Euro 2024

FORMER Wolves star Rui Patricio kindly gifted his coat to a shirtless Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of Portugal’s clash with Iceland.Portugal defeated Iceland 2-0 in the Euro 2024 qualifier with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Ricardo Horta.
Rui Patricio handed a shirtless Cristiano Ronaldo his coat after the game
Fans appreciated Patricio’s gesture which helped Ronaldo stay warmCredit: Getty
Ronaldo, 38, started the match and played the full 90 minutes before giving away his shirt at full-time.
The shirtless superstar then shook hands with his team-mates before substitute goalkeeper Patricio handed him his coat to keep warm.
Fans loved the exchange and the respect Patricio showed for CR7.
One reacted saying: “Now that is a legend.”
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Another added: “Look at the love and respect of Rui Patricio towards Cristiano Ronaldo.
“This is what today’s young generations are missing in the squad.”
A third wrote: “One of the most underrated goalkeeper showing love and keeping the GOAT safe.”
And another commented: “Amazing.”
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Ronaldo took his total caps to 204 against Iceland, and the superstar has scored a record 128 goals for his country.
He helped Portugal win all ten of their qualifying games and he is set to feature at the Euros next summer. More

CHRIS SUTTON has named his preferred England line-up for Euro 2024 – and there are some notable absentees.The former Three Lions star wants Gareth Southgate to pick an attacking side with Declan Rice his only defensive midfield pick.
Chris Sutton does not believe Kalvin Phillips should play at the EurosCredit: PA
Marcus Rashford was also left out of Sutton’s preferred Three Lions teamCredit: Getty
Sutton, 50, dismissed an argument for Kalvin Phillips to start because he has barely featured for Manchester City since joining last year.
The pundit also left out Manchester United star Marcus Rashford amid the forward’s stuttering form.
Rashford has just one Premier League goal this season so Sutton has opted for Phil Foden instead, with Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane making up his front three.
Sutton has been more adventurous with his midfield trio – opting for the attacking pair of Jude Bellingham and James Maddison.
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Explaining his decision to leave out Phillips, Sutton told the It’s All Kicking Off podcast: “I do not, in any way, shape or form, understand this continued argument for Kalvin Phillips.
“Nothing against Phillips, but how on earth can England go into a major tournament and play somebody who is very unlikely to play for Manchester City, or certainly will not play regular football?
“England will want to go into a tournament and win a tournament with a guy who hasn’t kicked a ball in the best part of two seasons.
“That is a risk too big to take for Gareth.”
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Chris Sutton picked an attacking midfield
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Sutton also name Lewis Dunk as his choice to partner John Stones despite the fact the Brighton defender has failed to make a competitive appearance for England.
He also picked Jordan Pickford in goal with Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw full-backs. More

THE FIFTH worst team in Europe are just one win away from booking a place at Euro 2024.Despite winning only two of their seven qualification matches, a victory for Moldova tonight will confirm their spot at the tournament in Germany next summer.
Victory against Czechia tonight would see Moldova qualify for their first international tournamentCredit: EPA
Moldova are currently fourth in the Group E qualification standings but victory against Czech Republic tonight would launch them above the second placed side and confirm automatic qualification.
They would join group leaders Albania in Germany, who lead the group on 14 points following a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic last time out.
Group favourites Poland are already out of the running to qualify having played all eight matches and only gaining 11 points.
They are currently third in the standings but would fall below Moldova should the Tricolours win to secure a historic qualification.
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Moldova are two points behind opponent’s Czechia who currently sit on 12 points in second.
Victory over the Czechs would see them qualify for the first tournament in their history.
The minnows are currently ranked 157th in the Fifa world rankings.
Moldova were handed a huge boost ahead of their showdown with Czechia after three of the Czech’s first team players were sent home from the squad in disgrace this weekend.
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West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal was booted out alongside Jakub Brabec and Jan Kuchta for “seriously breaking team rules”.
The players were meant to be resting for tonight’s match but less than 48 hours before kick-off the trio were reportedly out partying late into the night.
Qualification would represent a massive achievement for Moldova who only played their first professional international match in 1991 following the break up of the Soviet Union.
With the exception of the 2008 Euro qualifiers, Moldova have finished last or second-bottom in their group in all qualifying campaigns they have entered so far, dating all the way back to the Euro 1996 qualifiers. More

WEST HAM star Vladimir Coufal has been sent home from the Czech national team for “seriously breaking team rules”.Team-mates Jakub Brabec and Jan Kuchta have also been told to leave.
Vladimir Coufal has been sent home from international dutyCredit: Rex
The Czechs have not yet qualified for Euro 2024.
They face Moldova in a crucial final group stage game tomorrow.
Jaroslav Silhavy’s side need to avoid defeat to book their place in the tournament.
The players were meant to be resting for the match but less than 48 hours before kick-off the trio were reportedly out partying late into the night.
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A statement from the Czech team read: “Three players fundamentally violated the internal rules of the national team on Saturday night.
“Jakub Brabec, Vladimir Coufal and Jan Kuchta have left the national team meeting with immediate effect by the decision of the management.”
Czech publication iSport claims the trio – along with FA chief Tomas Neumann – visited plush nightclub Belmondo in Olomouc.
It is claimed they stayed at the hotspot until the morning hours and linked up with amateur players from the area who were celebrating the end of their season.
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All three of the players played in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Poland.
Coufal has 38 caps for the Czech Republic and he has played 15 times for West Ham this season.
Brabec, who plays for Greek side Aris, is another stalwart of the national team with 40 international appearances to his name.
Kutcha is on the books of Sparta Prague and he has been capped 14 times. More

KIERAN TRIPPIER has been forced to pull out the England squad due to a personal matter.The Newcastle star will miss Monday’s final Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia.
Kieran Trippier will not play against North MacedoniaCredit: Getty
Gareth Southgate is without a number of key players for England’s final qualification gameCredit: Getty
His club confirmed the news this morning and said the player is returning home.
Trippier played the entire 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over Malta on Friday.
The 33-year-old has 46 England caps to his name.
His withdrawal could see Kyle Walker or Rico Lewis start in his place at full-back.
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Trippier is the latest Three Lions ace to withdraw from the squad with Gareth Southgate dealing with a selection dilemma.
The manager has already seen Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Levi Colwill, James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson pull out in the build-up to the two fixtures.
It led to Lewis, Cole Palmer and Ezri Konsa earning their first call-ups to the national team.
England have already booked their place in Euro 2024 and will finish top of Group C.
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The Three Lions are six points ahead of Italy in second with one game to go.
It is currently unclear when Trippier will return with Newcastle’s next match coming against Chelsea on Saturday 25.

They then face a crucial Champions League tie away at PSG three days later.
Eddie Howe will be hoping that Trippier returns swiftly amid an injury crisis at St James’ Park.
England stars trained without Kieran Trippier this morningCredit: Getty
The Three Lions have already secured top spot in Group CCredit: PA More

GARETH SOUTHGATE has told England’s crocks there is no room for Euros passengers.Squads for next year’s finals will return to the usual 23-man size after nations got to take 26 to Euro 2020 and Qatar 2022 due to the Covid pandemic.
Gareth Southgate admits he will not be able to take risks with squad selection ahead of the EurosCredit: Getty
England know from bitter experience the cost of taking unfit stars to major tournaments.
Captain David Beckham went to the 2002 World Cup weeks after breaking a metatarsal.
The Three Lions lost in the quarter-finals and assistant boss Tord Grip later said Beckham was only  75 per cent fit.
Wayne Rooney also admitted he should not have gone to the 2006 World Cup after breaking foot bones in the build-up.
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He tore his groin in training but  battled on until he was sent off for fouling Ricardo Carvalho in a last-eight loss to Portugal.
Questions were even asked about current skipper Harry Kane and his ankles following a couple of sluggish performances at the start of Euro 2020.
Southgate says the return to 23-man squads means he will be able to take fewer risks with the party he takes to Germany, putting many players on alert.
The Three Lions manager  said: “Those who play more than one position are helpful.
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“But players who are physically vulnerable, we will have to think very carefully about.
“I wouldn’t say all 23 have to be fit to get on the plane but we can take far fewer gambles than we could for the last two tournaments, where it was 26.”
That should ring  alarm bells with players like Reece James.
The Chelsea captain decided he was not ready to return to England duty this month after his own injury problems.
But with Kieran Trippier able to play both full-back positions and Trent Alexander-Arnold offering a midfield option, James could miss out.
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell will also be concerned.
If Manchester United’s Luke Shaw recovers from his own long-term problems, he will be first-choice left-back and there might not be room for another specialist in that position.
Tottenham’s James Maddison went to Qatar despite carrying a knee problem and ended up not playing a minute.
Despite fine form, Maddison’s new ankle knock may put him in the “physically vulnerable” category.
Arsenal and England fans are also concerned about Bukayo Saka because he keeps playing despite picking up niggles and being roughed up by opponents.
On Saka, Southgate said: “He does invite contact at times because he receives well when he’s tightly marked.
“He is very important to us and  his club and is crucial to them being successful.” More