Euro 2024

CRISTIANO RONALDO broke protocol instead of more records with a unique start to Euro 2024.The Portugal legend shocked fans by adding a dashing new dimension to his game at the kick-off in a 2-1 comeback win over the Czech Republic.Cristiano Ronaldo was quicker off the blocks than anyone expectedRonaldo celebrates Portugal’s dramatic victory over the CzechsCredit: EPAThe ex-Real Madrid frontman was a step ahead of the gameRonaldo, 39, is the Euros’ top scorer ever on 14 goals and its highest appearance-maker in history on 26.And in Tuesday’s group opener he also became the first player to appear in the finals of six such tournaments.But for many viewers the ex-Manchester United striker’s evening will be remembered for the way he began it at the Leipzig Stadium.As Portugal touched the ball back to launch proceedings, the Al-Nassr star as somehow several metres inside the Czech half – scampering down the right.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSRon your marks… get set… already gone!”This guy is too eager,” posted one astonished fan.”What is bud doing? He thinks he’s at the Olympics,” suggested another.Ronaldo’s burst was so sharp that he was in line with Czech MIDFIELDERS as Portugal kicked off.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLPredictably Ronaldo was busy in advanced areasHow Portugal have performed at the Euros with Cristiano Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.
Euro 2004
After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.
Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.
He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.
There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.
Euro 2012
Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.
Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.
His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Euro 2016
Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.
He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.
Euro 2020
Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.
Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals.

EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYBut one observer claimed such pro-active rather than reactive thinking explained “why he’s the goat bro”.A few fans reckon Ron’s antics were cheeky to the point of “cheating”.Ultimate Euro 2024 rich list reveals England’s top earning stars – and how Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary is worth OVER TEN times more than Kylian Mbappe’sBut most were just gobsmacked by his unusual move.However, the rest of the night was more satisfactory than sensational for Ronaldo.Lukas Provod thudded a surprise long-range opener for the under-pressure Czechs midway through the second period.But  Robin Hranac’s own goal and a rebound winner from late sub Francisco Conceicao earned Roberto Martinez’s men the victory their ample possession deserved. Portugal Euro 2024 guideCRISTIANO RONALDO remains the face of Portuguese football as the national team looks to win a second European Championship.
But the days when Portugal’s hopes would hang on Ronaldo, 39, alone are over as they have a squad packed with talent across the pitch.
MANAGER: Roberto Martinez
Former Everton, Wigan and Belgium boss is trying to put a more attacking stamp on a team that became increasingly dull under Euro 2016-winning predecessor Fernando Santos.
STAR MAN: Cristiano Ronaldo
Al-Nassr star remains an ever-present but PSG’s Goncalo Ramos and Liverpool’s Diogo Jota are both world class backups.
How Portugal attack
Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio and Joao Palhinha are all capable of building attacks from the back, given Portugal a unique dimension to their attack.
Attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix can cause any defence problems as they look to feed Ronaldo and/or Ramos.
How Portugal defend
In contrast to the approach under Santos, Portugal will play with a medium-to-high block and look to win possession up the field.
Players will press aggressively to provide support for Ronaldo, who clearly tends to do less work defensively.
Read the full Portugal Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags More

AN ENGLAND legend has highlighted a major concern regarding Cristiano Ronaldo that could scupper Portugal’s Euro 2024 hopes.The forward, 39, made history by appearing at a record sixth European Championship on Tuesday.Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score as Portugal struggled to victory over Czech RepublicCredit: AFPStuart Pearce believes some of the legend’s team-mates may not trust him as much any moreCredit: GettyAl-Nassr ace Ronaldo is already the all-time top scorer in Euro history with a tally of 14.Now he has become the first player to feature at six separate Euros – a run that stretches back to 2004 – after helping Portugal to beat Czech Republic 2-1.Ronaldo did fail to become the oldest goalscorer in the tournament’s history – but it was not for the want of trying.The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker had five shots throughout the game.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd three of those were on target – but he was denied by Czech goalie Jindrich Stanek.Fortunately for him and Portugal, 21-year-old substitute Francisco Conceicao came off the bench to win it in additional time.However, ex-England left-back Stuart Pearce believes he has spotted a potential problem with Portugal.And he claims that he feels some of Ronaldo’s team-mates do not seem to trust him as much as they used to in front of goal.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPearce, 62, was covering the game for talkSPORT and said: “This might sound ridiculous, but [maybe] they don’t trust Ronaldo enough to keep supplying him with the ball, that type of thing.“There’s been times in the games where he’s shown to feet and they’ve not popped the ball into his net.Watch Cristiano Ronaldo pour his heart out in love song as fans say ‘he’s not only the greatest footballer of all time’ “There was one where Bernardo Silva, it was one of those rogue passes [by Czech Republic] that got cut out, Bernardo Silva had it in the centre circle.“Ronaldo peeled off in an inside-right position, I’m thinking, ‘If this was ten years ago, you slide it in front of him and you know full well he’s going to get there and score’.“He [Silva) denied the pass, and I found that quite strange.”It might have been a luckless night for Ronaldo, but Spanish World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas told BBC: “Whatever you do, if Ronaldo plays well or the team plays well, he always finds a chance.“He takes care of himself to another level. He needs just one little moment of space to create a chance.“His overall play has been much better than the last couple of years. He’s always in front of the defender, he is unique.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, Alan Shearer added that he felt Portugal were looking for their talisman TOO MUCH.He told BBC: “Sometimes Portugal were in good positions, but they were just looking for Cristiano Ronaldo, and there was better options on.”EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYHow Portugal have performed at the Euros with Cristiano Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.
Euro 2004
After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.
Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.
He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.
There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.
Euro 2012
Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.
Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.
His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Euro 2016
Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.
He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.
Euro 2020
Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.
Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals. More

KOBBIE MAINOO is such a confident and composed individual that you ­cannot imagine him losing his cool.Asked by a potty-mouthed journalist from one of the posh papers to name ‘the last time you lost your s**t’, the Manchester United and England midfielder replied: “Maybe when we won the FA Cup.”Kobbie Mainoo has revealed he can play as a striker, winger, No10 and a centre midfielderCredit: GettyThe teenager broke into the England team this yearCredit: GettyMainoo, 19, scored what turned out to be the winner in his first Wembley showpiece — the 2-1 victory over Manchester City which kept Erik ten Hag in a job.His career trajectory has been so steep over the past six months that most teenagers would struggle to deal with it.Mainoo, though, seems unfazed by it all.With great understatement, he said: “Things have been happening quite quickly.Read More on England“But just try to take it a game at a time, a day at a time. It’s just been working for me so far.”The teenager only made his first Premier League start in November, when he was man of the match in a 3-0 win at Everton.For several months he carried a shambolic United side on his young shoulders before he made his England debut against Brazil, scored belters against Wolves and Liverpool, and produced that memorable Wembley strike against champions City.Now he is in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros, arriving as a sub as England closed out a 1-0 victory over Serbia in Sunday’s opener — and hoping to feature against Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSMainoo enjoyed an impressive season with Man UtdTrent showed he’s a central character for England… he deserves to keep spot, says Wilshere

THIS game felt a bit like an audition for Trent Alexander-Arnold in centre midfield, writes SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere.
I think he passed it and deserves another chance to show all the qualities that he can bring to the role.
I was pleased when I saw Trent in the starting line-up.
It’s a little bit braver than we have normally seen from Gareth Southgate and I like that.
It was: ‘Go on, go and play!’ It didn’t necessarily work out like that but that wasn’t Trent’s fault.
Southgate was experimenting with him in there, seeing if it worked.
If we get later in the tournament against the big teams, you will need someone who has played in there a few times and understands the position a bit.
The combination between Trent, Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka is a promising one.
You see Trent naturally drift over to that right side and receive it almost like a full-back.
It’s interesting what happens then with Walker.
He was still getting involved in and around the outside, which was good to see, and it was Walker who got forward to help create the Jude Bellingham goal.
That link-up is something we need to exploit more. We should probably have used it more last night as well.
At the start, he was a little bit shaky. He gave the ball away a couple of times, and one of them led to that decent chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic.
When he plays for Liverpool he comes inside. But it’s different when you’re in there from the start. It’s 360 degree pressure, from all sides.
I always found international football that bit quicker. You’ll often receive it with your back to the game and you’ve scanned, but you need to get more on the half turn to see what’s coming.
But it was difficult for Trent, especially in the first half, for him to show his range of passing. When you’re playing against a back five, with four in front, and they’re stubborn and just waiting . . . it is very hard.
There’s no space in behind, they’re very tight and organised.
And when the ball is going over your head, your job then becomes jumping on second balls, disrupting and trying to shield the big two up front.
Trent’s positioning was good and he made some good interceptions. I think he can — and should — hold on to the ball a bit more, draw the pressure, and then play the ball forward.
If someone comes to him, that frees up space for  someone else. And he and Declan Rice have the ability to find Bellingham and Phil Foden through the lines. I would like to have seen more of that. As the game opens up, Trent is a player who can pick the right pass.
Especially in transition, like he did with a lovely one down the side for Saka in the first half and another early in the second.
It was also good to see him get forward for a decent long-range shot.
But Trent was not helped by England’s performance in the  second half. We weren’t aggressive enough, we didn’t press well enough.
Trent’s audition lasted just under 70 minutes in the end. I believe  it is something Gareth should  persist with.
He is more than intelligent enough to work it out. And as the tournament goes on, I’m sure he will be fine in there.

After such a stratospheric rise, it would be little surprise to see Mainoo popping up and scoring a crucial goal at the Euros. Despite playing as a deep-lying midfielder, Mainoo grew up as a striker — but grew bored of not seeing enough of the ball up front.He said: “Whether you are in the squad or a kid at home watching, everyone dreams of scoring big goals for their country and it is always going to be the dream, isn’t it?10 Steps to Victory for England: A Fan’s Guide“If I get in the team or have chances to make an impact, if that comes in the way of scoring or defending I don’t mind. Anything to help the team.“Being an attacker when I was younger, I always enjoyed scoring goals.“It’s definitely up there as one of my favourite parts of the game but I like defending as well and anywhere on the pitch for England or United, I don’t mind where I play.“I was a striker for most of my academy days. I love being on the ball and playing futsal, I was always comfortable playing in tight areas and like to turn with the ball.“I was getting a bit frustrated playing as a striker. I wasn’t getting the ball a lot and I love time with the ball so it was more ­natural to move back, play ten a bit, then I played on the wing and then more recently played centre midfield.”After his appearance as a sub against the Serbs, Mainoo is a serious contender to start at this tournament, should Southgate ditch his experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield. Mainoo was chuffed to hear that United’s all-time record scorer Wayne Rooney has been championing him as an England starter.He said: “Growing up a United fan, Rooney was an idol.“I used to watch Ronaldinho a lot on ­YouTube but it is mostly United players. So it was nice to hear what Wayne said.“I appreciate good words from a legend of football — it is amazing to receive that.”Mainoo does not seem in the slightest bit starstruck by rubbing shoulders with established England stars, so soon after emerging as a Premier League player.He refers to Jude Bellingham as a ‘Ballon d’Or contender’ and Declan Rice as ‘worth every penny’ of his £105million Arsenal transfer fee.Mainoo has also spent time chatting to City’s Phil Foden — a fellow Stockport lad — and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who grew up in neighbouring Wythenshawe.He said: “The other day we were talking about where we grew up, we were naming all the local teams that we used to play against, Cole Palmer as well as Phil, because he is from a similar area. So we were talking about all our grassroot sides.“It is nice to have someone who’s from near to where I lived.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAs for the City players he overcame in the Cup final, Mainoo said: “I might have spoken a couple of times on the first day we met up, with John Stones and Kyle Walker.“They were having a laugh about it. But we’re on the same team now and put it to one side.”EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

FRANCISCO CONCEICAO struck in stoppage-time to stop Portugal suffering a reality Czech.Just when it seemed Cristiano Ronaldo and co were going to be given the cold shoulder in their opening game, substitute Conceicao scored from close range to spark delirium in rain-lashed Leipzig.Francisco Conceicao scored a dramatic winner for PortugalCredit: AFPThe 21-year-old netted just a few minutes after coming off the benchCredit: ReutersPortugal dominated possession and had the most shots by farJust moments earlier, the top of Ronaldo’s arm had been adjudged offside as he headed against the post before Diogo Jota nodded in the rebound.But in the end Portugal were not to be denied.And so Ronaldo’s sixth Euros began with the reverse of the scoreline in the opening game of his first.It was 20 years ago that he made his major tournament debut at Euro 2004.Read More on Euro 2024And although the then teenager grabbed his first international goal, hosts Portugal lost 2-1 to Greece.A few weeks later, they suffered even worse agony when the same opponents beat them in the final.And Czechia were heading for a similar smash and grab raid when Lukas Provod gave them the lead with their first meaningful shot.An unfortunate Robin Hranac own goal soon brought Portugal level but Ivan Hasek’s side came agonisingly close to denying them victory.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSLukas Provod fired Czech Republic ahead with a fantastic strikeCredit: ReutersRobin Hranac scored an own goal to cancel out Czech Republic’s openerCredit: GettyThe oldest swingers in town both started for Portugal.Pepe, at 41, overtook former Hungary and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly as the oldest player to appear at a European Championship finals.Ultimate Euro 2024 rich list reveals England’s top earning stars – and how Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary is worth OVER TEN times more than Kylian Mbappe’sRonaldo, at a mere 39, became the first man to contest six Euros. He was also extending his record number of appearances to 26. But the question was whether he could also add to his all-time landmarks of 14 goals and 12 wins. So eager was the great man to get going that he was already several yards inside the Czech half when his team kicked off.And Portugal also came out of the traps fast, playing in a fluid 3-4-3 formation with Nuno Mendes as left centre back and Joao Cancelo often inverting from wing back into a midfield role.But for all their domination of possession and territory, they struggled to create clear-cut chances.In between Ronaldo’s early mistimed header and his shot in first-half stoppage-time that Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek beat away, they did not have another effort on target.Unless you count Ronaldo’s effort from a Bruno Fernandes through ball that Stanek also saved, but the Portuguese captain looked to have been just offside.Rafael Leao was Martinez’s man most likely and was agonisingly close to meeting a Fernandes cross on the only occasion that the resolute Czechs were really carved open.Diogo Jota thought he had fired Portugal in front, but the goal was chalked offCredit: APCristiano Ronaldo was deemed to be offside in the build-upCredit: GettyLeao himself became frustrated enough to earn a yellow card for diving from no-nonsense Italian referee Marco Guida.Meanwhile Portugal ‘keeper Diogo Costa had absolutely nothing to do except watch Patrik Schick fail to connect properly with Vladimir Coufal cross in a very rare Czech attack.Nothing changed after the break. Fantastic headers by Tomas Holes and Tomas Soucek stopped Ronaldo nodding Portugal in front.Stanek made a routine save from a less-than-vintage free kick from guess who. The Czech defending bordered on the heroic.And then, incredibly, they scored. Coufal tidied up after an attack broke down and teed up Provod to curl a delicious shot into the net off Costa’s right-hand post.At last Martinez made use of his star-studded bench, bringing on Diogo Jota, and the equaliser was not long in coming.But it came from an unusual and, for the Czechs, unfortunate source. Stanek saved Nuno Mendes’ back-post header but the ball ricocheted back into the net off Robin Hranac.Stanek saved from Bernardo Silva and Vitinha. Soucek fired just wide at the other end as the game entered the final 10 minutes.READ MORE SUN STORIESJota celebrated prematurely after grabbing what he thought was the winner.But Conceicao, son of former Portugal star Sergio, did the family proud with his late strike.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More