Euro 2024

FOOTBALL fans were left in stitches after the official England social media accounts posted a video of Ivan Toney playing games and reading a book without looking.Toney stunned Three Lions supporters with his no-look penalty in the shootout against Switzerland on Saturday.Ivan Toney was filmed playing Connect Four without looking for England’s latest social media videoCredit: https://x.com/EnglandHe also played darts without lookingCredit: https://x.com/EnglandHe looked straight at the camera while reading a bookCredit: https://x.com/EnglandHe didn’t look when taking a shot in basketballCredit: https://x.com/EnglandThe striker stared down Yann Sommer before slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner without looking at it.Some fans hailed it as “one of the greatest penalties ever”.Toney’s team-mates also praised him for the impressive feat.Bukayo Saka said: “It’s crazy. We’re all just in awe, I don’t know how you cannot look at the ball.Read More in Football”When we see him practising in training, he does the same thing.”While Luke Shaw added: “I cannot believe it. It is crazy, especially when you watch back the video. There’s one just showing his face and it’s mad.”Toney took centre stage in the latest edition of England’s Diary Room series on social media this week and was seen doing everyday activities without looking.The striker was filmed playing Connect Four, darts, basketball and reading a book without looking.Most read in Euro 2024England can’t take their eye off the ball… you’ve NEVER cracked penalties, warns Jurgen KlinsmannTHE key to winning penalty shootouts is to never think you’ve cracked it, writes Jurgen Klinsmann.England were so impressive from the spot against Switzerland on Saturday — all five penalties were exceptional.That will bring confidence to Gareth Southgate’s team but there is no guarantee they will win another one, in the semi-final against Holland or in the final.Do not expect the next shootout to be the same. Thinking like that is very dangerous.If a game goes to extra-time, don’t just believe you can get all the substitutions right and manage the game, then win on penalties — that’s when you take your eye off the ball.And, unless you’re Ivan Toney, that’s usually a bad thing.After so many bad experiences with shootouts over the years, it always plays on your mind.It’s tragic when you keep losing that way and I know the whole English nation used to dread penalties.Gareth and his staff have changed all that, thanks to excellent preparation. They know shootouts are no lottery.The German national team haven’t lost a shootout since 1976 — and, of course, we beat England on penalties in the semi-finals of 1990 World Cup and Euro 96.Here, our approaches were actually very different.In 1990 we were full of players who were extremely confident in moments like that — players like Andreas Brehme, Lothar Matthaus and Rudi Voller, with extremely big personalities.We were so convinced we would win that tournament in Italy, so we didn’t spend much time practising penalties.Six years later, it was very different. We knew we didn’t have the same quality as England and we prepared for penalties methodically.We got through because of an extreme desire to win, a willingness to suffer and, yes, being good at penalties.As a manager, you have to read every player.If he’s totally confident in his approach to taking a spot-kick, then he doesn’t have to shoot five penalties every day. Others need constant repetition.I’ve always prepared my team for  shootouts as if they would be crucial.We never felt embarrassed about saying that. It’s part of preparation for knockout matches.Read all of SunSport columnist Jurgen Klinsmann’s Euro 2024 opinions.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSToney scored a no-look penalty in the shootout against SwitzerlandCredit: AlamyFans took to social media to react, with one person writing: “This is quality! 😂👏.”Another commented: “Unreal, this guy never looks at anything.”Trent Alexander-Arnold puts England into Euro 2024 semi finals with brilliant final penalty in shootout vs SwitzerlandA third said: “This is how you social media.”While a fourth wrote: “@ivantoney24 is now the poster boy of NO LOOK anything!”England next face Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals on Wednesday.Should they win, the Three Lions will then face Spain or France in the final.Toney scored an incredible goal in training ahead of the match.He volleyed it into the top corner from a tight angle, past Aaron Ramsdale.England 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. More

ENGLAND goalscoring hero Bukayo Saka crashed back to earth — as he tripped over a golf bag.He sparked wild applause from teammates after hitting a fine shot at their HQ — followed by howls of laughter when he took a tumble.Bukayo Saka takes a swing with his golf clubCredit: InstagramBut hero Saka crashed back to earth — as he tripped over a golf bagCredit: InstagramEngland posted footage online yesterday, captioned: ‘From hero to zero’Credit: InstagramEngland added: ‘Never change’Credit: InstagramSaka’s teammates saw the funny side as he lay on the groundCredit: InstagramEngland posted footage online yesterday, captioned: “From hero to zero”, adding: “Never change.”Invasion ‘to outdo Italia 90’About 30,000 England fans are staging a Dortmund Dash to Germany for tomorrow’s semi-final against the Netherlands.Match ticket, hotel and travel prices are soaring as supporters converge on the host city.Thousands began plane, car and camper van trips yesterday in an invasion likely to outstrip the rush for the Italia ’90 semi.Read More on SportRyanair and BA are expected to lay on extra flights and 750-mile round-trips by ferry and road are also under way.They will be crying out for better luck than in 1990, when thousands raced to Turin — only for England to crash out of the World Cup on penalties against the Germans.Far fewer travelled to England’s 2018 World Cup semi in Russia because of visa and security worries.But tickets for Wednesday are as high as £25,376-a-pair, with touts and resale websites cashing in.Most read in Euro 2024If Gareth Southgate’s team win, England will be officially allocated just 10,000 tickets for Sunday’s final in Berlin’s 71,000-capacity Olympiastadion.England star Saka can’t stop smiling in ‘adorable’ interview after scoring penalty in Euro 2024 shootout vs Switzerland More

DECLAN RICE has outrun EVERY single player at Euro 2024.The England ace tops the pile after putting in a shift and a half during all of his nation’s outings in Germany.Declan Rice has covered more distance than any other player at the EurosCredit: GettyHe has run almost 2km more than Granit Xhaka, who is second on the listCredit: GettyGareth Southgate’s men find themselves just two wins away from winning the tournament after setting up a semi-final against Holland on Wednesday.The Three Lions are riding high after beating Switzerland on penalties in the quarters.And England’s technicians have been taking all the praise since Saturday, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold on target in the shootout.However, Rice has often been the heartbeat of England’s success on the field.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd the stats prove that the Arsenal man is continuing to drive his side forward at Euro 2024.Rice tops a star-studded list of players after covering more distance than any other player in Germany.The former West Ham captain has run a staggering 63.9km (39.8miles) across England’s three group games, plus the last-16 and quarters.Amazingly, that’s almost 2km more than No2 on the list, Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSJoshua Kimmich of Germany is third with 61km.And fourth is Xhaka’s Swiss midfield partner Remo Freuler.Trent Alexander-Arnold puts England into Euro 2024 semi finals with brilliant final penalty in shootout vs SwitzerlandPhil Foden has made the top five after starting on the left for EnglandCredit: AlamyBut amazingly, fifth on the list is none other than Phil Foden.The silky playmaker is mostly known for his goals and dribbles at Manchester City.However, footballer of the year Foden has been doing plenty of running at the Euros after being placed on the left wing by Southgate.It’s seen the ace drift deep and inside to help create attacks.And Foden has run a brilliant 58.2km (36miles) during England’s five games so far.Elsewhere, Switzerland’s Michel Aebischer (57.5km), Germany’s Toni Kroos (57.2km) and France’s Jules Kounde (56.3km) come next on the list.READ MORE SUN STORIESNinth place goes to N’Golo Kante, who has been superb for France while covering 56km.And the final spot in the top ten goes to Portugal’s Bernardo Silva, who has travelled 55.6km. More

ENGLAND penalty hero Trent Alexander-Arnold says Virgil van Dijk and Holland would love it if Harry Kane was dropped.Captain Kane is struggling at Euro 2024 and faces calls to be benched for the semi-final blockbuster with the Netherlands in Dortmund.There have been calls to drop Harry Kane for the semi-finalCredit: GettyBut Trent Alexander-Arnold insists team-mate Virgil van Dijk would love that to happenCredit: ReutersHe has backed Kane to lead by example once againCredit: GettyBut Alexander-Arnold says Liverpool club-mate Van Dijk will be pleased if the Bayern Munich striker is axed.He said: “Anyone facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing. We’re talking about England’s record scorer.“He’s scored two in this tournament, helped us win games and,  as our captain, leads by example and puts everything into games.“People will always have opinions but he is leading us into a semi-final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He is part of the reason why the environment is such a good one in camp. And he is a reason why we’re heading into a semi.”Kane, 30, boasts 65 goals in 96 Three Lions games.But he looks off the pace and the suspicion remains he has not fully  recovered from a back issue that saw him miss the end of Bayern’s season.Kane was subbed in three of England’s five games — including during Saturday’s quarter-final with the Swiss.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe went off in extra-time before the shootout victory, shortly after hurtling into Gareth Southgate’s dugout.Yet the ex-Spurs star hit 44 goals in 45 games in his maiden Bayern campaign.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett England review as ‘lucky’ Three Lions squeak by Switzerland in dramatic penalty shootoutAnd Alexander-Arnold, 25, added: “You just know he is a threat. Anything in and around the box, you must be on red alert. He is the best finisher that I’ve seen or played with.”Pundit Ian Wright claims it is time for Southgate to “make a decision” up front.On Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, ex-England and Arsenal striker Wright declared: “Kane’s not sharp, he’s not in the box — and now we know Ivan Toney can go to that level.“We’re going to need to make that decision.”Yet Southgate looks set to stick with Kane while Marc Guehi could replace Ezri Konsa after his ban, with fit-again Luke Shaw pushing to start on the left.Alexander-Arnold added that Kane was a big reason why the environment at the camp was so goodCredit: GettyKane has scored twice for England at Euro 2024Credit: GettyThe squad were seen on a run before their crunch semi-final against the NetherlandsCredit: GettyElsewhere, Luke Shaw may be handed a start if he is deemed fit enoughCredit: GettySouthgate changed his system… now he has to change the players if England are going to win Euros, writes Charlie WyettGARETH SOUTHGATE changed the system… but he now needs to start switching his players, writes Charlie Wyett.And that not only means for his starting XI for the semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday, but also during the match itself.Not for the first time, Southgate nearly paid the price for his bloody-minded refusal to react with substitutions and you have to wonder if he is ever going to learn.Probably not.At least the England manager reverted to a three-man defence which served him well at the World Cup in 2018 and, on occasions, during Euro 2020.Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ezri Konsa generally did well at the back with Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka the wing-backs.But England still had a complete lack of balance as they had Trippier, a right-footer on the left, and Saka, a left-footer on the right.It really made no sense whatsoever. Southgate will have his reasons but it was still a case of putting a square peg into a round hole.Although Saka was England’s most dangerous player for long periods, not for the first time, playing Trippier on the left simply did not work.And this is why Luke Shaw, if fit, simply HAS to start the next game.England are through by the skin of their teeth and maybe their name is written on the trophy.Southgate is actually England’s second most successful manager behind Alf Ramsey although today, it still does not feel like it.In his eight years as manager his England team have won eight tournament knockout games, compared to six in half a century before him.This is the most sustained period of success in the history of the men’s England football team.Ultimately, though, Southgate will only be celebrated as a true success if England – despite being rubbish for most of this tournament – come home with the trophy.Read all of Charlie Wyett’s Euro 2024 articles. More