Euro 2024

HIGH-PROFILE pundits were left stunned at Gareth Southgate’s lack of half-time substitutions as England took on Slovakia at Euro 2024.The Three Lions produced an awful first-half display to go in at the break trailing 1-0.Gareth Southgate was left scratching his headCredit: AlamyITV’s pundits were left stunned by what they sawCredit: ITVGary Neville called on Southgate to ‘rip up’ his contractsCredit: ITVIan Wright, Gary Neville and Roy Keane watched on in horror from ITV’s Berlin studio.The latter pair called for Southgate to be brave and to “rip up” his plan and try something different in the second-half.Keane, 52, said: “Southgate could be out of a job in 45 minutes if he doesn’t change something. He needs to go out on his shield.”Neville, meanwhile, added: “He’s tried minimum interference but I was sat on a bench in Nice eight years ago when England played Iceland – this has got Iceland vibes written all over it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It’s now or never for Gareth. He’s got to interfere and rip up the script he’s had all tournament, we’ve watched this now for three-and-a-half games.”We tried to be really positive and thinking this would be the game today that England would turn.“He’s now got to twist. I don’t think it’s a case of one substitute, I think he’s got to get three on the pitch.“I think we’ve got to see Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon. He’s got to shift the whole narrative around this game.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”That is not changing unless he does something right now.”As it happened, Southgate did not make any half-time changes, much to the fury of fans watching on at home.Gareth Southgate reveals why he picked Kobbie Mainoo as Man Utd wonderkid drafted into England starting XI”Southgate Out” trended on X as England’s nightmare unfolded in Gelsenkirchen.Just minutes into the second-half, the Three Lions thought they had levelled through Phil Foden.But following a swift VAR check, the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.Southgate finally made his first change in the 66th minute, throwing on Cole Palmer for Kieran Trippier – with Bukayo Saka moving to left-back.England went on to scrape a 2-1 win against Slovakia.Ivan Schranz had given Slovakia a first half lead, only for Jude Bellingham to equalise deep into stoppage time.Harry Kane’s extra time header then won it for the Three Lions, who will next face Switzerland on Saturday.Southgate finally threw Cole Palmer on in the 66th minuteCredit: Rex More

ENGLAND’S “scared” stars were slammed by former manager Sam Allardyce who didn’t hold back during the Three Lions’ horror show vs Slovakia.The Three Lions saw themselves trailing 1-0 to Francesco Calzona’s side after just 25 minutes at the AufShalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen.Sam Allardyce didn’t hold back on England’s performance after SLovakia’s openerCredit: X formerly Twiter / @SkyFootballAllardyce slammed England’s character after Slovakia’s openerCredit: ReutersIvan Shranz broke the deadlock and Gareth Southgate’s men were unable to respond until the fifth minute of stoppage time with Jude Bellingham’s wondergoal that set up a dramatic comeback as Harry Kane sealed a 2-1 win during extra time.Allardyce, 69, joined Sky Sports to analyse his former team’s knockout clash at the Euros.And the former Premier League boss watched Schranz stun England in dead-eyed fashion as he knew “it was coming” since kick-off.The Dudley tactician went on to slam the players’ character as he could “see the fear” from the off.Read More on FootballThe outspoken coach went on to claim that all of Southgate’s “talented” players have been reduced to looking like “sixes and sevens”.Allardyce said once Shranz beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford: “There we go…”It was coming, wasn’t it? Coming…”You could smell it, right from the start you could see the fear in the England side.Most read in Euro 2024″It’s just… These players are so, so talented and yet they look sixes and sevens.”This time it’s a big, big blow, losing the first goal. First time they’re 1-0 down.Gary Neville stunned by Roy Keane’s crude four-word outburst live on ITV during England vs Slovakia coverage”Have they got the correct determination, the correct desire to kick themselves into action and get themselves back in the game and score and try and go and win it?”England, though, managed to show a winners’ mentality and will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.England’s penalty shootout recordTHE dreaded penalty shootout.England’s nemesis at no fewer than SEVEN major tournaments since 1990, from the West Germany heartache at Italia 90 to Wembley woes on the brink of Euro 2020 final glory.But two shootout victories before the Italy defeat give some reason for optimism…1990 World Cup semi-final vs WEST GERMANY, 04/07/1990 – LOST 4-3Euro 1996 quarter-final vs SPAIN, 22/06/1996 – WON 4-2Euro 1996 semi-final vs WEST GERMANY, 26/06/1996 – LOST 6-5Friendly vs BELGIUM, 29/05/1998 – LOST 4-31998 World Cup last 16 vs ARGENTINA, 30/06/1998 – LOST 4-3Euro 2004 quarter-final vs PORTUGAL, 24/06/2004 – LOST 6-52006 World Cup quarter-final vs PORTUGAL, 01/07/2006 – LOST 3-1Euro 2012 quarter-final vs ITALY, 24/06/2012 – LOST 4-22018 World Cup last 16 vs COLOMBIA, 03/07/2018 – WON 4-3vs SWITZERLAND – Nations League third-place play-off, 09/06/2019 – WON 6-5Euro 2020 final vs ITALY, 11/07/2021 – LOST 3-2OVERALL: Played 11, Won 3, Lost 8 More

ED SHEERAN was all smiles as he watched England’s nervy 2-1 Euros win over Slovakia from the stands.The ginger crooner, 33, donned a Three Lions shirt while taking in the action at the AufSchalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen.Ed Sheeran managed a smile during England’s 2-1 win over SlovakiaEd Sheeran watched England vs SlovakiaCredit: GettyThe ginger crooner took great pride in watching his nation at the EurosCredit: ReutersSheeran is a major football fan and showed his support for the Three LionsCredit: GettySheeran appeared to be fixated with England’s stunning comeback win as he sipped a drink.And the Shape of You hitmaker grinned like a Cheshire cat despite England’s slow start in their last-16 knockout battle.Sheeran is a massive football fan and is regularly seen at Ipswich Town fixtures.He joined in celebrations when the Tractor Boys sealed promotion to the Premier League under Kieran McKenna.READ MORE ON EURO 2024But the love goes the other way too.One former footballer at Wolves and Brighton is now making his way as one of the UK’s top tribute acts to Sheeran.Daniel East has even performed at the weddings of Lewis Dunk and Conor Goldson.And he will be hoping for a fraction of the success of Sheeran, who has sold 150million albums worldwide.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSHowever, England’s players could have used some of that fortune against Slovakia.A dire start saw three aces booked in quick succession.Watch Sam Allardyce’s dead-eyed reaction to England falling behind to Slovakia as he slams ‘scared’ playersSheeran is a major fan of newly-promoted Ipswich TownCredit: GettyHe has sold 150million albums worldwideCredit: GettyAnd with just 25 minutes on the clock, Gareth Southgate’s men went behind to a Slovak strike.They failed to find a leveller before half-time, with fans booing them off the field.And when England emerged after the break, they had not made one single sub.The Three Lions managed to get back into the game quickly, with Phil Foden slotting home from Kieran Trippier’s pass.But it was given as offside, leading to groans of disappointment from supporters. More

GARY NEVILLE slammed Gareth Southgate and demanded three substitutions were made at half-time against Slovakia.England put in another poor performance in the opening 45 minutes and went in at the break 1-0 down after Ivan Schranz’s strike.Gary Neville raged at half-timeCredit: ITVGareth Southgate is on the brink of potentially losing his jobCredit: RexNeville was furious alongside fellow ITV pundits Roy Keane and Ian Wright as they hit out at Southgate’s tactics and team selection.With the ex-England right-back saying a change out wide was needed, with Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon coming on.And Neville wanted Trent Alexander-Arnold to replace Kieran Trippier, so Kyle Walker could switch flanks to left-back.Neville ranted: “He’s tried minimum interference but I was sat on a bench in Nice eight years ago when England played Iceland – this has got Iceland vibes written all over it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It’s now or never for Gareth. He’s got to interfere and rip up the script he’s had all tournament, we’ve watched this now for three-and-a-half games. “We tried to be really positive and thinking this would be the game today that England would turn.“He’s now got to twist. I don’t think it’s a case of one substitute, I think he’s got to get three on the pitch.“I think we’ve got to see Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon. He’s got to shift the whole narrative around this game. Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS”That is not changing unless he does something right now.”Neville continued: “I would probably switch Kyle Walker over – that be the first. Watch Sam Allardyce’s dead-eyed reaction to England falling behind to Slovakia as he slams ‘scared’ players”Then, after ten minutes if it doesn’t change, I’d make another two.“Gordon will give you a runner and we know Palmer is in better form at this moment in time that the players that are out on that pitch.“Trent Alexander-Arnold – it’s illegal that lad is not playing football in any game like this for England.“We cannot have Walker and Trippier and left and right-back when we are on the ball most of the time when that is the kid that is the best football player we’ve ever seen at right-back in this country. “He’s got to be on the pitch.”Keane added: “It’s now or never. He can’t keep waiting. The waiting is over now. “This is the biggest team talk of Gareth’s career. He’s got to make changes.“I’m looking and thinking ‘are they a team, are they in this together?’ All these question marks are there now and it has to be changed.“The only encouragement is, I think, that the set-piece delivery has been decent. That’s about it.“He has to make changes, has to get more energy, he has to find a way back into the game. They look so flat – a bit like Italy – they look like they’ve ran out of ideas. “They are not pulling together, no demands on each other, we see Walker, John Stones, really top players making sloppy mistakes.“It’s given the opposition encouragement. Nowhere near good enough.”Roy Keane also slammed the performanceCredit: ITVKeane then added: “How many more excuses can we make? The structure, the team shape, the characters, Luke Shaw, Jack Grealish… it’s been going on for months and months.“This is not a group that’s in it together. They’ve got to find something, which can still happen as it’s only 1-0.“There is a time to panic, and there’s a time to get the balance right. Don’t go gung-ho, it’s only 1-0.”Keane then finished with: “He [Gareth] has got to get the group of players in the dressing room and ask ‘what are you going to do about it?’“These are huge moments. I spoke before the game about the quality, but quality is no good unless you’ve got a fight and desire to win a game of football. It’s just been so poor.”Despite their fury, Southgate did not make any changes at the break.Phil Foden put the ball in the back of the net just six minutes after the restart – but he was offside. And just after the hour mark, Palmer was finally subbed on for Trippier and Bukayo Saka was moved to left-back.But there was still no improvement and it took until the 91st minute for Bellingham’s moment of inspiration as he forced extra-time with a stunning overhead kick.READ MORE SUN STORIESKane then scored the winner as England came back from the brink to book their spot in quarter-finals.Switzerland are up next and they will be hoping Southgate has not solved the problems by next Saturday.Gary Neville demanded Cole Palmer was subbed onCredit: RexEngland’s five-point penalty shootout planEXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR “It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP”Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”3. DICTATE AS A TEAM”A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES “Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT  “Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.” More

ENGLAND were booed off at half-time following their first-half display against Slovakia.The Three Lions were yet again underwhelming at Euro 2024 as they fell behind in the last 16 game.England were booed off against SlovakiaCredit: ITVThe performance was less than impressingCredit: ITVIvan Schranz opened the scoring in the first halfCredit: ReutersIvan Schranz put Slovakia ahead in the 25th minute as he stabbed the ball beyond Jordan Pickford.Fans were less than impressed with the display that they had witnessed after the whistle signalled the end of the first half.The players were booed off the pitch by the travelling supporters.As they made their way down the tunnel boos from the stands could be heard.READ MORE ON EURO 2024It had been an eventful first half as England saw three players go into the book.Marc Guehi, Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham were all cautioned by the referee.Guehi’s yellow card would rule him out of the quarter-finals should England make it through.Before the game there was concern over Pickford after he hurt his hand in the warm-up.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDuring the first half England struggled to create many chances despite dominating the ball.The team had well over 70 per cent possession but were unable to muster a meaningful shot on goal.England fans stunning at Boxpark Wembley as Slovakia take shock lead against EnglandFans were just as unhappy on social media.One posted: “Terrible. Looking like a Sunday league team.”A second wrote: “I guess it ain’t coming home for the 987th time .”A third commented: “Embarrassing.”A fourth said: “Useless.”Another added: “We are very very poor!”However, their frowns were turned upside down before the final whistle.READ MORE SUN STORIESJude Bellingham scored a brilliant overhead kick in the 95th minute to force extra time.Harry Kane then scored the vital winner in the next period to book England’s ticket to the quarter-final against Switzerland. More