Euro 2024

ITALY crushed Croatian hearts with a dramatic late leveller in Leipzig to regain a Euros last 16 spot.The Azzurri looked to have surrendered second place in Group B after Croat pensioner Luka Modric scored in the 55th minute – seconds after missing a penalty.Mattia Zaccagni celebrates his winnerCredit: ReutersItaly looked to be down and outCredit: EPAThe goal that won it for Italy was a beautyCredit: ReutersBut in the dying moments, Mattia Zaccagni curled in a 98th-minute beauty to ensure the reigning European champions will play Switzerland in the knockout stage.As for Croatia, unbelievable heartbreak. They are not mathematically out, but it is incredibly unlikely that they will make it through as a ranked third-place side on two points.What a way for Modric to potentially end his international career on his 178th appearance having become the oldest scorer at a Euros at 38 years and 289 days.But Croatia can hardly complain. The World Cup finalists from 2018 had been woeful in their opening two outings – smashed by Spain before conceding a late leveller to Albania – and not a lot better here, much to boss Zlatko Dalic’s dismay.READ MORE EUROS NEWSThe ultimate major tournament warriors came agonisingly close to proving everyone wrong yet again only to fall at the final hurdle having given their all to hang on.Luka Modric celebrates his strikeCredit: ReutersCroatia went wild after taking the leadCredit: ReutersModric fires past Gianluigi DonnarummaCredit: APDalic made four changes, including two of his back four – unsurprising given his men had already shipped five goals in two games in Germany.Luciano Spalletti also pulled out a few surprises with his team selection, switching to a three at the back, as well as dropping forwards Federico Chiesa and Gianluca Scamacca.The former Napoli boss was clearly still irked by his side’s 1-0 loss to Spain last week, intent on giving his squad a chance to right some wrongs.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt looked like that decision could backfire in the opening 15 minutes.Italy barely got a sniff such was Croatia’s dominance and control on the ball from back to front.And yet, other than a 25-yard belter from Luka Sucic that was tipped over by Gianluigi Donnarumma, they still lacked a real goal threat.As a result, the Azzurri gained confidence, carving out some chances of their own as Mateo Retegui headed just wide and had a volley blocked.Nicolo Barella’s beautiful dink towards the back post then found an unmarked Alessandro Bastoni in the 27th minute.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYLuka Modric saw his penalty saved by Gianluigi DonnarummaCredit: GettyIt could be Modric’s last game for CroatiaCredit: ReutersThe header from the Inter Milan defender was straight at Dominik Livakovic, producing a stunning reaction stop that left several Italian players on their knees.Croatia rallied through who else than Modric, finding space in the box and forcing Donnarumma to palm away a dangerous low cross.The little Croat magician was trying his best to conjure something up for his beloved nation on his 178th appearance, but those around him lacked any sort of spark or belief.Heading into the break, Italy looked comfortable. Croatia looked resigned to their fate.What they needed was a helping hand, and that’s literally what they got in the 52nd minute as Davide Frattesi – who was subbed on at half-time – appeared to block a cross with an outstretched arm.Luka Modric rolled back the years against Italy but it was not enoughPlay continued before VAR advised Dutch referee Danny Makkelie to go to the monitor. He was not there long before pointing to the spot.There was no question who was going to take it, that was until he missed – Modric’s tame spot-kick easily saved by Donnarumma down to his right.But the Italian No1 barely had time to catch his breath before watching Modric fire into the top corner in the 55th minute, having just got down to deny Ante Budimir from a cross.READ MORE SUN STORIESCroatia looked to have withstood all the might of Italy, only to fall asleep during a late counter attack in injury time and Livakovic had no chance to stop his net from rippling. More

ENGLAND are already through to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 – thanks to tonight’s results in Group B.The Three Lions take on Slovenia in their final Group C match in Cologne tomorrow evening. England booked their place in the last 16 with a game to spareCredit: APGareth Southgate will want an improved performance and win against SloveniaCredit: GettyThey need a win to guarantee top spot – and therefore an ‘easier’ last-16 tie.However, their place in the next round has been confirmed by Albania’s loss to Spain.England go into the Slovenia game already on four points from beating Serbia and a draw with Denmark. Gareth Southgate’s men cannot finish bottom of the group – even a defeat can only see them drop to third because Denmark and Serbia cannot both win and overtake England’s points tally.READ MORE ON EURO 2024And with the four best third-placed teams in the six Euro 2024 groups going through, those four points are already enough to get through.In Group A, Germany and Switzerland are through with Hungary taking third on three points.And in Group B tonight, Spain beat Albania 1-0, while Italy scored a dramatic 98th-minute goal to draw 1-1 with Croatia. Spain were already group winners by virtue of beating Italy, but they finished the group with maximum points.Most read in Euro 2024And the late drama meant Italy went through in second with four points, while Croatia are all but out in third place with just two points.That result was irrelevant for England, with the Three Lions just needing Albania not to win. That’s because it wasn’t possible for Italy and Croatia to both reach four points as they were playing each other. And therefore England will be at worst the fourth-best third-placed team at Euro 2024 and safely into the last 16.EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSSunSport’s Dan King on why Luke Shaw’s return is so big for EnglandEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYOf course, Southgate is desperate to finish top of Group C with seven points from a possible nine by beating Slovenia. His tactics, the team selection and the players have been widely criticised for their performances so far.But Harry Kane and Declan Rice bit back in a defiant response, with the skipper reminding the likes of Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer that they did not win a major tournament for their country.England have turned into a long-ball team, that has to change, says Jack Wilshere
ENGLAND need to find the courage and confidence to start playing out from the back again, writes Jack Wilshere.
That was the approach that brought them success and they seemed to be getting better at it.
But in the last two games they have tried it less and Jordan Pickford has been going long more often.
England’s lack of structure and playing out from the back was dictated by how the first two games went.
The opponents grew in confidence and started to press a little bit higher.
And, as England have made mistakes, they have ended up trying to eliminate risk by playing it longer.
We’ve been looking for solutions and ended up going back to Jordan and there’s no option, we’re under a bit of pressure and he has to go long.
But, more often than not, playing out through the thirds is the way to go.
Let’s do it, let’s go and be brave and dominate the ball.
Read Jack Wilshere’s tactical analysis in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s experiment in midfield is set to be cut short – with Conor Gallagher coming in to take his place in the starting XI. And fans hope the dreaded ‘ITV curse’ doesn’t strike again.England have won seven, drawn 13 and lost ten of their 30 major tournament matches on the channel since 1998 – but have won 20 out of 29 on the BBC in that time. Pundits and legends lay into EnglandENGLAND’s lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate’s team.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SHEARER
“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.
“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”
RIO FERDINAND
“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.
“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.
“Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.
“But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.”

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

SADLY for Sylvinho, he was right.The Albania boss had suggested Spain’s second team are good enough to win Euro 2024.Ferran Torres scored a first half winnerCredit: GettyAlbania crash out of the Euros after failing to pick up a winCredit: APSpain have won three games out of three without concedingCredit: AFPBut what will really worry the rest is that the first choice 11 is a street ahead of the reserves.And they are the ones who will play the rest of the tournament.In Dusseldorf, Luis de la Fuente’s shadow side clipped the Eagles’ wings to send Albanian home and make it three wins out of three.A brilliant finish by former Manchester City striker Ferran Torres, caressing the ball off the upright with his left peg, proved decisive as Albania’s adventure ended amid the non-stop bedlam of their hordes of fans.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Yet Spain now enter the knock-out stage on cruise control, rested and ready.It is hard to make a case for anyone to stop them.Last night Albania had the flares. And the noise and the smoke.But Spain had the flair and were never going to choke.Most read in Euro 2024Spain dominated the ball and Albania struggled to create chancesEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYFor 10 minutes, Spain let Sylvinho’s men believe. Then they simply upped the gears.Brentford keeper Thomas Strakosha – two Prem appearances for the Bees last term – made a scrambling save to deny Mikel Merino’s header from Spain’s first proper move, sparked by Dani Olmo.Euro 2024’s sexiest players revealedAlbania boss Sylvinho claimed Spain’s second team is good enough to win the EurosCredit: ReutersThere was nothing he could do about their second, though.Aymeric Laporte, the only surviving starter from the Italy win, threaded in to playmaker Olmo, whose own pass inside left back Mario Mitaj was as perfect as the first-time, inside of the boot stroke in off the far post by Torres.A goal of beauty, from a beautiful team.Between those two attacks, Joselu – tipped to be the next on the Saudi gravy train – had flicked a header just too high.Spain’s control was evident. They were happy with all they needed to make it comfortable, the Albanians offering heart and endeavour but nowhere near the same quality.The reality of the action did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Albanian fans who were hanging off the rafters. They had plenty to shout about, at least in their heads.Yet it all felt inevitable, a matter of time before Spain raised the level once more to get the second.Twice in a minute, Olmo thought he was going to score it.First it required a super block from Albania skipper Berat Djimsiti to stop him from close range, before he clipped wide when Strakosha punched the resulting corner straight to the Leipzig man.Arsenal keeper David Raya was enjoying the easiest of nights, although almost embarrassed himself when he thumped a clearance into Laporte, grateful the ball ballooned back into his hands.Albania pressured late on but it was not enoughTorress may have done enough to win a first-team placeAnd he was extended on the break, diving to his left to parry Kristjian Asllani’s 20-yarder.Even so, Spain did not seem concerned and Joselu was inches away from netting at the start of the second period with an acrobatic hook from the latest in a string of crosses by left-back Alejandro Grimaldo.Albania were starting to rock, but responded to the news of Luka Modric’s goal in Leipzig.On came Chelsea’s Slough-born and raised Armando Broja, so nearly transforming the mood with his first proper touch from a quick free-kick, only for Reya to claw the ball away.They kept on trying, too, even as the sands of time slipped away, finally causing some anxiety.READ MORE SUN STORIESNot enough and Olmo and substitute Alvaro Morata had the chances to put the game to bed while there were some glimpses of majesty from Lermine Yamal after the teenager was introduced.We will certainly see more of him in the next few weeks. And a lot more of Spain. More

ITALY boss Luciano Spalletti consoled a journalist after the death of his wife shortly before the game against Croatia.The defending champions went into their final group game of Euro 2024 needing a draw to guarantee their spot in the last-16.Italy boss Luciano Spalletti comforted a journalist after the loss of his wifeThe pair embraced ahead of Italy’s Euros clash with CroatiaHowever Spalletti’s immediate thoughts were not on his team or his tactics, but instead on Sky Sports Italia journalist Marco Nosotti.That is because the reporter lost his wife of over 30 years, Silvia, just a few days ago.Nosotti has only recently returned to Germany, and Spalletti sought him out as his team took a pre-match walk around the pitch at Leipzig.The former Napoli boss went up to Nosotti and embraced him warmly as Nosotti buried his face in his shoulder.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Spalletti appeared to say a few words in his ear as he patted the reporter on his back.The veteran boss revealed he would try a different approach against Croatia after the 1-0 loss to Spain.He said: “After a game like that, there is the notion and the idea to try and change the team a little bit.“Now that we’ve noticed there’s a bit of fatigue and rust, we certainly will change things.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY“We’ll change our approach in some ways. We’ll try and have as much substance out there as possible. We’ll try and play uglier but have greater substance so they can’t tap into their ability.“But we want to play in their half of the pitch and not sit on the edge of our penalty area. They’ve got players that can shoot from distance and play between the lines.”Napoli ultras reward departing boss Spalletti for title by giving back his STEERING WHEEL two years after stealing it More

PAUL SCHOLES wants to see Gareth Southgate make two big changes in England’s final group stage match against Slovenia.The Three Lions are top of the group having beaten Serbia despite then drawing against Denmark. Paul Scholes revealed his preferred England side to play SloveniaCredit: AlamyTrent Alexander-Arnold is set to be dropped by England but Scholes would like to see him in another new positionCredit: GettyTrent Alexander-Arnold started in a midfield pair with Declan Rice in both games but came under fire for his performances. Conor Gallagher is set to now replace the Liverpool full-back – but Manchester United legend Scholes wants to see him stay in the team, albeit in another unfamiliar position for the right-back.The ex-England international called for Alexander-Arnold to instead replace Kieran Trippier on the left of a back four.Kyle Walker has started on the right with Trippier forced onto his unfavoured left in the absence of Luke Shaw.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut with Trippier injured, and Shaw still not fit, Southgate needs to find a solution.Another big change Scholes wants to see is United starlet Kobbie Mainoo partnering Rice in midfield. Mainoo has made four international appearances – but not yet in a major tournament. Gallagher is due to come into the starting line up but Scholes – who won 66 England caps – tips Mainoo as the man for the future. Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe told TNT Sports: “Obviously, I said I’d like to see Mainoo come into the midfield. “I think he is, along with Declan Rice, probably England’s best midfielder. Tom Barclay reacts to expectation Conor Gallagher comes in v SloveniaTalk of dropping Harry Kane is absurd, says Jurgen Klinsmann

NO manager in the world will really care about how many touches their centre-forward has, writes Jurgen Klinsmann.
It’s being widely flagged up that Harry Kane has not seen much of the ball in England’s first two matches but this is not, in itself, going to be a concern for Gareth Southgate.
It’s a nice thing for the stats fanatics to go on about — and there are obviously more and more of them in and around football.
But not all statistics are helpful and this one doesn’t mean a great deal.
Harry has scored one goal, and so nearly two, in two games. It’s not as if he hasn’t been involved at all.
Everybody in England needs to calm down a little about the captain.
Some are even suggesting that he should be dropped or rested for tomorrow’s final group game against Slovenia — but that is totally absurd.
Please stop worrying. He will come good. He always does.
Read Jurgen Klinsmann thoughts on Harry Kane’s struggles in full.
Or check out all of Jurgen’s Euro 2024 columns.

“To have a right back playing in there in your position and you’ve gone as a central midfielder, that won’t be nice. It will be difficult to take. “I see Kobbie Mainoo in this England squad, in this England team for the next 10 years at least.“He’ll bring quality into that midfield area that we’ve really lacked. He knows the position, he’s played the position. He’ll help Declan Rice. “He’ll help Jude Bellingham and he could possibly knit the whole thing together.” More