Euro 2024

JORDAN PICKFORD doesn’t pull any punches with his England rivals.The Three Lions’ No1 has added a Floyd Mayweather-style challenge to what’s rated the toughest training regime for goalkeepers at Euro 2024.Goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson works stoppers Aaron Ramsdale, Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson hardCredit: RexPickford and his goalkeeping rivals face a shooting barrage in trainingCredit: RexPickford has kept fellow stoppers Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson at arm’s length as he remains boss Gareth Southgate’s clear first choice.But the sparring over the keeper’s jersey intensifies an incredible spirit of unity as they drive each other on in training.Stoppers’ coach Martyn Margetson is the spur – and a first trophy since the 1996 World Cup the target.However, ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final with the Netherlands, it’s Pickford who inspires his colleagues to go the distance – and beyond.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Pride of place goes to shot-stopping practice – a ruthless, rat-a-tat-tat routine of 50 efforts from all angles and all degrees of pace.And Pickford demands a “Mayweather” – a reference to the American boxing legend registering 50 wins from 50 fights.And if a keeper falls one short of perfection, it’s labelled “a San Francisco” – as in NFL team the 49ers.Maybe after the Euros if anyone falls one less than that it will be called a 48 – after the record number of teams competing in the 2026 World Cup.Most read in Euro 2024Pickford made the only save needed in shootout glory vs SwitzerlandCredit: GettyBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland player ratings: Saka the saviour for Three Lions but subbed Kane stuggles in penalties thriller vs SwitzerlandBUKAYO SAKA showed huge courage as he dug England out of a hole and through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.The Three Lions looked to be going out when Breel Embolo had put Swiss ahead on 75 minutes.But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back into five minutes later with a stunning effort off the post.To penalties it went – just like it did between these two sides five years ago in the Nations League.And just like back then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’s first effort from Manuel Akanji.England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions into the semi-final.Here’s how the players rated…Jordan Pickford: 7Had his heart in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner deep into extra-time hit the post and bar, but then pulled off a smart stop to take it to penalties.Saved Manuel Akanji’s first spot-kick by diving low to his left.Kyle Walker: 6Spent most of the game on the right side of a three which meant he could not get forward. Embolo got in front of him for Switzerland’s opener. Won the toss so the penalties were taken in front of the England fans.John Stones: 6Crisper passing in the first half, much better than his sloppy Slovakia display, but his deflection on Dan Ndoye’s cross diverted it to Embolo.Ezri Konsa: 6Was decent in the first half of his maiden start at a major tournament but, like the rest of the team, went into his shell after the break.Kieran Trippier: 6Had been expected to play right wing-back but was once again on the left.Solid defensively but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little going forward on his unnatural side.Declan Rice: 7Anticipated, and subsequently, won a number of 50-50s at the base of England’s midfield.It was his decoy run that opened up the space for Saka to find the corner, before his 25-yard wonderstrike was denied by a flying Yann Sommer save in extra-time.Kobbie Mainoo: 6Some decent drives forward from midfield. Looked as if he would fire home an opener just before the break afterBukayo Saka’s nice cutback, but was denied by Granit Xhaka’s excellent block.Bukayo Saka: 8 and STAR MANDid not play at left wing-back as expected, but was England’s most dangerous attacking player throughout – and none more so when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute leveller which flew in off the post.Showed huge courage in the shoot-out as he stroked home his penalty beautifully, three years on from missing in the last Euros final.Jude Bellingham: 6Produced a few graceful dribbles which showcased his quality in the first half but pretty quiet.Looked knackered but showed big cojones with his low penalty.Phil Foden: 6Admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed to in the first 20 minutes, but faded after that.Harry Kane: 4This system just does not suit him. He needs runners, but does not look like he is going to get them.Just could not get into the game and was subbed out of it in extra-time, seconds after he was sent crashing into his manager on the touchline.SUBSCole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7One of three players to come on in reaction to Switzerland’s opener – why did it take so long, Gareth? Dispatched England’s first spot-kick with aplomb.Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6First minutes of football since February, slotting in on the left side of back three as Southgate went for broke.Eberechi Eze (for Mainoo, 78): 6Carved out a nice bit of space for himself in the dying moments but fired wide.Ivan Toney (For Kane, 109): 7It was no surprise to see him come with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more of a shock was that it was for spot-kick maestro Kane. Was knocked over in the box right at the end of extra-time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7Thrown on late into extra-time. Belted home his spot-kick to win it.Gareth Southgate: 4The adjusted back three system worked to a certain extent, but still the approach looked to be to keep it tight and rely on a moment of magic.Saka provided that for the leveller, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.Took an age to make a change – prompted only by Switzerland going ahead. But got his subs right when it came to the penalty shoot-out.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYThe Athletic explained how Three Lions’ goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson masterminds the sessions and their emphasis on shot-blocking.The former Manchester City, Huddersfield and Cardiff stopper, 52, who won a single cap for Wales, imposes the 50-shot challenge twice in each session.Watch Ivan Toney score unbelievable volley in England training in ultimate route one goal before Netherlands clashAnd Henderson told the Lions’ Den YouTube channel: “With the sessions Marge (Margetson) puts on, I would be surprised if another country’s goalkeepers are working at a better level every day. “We aim for 700 saves a week. That’s the aim and then we’re prepared for every outcome.” Crystal Palace’s ex-Manchester United man added: “We’re all pushing in the right direction and it’s really good.“We work as a unit, so hopefully we’re all helping Jordan in goal.”I know we needed penalties… but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack WilshereIT TOOK penalties to put us through but, before the drama, England showed us why they have the ingredients to do something special, writes Jack Wilshere.It was a win by the narrowest of margins but this was overall our best performance of Euro 2024.If we can build on the progress we made, especially in the first half, we could WIN the tournament.It was not a complete display. There were nervy moments and waiting so long to make changes could have cost us.But we saw what a good team England can be if they do the right things and put players in the right positions.The first half was England’s best since the first 45 against Serbia. Maybe even better.One of the keys to that was our press and the effect it had on Granit Xhaka.For the first time in four games we were pressing high, winning the ball back in better areas and putting Switzerland on the back foot.In previous matches, our forwards were pressing but the gaps between our lines were too big.That was leaving huge gaps for Declan Rice and whoever was partnering him to cover.This time there was better structure and organisation.There seemed to be more of a plan for when to drop into a block and when to jump out to press.Now England have the opportunity to build momentum and show why they can win this tournament.Read all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euro 2024 articles. More

THE quarter final tie against Switzerland was arguably the first real test for England at this European Championships. The Swiss had impressed to this point in the tournament and they had came through a tough Round of 16 match against Italy and looked good in doing so.England arguably overcome their biggest test yet against SwitzerlandCredit: RexEngland hope Bellingham continues his goalscoring form against the NetherlandsEngland concede on average 10 shots per gameLiverpool’s Cody Gakpo has been the star for the NetherlandsThe Dutch have averaged 1.8 goals per game in GermanyThey even managed to take the lead in the quarter final match, perhaps against the run of play, and England were put on the back foot.This England side, however, have already shown determination and a willingness to keep working to the final whistle. In the Round of 16 against Slovakia it took an acrobatic last minute effort from Jude Bellingham to equalise before they went on to win in extra-time.Against Switzerland the composure during the penalty shoot out also spoke of an English side who were well coached and well prepared for this scenario coming into the tournament.read more on the eurosNow, in the semi-final England play a Netherlands side who have faced similar criticism to England during the tournament. The Dutch have been solid defensively but they have faced issues when it comes to ball progression and chance creation in the final third, despite the strong performances so far from Cody Gakpo of Liverpool. Now, as the Netherlands and England meet this week in the semi-final there is a clear sense that whichever side is brave enough to take the initiative and to play on the front foot will have a clear advantage going when it comes to reaching the final.Against Switzerland we saw some small changes from England and their coach Gareth Southgate that seemed effective in terms of offering greater control to the English in the match. Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe most notable was perhaps the switch of Phil Foden from a position where he started on the left-side to a more central position as the ‘10’ between the midfield and the attack.We will look at three of the main tactical questions going into this semi-final match between the two teams.England’s penalty shoot-out secretsPlay Foden in the middleFootball is difficult and the truth is that the positions players occupy during a game can be very different from the tactical graphic that the TV channels show us before the match.In England’s first four matches at the tournament, for example, we saw Foden listed as the left-winger in Southgate’s 4-2-3-1 system. Foden enjoyed his role centrally in the quarter-finalDuring the matches, however, Foden continued to position himself narrow in the channels or even in the central areas.Against Switzerland we finally saw Foden used primarily as the ‘10’ as his starting position, as England changed to something closer to a 3-4-3 shape.This meant that the Manchester City man was finally free to move around the central areas as he dropped in and out of pockets of space. His movement and positioning in these central areas was very effective for England as it meant the midfield and central defenders had an effective target to play into as they progressed the ball and broke the lines of the Swiss defensive structure.Foden is the key man in a central role and receives the ball from Saka, who can then make a strong run forwardEnglad switched to a back three against SwitzerlandEngland were still very congested in midfield against the SwissAgainst Switzerland we saw England create width on the left-side through the movement of Bellingham, who was still relatively narrow but willing to move outside to stretch the pitch.And also Kieran Trippier who moved high as the left-sided wingback. While there was a suggestion amongst some that England had shifted to a back three system in this game, the truth was that Kyle Walker, at right-back, had consistently played in a deeper and more narrow position throughout the tournament.Against the Netherlands and their strong defensive structure the importance of having a player like Foden who can quickly dip in and out of pockets of space to receive the ball and play is clear. Foden drops into a pocket of space and is in the perfect position to hurt the oppositionIf England want to be successful in this match then creating threat in spaces in front of the Dutch defensive line will be one of the keys.Players like Foden will without a doubt be the key for England and Southgate as they look to unlock the Dutch defence.It must be Rice and MainooThroughout the entire tournament one of the biggest question marks surrounding England and their team selection has been who would be the player to partner Declan Rice in the centre of the midfield.Against Switzerland there can be little doubt that Kobbie Mainoo of Man United has cemented that position for the rest of the tournament. Mainoo showed a poise and level of composure that is incredibly unusual in a midfield player so young and he was consistently available and in space to receive the ball and help teammates.Mainoo brilliantly lets the ball run past him and spins to acclerrate away from the Swiss press, without even touching the ballMainoo barely wasted a pass against the SwissMainoo received cleanly and showed the ability to progress the ball and break lines over and over again. This is something that will clearly be key for Southgate in his game plan to beat the Dutch.The presence of Mainoo in the midfield also unlocks the potential of Rice to a greater degree than we saw with either Trent Alexander-Arnold or Conor Gallagher in the midfield for England. Mainoo has the confidence to carry the ball forward and find the feet of a teammate just outside the penalty areaHaving Mainoo, who is comfortable in the position whether attacking or defending, playing in there allows Rice at times to step out in possession and be more aggressive in his own right.The presence of Mainoo alongside Rice at the base of the midfield for England will allow the likes of Saka, Foden and Bellingham more space and freedom to play further forward.Keep an eye on the DutchWhile England are likely to be entering this match as slight favourites over the Netherlands they will still have to be careful of some of the attacking threat from their Dutch opponents. Defensively the Netherlands have been incredibly solid so far in this tournament and they are being effectively led by the Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. In attack, while Memphis Depay has perhaps not been at his best as the central striker, this has been made less important by the performances of the likes of Xavi Simons, from the midfield, and Gakpo from the wing.Turkey’s defence is well organised but Simons drops away to receive the ball and then looks to pass to Gakpo in the areaThe Dutch were 4-2–3-1 on paperHow the Dutch actually played against TurkeySimons will play in this match as the most attacking of the Dutch midfielders and he will show a clear tendency to look to drop into little pockets of space between or around the midfield due of Rice and Mainoo for England.Gakpo has been impressive from the left-side of the attack for the Dutch and he has registered three goals and one assist so far in the tournament. Gakpo will routinely hold a very wide position on the left and this will make it difficult for England to defend against if Kyle Walker wants to tuck inside as a wide central defenderGakpo was wide for most of the game v TurkeyXavi Simons was more central but also drifted primarily to the leftHe will look to position himself wide and to hold the width on the left for the Dutch and from this position he can receive the ball and either create for others or drive dangerously towards goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe likes of Gakpo and Simons are dangerous opponents for England and they have the capacity to cause threat whether the Netherlands are possession dominant in this game or attacking more in transition.ConclusionWhile neither England or the Netherlands have necessarily impressed so far in this tournament, this semi-final still promises to be an interesting and close match. More

A BOOZED-UP France fan has used his body to show off the starting XI he wants against Spain.The inspired supporter has offered some advice to Didier Deschamps before the semi-final against Spain this evening.A France fan showed off the team’s predicted starting XI and tactics on his body.Credit: x @africafootutd
The supporter has offered some advice to Didier Deschamps before the semi-final against SpainCredit: x @africafootutdThe fan has called for two changes from Deschamps’ last line-up in the quarter-finalCredit: x @africafootutdUn supporter français bien inspiré a écrit le onze probable et la liste des remplaçants de Didier Deschamps 🇫🇷⚽️ face à l’Espagne 🇪🇸 sur son ventre : Maignan – Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez – Kanté, Tchouameni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Kolo Muani, Mbappé.#Euro2024 |… pic.twitter.com/XvWhJnJtob— Lassana Camara (@mauritaniefoot) July 9, 2024

Les Bleus have been underwhelming in Germany and are yet to score a goal from open play.France secured their place in the last four after beating Portugal on penalties in the quarter-final.Ahead of their match against Spain, a spirited fan offered advice to manager Deschamps by displaying his predicted starting XI and substitutes — painted on to his stomach.The line-up reads a 4-3-2-1 formation with Mike Maignan between the sticks.READ MORE EURO 2024On his stomach it read “Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe.”The fan has called for France to make two changes – dropping Antoine Griezmann for Ousmane Dembele and Eduardo Camavinga for Adrien Rabiot.France won their last clash against Spain at the 2021 Nations League final, having knocked La Roja out at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2000.They also beat the Spaniards in the Euro 1984 final, whereas La Roja’s only major tournament victory over France came at Euro 2012, which they went on to win.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSLuis de la Fuente’s side beat hosts Germany in the quarters to continue their 100 per cent winning streak at this year’s Euros.However, they will need a major reshuffle after picking up a number of injuries and suspensions in their win over Germany.Pedri is definitely out with a knee injury suffered soon after the start in Stuttgart following a heavy challenge from Toni Kroos.And they will also be without Dani Carvajal, who was sent off in the final minutes against the Germans, and Robin Le Normand, who picked up his second yellow card of the tournament.Despite his side’s underwhelming start, Deschampsis delighted to see his side reach the semi-final.He said: “We have reached the semi-finals and that is an achievement, even if people expect us to get here.”For me, it is pride in my players, even though not everything has been done perfectly. I would like to seize this moment and make the most of it.” More

THE Netherlands had to call off their press conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash with England – for the most surprising reason.Ronald Koeman and his squad faced huge delays arriving due to a train blockage between Wolfsburg and their Dortmund destination.Ronald Koeman and his players had to call off their media exchange at short noticeCredit: RexLittle more than 24 hours later the Dutch will be taking on Gareth Southgate’s men for a place in Sunday’s final.It’s England’s SEVENTH semi in a major tournament as they look to better reaching the final at Euro 2020.And boss Southgate could well bow out after the tournament – whatever happens.Moment England fans chant ‘he’s got The Chase in the morning’ at ‘The Beast’ lookalike sinking pints at Euros in GermanyTHIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…READ MORE TOP STORIESThe 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.e train track between Wolfsburg and Dortmund More