UEFA Nations League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      England ratings: Brilliant Bukayo Saka shines from the bench after Harry Maguire’s nightmare blunders

      by

      ENGLAND produced a rousing Wembley comeback in their final match before heading to Qatar… only for the Germans to find a way not to lose.For 70 minutes, Gareth Southgate’s side meandered towards a drab, uninspiring defeat in their final match before jetting out to the Middle East in under two months.
      Mason Mount helped inspire England to a rousing comebackCredit: Reuters
      Kai Havertz equalises late onCredit: AFP
      But then things got a little bonkers.
      Over the next 20 minutes, Southgate’s men produced a stunning fight back to wake Wembley out of its slumber and inject some much needed belief into their upcoming campaign.
      But a pin was then put in England’s enthusiasm, when Nick Pope’s flap allowed Kai Havertz to equalise in the 87th minute.
      On a frenetic night at Wembley Stadium, Etienne Fermie rates each Three Lions performer.
      NICK POPE – 4
      Horribly caught out on the ball ten minutes in after a poor touch, but was bailed out by a subsequent wayward Ilkay Gundogan shot.
      Awkwardness in possession persisted all night, and was particularly shown up by his opposite number Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s comparative comfort. His flap for Havertz’s second cost England victory and could cost him a place on the plane to Qatar.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      REECE JAMES – 6
      Chelsea ace was unable to produce his absolute best down the right flank.
      James hustled and bustled, but will have better games for his country.
      JOHN STONES – 7
      Looked one of England’s better players with his usual bright, positive distribution before unfortunately suffering a hamstring injury while bursting forward on 36 minutes.
      Looked gutted as he came off, with his World Cup participation now potentially in doubt. Replaced by his Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker.
      John Stones suffered a hamstring injury on 36 minutesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ERIC DIER – 5
      Slipped at an inopportune moment to allow Timo Werner through on goal, only for the former Chelsea flop to botch a square pass.
      Not a great home England return for the Tottenham ace, who has played much better than that for his club this term.
      HARRY MAGUIRE – 4
      Gave the ball away with a loose pass before clumsily booting Jamal Musiala to the ground to gift Germany a penalty, tucked away by Gundogan.
      Havertz then scored a beauty following a swift counter attack that was started by a lumbering Maguire losing possession in Germany’s half.
      Harry Maguire received a mixed Wembley receptionCredit: EPA
      LUKE SHAW – 7
      Played Sterling through with a sensational pass in the 25th minute.
      Squirmed the ball just about beyond Ter Stegen to begin England’s comeback. Encouraging display from the out of favour Manchester United full-back.
      DECLAN RICE – 6
      A mixed outing for the West Ham star.
      Rice produced a few superb passes and interceptions, but also found himself flummoxed by Jamal Musiala more than once.
      JUDE BELLINGHAM – 6
      Blazed a great chance over the bar in the 56th minute. Fouled by Nico Schlotterbeck for England’s late penalty.
      Wasn’t able to put his usual stamp on the match as he does for Dortmund, but wasn’t without his positive moments.
      Jude Bellingham was clattered for England’s penaltyCredit: Reuters
      PHIL FODEN – 5
      Anonymous performance from the Man City starlet.
      Didn’t do anything to strengthen his case in Jack Grealish’s absence and was replaced by the far superior Mason Mount on the night.
      RAHEEM STERLING – 7
      Denied England’s first open play goal of this Nations League campaign by a brilliant Ter Stegen stop after being played through one-on-one by Shaw – and later found the Barcelona star’s palms with another effort shortly before half-time.
      Was the Three Lions’ most threatening player before being replaced by Saka shortly after the hour mark.
      Raheem Sterling is denied by Marc-Andre ter StegenCredit: AP
      HARRY KANE – 7
      Nearly found the net with an audacious volley on 26 minutes. Teed up a decent chance for Sterling on the stroke of half-time.
      Fantastically fired England into a late lead from the penalty spot.
      Harry Kane celebrates his late penaltyCredit: AFP
      SUBSTITUTES:
      Kyle Walker (for Stones, 36) – 6
      Despite the chaos around him, this was a relatively uneventful outing for the City ace.
      Mason Mount (for Sterling, 66) – 8
      Excellently swept past Ter Stegen to fire England level.
      Bukayo Saka (for Foden, 66) – 8
      Arsenal star produced a brilliant, bamboozling run before setting up Mount to score, having also played a part in the build-up to England’s first. Nearly found a late winner after a lung-busting run, only to be denied by Ter Stegen.
      Jordan Henderson (for Bellingham, 90+1) – N/A
      Not enough time to make a huge impact.
      Subs not used: Ramsdale, D. Henderson, Trippier, Coady, Guehi, Toney, Chilwell, Abraham More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      England fan fury as Channel 4 website and app goes DOWN during Germany clash with supporters unable to watch

      by

      ENGLAND fans were left fuming with Channel 4 as coverage of tonight’s clash with Germany went down.The Three Lions were looking to end their miserable run of results, which has seen them relegated in the Nations League, against their old foes.
      Channel 4’s coverage of England’s clash with Germany went down on MondayCredit: Getty
      Those trying to tune in were met with this playback error messageCredit: Channel 4
      A jam-packed crowd was in attendance at Wembley to see Gareth Southgate’s team in action.
      However, the rest of England’s supporters unable to get to the national stadium were tuning into Channel 4.
      But just minutes into the first half of the game those that were watching via the Channel 4 website and app were no longer able to watch as both went down.
      Viewers online and on the All4 app were greeted with an unwelcome error message.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      The broadcaster replaced ITV for coverage of Three Lions matches this year.
      But frustrated viewers took to Twitter to vent their anger at being unable to watch Southgate’s men in action. 
      One fan moaned: “Fancy sorting your app out so we can watch the game?”
      Another wrote: “Let’s just hope Channel 4 hasn’t got the rights to any of the World Cup games. All4 can’t handle it.”
      Most read in Football
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      And a third complained: “Dear Channel 4 why have you got the England game if your app doesn’t work? Please give it back to a proper channel.”
      As a fellow frustrated viewer tweeted: “One thing this international break has shown us is that @Channel4 should be nowhere near showing the football. Class app team!”
      And another joked: “Channel 4 certainly made a difference with English football. Now nobody can watch it!”
      A C4 spokesman said: “We apologise for the temporary technical issue that affected some viewers this evening.
      “The issue was resolved just after 9pm. 
      “The England vs Germany match is available to watch on catch-up.” More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      England fans boo Harry Maguire as name read out ahead of Germany clash as Man Utd skipper faces more torment at Wembley

      by

      HARRY MAGUIRE’S name was booed ahead of this evening’s Uefa Nations League clash with Germany.The under-fire Manchester United skipper remains a key man for England boss Gareth Southgate, despite being dropped by his club.
      Harry Maguire was booed ahead of kick offCredit: PA
      As his name was announced to the crowd 45 minutes before kick-off, boos could be heard echoing around Wembley Stadium.
      His name was jeered again when announced a second time 20 minutes later, and a further time moments before kick-off.
      But England’s more hardcore support behind the goal sought to support their man around half an hour into the match – affectionately chanting his name around the half hour mark.
      Despite this show of support, fans flocked to social media to moan about the inclusion of the Man United centre-back.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL STORIES
      One wrote: “HOW does Harry Maguire keep managing to get picked?
      “Gareth’s heads gone at this point.”
      Another asked: “How on Earth Harry Maguire still starts games for England?”
      While a further fan joked: “We got Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw we will be fine.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Maguire, 29, was also jeered at the national stadium in March.
      During the 3-0 friendly victory over Ivory Coast, his touches early on in the match were all met by boos.
      The treatment of Maguire enraged Three Lions skipper Harry Kane at the time.
      He tweeted: “We’ve worked hard to rebuild our connection with @England fans in the last few years so to hear @HarryMaguire93 booed at Wembley before kick off was just not right.
      “The fact that he’s been brilliant on the pitch and given us all so many great memories makes it even harder to understand.
      “He doesn’t deserve that reception. He’s got full support in the changing room and should have the same from every England fan.”
      The Three Lions were also booed by a selection of travelling supporters after their 1-0 defeat to Italy on Friday night.
      England’s latest loss saw them relegated from League A of the Nations League – having not scored from open play in their last FIVE matches. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      England 3 Germany 3 LIVE SCORE: Havertz’s late equaliser spoils incredible comeback as rollercoaster match ends level

      by

      ENGLAND concluded their World Cup preparations with a rollercoaster of a match against Germany.Goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kai Havertz saw Hansi Flick’s men race to a 2-0 lead.
      But Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and captain Harry Kane inspired the Three Lions to an incredible comeback.
      However, a howler from Nick Pope presented Havertz with his second of the evening, forcing Southgate’s side to settle for a draw at Wembley.

      RESULT: England 3-3 Germany
      Live stream: All 4
      TV channel: Channel 4
      England XI: Pope; Maguire, Stones, Dier; James, Rice, Bellingham, Shaw; Sterling, Foden; Kane
      Germany XI: Ter Stegen, Kehrer, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Hofmann, Musiala, Sane; Havertz

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
      That’s all from Wembley Stadium
      After a sloppy start, England came back from behind in a whirlwind second half to cap off an underwhelming Nations League campaign.
      It also marks the end of World Cup preparations as the Three Lions’ next scheduled match will see them face Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.
      Gareth Southgate has some serious decisions to make before then with every man fighting for a place in the squad.
      Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
      Gareth Southgate reacts
      When speaking to Channel 4, the England boss said:
      “To an extent we are always going to face pressure so we need to be exposed to pressure.
      “We played a friendly against Ivory Coast in March and they went to 10 men and it became a non-event and we learnt nothing.
      “This week we’ve learnt a huge amount. They’ve had to step forward and come together – it will benefit us in the long run.”
      On the penalty Maguire gave away: “It is hard to tell from the side, it is the giving away of possession that is the problem, but look as a group they have really come together this week.
      “It has been a tough period for team but they have grown.”
      Credit: Getty
      Hansi Flick reacts
      “There are a lot of positives we can take from the game, but some negatives too that we will have to address. It was positive that we came back again at the end. It was a good test.”
      Credit: Getty
      Elsewhere in Group A3
      Italy defeated Hungary 2-0 to jump to the top of the group thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Federico Dimarco.
      Credit: UEFA.com
      Point to prove
      England are winless in their last six games in all competitions – their longest run since April-June 1993.
      It’s also their longest ever winless run going into a major tournament. (Opta)
      Credit: PA
      Harry Kane reacts
      When speaking to Channel 4, the England skipper said:
      “It was a lot better. I thought we played really well today, we were unfortunate to go 2-0 behind, it was a mistake and then a great goal from the edge of the box.
      “We did really well to stay in the game, to get back into it, get into the lead and then unfortunately another error.
      “The mentality and fight of the team was shown out there today.
      “We didn’t get the win but we can be proud of what we did and it puts us in a good place ahead of the World Cup.
      “It was nice to score obviously. There always seems to be a few pressure penalties here at Wembley but it was nice to see that one go in and just a shame we couldn’t get the win but we keep going.
      “I am proud of the boys and now we have a busy six weeks or so before we get ready for the World Cup.”
      Credit: Getty
      Match stats

      Full Time – England 3-3 Germany
      And, breathe…
      Six goals, 45 minutes.
      While all hope looked lost for England, the Three Lions fought back to draw the score level before Kane’s superb penalty fired them into a brief lead.
      Although Havertz struck again late in the game, it was certainly an improved performance from Gareth Southgate’s side.
      Full Time – England 3-3 Germany
      The points are shared after a whirlwind second half.
      Credit: Getty
      90+5. England 3-3 Germany
      England make another substitution.
      Henderson is on to replace Bellingham.
      90+1. England 3-3 Germany
      Another change for Germany.
      Havertz is replaced with Bella-Kotchap.
      90. England 3-3 Germany
      Huge chance for England!
      Saka is sent through on goal, but Ter Stegen makes a fingertip save to steer the ball away.
      Six minutes will be added on…
      88. England 3-3 Germany
      Gnabry strikes from distance but Pope spills the save and the ball falls to the feet of Havertz who pokes it into the bottom corner.
      87. GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL GERMANY!
      Havertz strikes again!
      84. England 3-2 Germany
      Germany have made another change.
      Muller has replaced Musiala.
      83. GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL ENGLAND!
      Kane steps up to take the penalty and fires the ball into the top left corner!
      What a comeback!
      Credit: Getty
      81. England 2-2 Germany
      England have a penalty!
      Schlotterbeck receives a booking for a dangerous challenge on Bellingham in the box.
      76. England 2-2 Germany
      Saka makes a fantastic run towards goal before Mount fires the ball into the back of the net.
      What a response!
      Credit: Getty
      75. GOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL ENGLAND!!!!!
      Mount fires England level!!!!
      What a response!
      73. England 1-2 Germany
      Bellingham sends the ball wide to Saka on the right, who sets it back to James.
      The Chelsea man then sends a cross towards Shaw who is able to fire the ball into the bottom corner.
      Credit: Getty
      72. GOOOAAAAALLLLLL ENGLAND!
      Shaw gets one back for the Three Lions!
      70. England 0-2 Germany
      Germany are next to make two changes.
      Sane is replaced with Gnabry.
      Raum is replaced with Gosens.
      68. England 0-2 Germany
      Germany break forward on the counter attack.
      Werner receives the ball just outside the penalty area and squares it to Havertz, who fires an excellent strike into the top left corner.
      What a goal from the Chelsea man!
      Credit: PA
      67. GOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL GERMANY!
      What a strike from Havertz!
      65. England 0-1 Germany
      Southgate makes two changes.
      Saka is on to replace Foden.
      Mount is on to replace Sterling.
      Load more entries… More

    • 213 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal sweating on injury crisis ahead of Tottenham clash and could have up to EIGHT stars missing

      by

      ARSENAL’S squad is being stretched to its limits in the build-up to Saturday’s crucial North London derby.Injury prone stars Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Takerhiro Tomiyasu all returned early from international duty while Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss Ukraine’s Nations League decider on Tuesday.
      Arsenal star Martin Odegaard may be ready in time for the North London derbyCredit: Getty
      Arsenal ace Ben White is being closely monitored ahead of the Tottenham clashCredit: Getty
      Martin Odegaard and Ben White are being closely monitored after struggling with niggles while Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny have already been ruled out for Spurs’ visit to the Emirates at the weekend.
      It leaves Gunners boss Mikel Arteta already sweating over his options less than two months into the season.
      And the persistent injury problems are already causing concerns at the club over the depth of their squad and their ability to maintain a title challenge.
      Chief among Arteta’s concerns is the fitness of key midfielder Partey, who withdrew from Ghana’s squad ahead of last week’s game against Brazil after reporting discomfort in his knee.
      Read More on Arsenal
      Having already missed four of Arsenal’s eight games this season due to a persistent thigh problem, Partey’s latest injury has raised new doubts about his long-term availability.
      And while his latest setback is not thought to be serious, his past record means the club’s medical team will not be taking any chances.
      Tierney was replaced during Scotland’s 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland last week after suffering a clash of heads and was forced to withdraw from the squad due to concussion protocols.
      And with Zinchenko still struggling to recover from the  calf strain which ruled him out of the recent 3-0 win at Brentford, Arsenal desperately need Tierney to be available for Tottenham’s visit.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Odegaard, who also missed the Brentford game with a calf problem, played for Norway with no problems but is being carefully managed by Arsenal.
      And it is understood that Arteta asked England not to include centre-half White in their squad for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany because he has been troubled in recent weeks by hip and knee strains.
      Tomiyasu, who has yet to start a Premier League game this season, returned early from international duty with Japan while Smith Rowe could face groin surgery and Elneny is unlikely to play again this year after suffering a hamstring tear. More

    • 225 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      England fans all say the same thing with Three Lions to wear AWAY kit against Germany at Wembley

      by

      ENGLAND host Germany at Wembley tonight – but Gareth Southgate’s stars are set to run out in their AWAY kit.The Three Lions will debut their new Nike red away shirt in this evening’s Nations League clash.
      England will wear their AWAY kit when Germany visit WembleyCredit: PA
      The Three Lions want to promote their new away strip ahead of the World CupCredit: PA
      That’s after wearing their HOME kit in Friday’s defeat to Italy in Milan.
      Fans have been left confused after England confirmed today that Harry Kane and Co will don the red away kit at HQ tonight.
      The new red shirt includes a navy collar and will be worn at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
      And the decision to sport the number at Wembley is purely an attempt to promote the kit ahead of the tournament.
      Read More England News
      But wearing the away kit on home turf has not gone down well on social media.
      One supporter wrote: “Wearing an away kit at home, how much of a laughing stock we’ve become.”
      While another said: “It’s not like we just had an away game is it.”
      And a third joked: “Tbf it makes sense to wear new home kit away and new away kit at home. Brilliant idea.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL

      Southgate’s side host old foes Germany in their last outing before kicking off their campaign in Qatar against Iran on November 21.
      Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been AXED from the matchday team to face the Germans.
      But Brentford striker Ivan Toney could make his Three Lions debut after being included in the latest squad.
      Toney was left out for the 1-0 defeat to Italy. More

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Bungling England promote Germany clash using two players AXED from squad leaving fans confused

      by

      ENGLAND have endured yet another embarrassing performance, but this time it’s not even on a football pitch. Ahead of tonight’s final Nations League game, England’s social media team released a seemingly regular post asking fans who made their starting XI to face Germany.
      England posted this to their social media ahead of tonight’s game, but two of the players pictured are not even in the matchday squad.Credit: Twitter

      The England squad pictured in training last weekCredit: PA
      The starting XI could see some changes to the last game against ItalyCredit: AFP
      The picture which accompanied the post showed a graphic with three players: Phil Foden, Fikayo Tomori and James Ward-Prowse.
      However, Tomori and Ward-Prowse are not even available for selection after being among five players omitted from Gareth Southgate’s squad.
      This means the promotion campaign for tonight’s game has two players who are not even being considered for selection.
      And England fans were quick to catch on to the blunder.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      One fan said: “Two players in the pic aren’t even in the match day squad.”
      Others were far more scathing in their assessment, with another commenting: “Showing Tomori and Ward-Prowse when they aren’t even in the squad have some shame.”
      A disgruntled user said: “Tomori and JWP are dropped from the squad and admin is so mad he puts both in the pic.”
      Along with Tomori and Ward-Prowse, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrod Bowen and Jack Grealish (suspension) are all unavailable but Ivan Toney has been included ahead of his potential debut.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      And another fan took a dig at these omissions as he revealed who he would want to see starting.
      They quipped: “Trent at right back, Tomori CB, Ward-Prowse in the middle and probably Bowen on the right.”
      England have been less than stellar in their build-up to the World Cup finals in November, having now lost three games in a row and having the ignominy of being relegated to the second tier of the Nations League following the 1-0 defeat to Italy on Friday.
      In fact, England are now on their worst run of form in eight years, having failed to win any of their last five games while simultaneously failing to score from open play from any of these.
      This damning form is further compounded by the revelation that San Marino are the only other country to have not scored from open play in the 2022/23 Nations League.
      Read More on The Sun
      Southgate needs to find a winning formula again quickly, but he has been slammed for his continued omission of “England’s most creative midfielder James Maddison.”
      Many fans believe the former Middlesbrough manager’s time at the helm of the Three Lions is up, with a staggering 83 per cent wanting him ousted BEFORE the Qatar World Cup.
      Gareth Southgate has admitted he could be sacked if England flop at the World CupCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Tyrell Malacia thrives in shock new position for Holland but asks Man Utd NOT to move him from left-back

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED ace Tyrell Malacia impressed at centre-back while on international duty with the Netherlands.The Oranje beat Belgium 1-0 at Amsterdam ArenA on Sunday to seal first place in their Nations League top-tier group thanks to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk’s winner.
      Manchester United ace Tyrell Malacia played in an unfamiliar position for the NetherlandsCredit: Getty
      Malacia stood out at centre-back against BelgiumCredit: Getty
      But left-back Malacia managed to shine bright as he played in an unfamiliar position in a back three alongside Van Dijk and United transfer target Jurrien Timber.
      The full-back came on as a half-time substitute when he replaced Manchester City ace Nathan Ake.
      And the 23-year-old showed exactly how much depth Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has in defence ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
      Van Gaal has the likes of Ake, Van Dijk, Timber, Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij at his disposal.
      Read More on Man Utd
      But the ex-United boss lost former Stoke ace Bruno Martins Indi to an injury that won’t allow him to compete in Qatar and thus Malacia’s impressive performance could turn him into a valuable replacement.
      Van Gaal told ESPN NL: “Martins Indi won’t make it [to the World Cup].
      “I also wanted to see Malacia in that place, so Ake was substituted for Belgium.
      “Because Martins Indi is not going to make it, I have to look at other players who can play there.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Malacia’s display also works as a boost for United manager Erik ten Hag who now knows he has even more options at centre-back.
      Ten Hag seems to prefer the pair of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane at the back.
      Martinez has stood out despite earlier concerns regarding his short stature.
      However, Malacia also proved those critics wrong against Belgium as he also shone bright in that position even though he is even shorter than his Argentine team-mate.
      The defender, though, has urged United to keep him at left-back and not try to pair him up with Martinez.
      Malacia told De Telegraaf: “I’m comfortable with #mufc at the moment. The national coach thinks that I should also be able to play in the centre of the defence. But I feel best on the left.” More