has taken criticism for his poor displayCredit: Getty
Skipper Harry Kane has taken the majority of the criticism, with Roy Keane and Graeme Souness having blasted his performance on ITV.
And while McManaman wasn’t exactly singing Kane’s praises, he slated the Three Lions’ build-up play.
Appearing on ESPN’s coverage of the match in the US, he said: “We’re talking about superstar players here, that’s what we bigged them up as before the tournament.
“Harry Kane’s looking for a move somewhere this summer for a huge amount of money – not on that performance he’s not.
“But England don’t move the ball around quick enough up to him to give him time.
“It’s so lethargic with their passing.
“They could have Diego Maradona up there, they could have Cristiano Ronaldo up there – he still wouldn’t get the chances.”
On Kane in particular, McManaman, 49, added: “He got away with the first game.

Steve McManaman was scathing of England’s performanceCredit: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in red-hot form for PortugalCredit: AFP
BETTING SPECIAL: GET CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE VS GERMANY AT 30/1

“I sat here and said the performance wasn’t good enough against Croatia but the result was.
“Today, coupled with the performance, it was just… what positives could you take out of England’s performance today?
“I’ve thought of none.”
The Three Lions are back in action on Tuesday night, when they face group leaders Czech Republic at Wembley.
Despite last night’s flop, a win would still see England advance as group winners.

⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Roy Keane and Souness talk about Harry Kane’s poor performance More

ATTILA FIOLA fired Hungary ahead against World Champions France – and celebrated by wildly trashing a female pitchside reporter’s desk.His team were up against it in their Euro 2020 group clash throughout the first half as they had only 30 per cent possession.
Attila Fiola caused chaos to a pitchside reporter’s desk after putting Hungary ahead against FranceCredit: AFP
He celebrated by jumping a barricade and racing towards the desk before trashing it
Fortunately the woman seemed to take it in good spirit despite the star being pumped up

The underdogs also survived seven attempts on their goal as the tournament favourites looked set to cruise to another victory.
But against all the odds and logic it was Hungary who broke the deadlock just seconds before half time causing absolute bedlam.
On a rare counter by the hosts, Fiola powered into the penalty area under-pressure from Manchester United and Chelsea transfer target Raphael Varane.
Despite the best efforts of the Real Madrid man, Fiola kept his composure to beat Hugo Lloris to send the jam-packed Puscas Arena wild.
The 31-year-old right-back, who plays for MOL Fehervar raced towards the crowd behind the corner flag before jumping a barrier as his teammates followed.
He charged towards a table where what appeared to be a pitchside reporter’s desk, which was occupied by a female, before wildly and angrily banging and throwing items off it.
BBC commentator Jermaine Jenas said: “The stadium has just gone absolutely mental.
“It’s a brilliant finish.”

BETTING SPECIAL: GET CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE VS GERMANY AT 30/1

Alex Scott said: “The scenes watching that goal go in and we’re all smiling.
“The crowd, the energy and the celebrations. The players feeding off that is the magical thing about football.”

Thousands of Hungary fans set off flares and unveiled an anti-kneeling banner in the streets of Budapest ahead of their clash with France.
A huge crowd descended on the streets in Budapest to march towards the Puskas Arena.
Those at the front were holding a banner protesting against players taking the knee in the anti-racist gesture at kick-off.
And the hordes behind them were chanting and singing as they walked through a cloud of smoke created by their flares.
⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

Republic of Ireland players booed and jeered by Hungary fans as they took a knee before kick-off in Budapest More

RIO FERDINAND revealed his fury at Jadon Sancho’s continued England absence – with the stats proving he’s Gareth Southgate’s second-most-dangerous attacking threat.The Borussia Dortmund ace, 21, is yet to play a single minute at Euro 2020.
Jadon Sancho is yet to play for England at Euro 2020 with Jack Grealish limited to brief spells off the bench, leaving Rio Ferdinand lividCredit: Getty
Ferdinand has slammed Southgate for failing to utilise Sancho at the tournament thus farCredit: Getty
Sancho was left out of the squad for last Sunday’s 1-0 win over Croatia and was stuck on the bench for the goalless draw with Scotland – despite England clearly lacking a creative edge.
Ferdinand has now urged boss Southgate to get Sancho on the pitch – pointing to his stats for Dortmund since 2018-19.
In the last three seasons, Sancho has been involved in 109 goals for the Bundesliga giants.
Only Raheem Sterling (110) has more in England’s 26-man squad, with Sancho even boasting more Harry Kane (106).
A fuming Ferdinand told BBC 5 Live: “There’s no doubt in my mind we’ve got players on that bench in attacking areas that can change games… utilise them.
“Sancho’s not even got on the pitch.
“Statistically, in terms of goal involvements in the last three seasons, Raheem Sterling is No1 in the team, Sancho No2 and Harry Kane No3.
“But Sancho’s not got on the pitch.

EURO 2020 FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

MOST GOAL INVOLVEMENTS: England Euro 2020 squad since 2018-19
RAHEEM STERLING – 110 goals & assists
JADON SANCHO – 109
HARRY KANE – 106

“So one of your most creative players doesn’t even get in the squad in the first game, he’s in the stands, and in the second doesn’t even get his boots wet.”
Ferdinand went on to say England have been crying out for the likes of Sancho, Sterling, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in recent decades.
The former Manchester United defender even said England would have ‘won everything’ if they’d had the current crop of forwards during his playing days.
Ferdinand continued: “I just feel there’s creative players we’ve been desperate to see. We’ve been crying out for wide players.
“I wish we had these players in my generation… we’d have won everything.
“They’re devastating from wide areas.”
🗣 “I wish we had these wide players in my day, we’d have won everything”@RioFerdy5 can’t understand why Jadon Sancho hasn’t played a single minute of #Euro2020 so far.Your thoughts? 🤔#bbcfootball— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) June 19, 2021

Pointing to the goal involvement stats, with Sancho just one behind leader Sterling in club football since 2018-19, Ferdinand continued: “Those tell you… the kid’s got it.
“He’s got the ability, he’s proven it – not like a one-season wonder, three years he’s been doing that… as a kid, by the way.”
ITV pundit Ian Wright also slated Southgate for leaving Sancho on the bench in the immediate aftermath of the Scotland draw.
The former Arsenal and Three Lions ace roared: “There’s no way Foden should be leaving the pitch today.
“You’ve got Sancho on the bench – 15 goals and 20 assists a season – and he doesn’t even get on.
“We need to create… I’m embarrassed for us today.”
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Ian Wright ’embarrassed’ by England vs Scotland as pundit slams Gareth Southgate for taking off Phil Foden in drab draw More

ALAN SHEARER believes that England boss Gareth Southgate MUST stick with misfiring striker Harry Kane against the Czech Republic.But the former Three Lions marksman wants Southgate to make two big changes to his starting XI behind skipper Kane.
Alan Shearer backed Harry KaneCredit: BBC
Kane, 27, had a disappointing night against the ScotsCredit: AFP
England’s No9 was again poor against Scotland last night at Wembley.
But BBC pundit Shearer, 50, doesn’t believe it was entirely his fault.
He told presenter Gary Lineker: “A month ago, he got the Golden Boot, he had the most assists in the Premier League so I don’t think it’s time to panic.
“But it’s just a reminder to Harry that, and I saw it in his game last night, he can’t keep coming short for the ball.
“You’ve got to offer the defenders other problems, going long and at times I thought he just made it easier for the defenders by doing that.
“In his defence, it was far too negative I thought, last night, because yes we want to play a possession-based game, but at times you’ve got to look forward.”
Shearer lamented Chelsea full-back Reece James’ reluctance to chuck crosses in.
He continued: “The number of times I’ve seen Reece James this season whip the ball in, whip it in, don’t even think about it – because he’s got great ability to do that.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin trains on Saturday morning as he tries to take Kane’s starting berthCredit: EPA
Jude Bellingham is another itching to be involvedCredit: AFP
BETTING SPECIAL: GET CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE VS GERMANY AT 30/1

“He doesn’t even think once about doing it, that’s a great position to get in.
“Harry Kane should be screaming at him to get that ball in. And look what happens, we go all the way back. We’ve worked it from the left, across to the right. Very good. We go all the way back and we’re in our own half.
“That’s no good for a centre-forward.”
He then added: “I know Harry’s not a shouter or a screamer, he’s a different leader, leads by his performances – but I think when that ball goes out wide in those positions – when they’re not coming in, he has to tell them.
“Otherwise you don’t see the same Harry Kane as what we’re watching in the season.”
Unused stars from last night were put through their paces this morningCredit: PA
Harry Maguire was among those to take part in this morning’s sessionCredit: EPA
Gareth Southgate had much to ponder as he oversaw trainingCredit: AP
Some fans have clamoured for Kane to be dropped for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but Shearer is having none of it – continuing: “The question’s going to be asked, (but) no doubt about it – Harry Kane will and should start the next game.
“Forget about leaving your captain and your leader out. We know what he can do, we know what a good player he is, one chance and (it’s) in the back of the net and that all changes.”
Shearer does, however, believe that Southgate should make a pair of changes in order to fresh up his starting XI against the Czechs.
He concluded: “But I think he’ll make changes in the next game and add a little bit of youth in there as well, maybe Bellingham.
“He should definitely play Harry Kane, that’s the first thing. Forget about what anyone says about leaving him out.
“I think he could bring Bellingham in there to add something different. And also Grealish.”
Jack Grealish made an underwhelming cameo against ScotlandCredit: Rex
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Roy Keane and Souness talk about Harry Kane’s poor performance More

RIO FERDINAND was mercilessly trolled on social media by Scotland fans after declaring he had ‘never been so confident’ of a result before their clash with England.The former England defender, 42, boldly predicted the Three Lions would do the business against Steve Clarke’s side at Wembley on Friday night.
Rio Ferdinand’s prediction for a comfortable England win against Scotland came back to haunt him

He said: “England are going win. I can’t see anything else, I’m telling you.
“I’m confident. I’ve never been so confident about a game in the Championships.”
John Stones went closest for England in a drab encounter while Gareth Southgate had Jordan Pickford and Scotland’s poor finishing to thank for keeping it goalless.
And Ferdinand’s comments were quickly doing the rounds after full-time as Scotland took a well-earned point.
Barry said: “Had a knock on the door early on this morning. Some delivery guy standing there with a freshly baked humble pie. Turns out he got the wrong address.
“When we checked the label again it clearly states: DELIVER TO RIO FERDINAND.”
Cormac wrote: “Whatever this finishes I’m delighted Scotland stood up. The absolute disrespect of Rio Ferdinand et al was a disgrace.
“Anyone with half a football brain knew Scotland would dig in like this. Disgusted with English pundits attitude.”

BETTING SPECIAL: GET CRISTIANO RONALDO TO SCORE VS GERMANY AT 30/1

Johnny added: “Hope Rio Ferdinand enjoyed the easiest game England will ever play.”
Despite his wayward prediction, Ferdinand bagged plenty of credit on Saturday morning for the way he broke down the tactics of the game last night.
Ferdinand made his comments on the BBC but the game was shown live in England on ITV and STV in Scotland.
The match peaked at a live TV audience of 19.9million and 79 per cent of the share.
That ensured it is the most-watched match of Euro 2020 so far and becomes the most-watched football match since England’s World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 2018 drew a total of 27.5 million viewers to ITV.
But the performance and result left England fans unhappy.
Many supporters booed when the full-time whistle blew while just three per cent of voters in a SunSport poll reckon they will win the Euros – down from 21 per cent after Sunday’s win over Croatia.
England found no way through the Scotland defence and were left frustratedCredit: Reuters
The Tartan Army roared their team on at Wembley as they earned a drawCredit: The Sun

Ian Wright ’embarrassed’ by England vs Scotland as pundit slams Gareth Southgate for taking off Phil Foden in drab draw More