Euro 2024

SLOVAKIA boss Francesco Calzona revealed what caused his heated scrap with England star Declan Rice at Euro 2024.The Three Lions avoided a major scare in the Last 16 with a late comeback victory over the Slovaks whom they beat 2-1 at the AufSchalke Arena.England star Declan Rice and Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona clashedCredit: GettyCalzone claimed it all started because he wanted to speak to the refereeCredit: ReutersCalzona said Arsenal star Rice wouldn’t go away and got in his wayCredit: GettyCalzona stated that Rice apologised after the heated incidentCredit: PAJude Bellingham equalised at the death with a stunning overhead kick that cancelled out Ivan Schranz’s opener before Harry Kane’s winner during extra time.After full-time, Calzona, 55, and Rice, 25, got embroiled in an intense confrontation.The Slovakia boss stormed onto the pitch in a bid to speak to referee Umut Meler but as he approached the official the Arsenal star could be seen gesturing to him not to bother.The Italian tactician responded by pushing the midfielder, before another member of his coaching staff shoved the England ace away.Read More on FootballA furious Rice then had to be held back by Aaron Ramsdale as other team-mates diffused the situation.Calzona was asked about the incident later on and claimed he wanted to complain to the referee about England’s “timewasting” that went unpunished.And the ex-Napoli boss didn’t take kindly to Rice refusing to leave.Calzona said: “Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave. I had to speak to the refs and he wasn’t leaving, he carried on.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”But then he apologised and it was all fine.”I didn’t like the way the England team were wasting time was not punished.”Roy Keane responds to England star Declan Rice’s call for ‘love’England are now set to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on July 6.England player ratings: Southgate’s Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs SloveniaENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.Jordan Pickford – 6Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.Kieran Trippier – 6The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.Marc Guehi – 7Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.John Stones – 6One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.Kyle Walker – 5Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.Conor Gallagher – 4Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.Declan Rice – 7Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.Phil Foden – 7Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.Jude Bellingham – 5Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.Bukayo Saka – 6Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.Harry Kane – 6Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.SubstitutesKobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

FOUR out of four from the men in red.And still, without a doubt, the team to beat.Spain picked up a dominant win over Georgia to make the Euro 2024 quarter-finalsCredit: AFPGeorgia stunned Spain by opening the scoring with an own-goal by Robin Le NormandCredit: APManchester City star Rodri equalised for Spain after the earlier shockerCredit: APFabian Ruiz completed Spain’s comeback win over GeorgiaCredit: APBut while Spain finally broke the spirit of the gallant, unyielding, incredible Georgians, Germany, France and – maybe – even England might not be totally fearful of Luis de la Fuente’s side.Rocked by an own goal from defender Robin Le Normand, the tournament favourites briefly stared into the same abyss that had so nearly ensnared the Three Lions.But a sweet strike by Manchester City ice-man Rodri restored calm before the interval.And as Georgia’s brave hearts and legs finally gave way, Spain finally turned on the afterburners.Read More on FootballFabian Ruiz headed in from Lamine Yamal’s back post cross and a raid break ended with Nico Williams advancing from deep to thunder into the roof of the net before Dani Olmo snaked in the fourth.It provided enough, although this was a million miles away from what had been expected after Spain had put 10 past the Georgians in two qualifying meetings.De la Fuente’s men might have been the stand-out side of the group phase and had wing wonders Williams and Yamal back in harness.Yet despite Spain going for the jugular at the outset, they were thwarted by Georgia’s resilience, determination and plain courage.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – who plays in La Liga for Valencia – started as he meant to go on with a smart low gather as Pedri slid in to meet Dani Carvajal’s low cross after a surging Yamal run.Mamardashvili rescued his side again – just – as Carvajal’s flick nodded down Williams’ inswinging corner and the underdogs were already in survival mode, making block after desperate block.From agony to ecstasy as England come from behind to lead Slovakia as fans go wildWhich made their goal, from a lightning counter, even more of a stunner.Georges Mikautadze, one of the unlikely stars, began by spreading wide right, where wing-back Otar Kakabadze advanced and played into the danger zone.Le Normand, all too aware of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia breathing down his neck, had to play the ball and only diverted it into his own net.Disbelief – at both ends.Dani Olmo sealed Spain’s win during a dominant second halfCredit: GettyNico Williams and Lamine Yamal stood out against GeorgiaCredit: ReutersSpain proved to be serious Euro 2024 favouritesAnd out of nowhere, the cakewalk had become a treacherous path.Georgia’s belief grew as, with Kvaratskhelia a non-stop pest, they wasted some more counter-attacking chances and Spain’s composure was questioned.Mamardashvili repelled Marc Cucurella’s scudding strike and then went to his left again to foil Williams.But there was nothing even he could do as Rodri, picked out by Williams, had time and space to smash low and left-footed into the bottom corner five minutes before the break.Georgia argued that an offside Alvaro Morata was interfering with the keeper but that was rightly rejected by the VAR booth in Leipzig. He did not impact Mamardashvili.Spain were galvanised but Georgia remained fearlessly committed, in defence and attack and so close to one of THE great goals as they won the ball back.Kvaratskhelia scampered forward but was still inside his own half when he spotted Unai Simon had gone wandering, his effort beating the retreating keeper but just outside the post.Within a minute, though, Spain were in front.Mamardashvili dived to parry Yamal’s free-kick but Spain recycled the ball and when it came back to the teenager’s feet, he picked out Ruiz to force through the keeper from inside the six-yard box.It was, at last, the blow that the Georgians, for all their lung-busting endeavour, could not recover from.READ MORE SUN STORIESYamal missed a sitter after a defensive rickitt gifted him the ball but Williams, picked out by Ruiz, rippled the net before Olmo finished it off.Amid all their quality, the twin terrors are the sparkling diamonds. Next, the hosts in Stuttgart on Friday. More

FUMING England fans stormed out of the Slovakia game BEFORE the Three Lions’ comeback, with one even launching an X-rated rant at Gareth Southgate.England made a meal of Sunday’s 2-1 last-16 win, going 1-0 down before launching a late comeback.England fans left the 2-1 win over Slovakia BEFORE their side’s comebackCredit: X formerly twitter / @TJFrancisLiveThe fans had a few choice words for Gareth SouthgateCredit: GettyOne fan made a bold prediction over Southgate’s futureCredit: X formerly twitter / @TJFrancisLiveThe other revealed the real reason he wanted to go earlyCredit: X formerly twitter / @TJFrancisLiveJude Bellingham netted an incredible overhead kick one minute before the full-time whistle to level the scores.And Harry Kane bagged what turned out to be the winner with a header early in extra time, sending England through the quarters for a tie against Switzerland next Saturday.However, the Three Lions’ performance for most of the game was nothing short of disgraceful.They failed to have a single shot on target before Bellingham’s equaliser.READ MORE ON EURO 2024And fans spent much of the match booing Southgate’s bizarre tactics, with some even deciding to bow out before the end of the 90 minutes.With the score still 1-0 to Slovakia, and no leveller in sight, some supporters ducked out for an early night.And they had a few choice words for England’s performance.After being asked by a reporter what he “made of it”, one fan said: “S***e! S***e!”Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSThe best of England vs SlovakiaCHECK out all the best action from England’s rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.The two men will have regretted leaving earlyCredit: Instagram / tjfrancisliveEngland struck at the death to equalise before winning in extra timeCredit: X formerly twitter / @TJFrancisLiveThe reporter continued: “What happens now?”The same fan replied: “Well Southgate’s gone now, he’s gone on holidays.England vs Slovakia player ratings“Players pick up next two years, it’s all you can do.”The other fan added: “(We’re leaving early) because we don’t want to get caught on the tram!”The two supporters were sure to be kicking themselves minutes later as Bellingham and Kane’s quickfire goals turned the game on its head.But fans will be hoping to finally see some real changes to the starting XI, with Southgate’s stubborn selection choices not working for four successive Euros games.England ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shockerJUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.Here’s how Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… and manager Southgate.Jordan Pickford: 5Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.Kyle Walker: 4England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.John Stones: 4Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.Marc Guehi: 5Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.Kieran Trippier: 4When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.Declan Rice: 5An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.Kobbie Mainoo: 6FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.Bukayo Saka: 5We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MANCometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.Phil Foden: 4Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.Harry Kane: 6Still way off his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break – but got it right when it counted in extra time.SUBSTITUTIONSCole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick – which he had won with his strength – had been cleared.Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.MANAGERGareth Southgate: 3.A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike – and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time. More

JUDE BELLINGHAM has defended the controversial gesture he made after scoring for England against Slovakia.The midfielder had been accused of taunting the opposition bench after celebrating his dramatic stoppage time equaliser on Sunday.Jude Bellingham has defended the controversial gesture he made after scoringCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footbalIfights / 343 DigitalThe England midfielder had been accused of taunting the Slovakia benchCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footbalIfights / 343 DigitalBellingham’s overhead kick sent the match to extra-time, where Harry Kane grabbed the winner to send England through.However, the 21-year-old’s celebration also created a talking point on social media.As he walked back to the centre circle, Bellingham could be seen gesturing towards the side of the pitch.He shook his hand in front of his crotch and smiled, with the video later posted online amid claims he had gestured towards the Slovakia bench.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Bellingham shut down the accusations by responding himself.He wrote on X: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.”Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”Bellingham also included a yawning, ‘X’ and handshake emoji alongside his post.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAs well as scoring, Bellingham was also awarded the player of the match award after the match.He capped his display with the equaliser, before sending fans wild with his celebration.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett gives his thoughts as England scrape passed Slovakia by ‘skin of their teeth’The best of England vs SlovakiaCHECK out all the best action from England’s rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.Bellingham pulled off his trademark arms raised pose after shouting “Who else?” towards the crowd in Gelsenkirchen.The former Birmingham starlet also joined in with Kane to recreate his celebration following the winning goal.Meanwhile, his strike takes his tally at the tournament to two alongside a header in the win against Serbia.England will now turn their attention to Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland.The Swiss booked their place in the last eight by beating Italy on Saturday.England ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shockerJUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.Here’s how Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… and manager Southgate.Jordan Pickford: 5Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.Kyle Walker: 4England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.John Stones: 4Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.Marc Guehi: 5Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.Kieran Trippier: 4When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.Declan Rice: 5An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.Kobbie Mainoo: 6FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.Bukayo Saka: 5We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MANCometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.Phil Foden: 4Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.Harry Kane: 6Still way off his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break – but got it right when it counted in extra time.SUBSTITUTIONSCole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick – which he had won with his strength – had been cleared.Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.MANAGERGareth Southgate: 3.A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike – and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time. More

ENGLAND fans spotted one of football’s biggest quirks after a dramatic Euro 2024 victory over Slovakia.The Three Lions pulled off a late comeback to beat Francesco Calzona’s men 2-1 at the AufSchalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen.England fans spotted one of football’s biggest quirks after the win over SlovakiaEngland made it to the quarter-finals thanks to goals by Jude Bellingham and Harry KaneIvan Schranz opened the scoring after 25 minutes during a shambolic first half by Gareth Southgate’s side.And just as England seemed bound for a shock elimination, Jude Bellingham saved his team’s blushes with a stunning overhead kick at the death.That led to extra time where captain Harry Kane immediately completed the comeback to send Southgate’s side to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.However, it was those goals that led to fans questioning football’s bizarre timing system.Read More on FootballBellingham technically equalised in the 95th minute of normal time before Kane’s extra-time winner, which (obviously) happened after the equaliser but counted as the 91st minute.Fans stormed social media where they quipped about England’s success that bent time itself.One fan tweeted: “1-1, Bellingham. 95. 2-1, Kane. 91. What even is time?”Another commented: “The bizarre timing system of football. Jude scores after 94, before Kane scores after 91.”Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA third posted: “Southgate resorting to time travel.”This one said: “Bellingham is so good that can score goals in the future.”SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesAnd that one quipped: “Back to future!!!”England player ratings v Slovakia.Here’s SunSport’s England player ratings, brought to you by Tom Barclay in GelsenkirchenJordan Pickford: 5Kyle Walker: 4John Stones: 4Marc Guehi: 5Kieran Trippier: 4Declan Rice: 5Kobbie Mainoo: 6Bukayo Saka: 5Jude Bellingham: 7 Phil Foden: 4Harry Kane: 6SUBSCole Palmer: 7Eberechi Eze: 6Ivan Toney: 7Conor Gallagher: 6Ezri Konsa: 6MANAGERGareth Southgate: 3. More

HARRY KANE has revealed that England worked on long throws in training this week.The Three Lions scraped past Slovakia 2-1 in Gelsenkirchen to book a Euro 2024 quarter-final date with Switzerland next Saturday.Harry Kane explained England’s secret weaponCredit: ITVKyle Walker hurled in a long throwCredit: ITVJude Bellingham scored a dramatic overhead kickCredit: ReutersGareth Southgate’s side trailed going into stoppage time, before Jude Bellingham’s dramatic 94th minute equaliser.Bellingham’s volley came from a Kyle Walker long throw, which was headed on Marc Guehi.The Brummy-born Real Madrid star subsequently ran to Kane, even urging him to perform his trademark arms outstretched celebration with him.Kane then bagged a header of his own less than a minute into extra time, with his goal enough to see England grab a 2-1 win.READ MORE ON EURO 2024After the match, the Three Lions skipper spoke to ITV’s Gabriel Clarke.During the interview, he revealed that Walker’s long throw wasn’t merely an act of desperation, and that they had worked on it during the week.The Bayern Munich forward, 30, said: “We work on so many details throughout the week.”We put in a long throw late, a couple of days ago, thinking we might need it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Be prepared for anything, and then Jude does what Jude does and what an unbelievable goal – he’s kept our tournament alive.”On the Real Madrid star’s goal, he went on to add: “Jude Bellingham’s is of the best in our country’s history.Ian Wright and Gary Neville go wild after Bellingham’s England equaliser… as eagle-eyed fans spot Roy Keane’s reaction”What a player he is. He works so hard. In the big moments he steps up. He did that today.”In this competition you have to find a way to win. This team knows how to dig deep. We could have played better.”But ultimately it’s a results business. Hopefully we can take that momentum further.”Southgate, 53, later added to the BBC: “I had a funny feeling the game wasn’t dead and I know that sounds ridiculous. We were pushing and probing.”Ultimately it is the one we have thrown in the box that got us the goal.”Gareth Southgate’s side live to fight another day at Euro 2024Credit: Alamy More