Euro 2024

FANS have hailed Dani Carvajal as a “genius” as he was sent off against Germany.The Spanish booked their spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals with a 2-1 win over the host nation.Dani Carvajal was sent off against GermanyCredit: PAReferee Anthony Taylor handed out 16 bookings in the quarter-final clashCredit: AFPReferee Anthony Taylor was in charge of the match and was trigger-happy with the cards.The English official handed out 15 yellow cards during the clash, eight of which went to Germany and seven to Spain.Nico Schlotterbeck and Deniz Undav were booked while on the bench and Dani Carvajal was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.Fans have hailed the Real Madrid man as he took the card to stop a late German attack knowing a red card would not affect his chances of playing in a potential final.READ MORE IN EURO 2024One hailed: “Dani Carvajal is a genius, he knew he was gonna miss the semis anyway so took one for the team. I am starting to like him.”A second claimed: “Genius from Carvajal if nothing comes from it.”Among the Spain, players that were booked, Carvajal and Robin Le Normand will now all miss the semi-final.Alvaro Morata was thought to have been booked while he was off the pitch due to the TV coverage but Uefa have confirmed this is not the case and he will not be banned.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPlenty of fans on social media took aim at Taylor for the amount of bookings in the match.One posted: “Anthony Taylor having an absolute shocker here.”Euro 2024’s sexiest players revealedAlvaro Morata will also miss the semi-finalCredit: ReutersRobin Le Normand will also be bannedCredit: GettyA second commented: “Anthony Taylor should never referee another game of football again.”A third wrote: “Anthony Taylor needs to retire.”A fourth said: “Anthony Taylor made the entire game about himself.”Another added: “Anthony Taylor is a joke.”Spain looked set to win the match inside ninety minutes as Dani Olmo scored the go-ahead goal in the 51st minute.Germany were able to keep themselves in the tournament as Florian Wirtz netted in the 89th minute to force extra time.However, it just delayed the result as former Newcastle flop Mikel Merino headed the winner for Luis de la Fuente’s side in the 119th minute.Spain will also be without Barcelona star Pedri for the remainder of the tournament.The midfielder was forced off inside ten minutes after picking up an injury.READ MORE SUN STORIESDespite Taylor’s eagerness with the cards, it was not the most handed out in a single game at the tournament.Turkey’s group stage win over the Czech Republic saw 20 bookings handed out to players by Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs.Who is Euro 2024’s sexiest star?EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.But who is the sexiest?Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story. More

MIKEL Merino declared an end to Germany summertime with a sensational late winner for Spain.Luis de la Fuente’s side thought they had won it once through Dani Olmo’s goal early in the second half.Spain left it late in StuttgartCredit: EPAToni Kroos bails out from football with heartacheCredit: RexBut after Florian Wirtz equalised with barely a minute to go of normal time, the hosts were the better team and had the better chances and a penalty shout in extra time.And home hearts were broken with a similar amount of time left in the additional 30 minutes as Olmo crossed for fellow substitute Merino to head past Manuel Neuer.German replacement Niclas Fullkrug almost sent the game to the penalty shootout that seemed to be coming.But Spain held on and after riding their luck in the end, will wonder if their name is on the trophy.READ MORE IN footballFull back Dani Carvajal will miss the semi final after earning a late red card for his second bookable, cynical foul.Carvajal will not be the only absentee after English referee Anthony Taylor showed a total of 16 yellow cards to players on and off the pitch.What the first heavyweight clash of the knockout stages lacked in quality, it made up for in drama and needle.And at the end of it, just as the weather forecast was improving for the final week of the tournament, the hosts were out.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYHome hopes of a repeat of 2006’s Sommermarchen, the “summer fairytale” when the German football team and nation were reborn with a third-placed finish at their own World Cup, are over.Julian Nagelsmann is the first head coach to fail to take the Nationalmannschaft to at least the last four of a major tournament on German soil.Why Xhaka is Football’s Greatest ComebackSpain were comfortably superior in the first half. Yet they never created a better chance than the one that fell to Pedri inside a minute when Manuel Neuer saved easily.And the Barcelona midfielder soon left the field as the physical edge to the game started early.It was a half of three yellow cards, but it should have been more.Starting with the challenge which Toni Kroos made on Pedri. Moments later Pedri went down of his own accord and had to come off before eight minutes had elapsed.Toni Rudiger put himself out of the notional semi-final with more than 76 minutes of the quarter-final to go, his clumsy challenge Olmo, Pedri’s replacement, earning his second booking of the tournament.But although Spain continued to look the more threatening side, they failed to capitalise on the hosts’ apparent nervousness at the back.Dani Olmo opened the scoringCredit: GettySpain looked on their way to the last fourCredit: ReutersYamal and Nico Williams were often menacing, without ever quite finding the final ball or finish.Yamal went close with the free kick after the Rudiger foul and Williams forced a smart near-post save out of Neuer. The Athletic Bilbao winger had been flagged offside but if the ball had gone in, the VAR review might have been interesting.Meanwhile Germany’s own wonderkid, ageing 21 year old Jamal Musiala, was struggling to make an impact. Leroy Sane, too, was ineffective.Nagelsmann’s side were not functioning as an attacking force.But Kai Havertz did have a decent sight of goal.Florian Wirtz levelled for Germany lateCredit: EPAThe hosts were saved late onCredit: AFPSpain centre back Robin Le Normand, himself already a yellow card that had ruled him out of the semi-final, misjudged Rudiger’s hopeful punt. But Havertz’s shot was neither hard nor well directed enough and Simon saved.Neuer made an unconvincing stop from Olmo. It was reasonably compelling stuff, but not the thriller the neutral wanted.Nagelsmann was not impressed either. Sane and Can were hooked at half time in favour of Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich.But after Morata had missed the first chance of the half, Spain took the lead and it was no surprise that Yamal was involved.The 16 year old laid the ball perfectly into the path of the onrushing Olmo, who angled his finish enough to beat Neuer to his right.Germany had to come out and Nagelsmann made another double change, which included taking off captain Gundogan and bringing on Borussia Dortmund target man Niclas Fullkrug to give his team more punch up front.Mikel Merino headed a late winnerCredit: GettyThe ex-Newcastle man celebrates the winnerCredit: GettyThe tension gradually wound up towards Wirtz’s crucial intervention.Taylor was forced to flash more yellow cards as the clock ticked down.Fullkrug hit the post from Wirtz’s cross.Simon was booked for time-wasting as home frustrations grew. And the Spain goalkeeper almost paid an even greater penalty for a poor goal-kick.But Havertz sent his attempted chip over the onrushing ‘keeper the wrong side of the crossbar.Spain were finally looking a little nervous and at last the pressure told.Substitute Max Mittelstadt crossed to the back post, where fellow full back Joshua Kimmich headed it down and Wirtz swept it home.Spain dumped out the hostsCredit: AFPSpain celebrate heading into the last fourCredit: EPAThe noise was deafening, as roars of joy and relief rang round the arena.In the first half of extra-time, the momentum was with Germany, but clear-cut chances were few.The best of them saw Spain substitute Mikel Oyarzabal fire wide from distance and Wirtz go close to grabbing his and Germany’s second.Seconds into the second period, the hosts screamed for a penalty. But VAR Stuart Attwell agreed with Taylor that Marc Cucurella’s arm was in a natural position when it blocked Musiala’s fierce effort.Simon stretched out a big right hand of his own to keep out Fullkrug’s header.And just when it seemed penalties were coming, Merino headed home Olmo’s cross.READ MORE SUN STORIESEven then there was time for Fullkrug to send his own header agonisingly wide.But the hero of the group game against Switzerland could not keep Germany’s Euros going into the final week.Julian Nagelsmann was in shockCredit: GettyJoshua Kimmich is consoled by manager Julian NagelsmannCredit: APKroos looks on in heartacheCredit: GettyThe hosts bailed out in dramatic fashionCredit: ReutersKai Havertz look on in frustrationCredit: Getty More

MICAH RICHARDS has told Gareth Southgate the THREE England stars that can “hurt” Switzerland and send them to the semi-finals.The Three Lions have failed to impress in their first four games at the Euro 2024 and were seconds from being booted out of the tournament in their last 16 clash against Slovakia before Jude Bellingham’s 95th-minute equaliser.Micah Richards has told Gareth Southgate THREE England stars that can ‘hurt’ SwitzerlandCredit: GettyHarry Kane sealed the comeback as England secured a 2-1 victory over Slovakia in extra-time.Richards believes England have players that can “hurt” the Swiss defence on Saturday.Switzerland swiftly beat Italy 2-0 in their last match and have been playing in a 3-4-2-1 formation so far in the competition.And Richards has named Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon as the three players who could make an impact during England’s quarter-final clash.READ MORE INEUROSSpeaking on Gary Lineker’s The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards said: “Tactically, I’m looking at this game.”I’ve been looking at the Switzerland games and there’s areas in that team in which you can hurt them.”If I’m looking at this England team now and you’ve got [Fabian] Schar – and Schar’s a very good player – but he does not want to be going into wide areas of the pitch.”The same for [Ricardo] Rodriguez on the other side as well. I think Southgate, if he’s looking at this, he has to play wingers.Most read in Euro 2024England’s five-point penalty shootout planEXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR “It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP”Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”3. DICTATE AS A TEAM”A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES “Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT  “Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He has to play [Bukayo] Saka or Cole Palmer on the right and he has to start with [Anthony] Gordon.”On transition, once you beat their press, you can hurt them. And I’ve seen videos of it.”Harry Kane reveals genius tactic England worked on before Slovakia that helped pull off epic Euro 2024 comebackWhen questioned by Lineker about whether Southgate would adopt his tactics the 13-cap England star instantly replied “No.”Richards continued: ” I don’t. I don’t think he will. I think we need to be careful of how we set up. Because their wingbacks are used to playing this formation.”So what you don’t want is to play 4-3-3 and for Saka and Foden, if they start, to come really deep because then they will box you in. Then you can’t get out and they will dominate the game.”Palmer and Gordon are yet to start in Germany only coming on as substitutes while Saka has starred in all four games.And SunSport understands they will remain on the bench for kick-off against Switzerland.But Southgate will change formation to a back three for the game on Saturday.Richards said Southgate should consider starting Cole Palmer against SwitzerlandCredit: GettyThe pundit also insisted Anthony Gordon needs to startCredit: AlamyRichards also mentioned Bukayo Saka as one of the three stars that can ‘hurt’ SwitzerlandCredit: AlamyEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

GARETH SOUTHGATE will switch to a back-three for England’s quarter-final showdown with Switzerland.With Marc Guehi suspended, Sun Sport understands the Three Lions boss is set to change formation for the first time at the Euros for the game in Dusseldorf.Gareth Southgate is expected to make a formation change to his England team to face SwitzerlandCredit: RexBukayo Saka will play the match at left wing-backCredit: RexWhile Kieran Trippier is trusted over Trent Alexander-Arnold on the other sideCredit: GettyEzri Konsa replaces Guehi and will make his full tournament debut alongside Manchester City pair John Stones and Kyle Walker, who is expected to start at right centre-back.While Kieran Trippier will keep his place despite recent injury concerns, but will move over to right wing-back, meaning Trent Alexander-Arnold once again misses out.Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka has been moved to left wing-back after ending the 2-1 victory over Slovakia.Southgate declared Manchester United defender Luke Shaw was “available to start” against the Swiss.READ MORE ON ENGLANDBut any involvement he has in the game will be from the bench.In midfield, Red Devils star Kobbie Mainoo will once again partner Declan Rice following his impressive showing in the last-16.Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, whose stunning overhead kick forced extra-time last Sunday, will support Harry Kane in attack.The formation change was expected after the Three Lions trained in the shape earlier this week.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland used a back-three with great success at both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, making the semi-finals and final of those tournaments respectively.Many pundits did not expect Southgate to make the change.Why Xhaka is Football’s Greatest ComebackHowever, the new line-up is almost exactly what TalkSPORT’s Jason Cundy called for, with the exception of Trippier at right wing-back over Alexander-Arnold.On Trippier, Southgate said: “Kieran Trippier has also done a brilliant job for the team. “His leadership, his communication, his talking (to those on the left) is phenomenal.”Meanwhile, Saka’s position on the left side will echo his time there previously with Arsenal.When he first broke into the Gunners’ set-up he was used there by Unai Emery.However, he will not be a massive fan of Southgate’s decision.When Ian Wright mooted the idea earlier in the tournament, Saka said: “Obviously I love Ian Wright and he says so many great things about me but I don’t think putting me out of position is the solution. “But at the end of the day, I think we can we can talk about this but it’s in Gareth’s hands so we will just have to trust whoever Gareth selects on the day.”England’s five-point penalty shootout planEXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR “It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP”Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”3. DICTATE AS A TEAM”A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES “Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT  “Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.”Bellingham has been cleared to play after picking up a suspended one-match ban by Uefa for a crude gesture he made while celebrating his goal against Slovakia.He appeared to feign grabbing his crotch  in a move that signalled he has what it takes in a crisis.Match officials made no mention of the gesture in their match reports but Uefa still intervened.The 21-year-old was also hit with a £25,000 fine, while the ban is suspended for 12 months.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Real Madrid star defended his controversial gesture, stating it was aimed at close friends at the game and not towards the opposition.He added: “Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”Southgate needs Mainoo to help cure England’s fear, says Jack WilshereKOBBIE MAINOO has shown he is the player that England need to build their midfield ­— and their team — around, writes Jack Wilshere.That’s what I felt as it looked like we were slipping to defeat against Slovakia.I know he was not on the pitch when our goals went in.But until that unbelievable comeback, Mainoo was our best player.He has a fearlessness and an instinct to do the right things at the right times that seemed to be lacking for so much of the game.Mainoo alongside Declan Rice gives England better structure. In theory, at least, because for so long it didn’t look like that.You can have any structure you like but if a team, individually and collectively, lacks confidence, you cannot use that structure effectively.A fear can creep in. A fear of failing. A fear of losing the ball.It is partly because of his age that Mainoo does not have that, or appears not to have it.This was his first start in a major tournament. He does not know what it is like to have a bad one.If we want to win this tournament, starting with the quarter-final against Switzerland, we will need to control games better.Mainoo is the kind of midfielder England have been crying out for for a long time.He can be the glue that holds together this team for the rest of the tournament and well into the future.Read Jack Wilshere’s column in full.Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 opinions.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

ROY KEANE has joked he will leave England and move to AUSTRALIA if Gareth Southgate’s side win the Euros.The Three Lions have made it through to the quarter-finals despite poor performances at the tournament so far.Roy Keane has claimed he will leave the country if England win the EurosCredit: ITVKeane hilariously did not celebrate Jude Bellingham’s equaliser against SlovakiaCredit: ITVThey take on Switzerland on Saturday night knowing a win will set up a semi-final against either the Netherlands or Turkey.And with England three matches away from a first major trophy in 58 years, Manchester United and Ireland icon Keane, 52, has made his drastic intentions clear should they win the championships.Speaking on “Stick to Football: The Overlap Special”, brought to you by Sky Bet, he said: “When we do the TV we have to praise Manchester City – if a team wins something you have to give them credit.”I’d be immigrating obviously if they win it – probably Melbourne, Sydney!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKeane, who brilliantly refused to celebrate England’s equaliser against Slovakia, also called on people to stop criticising England’s performances.Following an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Serbia, Southgate’s men drew with Denmark and Slovenia.They then trailed Slovakia until the 95th minute on Sunday, before Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick inspired a turnaround as Harry Kane bagged an extra-time winner.And Keane feels England fans need to concentrate on the most important thing which is that they are still in the tournament.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJude Bellingham and Harry Kane bailed England out against SlovakiaCredit: APHe added: “People should stop complaining about the performances from England because they are still in the tournament and that’s the most important thing.”Imagine if you were playing well and got knocked out the tournament, then the reaction would be worse. Gary Neville and Roy Keane reveal Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘teacher’s pet’ who ‘got away with refusing to play’ for Man Utd”England have brilliant attacking players who have got the team out of jail and that’s what I thought would happen before the tournament.”It’s been a while since the last time you thought England were playing well on a consistent basis, but that struggle is fine when you’ve got match-winning players in your side.”If England get to the semi-final or final playing ugly, no one will complain about it.”England fans now know who will be lining up against the Swiss – and how – after the team was revealed. More