Euro 2024

GARY LINEKER and Alan Shearer have given their Euro 2024 last-16 predictions as Micah Richards fired a passionate plea to England.Gareth Southgate’s side head to Gelsenkirchen on Sunday for the last-16 clash with Slovakia.Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have made their Euro 2024 last-16 predictionsCredit: The Rest Is FootballGareth Southgate’s England take on Slovakia on Sunday in the knockoutsCredit: GettyThe Three Lions were held to a stalemate by Slovenia on Tuesday but still managed to claim top spot in Group C.That was after they initially struggled to a 1-0 win over Serbia before last week’s dour 1-1 draw with Denmark.BBC footie pundit and England legend Lineker then caused a storm as he called the team’s performance against the Danes “s***” in his podcast.Shearer had also torn into the side after the drab performance and insisted there can be “no excuses” for a Euro 2024 display with “no energy, no pace”.READ MORE ON EURO 2024But captain Harry Kane hit back by reminding both that the England teams they played for “won nothing” as he warned of the impact on the morale of the younger players when quizzed on the “s***” comment.Despite all of that furore, England delivered another underwhelming display as they failed to break down Slovenia, although many believe there were flashes of better things to come.And Southgate’s men now have a potential route to the final that avoids big guns Spain, Germany, Portugal and France – which has led to Richards calling for them to start showing some “arrogance” as all three tipped the Three lions to advance.Richards told the Rest is Football podcast: “I think England are gonna click into gear now. I just think the last game against Slovenia, there were signs of them getting higher up the pitch.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Now they’ve just got to sort the last bit out with creativity. I think we’ll be fine. Two nil England.”Lineker then said: “I think, well, I’m gonna go with England anyway. I think it’s remarkable how the draw has fallen for England.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlines“I mean, it’s not the first time it’s happened for Gareth, obviously, which is great, because it’s really important to have a bit of luck at some point in the tournament.“And that might be it. You’ve got most of the monsters on the other side of the draw. And even that little twist of Georgia beating Portugal, which meant England played Slovakia instead of Netherlands.“I mean, Netherlands game, you’re thinking, I mean, they’ve not been flying either, but you’re going, they’ve got some players. I don’t want to be disrespectful towards Slovakia, but there should be very, very strong favourites.”That was when Richards jumped in and said: “You get the group that we’ve been in, you get Slovakia, you’re on the right side of the group. You’ve got to now hope.“I mean, you know, should we be in these teams with the players that we have? So on the right side of it, it’s time for us, you know what it is?“It’s time for us to take responsibility as players, managers and say, we’re better than you.“Let’s play on the front foot. That’s what we need to do and have that confidence and have the arrogance that we see week in, week out.”But Lineker warned: “That has to come from the leader, but he’s got England through most games in knockout stages against weaker opposition. I think we’re all going to go for England.”Before giving out their other predictions, talk turned to the rest of the draw, before the topic quickly switched back to England.LIneker said: “It is remarkable how it kind of falls for Gareth Southgate’s England teams in major championships.“But the route to the final for England, if obviously they find a bit of form, we’ve talked about Slovakia, it’s the winners of Switzerland or Italy.“Normally you go Italy, one of the big nations, but they’re not as strong as Italy that we’ve seen so many times over the years. I would say even three years ago, they were much better.“They lost to two central defenders, etc. And a possible semi-final, where it will either be Romania, Netherlands, Austria or Turkey.”Confident Richards then says: “Oh my God! What more do we want in life?”Lineker interjected and said: “You can’t take any of these things for granted and it’s not in any way being disrespectful to those nations, but I know we’re just starting to draw right soon.”Richards then concludes: “Come on. It’s not about being disrespectful. You’ve said it, best player in England, best player in Germany, best player in Spain.“Come on. Say no more. We’re going to the final.”EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYThe last-16 gets underway today when Switzerland face Italy, with Shearer and Lineker both going for the Swiss while Richards is backing the Azzurri.Germany vs Denmark is this evening’s main event, and all three were in agreement that it will be the host nation marching on to the quarters.All three were in agreement again as they backed Spain to beat Georgia in Sunday’s other game, while it was the same regarding the feeling that France would beat Belgium on Monday.As for Portugal against Slovenia, it was another clean sweep as they backed Cristiano Ronaldo and Co to advance.Lineker and Richards both believe that Netherlands will advance past Romania – but not Shearer.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “There’s going to be a story somewhere along the line. This could be that story. So I’m going to go Romania.”Austria versus Turkey on Tuesday is another interesting tie that split the trio, as Shearer backed the Austrians while both Lineker and Richards went the other way.LINEKER, SHEARER AND RICHARDS’ EURO 2024 LAST-16 PREDICTIONSHere’s how the trio believe that the Euro 2024 last-16 will pan out:Switzerland v ItalyRichards: ItalyLineker: ItalyShearer: ItalyGermany v Denmark:Richards: GermanyLineker: GermanyShearer: GermanyEngland v SlovakiaRichards: EnglandLineker: EnglandShearer: EnglandSpain v GeorgiaRichards: SpainLineker: SpainShearer: SpainFrance v BelgiumRichards: FranceLineker: FranceShearer: FrancePortugal v SloveniaRichards: PortugalLineker: PortugalShearer: PortugalRomania v NetherlandsRichards: NetherlandsLineker: Netherlands Shearer: RomaniaAustria v TurkeyRichards: TurkeyLineker: TurkeyShearer: Austria More

IF you need a decent dose of perspective about England’s progress at the Euros, listen to Cole Palmer.When Chelsea’s main man was just 12 years old, he flew out to Brazil to see his grandad, hoping to watch the Three Lions at the 2014 World Cup.Cole Palmer looks on during a training sessionCredit: GettyEngland went out in the group stages of the 2014 World CupCredit: ReutersThere was a flaw in that plan, though.Palmer arrived in Rio de Janeiro a week into the tournament — and Roy Hodgson’s England had already been knocked out.He said: “I went to Brazil for the World Cup. My grandad Gary lives in Brazil.“I didn’t see any England games — by the time I got there they’d already been knocked out.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS“It was great, though. I went to watch Belgium versus Russia at the Maracana.“My grandad lived in Rio. He got an apartment out there. He just moved over there. He didn’t like the weather in Manchester, so he moved to Brazil. Now he speaks fluent Portuguese.”A decade later, at least England have topped their Euros group.And, after a highly promising performance as a sub in the goalless draw with Slovenia, there is a clamour for Palmer to start in tomorrow’s last-16 clash with Slovakia.Most read in Euro 2024England 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.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPalmer, 22, was one of the great stories of the season — a youngster with the balls to leave Manchester City because Pep Guardiola could not guarantee him enough game-time.He then lit up Stamford Bridge, scoring 25 goals for his new club and carrying Chelsea to such an extent that Mauricio Pochettino demanded that the rest of his squad must prove “they weren’t Cole Palmer FC”.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesWithout meaning to be, Palmer is a brilliant interviewee.He acts as if he does not understand why all these middle-aged blokes are huddled around him asking questions. But he speaks like he plays — off the cuff and to the point.He is also disarmingly honest. Take his reaction to Pochettino’s departure — “we built a great relationship . . . I was gutted when he left”.Or, when asked if he felt he was ready to start for England at this tournament: “Personally I think so but it’s not up to me. It’s nice to see people on social media saying I should start but it’s not up to them is it?”And on his move to the south: “The people are moody in London, aren’t they? I like London but it’s a lot different.”He was also asked about a claim, from Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic, that he likes baked beans so much, he is nicknamed Beans.Palmer replied: “No, no one calls me Beans,” who then adds that his fellow Mancunian Kobbie Mainoo, 19, “has beetroot for everything, he has beetroot for breakfast, dinner and tea”.Asked whether he started out as a striker, Palmer then sparks laughter in the room by admitting he first played at left-back, England’s problem position at this tournament.“I didn’t say I’d play there now,” he quickly interjects, “That was just for the Under-10s — I haven’t played left-back since.”Despite his long association with City, Palmer grew up a Manchester United fan, who idolised Wayne Rooney.Palmer says: “If my mum said ‘do this, Rooney does it’, I would do it.”It is refreshing to hear a player who speaks so naturally.Talking to Palmer makes you inclined to believe that he should start for England.After two stultifying draws against Denmark and Slovenia, Gareth Southgate needs a player who isn’t fazed by anything.A player who tore it up in his first season as a regular Premier League starter.There is only one question Palmer refuses to answer — whether Guardiola tried to persuade him to stay at City. He shrugs his shoulders, smirks, pauses and says: “Next question.”But Palmer could not be more glowing about Pochettino, saying: “He’s probably the main reason I’m here because a different manager might not have given me that freedom and opportunity to do what I did at Chelsea.”Yet Poch’s successor Enzo Maresca is also a familiar face to Palmer — having coached him for City’s Under-21s and also an assistant to Guardiola with the first team.Maresca, in fact, was the first coach to play Palmer in his wide-right position.Even if he does not start, there is every chance he will feature in the likelihood of a knockout round penalty shootout and the fact that he has scored all nine of his Chelsea spot-kicks, as well as one for England.Palmer and fellow penalty expert Ivan Toney have been discussing the prospect of coming on cold in the final minute of extra-time in order to take a shootout penalty.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe admitted: “I was speaking about this the other day with Ivan. Yeah, I’d come on and take one.”You’d be highly surprised if he missed it.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

ANTHONY GORDON vowed to ­perform a bike ­celebration if he scores against Slovakia on Sunday.The England winger escaped with cuts and bruises after crashing an electric bike when he pulled the wrong brake.Anthony Gordon fell off his bike earlier this week and suffered grazes across his arms and on his faceCredit: GettyGordon has vowed to do a bike celebration if he scores against SlovakiaCredit: AFPGordon is pushing for a start in Sunday’s last-16 clash in Gelsenkirchen following his lively cameo off the bench in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia.He was today handed a helmet and a set of child’s stabilisers by a photographer.Gordon, 23, laughed and promised: “I’ll put the stabilisers next to the pitch and you lot will get the credit for the celebration. I will do it.  You’ve got my word.”The Newcastle star was lucky to avoid a serious injury in the accident, which happened while he was filming himself riding around the golf course at the team hotel.Read More on FootballHe said: “We went on what was meant to be a recovery bike ride. It was a lovely day. I was going down a hill, trying to take a quick video for my family, just to show them what I was doing.“Before I knew it, I was head first into the floor.“I’ve got a few grazes, a few cuts but it’s not anything painful.“The bikes are electric so they are faster than normal bikes and, in England, the front brake is on the right-hand side.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Here, I tried to press the left brake just to slow down and, next minute, it had not slowed down, it had fully come to a stop… and I hadn’t.“I have gone ten feet in the air, chin first.”Football teams attempt ‘bike’ celebrationsOf the cuts he suffered, Gordon said: “I just went back to the camp and put some stuff on it.“To be fair, no one had seen it and I definitely didn’t press record so there were some positives to come from it.“I’ll get back on — I won’t let that bother me.“The thing was, because I was on my phone I didn’t know I was falling off until I hit the floor.“I was just focused on my phone.“And I went chin first. The moral of the story is we spend too much time on our phones.”The former Everton player revealed manager Gareth Southgate found the incident amusing.READ MORE SUN STORIESGordon said: “He laughed at first, just like everyone else did. It was a bit of a joke.“It wasn’t too serious —  just a few scratches — so everyone was laughing at me and laughing at me in pain.”EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More