Euro 2024

JUDE BELLINGHAM posed for selfies with fans as he relaxed ahead of England’s clash with Switzerland.The Three Lions squad were given the day off on Tuesday before their Euro 2024 quarter-final on Saturday.Jude Bellingham posed for selfies with fans at an Italian restaurant in Erfurt on TuesdayCredit: Paul EdwardsThe England star relaxed ahead of their quarter-final against Switzerland on SaturdayCredit: Paul EdwardsBellingham signed autographs and posed for pictures with supportersCredit: PAUL EDWARDS
Bellingham, whose incredible last-gasp overhead kick saved England from an embarrassing last-16 exit on Sunday, was spotted at an Italian restaurant in Erfurt with his mum Denise as he made the most of his downtime.The city is located around 20 miles from England’s training base in Blankenhain.Supporters posed for selfies with the midfielder after he was spotted at the restaurant.Bellingham also signed autographs before police later helped him to a car.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Fans could be seen desperately trying to get pictures with the Real Madrid hero in footage of Bellingham leaving the restaurant.The 21-year-old appeared relaxed as he took a break from preparations to face Switzerland.His time off comes amid a Uefa investigation into a gesture Bellingham made after scoring against Slovakia.He was accused of disrespecting the opposition bench but later defended his actions on social media.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBellingham wrote on X: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.”Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”The Sun’s Martin Lipton on Jude Bellingham’s potential ban as UEFA investigate gesture vs SlovakiaThe midfielder relaxed with his mum Denise around 20 miles from England’s training baseCredit: Paul EdwardsBellingham made use of a rest day, with the whole squad given time off to spend with their familiesCredit: Paul EdwardsPolice later helped Bellingham to a car as fans desperately tried to get pictures with himCredit: Paul EdwardsHe also included a yawning, ‘X’ and handshake emoji alongside the post.Footage has since emerged of Bellingham performing the gesture whilst celebrating for Real Madrid last season, supporting his claim.His stoppage time equaliser against Slovakia rescued England before Harry Kane grabbed the winner in extra-time.The former Borussia Dortmund man was also named man of the match.He also received the award after scoring in the Three Lions’ opening victory over Serbia.Meanwhile, Sun columnist Piers Morgan has luanched his defence of Bellingham – and explained what might be behind the gesture.A large crowd gathered after Bellingham was spotted at the restaurantCredit: Paul EdwardsOne fan even recreated Bellingham’s trademark celebrationCredit: Paul EdwardsBellingham is being investigated for this gesture against SlovakiaCredit: APThe England man celebrated with captain Harry Kane as they guided the Three Lions to the quarter finalsCredit: GettyEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

CRISTIANO RONALDO’S incredible mentality was summed up by a heart rate monitor which kept track of him during the rollercoaster Slovenia clash.The thrilling last-16 clash saw the Portugal legend in tears after he missed a crucial penalty during extra time against the Slovenians.Cristiano Ronaldo has been praised for his incredible mentalityCredit: GettyThe Portuguese legend’s heart rate was the lowest before scoring the first penalty in the shoot-out against SloveniaCredit: APRonaldo was in tears after missing a penalty in extra timeCredit: AFPWhen you’re @Cristiano, there’s no fear in football. See how CR7 entered a flow state and dropped his heart rate moments before changing momentum of the match against Slovenia. See you in the quarterfinals, Portugal! pic.twitter.com/E9kLLTdFjt— WHOOP (@WHOOP) July 2, 2024

Ronaldo eventually made amends by scoring in the shoot-out and apologised to fans as Portugal won to book their spot in the quarter-finals versus France on Friday.But what impressed supporters more was seeing how the Manchester United legend’s heart rate was at its lowest level when he took Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout.TNT Sports revealed the 39-year-old’s “heart rate was monitored in yesterday’s game,” and “the lowest level was reached when he took Portugal’s first penalty in the shoot-out.”After his frustration and tears of still not being able to find the back of the net during a game at the Euros, fans have applauded him for his mentality in the shoot-out.READ MORE ON EURO 2024One said: “Shows why he’s one of the best!!”While another simply added: “Legend.”A third then put: “That’s why he’s the best in pressure situations.”Meanwhile, some pundits blasted the Al-Nassr star when for crying after Jon Obak saved his penalty in extra-time, which saw the distraught icon being consoled by team-mate Diogo Dalot.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFormer Germany international Didi Hamann labelled his outburst as “embarrassing.”While Micah Richards supported the star and said it “shows his passion for the game”.Why Cristiano Ronaldo cried at Euro 2024Ronaldo defended his emotional outburst and claimed his alleged selfishness was due to “enthusiasm”.He said: “It is without a doubt my last European Championship. But I don’t get emotional about that, I get emotional about everything that football involves.”Because of the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm of seeing my supporters, my family, the affection that people have for me.”Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak’s save left Ronaldo distraughtCredit: APRonaldo made amends after he scored in the shootout that saw Portugal head into the quarter-finalsCredit: Reuters More

ROMANIA goalkeeper Florin Nita was forced to kick away a pitch invader’s shoe before conceding against Holland.Donyell Malen grabbed a third goal for the Dutch in stoppage-time as they book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.A shoe was spotted on the pitch as Donyell Malen put Holland 3-0 in frontCredit: EPARomania goalkeeper Florin Nita kicked another shoe away before Malen’s strikeCredit: BBCThe match had been disrupted moments earlier after fan ran onto the pitch.Following the incident, a pair of shoes could be seen inside the Romanian penalty area.With Malen baring down on goal, Nita kicked one of the shoes away before shaping up to save the forward’s strike.However, despite adjusting his position, he was powerless to prevent Malen from grabbing his second goal of the match.READ MORE ON EURO 2024The Borussia Dortmund forward raced clear before finding the back of the net with a low strike.TV cameras picked up Nita’s kick away, with BBC commentator Steve Wilson exclaiming: “Not helped by the trainers of the pitch invader.”After the match, Gary Lineker also touched on the incident during the post-match analysis.The former England striker said: “I love how the goalkeeper kicks one of the trainers away before before he tries to make the save.”Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAshley Williams added: “If only he had kicked the ball away that well.”Cody Gakpo had opened the scoring in Munich with his third goal of the tournament in the 20th minute.Netherlands fans take over Munich with crazy pre-match scenes ahead of last 16 clash with RomaniaThe trainers were visible inside the penalty area after Malen found the back of the netCredit: ReutersA pitch invader had stormed the pitch moments earlier, leaving their shoes behindCredit: GettyMalen’s late brace then put the game beyond Romania as Holland reached their first Euros quarter-final since 2008.Ronald Koeman’s side will face with Austria or Turkey in the last eight in Berlin on Saturday.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

CODY GAKPO is a man for the big occasion.That’s not a phrase Liverpool fans have found themselves saying much, if at all.Cody Gakpo was the star of the show scoring the opening goal in the Netherlands’ 3-0 win against RomaniaCredit: GettyGakpo then assisted Holland’s goal scored by Donyell MalenCredit: APMalen then hit the third goal to seal the deal for the NetherlandsCredit: EPAHolland are through to the quarter-finals of the EurosCredit: GettyBut it was the Anfield wideman who propelled Holland into the last eight with a goal and an assist for Donyell Malan, who also grabbed the third.In truth, the Dutch should have had a few more against a Romania team that faded badly after a rousing start.This was an impressive display from Ronald Koeman’s men, a strong response to the criticism and disappointment of the 3-2 defeat by Austria in their final group game.Gakpo’s first-half goal put him joint top of the goalscoring charts with three.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Added to the three he grabbed at the Qatar World Cup, six of his 12 strikes for his country have now come at major tournaments.It was here in Munich, but at the Olympiastadion, that Koeman and Co won Holland’s only significant trophy when they beat the USSR in the 1988 Europan Championship final.After this confidence-boosting display, and with a favourable draw, they should fancy their chances of earning another tilt at glory.Gakpo’s goal changed the game and the whole mood in the stadium.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAfter noisy, dominant displays at their group games, the Dutch fans found themselves outnumbered and outgunned in Munich.Although the main yellow and orange sections were roughly equal in size, in the rest of the stadium Romanians were in the majority.Fans compare Romania star to an ONION as he is forced to wear hair net after nasty head injury against HollandTheir national anthem is stirring stuff when sung at high volume, as they proclaim that Roman blood still flows through their veins thanks to the conquest by Emperor Trajan nearly 2,000 years ago.Romania started like a team inspired by history and the prospect of making more by reaching the last eight of a major tournament for only the third time.Roared on by the crowd, they threw themselves into challenges and charged at the Dutch backline. A better pass from Ianis Hagi might have freed frontman Denis Dragus.A better touch from Dragus when he did get in behind Stefan De Vrij would have given him a chance to open the scoring.Dennis Man fired just over the bar and the Dutch looked rattled.Then Koeman’s side took the lead out of pretty much nothing and it was a very bad goal to concede.The ball was worked out to Gakpo on the left, and for sure, he was running at pace.But Romania’s blue-haired right back, Andrei Ratiu, made an even bigger spectacle of himself by showing the Liverpool iwdeman the inside as if he had never seen him play.Goalkeeper Florin Nita could only flap a weak pair of hands at Gakpo’s shot, and in it went at his near post. Hagi and Man both had shots off target before the Dutch fans behind Nita’s goal celebrated a second goal, only to realise that De Vrij’s header from Memphis Depay’s corner had gone into the side netting.Then it took a fine bit of defending by Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin to stop Steven Bergwijn’s cross reaching Depay.The former Manchester United man was increasingly able to sneak into dangerous positions despite his distinctive white headband. Twice more Holland could have extended their lead. First Tijjani Reijnders took too long to shoot, then Xavi Simons dallied even longer, after more good work by Dumfries, before hitting the ball tamely shooting tamely wide.Romania had a couple of surges late in the half, but you still felt boss Edward Iordanescu needed to deliver the team of his life at halftime to help his team rediscover their initial aggression and purpose.It didn’t look like he had.Reijnders was allowed to run half the length of the pitch before his shot was blocked.Then Depay seemed to panic with the goal at his mercy after half-time sub-Donyell Malen’s shot was deflected into his path. Nita gratefully dropped on the ball.Malen wasted a three-on-two break and from the resulting Depay corner, Virgil Van Dijk grazed a post with a header.Then it was Gakpo’s turn to run opposed deep into the Romanian half, and he forced Nita into a decent stop. He had the ball in the net after the corner that followed, but VAR ruled it out for a clear offside.That reprieve woke up the Romanian crowd. But not their team was still on the rack, with Depay sending a free kick just wide.Gakpo teed up substitute Joey Veerman with a brilliant backheel but again the target was narrowly missed. Simons almost scored by accident when the ball was cleared onto him and then Malen mucked up another overload that ended with Gakpo’s shot being blocked.Finally, the second goal arrived with seven minutes to go.Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin allowed Gakpo to wriggle past him on the byline and even Malen couldn’t miss from inside the six-yard box.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the Borussia Dortmund forward wrapped it up deep in stoppage time with a good finish after another pacy break.If Gakpo keeps shining brighter in orange than he does in red, then Holland could go all the way.Gakpo’s second strike is ruled out by VARCredit: GettyEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More