Euro 2024

ENGLAND are officially through to the Round of 16 of Euro 2024 – albeit in an uninspiring fashion.Gareth Southgate’s troops topped Group C by avoiding defeat to Slovenia in their final Group C match.England are through to the last 16 of Euro 2024Credit: GettyEngland could face Cody Gakpo’s NetherlandsCredit: AlamySlovakia are the other possible opponentCredit: AlamyThey were held to a drab 0-0 draw in the Cologne clash, which has heaped further pressure on Southgate’s shoulders.Three Lions fans have now turned their attention to who they’ll face in the round of 16, which gets underway on Saturday evening.And they’ll face either the Netherlands – or a side from Group E, most likely Slovakia.The Netherlands were the surprise third place finishers in Group D after Ronald Koeman’s side suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Austria, who ended up topping the group ahead of France and the Oranje.READ MORE ON EURO 2024England could also end up facing the third-placed team from Group E, in which all four teams – Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine – are currently level on three points.Slovakia are the most likely team to finish third. That’s because they play Romania in their final game, and both teams know a draw would send them both through. Should the game finish level, Slovakia are certain to be the third placed team.The Slovaks, who stunned Belgium 1-0 in their opening game, play current Group E toppers Romania tomorrow at 5pm.Once the final group stage matches are played on Wednesday night, England’s opponent will be officially confirmed.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSVictory for England in the last 16 will set up a quarter-final tie against either Switzerland or Italy.England will then face either Austria, Hungary, Romania or Turkey in the semi-finals, which will take place on Tuesday, July 9 or Wednesday, July 10.EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSEngland need superhero Bellingham back to have any chance of winning Euro 2024JUDE BELLINGHAM delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024, writes Charlie Wyett.Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwise England are knackered.Approaching the serious part of Euro 2024, this team really does need to get a grip and start showing some personality.At times against Slovenia, Bellingham just looked lost.Let’s hope he can sprinkle some stardust in the knockout stages because Gareth Southgate certainly needs something.Bellingham should come good. This could still be HIS tournament.Read Charlie Wyett’s England vs Slovenia verdict in full.Or check out all of Charlie’s Euro 2024 stories.Charlie Wyett slams ‘massively disappointing’ England after drap 0-0 draw with Slovenia in final Euro 2024 group gameFootie powerhouses France, Spain, Germany and Portugal are all on the other side of the draw.So that means England won’t face either of the bigwigs until the final, which takes place on July 14.Three Lions fans, however, won’t be confident of their chances of glory following back-to-back disappointing draws against Denmark and Slovenia.Southgate, however, remains optimistic, saying: “I thought we were much improved with the ball.It was harsh to hook Gallagher at half-time… but Mainoo showed he’s the answer, says Jack WilshereKOBBIE MAINOO was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield, writes Jack Wilshere.I think he showed why in the second half against Slovenia.But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure.He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.Read Jack Wilshere’s post-match verdict in full.Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.”We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us. “We are not quite getting that break in front of goal. I think the players who came on did well. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment”We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch.”Roy Keane blasts ‘slow and sloppy’ England with Gary Neville labelling Southgate’s side ‘basic’ after awful first half More

RASMUS HOJLUND’S Euros campaign is picking up from where his Premier League season finished – in frustration.Denmark made it through to the last 16 and face the daunting task of playing hosts Germany on Saturday after clinching second place in Group C.Rasmus Hojlund was in action for DenmarkCredit: GettyBoth sides struggled to createCredit: ReutersBut they will need much more from Manchester United’s £72million centre forward if they are to stand any chance of going beyond that.Hojlund is yet to score a goal in this tournament and managed just one shot last night before being taken off by fed up Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand.In his defence the whole team was not much better as this group fizzled out.Just hours after the thrills and spills earlier in the day as Holand, Poland, France and Austria thrashed around to settle Group D, there followed the comedown.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Nords dominated and had five shots on target in the first half – two of them on target but only one seriously troubling Serbia keeper Predrag Radjovic.That was when Christian Eriksen pounced upon a mistake in the Serb defence and sent a curve ball towards the inside of the post only to see it pushed wide at the last second.The match was even treated to a star guest of honour with Novak Djokovic showing his face to cheer on his Serb countrymen then singing his national anthem lustily in the VIP box before kick off.The 24-times Grand Slam winner must have been feeling a bit frustrated with his football team as they struggled to impose themselves on the match.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEven against relatively weak opposition Hojlund only announced himself after half an hour with a shot straight at the keeper.Wearing a cheesy Serbia top with number ‘1’ on it over his shirt, Djokovic thought his team had taken a shock lead eight minutes into the second half when Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen prodded the ball into his own net under pressure.Roy Keane blasts ‘slow and sloppy’ England with Gary Neville labelling Southgate’s side ‘basic’ after awful first halfBut the effort was ruled out and the linesman who flagged was subsequently pelted with objects thrown by angry Serbia fans. The stadium announcer was forced to put out a message demanding a stop to such behaviour in the minutes afterwards.Newly-promoted Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard had a well-placed and powerful header from a corner saved on the line by Serbia’s alert keeper.Ex-Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was booked for diving as frustrations grew in both camps.Former Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel deliberately held up play at a goal kick to remove dozens of objects hurled into his goal area by Serbian fans who were ignoring pleas by the authorities to stop doing so.A pitch invader stopped proceedings in the dying minutes with Denmark preparing to take a corner.Eriksen became Denmark’s most capped player of all time with his 133rd appearance but it was one to forget. Serbia are out. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE has the best players in the Premier League, the Bundesliga and La Liga at his disposal.And yet England still couldn’t defeat a team ranked 57th in the world.England put on another uninspiring displayCredit: GettyGareth Southgate’s side have failed to get going this summer so farCredit: GettyAt the moment the Three Lions boss is a reverse alchemist, turning gold into base metal.They may be through to the knock-out stages but this England side are frustrating an entire nation after another dismal Group C draw.We thought it couldn’t get much worse than the 1-1 draw with Denmark last Thursday but this was another performance to have you tearing you hair out and swearing at the telly.How can a side which possesses Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden be as bad as this?READ MORE ON EURO 2024Slovenia are not very good and were never going to outplay England as the Danes had done.But despite dominating possession, England barely ever looked like scoring.Bellingham was anonymous for a second successive game, Foden flattered to deceive and Kane again lacked peak sharpness.Aside from a barnstorming individual display from Declan Rice, there was nothing to get excited about.Most read in Euro 2024Bukayo Saka came the closest for England with an offside goalCredit: AFPEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSNothing to whet the appetite for the knock-out stages, nothing to instil confidence that they can progress much further.England have won just two of their last eight games and are in a right old two and eight.Euro 2024’s sexiest players revealedThis victory means England cannot play any of Germany, France, Spain or Portugal before the final, with those best four teams in this tournament all on the other half of the draw.England could play any number of third-placed teams in the last 16 – including Holland – in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.But it’s difficult to make England favourites against anyone in this tournament right now.They have strung together five poor halves of football since a decent opening Serbia.As expected, Southgate gave up on Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield as a bad job, bringing in Conor Gallagher in a move which hardly got the nation’s pulses throbbing.And Gallagher was duly dragged off at half-time after a shocking display.Rice’s bold pre-match talk of England pressing hard and fast and ‘in your faces’ probably hadn’t accounted for such stifling hot weather even with a 9pm local kick-off time.Slovenia were unchanged after two decent draws and were certainly no easy meat.But England started off as scruffily – long balls from Pickford, losing possession easily and conceding the first real chance to Benjamin Sesko who headed straight at the England keeper.Kieran Trippier was booked early on as England struggled to gain control.Fans weren’t exactly on the edge of their seats from the actionCredit: GettyEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYFoden was being given far more licence to roam, while Jude Bellingham tended to hang wide on the left.Just as England began to get their passing game going, they thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half.Rice, who had certainly shaken off the effects of his poor display against the Danes, picked a cunning pass to Foden, who was offside before he squared for Buyako Saka to tap in.Of England’s midfield three, Gallagher was terrible, Bellingham was so frustrated at his lack of influence that he ended up kicking an ad hoarding, but Rice was sensational.The Arsenal man had talked a good game on the eve of the match – all gung-ho and ‘up and at ’em – and he was playing the same game, winning the ball high up the pitch and at the centre of England’s best work.Kane, who was livelier than in the previous two games, had a shot on target and then Foden’s curling 30-yard free-kick was comfortably saved by Jan Oblak.After John Stones had played a positive pass, Trippier’s dangerous cross was missed by Gallagher, with his head, and Kane, with his feet.There was more booing at half-time but at least England were showing more desire than as against the Danes.At half-time, Southgate bowed to the inevitable and replaced Gallagher with Mainoo.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.The Chelsea man is an honest worker but not an international footballer.England began to dictate play in the second half, pinning back the Slovenians, winning corners but never quite finding the final ball.When Slovenia broke, Stones and Guehi got in a terrible tangle and the latter was booked for hauling down Andraz Sporar.With 20 minutes to go, Cole Palmer replaced Saka for his first involvement in the tournamentKane was dragged down by Jaka Bijol after turning the centre-half near the edge of the box but Foden wasted the free-kick.It was harsh to hook Gallagher at half-time… but Mainoo showed he’s the answer, says Jack WilshereKOBBIE MAINOO was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield, writes Jack Wilshere.I think he showed why in the second half against Slovenia.But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure.He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.Read Jack Wilshere’s post-match verdict in full.Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.Then Rice took matters into his own hands, surged into the box but blazed wide.After one swift late interchange Kane fed Palmer but the Chelsea man drove his shot straight at Oblak.It had been every bit as bad as the Denmark game, as bad as other tournament bore draws against Scotland, the United States, Algeria and Costa Rica.READ MORE SUN STORIESYes, England are through. Yes, the draw looks inviting.But how is it possible to feel any positivity after sitting through this?Southgate tried making changes but couldn’t find the answerCredit: Reuters More

FANS were left fuming with Gareth Southgate’s decision to start Conor Gallagher against Slovenia when the midfielder was hooked at half-time.Chelsea star Gallagher, 24, was selected in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold.Conor Gallagher endured a difficult first halfCredit: EPAGareth Southgate sent on Kobbie Mainoo at half timeCredit: AFPThe change did not work well, however, with stats suggesting that Gallagher struggled to make an impact.As pointed out by Statman Dave, during the first 45 minutes he completed 17 passes at a success rate of 85 per cent.He also did not complete a dribble or win a tackle.Gallagher didn’t create a chance or attempt a shot, prior to being hooked for Kobbie Mainoo at half-time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWith Southgate having ditched his Alexander-Arnold experiment, only to sub Gallagher at half-time, fans were left scratching their flags.One wrote: “Southgate can’t make his mind up with this midfield! This is so poor from a England manager.”While a second fumed: “Two and a half games in and Southgate is on his third plan for centre midfield. You’d laugh if it wasn’t so worrying.”A third moaned: “Incredible Southgate think the only problem is that other central midfield position next to Rice, absolute madness!!!”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland 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.And a fourth commented: “Mad how Southgate has no idea what his best midfield combo is.”And another added: “Another failed midfield experiment by Southgate. You have to laugh!”Gary Lineker again takes aim at Gareth Southgate with claim that England star ‘has been hung out to dry’ England need superhero Bellingham back to have any chance of winning Euro 2024JUDE BELLINGHAM delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024, writes Charlie Wyett.Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwise England are knackered.Approaching the serious part of Euro 2024, this team really does need to get a grip and start showing some personality.At times against Slovenia, Bellingham just looked lost.Let’s hope he can sprinkle some stardust in the knockout stages because Gareth Southgate certainly needs something.Bellingham should come good. This could still be HIS tournament.Read Charlie Wyett’s England vs Slovenia verdict in full.Or check out all of Charlie’s Euro 2024 stories.Mainoo’s introduction did not go on to make the difference that Southgate would have hoped.The match eventually meandered to a drab 0-0 draw, with fans left unimpressed.England’s result saw them top the group after Denmark failed to capitalise – also drawing 0-0 with Serbia in Munich.KOBBIE MAINOO was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield.I think he showed why in the second half tonight.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

EAGLE-EYED England fans spotted a fuming Phil Foden “going mad” at Kieran Trippier during England’s drab draw with Slovenia.And Declan Rice also joined in berating the makeshift left-back.Kieran Trippier declined to pass to Declan Rice and saw his effort to Bukayo Saka interceptedCredit: ITVPhil Foden and Rice both berated the makeshift left-backCredit: ITVAs the final Group C game approached the half-hour mark, England tried to find a way to break down the Slovenian defence. But as Foden laid the ball back for Trippier at left-back, the right-footed ace refused to fizz the ball into the middle where Rice was completely free 25 yards out.Instead, he tried an intricate through ball for Bukayo Saka, which was cut out and intercepted by an opposition player and put out for an England throw.And that prompted an angry reaction from both Foden and Rice.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Foden – playing in that uncomfortable left-wing role again – pointed towards Rice, who himself had his arms wide open before pointing to the pitch to demonstrate how much space he had.Trippier appeared to raise a hand of apology towards the Arsenal midfielder before trotting over to take the throw. And fans watching the action on ITV were quick to give their reaction to the moment of aggro between the team-mates as tempers and frustrations began to boil over.One said: “Foden going mad at Trippier there.”Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSAnother wrote: “Trippier and Foden just are not getting each other.”A third added: “Mood not ideal when you’ve Foden throwing his hands at Trippier like that. ‘Don’t blame me everyone’ vibes.”England fans react to Bukayo Saka’s disallowed goal vs SloveniaEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYA fourth posted: “Foden and Trippier remind me of a pairing,” followed by a gif of the Chuckle brothers.A fifth typed: “The right side is an absolute mess. Walker and Saka don’t work together. The left side is an even bigger mess, Foden has no idea what Trippier is doing. The midfield is being outplayed for the third game in a row.”And a final user commented: “And there is the problem. Foden having a go at Trippier for not playing the ball back into a crowded middle of the park. Gordon would’ve taken that ball and ran at the defence to the byline.”Earlier on, Foden thought he had set up Saka to tap in the opener – but the City playmaker was flagged offside.Then just before the break, both Conor Gallagher and Harry Kane managed to miss the ball from a whipped Trippier cross to the back post. Gallagher – brought in for Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield – was dragged off at half-time with Kobbie Mainoo brought on in his place.READ MORE SUN STORIESAt the break, Roy Keane blasted the Three Lions as “slow and sloppy” while Gary Neville called the side “basic”. Things didn’t get much better after half-time, though, as England laboured to a drab goalless draw – but did secure top spot in Group C. England have turned into a long-ball team, that has to change, says Jack WilshereENGLAND 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. More

ROY KEANE and Gary Neville slammed England’s drab first-half performance against Slovenia.The Three Lions were yet again lacking inspiration in their final Group C fixture of Euro 2024.Roy Keane slammed England’s first half against SloveniaCredit: X / itvfootballGary Neville labelled the performance as ‘basic’Credit: ITVBukayo Saka did finish off the one good move that Gareth Southgate’s side put together, however it was ruled offside.There was another good moment as Jude Belligham put in a dangerous cross but neither Harry Kane or Conor Gallagher could turn it in.Keane was unimpressed by the performance as he slammed the players at half time.Speaking on ITV, he said: “It has been too slow and too sloppy.READ MORE ON EURO 2024″The one good moment was offside.”Pass it in front of somebody, and be brave enough to lose the ball.”Gary Neville echoed Keane’s sentiments as he labelled the players showing as “basic”.The retired defender also claimed that the players on the bench could do better.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe added: “We look really basic and we are better than that and we have players on the bench that are better than that.”We do look quite basic and that is a problem.”SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesThanks to results elsewhere, the Three Lions had already qualified for the round of 16.Earlier, Keane had hit back at Declan Rice’s comments that slammed the criticism of the players.He suggested that modern players are more delicate to criticism and that they need to “roll up their sleeves”.There was little change after the half time break as England managed to qualify top of the group despite the 0-0 draw.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More