ITV

ROY KEANE tore into Portuguese star Joao Felix and called him an ‘imposter’ after their defeat to Belgium.The defending champions were dumped out of Euro 2020 after Thorgan Hazard’s thunderbolt secured a 1-0 victory.
Roy Keane tore into Joao Felix after Portugal were beaten by BelgiumCredit: ITV
The Portuguese forward was labelled an ‘imposter’ by the Man Utd legendCredit: EPA
That set-up a clash between the Red Devils and Italy in the last-eight in Munich on Friday.
Portugal attempted to launch a comeback late in an effort to force extra-time but were denied several times by Thibaut Courtois.
One of those included an effort by Cristiano Ronaldo – who Keane had hailed pre-match as the ‘most intelligent’ player he had ever seen.
Real Madrid’s ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois also stopped a powerful header from Ruben Dias as Portugal finished with 23 shots in the game but without a breakthrough.
That was the most shots by any team so far at the Euros without scoring.
After watching their failed attempt for an equaliser, Keane was massively critical of Portugal’s abilities in front of goal.
And he particularly ripped into 21-year-old Felix who he says Ronaldo should be ‘going after’ in the dressing-room.
Keane told ITV: “He’s an imposter. He comes on, hit the target. what is he, £100million?
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How the top pundits of the two channels stack up against each other

“If I was Ronaldo I’d be going after him in the dressing-room. Shocking.”
Atltico Madrid’s Felix came off the bench in the second period to help his side try and find a leveller.
He had a chance with the final kick of the game but dragged his shot wide before the final whistle blew.
It was Raphael Guerreiro who came closest when he rattled the post.
But Belgium managed to hold on to set-up the crunch clash with the Azzurri.
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Joao Felix shows his skills on the training pitch in Atletico Madrid training More

IAN WRIGHT laid into Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal star continued his abysmal free-kick record against Belgium.Roberto Martinez’s side went through to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 win, with superstar Ronaldo on the periphery of the game.
Ian Wright blasted Cristiano Ronaldo’s shocking free-kick record
Ronaldo’s failure in front of goal contributed to Portugal’s defeat against Belgium
Ronaldo’s best chance of the match came in the first-half when he fired a free-kick at Thibaut Courtois.
He hit the target but his effort was met with a strong hand from Thibaut Courtois, which means Ronaldo has still scored only one free-kick out of 50+ in major tournaments.
Wright is all too aware of that fact, and pointed out the dire record in his half-time analysis for ITV.
He said: “How many of those free-kicks does Ronaldo actually score? 1 in 50. It’s a myth that… ooh Ronaldo is on it, watch out everyone. Nothing happens.”
Patrick Vieira shared a similar sentiment, adding: “You expect Courtois to make that kind of save. If he concedes a goal in this way, he’d be disappointed with himself. But it was a good save.”
Wright then concluded: “[Courtois] has enough time to see it. Plus it’s Ronaldo, he doesn’t score many free-kicks.”
A second-half free-kick from Ronaldo was even worse, as he fired straight into the wall at a point where Portugal were growing desperate for a goal.
Set-piece specialist Bruno Fernandes was on the pitch by then as well, meaning Ronaldo’s lack of quality was bordering on selfish.
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And though Ronaldo may be the tournament’s leading scorer, none of his five goals have come from further than 12 yards.
The Juventus forward has scored three penalties, an open goal against Germany and his strike against Hungary came from inside the six-yard box.
Belgium restricted Ronaldo’s chances in the box and that was key to victory, although Raphael Guerriero almost found a way through when his shot hit the post.
Ruben Dias then had a powerful header well saved before Joao Felix struck wide with the final kick of the game.
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Roy Keane can’t help having cheeky dig at Arsenal on ITV as Man Utd icon comments on Bukayo Saka’s England rise at Euros More

ROY KEANE expects Gareth Southgate to recall Kieran Trippier, Phil Foden and Mason Mount for Tuesday’s showdown with Germany.Joachim Low’s side travel to Wembley for the 5pm kick-off and Keane believes England will trust their regular starters.
How Roy Keane predicts England will line up versus Germany
Kieran Trippier has been tipped to start for England versus GermanyCredit: Getty
All three started in the win over Croatia that opened the Three Lions’ tournament.
Trippier was a surprise addition at left-back before being replaced by Luke Shaw.
Mount missed the win over Czech Republic because he was self-isolating after Billy Gilmour’s coronavirus test, while Foden was rested due to a yellow card.
And former Republic of Ireland star Keane thinks Southgate will consider going back to the Croatia team, with the addition of the now-fit Harry Maguire.
He told ITV ahead of Belgium’s win over Portugal: “Maybe with Maguire that’ll be the only change, and go back to the first game against Croatia.
“We’re on about these young players doing very well in the last one or two games.
“But Gareth, as the manager, you still go back to the lads who got you over the line over the last year or two.
“So it wouldn’t surprise me if Gareth went back to the team, obviously with Maguire available, for the first game against Croatia.

Roy Keane believes the team that beat Croatia will be relied upon at WembleyCredit: ITV
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“There’s question marks about maybe Trippier coming back in. The set-piece delivery has been really poor, maybe they go back to Trippier for that.”
Southgate has admitted his doubt at bringing Mount and Ben Chilwell into the line-up following their period of self-isolation.
Former England star Wayne Rooney has told the coach to add Jordan Henderson to the midfield and hand a start to Marcus Rashford.
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Roy Keane can’t help having cheeky dig at Arsenal on ITV as Man Utd icon comments on Bukayo Saka’s England rise at Euros More

NIGEL DE JONG embodied all Holland fans as he watched in agony during his side’s Euro 2020 exit at the hands of the Czech Republic.A 2-0 defeat in Budapest sent Frank de Boer’s Dutch team sent home at the last-16 stage, following Matthijs de Ligt’s red card.
Nigel de Jong’s emotion was plain to see as Holland crashed out to the Czech Republic
Former Manchester City midfielder De Jong, who won 81 caps for his country, watched the game while working as a pundit for ITV.
After the match, presenter Mark Pougatch directed him towards a montage of the 36-year-old’s reactions to the dramatic second-half.
De Jong admitted ‘I was very hopeful’ and laughed as the clip showed him with his head in his hands, crying out: “Oh my God!”
At De Ligt’s red card, he responded: “Oh my God, it’s a red. No way, what am I seeing?!”
Viewers praised De Jong for his analysis and authenticity having seen his country crash out of the competition.
One Twitter user wrote online: “Feel for Nigel de Jong, looks really upset after Netherlands loss but been one of the best pundits today, should be on more regularly.”
Jaja commented: “Nigel De Jong watching that Netherlands display is a mood…”
Phil added: “Hope ITV keep Nigel de Jong for the rest of the Euros. He was obviously gutted with that result/performance but he was 100 per cent right with his analysis.”
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Glen said: “Nigel De Jong good value in the studio. He’d have two footed someone when they went down to 10.”
And another tweeted: “Nigel De Jong should’ve smashed up the studio.”
Tomas Holes put Czech Republic ahead on 68 minutes after De Ligt was dismissed for handball and Patrik Schick wrapped up the win late on.
The post-mortem has already begun in Holland and De Jong gave his initial take on coach De Boer’s setup.

He said: “We had the players on the pitch to change the system to a 4-2-3 or 4-4-1 but still played with five defenders at the back.
“It looked like De Boer was defending the 0-0 as long as possible. At the end of the day, there was no belief after the red.
“There was a lack of belief, a lack of intensity, a lack of character. We really missed a leader out there.”
Dutch fans turn Budapest orange ahead of Euro match v Czech Republic More

JACK GREALISH can be KEY to England winning the Euros, says Machester United legend Gary Neville.The Aston Villa star, 25, made his full tournament debut as England beat Czech Republic 1-0 at Wembley on Tuesday night – and played a crucial part as he set up the winning goal.
Jack Grealish started his first game of the Euros at Wembley against Czech RepublicCredit: PA
And former England right-back Neville reckons the maverick playmaker can help take the Three Lions all the way – with a solid defensive block behind him.
Speaking on ITV, Neville said: “Gareth Southgate has got to think how to win this tournament and outplay Spain, Belgium, France.
“It’s sensible to think we can win it a different way.
“Jack wins free-kicks and penalties which England were good at last time [at 2018 World Cup].
“We need six at the back to keep the clean sheets and the four in attack to go and win the games.”
Neville added: “He’s a player within any game to take responsibility and has the desire to get on the ball.
“Honestly I think he has the country in his hands.
“They want that Wayne Rooney moment in 2004, Gazza in 1990 – I hope he delivers.

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“That mischievious smile, he believes in himself.
“He could [set] this tournament alight for England.”
Grealish sat down with ITV prior to the game and described starting for the Three Lions as the ‘one of the best moments’ of his career.
He said: “I always want to be on the pitch. I love that expectation, I thrive off it.
“I like to entertain fans, I loved watching Gazza.
“My YouTube searches at home are of him. He reminds me of myself, he loved a football at his feet.
“I will treat it like any other game – but I want to score more than in any other game.”
Gary Neville has high hopes for the Aston Villa captain to make his markCredit: ITV
England secured a 1-0 win to top Group D at Wembley, with Grealish brilliantly setting up Raheem Sterling’s winner.
After some good play down the right by fellow new boy Bukayo Saka, the ball feel to Grealish, who glided past his defender and stood up a cross for Sterling to head home.
However, topping the group means the Three Lions now face a potential horror clash in the last-16, with France, Germany or Portugal all potential opponents.
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Jack Grealish trains with heavy strapping on leg in England injury scare ahead of Euro 2020 clash vs Czech Republic More

EURO 2020 pundit Robert Earnshaw is a cult hero on Twitter due to his fascinating insight into a range of topics, from aliens to the person who discovered milk.The former Wales international will join ITV as part of their Euros coverage and if he is as entertaining on TV as he is on social media then viewers are in for a treat.
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Robert Earnshaw will be part of ITV’s team for Euro 2020
There is zero evidence that today is Sunday.We are all kind of relying on the fact somebody has kept an accurate count since the first one ever— Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) May 17, 2020

Reckon I’ll get away with that excuse tomorrow if I don’t turn in to work Rob?— Jay Edwards (@JamesEdwardsLFC) May 17, 2020

Several footballers have grabbed attention for their odd opinions and tweets, such as Louis Saha being grateful for the “good banter” he had with his son over dinner instead of watching TV.
None compare to Earnshaw however, who has become the master of pondering the more obscure aspects of life, almost like a Welsh Karl Pilkington.
Perhaps his most brilliant ‘eureka’ moment came during the first lockdown last year, when he stated: “There is zero evidence that today is Sunday. We are all kind of relying on the fact somebody has kept an accurate count since the first one ever.”
Strange but true, Robert, strange but true.
He is equally as eccentric in his views on Monday’s, aliens and life itself.
And Earnshaw famously suggested that if Mark Lawrenson was a day of the week he would be Monday.
If mark lawrenson was a day of the week he would be Monday.— Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) July 1, 2014

I feel sorry for Monday,everyone seems to hate it more & more every week.Its not Mondays fault.— Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) November 18, 2013

The guy who discovered milk probably did a lot of other strange things too.— Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) January 24, 2016

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We cannot wait to see what fascinating comparisons he makes between the stars of Euro 2020 and whatever bizarre subject his mind comes up with.
Perhaps Gareth Bale could be a bowl of Coco Pops – cereal, after all, is another of Earnshaw’s favoured topics.
The former striker’s antics have grabbed attention and a significant following online.

If in doubt,Cereal is always great anytime of the day.— Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) June 13, 2013

The Second Tier podcast singled out four tweets representing some of his best work alongside a caption that read: “Gentle reminder that Rob Earnshaw is the single greatest mind to ever exist.”
Others pointed out that lockdown was getting to Earnshaw a little last year, particularly his opinion of bats and the outbreak of Covid-19.
Fans should be on the edge of their seats for match analysis when Earnshaw is in the studio as he is bound to provide non-stop entertainment.
Today I beat my high score of consecutive days lived— Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) February 17, 2017

I wonder how many miles your thumb has scrolled— Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) January 29, 2017

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THEY think it’s pullover… but it’s not now.Manchester United legend Roy Keane refreshed his legendary battle of the skippers with Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira… by wearing a jumper with four captain’s stripes as he sat next to him in the ITV studio.
Roy Keane’s expression might be saying all you need to know about his intentions in wearing his striped top, but he faced stick from fellow pundit Ian Wright

Fellow pundit Ian Wright mocked Keane over his odd outfit live on air after France’s 1-0 win over Germany.
And social media also pounced on the former Ireland hardman’s sartorial signal, many labelling it a “powerplay”.
Keane had clearly kept his gesture up his sleeve as Vieira had no answer of his own, as he donned more traditional garb of an open-neck shirt and suit jacket.
But Wrighty launched in: “Roy had to keep his armband on his jumper… letting us know he’s the captain.”
Twitter also quickly cottoned on to Keane’s jumper jape, as he clearly failed to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
One armchair viewer got straight to the point: “Roy Keane wears four captain’s armbands to show Patrick Vieira who is in charge.”
Another said: “What a power move against Vieira.”
Similar offerings included: “I like how Roy Keane’s got a captain’s armband printed on his pullover just to show everybody who’s the boss.”
But if Vieira felt Keane was having a little nibble at him, then imagine how fellow Frenchman Paul Pogba must have felt.

Germany and Chelsea defender star Antonio Rudiger appeared to have a nibble of Frenchman Paul Pogba’s back
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Gemany defender Antonio Rudiger seemed to CHEW the United midfielder’s back in an astonishing first-half incident caught on camera.
And unlike on the field, where Keane’s steely expression matched his tough tackling, the ex-Sunderland manager seemed wrong-footed by Wrighty’s verbal assault on his wacky wardrobe choice.
So perhaps on reflection Keane will accept his attire deserved to be shown a red cardi.
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