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      Martinez leaves wife embarrassed by recreating X-rated celebration in front of her after she begged Argentina ace not to

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      EMILIANO MARTINEZ recreated his X-rated World Cup celebration last night – leaving his wife red-faced before she eventually joined in.The Aston Villa goalkeeper was outstanding in the World Cup final as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in December.
      Emi Martinez and his team-mates recreated his X-rated World Cup celebration
      His wife and the other Argentina WAGs soon followed suitCredit: Instagram

      He was awarded the individual accolade for being the best goalkeeper in Qatar and when he was handed the trophy, Martinez reacted in an unique way.
      The 30-year-old shook hands with Fifa representatives, including Gianni Infantino, before holding the gold award in front of his privates while leaning back and pulling an odd face.
      That led to a massively split reaction from fans and pundits, with Graeme Souness branding him a “vulgar clown”.
      However, Thursday was the first time that Argentina had actually taken to the pitch since their World Cup win and the scenes were incredible at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
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      As the Argentine national anthem rang out from the 80,000-plus crowd, fireworks soon began to light up the sky.
      The whole place was then rocking as Lionel Messi and Cristian Romero stood there trying to take it all in.

      But it all proved a little too much for Villa stopper Martinez.
      He was spotted welling up as the supporters showed their appreciation prior to kick-off during the anthem.
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      Despite the waterworks, Martinez did go on to keep a clean sheet as Argentina capped the night off with a victory – although they left it late against Panama.
      Thiago Almada finally broke the deadlock with just 12 minutes remaining to get the crowd rocking once again.
      And then in the dying seconds it was Messi’s turn to celebrate as he fired home his 800th career goal, and his 99th for Argentina, with a brilliant free-kick.
      A special ceremony was then held after the game where each player received a replica World Cup trophy to lift on the pitch.
      And it was during this party that Martinez, alongside several team-mates, reenacted his infamous celebration while his wife, Mandinha, covered her face with her hand.
      However, she didn’t take much persuasion to copy her fella’s antics as she shared a snap of her and several other Argentina WAGs pulling the same stunt on the pitch. 
      The ex-Arsenal keeper became a national hero after a number of big saves in the final and went on to stop Kingsley Coman’s effort in the penalty shootout.
      He also proved vital in Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Holland, saving two penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis.
      Martinez also recorded the joint-most clean sheets in the competition with three, which capped a remarkable rise from having spells out on loan at Oxford United in 2012 and Rotherham in 2015 to World Cup glory.
      Emiliano Martinez reacted oddly to winning the Golden GloveCredit: EPA
      Guido Rodriguez, Emiliano Martinez and Geronimo Rulli recreated the cele yesterdayCredit: Getty More

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      Declan Rice has perfect response after ‘harsh’ Souness brutally slammed his ability to ‘chip in with goals’

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      DECLAN RICE delivered a huge grin as he slid on his knees with fists clenched.All that was missing was a middle finger for Graeme Souness.
      Graeme Souness has been one of Declan Rice’s vocal critics recentlyCredit: Getty
      But Rice silenced Souey with his performance against ItalyCredit: AP
      The West Ham star also netted England’s opening goalCredit: Getty
      In one of the better performances from an England team in a qualifier for many years — maybe going back to the 5-1 win at Germany in 2001 — West Ham man Rice answered fierce criticism from the former Liverpool midfield in magnificent fashion.
      Here in Naples, the home of pizza, Rice was better than pasta.The Three Lions midfielder delivered the performance of his international career.
      And that includes the three he made for the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND!
      And this mature, all-action display came just 24 hours after Rice insisted some heavy criticism from Souness was “harsh” and here was clearly out to prove a point.
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      Previously, Souness — who won five titles and three European Cups with the Reds — said: “This role is a vital part of any team because it’s multi-dimensional.
      “You are creative, you chip in with goals and you’ve got a defensive head at all times.
      “Even when you’re on the front foot, you are thinking: ‘We are vulnerable if we lose possession’.
      “If you’ve got all three of those attributes, you’re worth your weight in gold. For me, Rice has just one of them.”
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      So after just 13 minutes, Rice drilled a shot through a host of Italian shirts to record only his third goal for England and his first since scoring against Hungary in a World Cup qualifier in September 2021.
      It eased England’s nerves after a ropey start. Yet it was Rice’s all-round game which was outstanding as he put on a midfield masterclass.
      The 24-year-old was booked for time-wasting after the opening goal, which seemed a bit harsh but Harry Maguire had also been warned.Maybe that booking took the slight edge off his game physically but even so, he remained calm and kept his head, unlike Luke Shaw.
      Rice took control, won the big challenges, picked up the second balls and drove his way past those in blue shirts. He also needed a performance like this to lift his season as he looks to end the campaign without a relegation on his CV.
      By his own admission, for some periods with the Hammers he has struggled although equally, he claimed Souness has missed the better displays.
      Rice’s performance against the European champions, even though they were largely unimpressive until waking up in the second half, will have been of particular interest to clubs such as Arsenal who will make an attempt to sign him in the summer.
      Even when Italy pulled a goal back through Mateo Retegui on 56 minutes, Rice was the only England player to signal for his team to stay focused and keep their shape.
      Harry Kane is now England’s record scorer and will remain the country’s captain for as long as he starts.
      Harry Kane netted England’s second goal against ItalyCredit: Reuters
      The goal meant Kane became England’s record goalscorerCredit: Getty
      Yet there is no doubt that Rice will be the next player who will eventually take the prized armband.
      Equally, it is important that Rice stays fit because, worryingly, the options for Southgate in this position are not great.
      This was summed up with fellow midfielder Kalvin Phillips appearing despite not having started a single Premier League game since his summer move from Leeds to Manchester City.
      It was no surprise that Phillips — who has only started two cup games for Pep Guardiola — looked way off the pace in the opening exchanges and was a liability, although the 27-year-old did improve as the game progressed and fought hard at the end.
      To their credit, Gareth Southgate’s team, like Rice, stood firm when in previous years, they would have folded. Particularly after the sending-off of Shaw with ten minutes left, and England reverted to five at the back.
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      Rice had to work hard to earn his 40th cap, although let us not forget this was his 43rd international appearance, as three of them were wearing a green shirt.
      Because each and every time he plays for England — and plays like this — you can only imagine how much of a kick in the guts it must be for everyone who follows the Irish. More

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      Tensions flare at Italy vs England as heavy-handed riot cops hit 3 Lions fans with batons as they try to enter stadium

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      TENSIONS ran high in Naples last night after English fans clashed with heavy-handed Italian police before the Euro 2024 Qualifier match between the two nations.Footage posted to social media shows cops in riot gear use batons and riot shields on supporters outside the Diego Maradona Stadium as the crowds flocked in to watch the game.
      Italian riot cops were filmed clashing with fans ahead of England’s Euro qualifier match in Naples tonight
      Some fans could be seen raising their hands to try and calm the situationCredit: Local Team TV

      Fans could be seen raising their hands in an attempt to calm the situation and demonstrate that they were not being aggressive.
      Some argued with officers, while others filmed the beatings on their phones.
      One fan was injured after they were shoved by a riot shield and fell backwards.
      Footage posted by BBC journalist David Cheeseman showed a group of people, including British police officers present at the scene, tending to the fan on the floor, while other tried to warn Italian officers of their condition.
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      One man, who was visibly angry, was spotted escorting a young boy through the crowd, shielding him with his arm and seeming to shout at anyone who came near them.
      Other youngsters are visible in the crowd as the hefty police presence surged into groups of fans.
      Stewards in high-vis jackets watch on as the clashes unfold, before a couple move in to try and restore order.
      It is currently unclear what sparked the brawl.
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      Sports broadcaster Faye Carruthers reported on Twitter that England fans had told her that it had been “farcical” trying to get into the stadium.
      Some were reportedly “crammed” into a bus for 90 minutes, which then went in the opposite direction from the stadium.
      This is believed to have caused a number of the passengers to miss kick-off.
      Crowds were still waiting to get into the stadium 50 minutes into the match.
      Gareth Southgate’s men are seeking to start their Euros campaign strongly after the devastating loss to France in the World Cup quarter final last year.
      On the pitch, Harry Kane has overtaken Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time goal-scorer, slotting a penalty to take his team to a 2-0 lead.
      Italy clawed a goal back before the clash ended 2-1.
      One man could be seen trying to escort a child through the crowdCredit: Local Team TV More

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      England fans to be bussed to stadium ahead of Italy Euros qualifier in huge security operation after yob mayhem fears

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      A HUGE security operation was launched to shield 2,500 England fans amid fears of yob mayhem before tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Naples.Fans have been asked to gather at the crime-plagued city’s port area to be ferried on 23 buses to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium tonight to avoid Napoli’s notorious Ultra gangs.
      England fans have gathered in Naples ahead of tonight’s gameCredit: Darren Fletcher
      Supporters have been enjoying a drink – despite a booze banCredit: Rex
      Fans will be bussed to the game to avoid violenceCredit: Darren Fletcher
      It’s feared Hammers hoolies and Lazio ultras are planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals NapoliCredit: Corbis – Getty
      But authorities fear breakaway groups – including West Ham yobs teamed with Napoli’s hated rivals Lazio – are planning a showdown.
      Large groups of England fans were visible in bars and cafes but stayed low key with the majority wearing no team colours and there were no early reports of trouble.
      But they were being eyed by groups of local youth as they drank beer in pavement cafes before the kick off at 8.45pm local time.
      And police reinforcements have been drafted in to protect Three Lions followers at potential flashpoints along routes to the match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
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      Tonight’s game will be England’s first since the Qatar World Cup and the first competitive clash with Italy since our heartbreaking penalties defeat at the Euro 2020 Final.
      Fans were urged to gather in the port area of the tough southern city to board a fleet of buses at 4pm to avoid Ultra ambushes.
      But early signs suggested many fans would shun the protected route and stay within the warren of streets in the city centre until closer to kick-off.
      Police securing the “high risk” fixture asked England fans not to wear belts at the game amid fears that they – like local yobs – could use them as weapons.
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      An alcohol ban was also put in place from 7am – midnight on the day of the match around the stadium and from midday in the city centre.
      But many bar owners appeared to be ignoring police instructions with travelling fans seen quaffing beer long after the lunchtime deadline in the city.
      Tension simmered amid fears of yob violence led by “twinned” hooligan firms, as reported in Sun Online yesterday.
      Sources in Rome reported English West Ham thugs had arrived in the Italian capital and had joined “Ultra” comrades from the city’s Lazio club.
      Police and security forces were said to be on “maximum alert” amid reports the teamed-up troublemakers were heading 140 miles north east to Naples.
      Hammers hoolies and Lazio Ultras were planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals Napoli ahead of the England game, it was claimed.
      Corriere dello Sport, Italy’s leading sport paper, reported sweaters bearing West Ham logos were seen on Sunday when violence erupted at Lazio’s derby game against Roma.
      It could not be verified that the wearer of the Hammers shirts were English – but the paper reported authorities were taking the threat of further coordinated violence in Naples seriously.
      Only last week, 470 Eintracht Frankfurt ultra fans – who had been banned from Naples’ Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for a Champion League match against Napoli – ran riot.
      Cars were set on fire and cops pelted with missiles as they struggled to separate the Germans from 300 Napoli Ultras, who also turned on security forces.
      In September 2019, two Liverpool fans were hurt by flying bottles hurled by Napoli yobs – who are famed for cowardly “calling card” knife attack to their victims’ buttocks.
      But Italy’s soccer federation decided to stage the Three Lions’ crucial World Cup qualifier in Naples – their first match since the Qatar World Cup – despite security concerns.
      And around 2,500 England fans are due to begin arriving in Naples today ahead of the big game.
      West Ham yobs’ were allegedly involve in trouble before the Lazio v Roma game on Sunday, Il Napolista reports
      Lazio’s feared Ultras were also reported to have been joined by other “twinned” yobs from across Europe who connect using social media and the dark web.Levski Sofia in Bulgaria and Real Madrid have ties with Lazio while Roma were said to be backed by foreign legions from Dinamo Zagreb and Atletico Madrid.
      Security concerns rose after a “friendly” football match between England and Italy supporters was axed on Monday after notorious Naples hooligans warned they would launch an attack.
      Italian “Ultra” yobs emailed the England fans’ team boss warning 60 soccer savages would “get them” – forcing the game to be called off.
      Garford Beck, the boss of England men’s supporters’ team, said the “threatening” email he received read: “You advertise this game for us to see where you’ll be – we will be there.
      “60 ultra to get you. Be warned.”
      Mr Beck said he asked his Italian counterpart to show the email to Italian authorities and the game was called off after security chiefs responded: “We are very concerned.”
      The Italian Football Federation has now informed Mr Beck the game has been cancelled after leas from the English FA.
      Mr Beck said: “They are treating it very seriously and have judged it to be a viable threat. Safety has to be our priority and we would have been an easy target for these people.
      “They normally come tooled up to the hilt so it could have been a very nasty situation had I not opened that email.”
      Mr Beck said England fans had played their Italian counterparts in Milan in September last year – to coincide with a Nations League game – without any issues.
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      He said: “There’s been no hint of anything until I opened that email.
      “We’re just out there to get together with whoever it is we’re playing, have a game of football, have a few beers and go off to the match, it’s nothing more than that really.”
      Hooligans linked to Napoli are also known for their extreme violenceCredit: AFP
      Eintracht Frankfurt fans during a Champions League match against NapoliCredit: Getty
      The carnage spilled onto the streets of Naples following a clashCredit: Rex
      Cars were torched and shop fronts were vandalised near the Diego Armando Maradona StadiumCredit: Rex More

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      I played in the Premier League and was an Irish World Cup hero… then I earned a crust with my hit Cornish pasty shop

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      CHRIS MORRIS broke the mould after retiring from football as he went in to work at a Cornish pastry shop.The former Middlesbrough and Celtic star hung up his boots in 1997 after suffering trouble with an ACL injury.
      Chris Morris worked with the FA in Cornwall
      He spent five years at Middlesbrough before retiringCredit: Getty
      His family ran a pastry store in Cornwall
      Many former players go straight into coaching or punditry.
      But Morris had his family’s bakery business in Cornwall.
      The shop was Morris Pasties and had been in his family since it was set up by his father.
      However, Morris revealed in 2017 that the bakery was sold and that he had landed a job with the FA as a county coach developer in Cornwall, his home town.
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      He said: “I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring for the FA job, got interviewed and landed the job as the county coach developer for Cornwall.
      “The family’s Cornish pasty business in Newquay, which is my home town, has changed hands after doing really well. It was a really good business which my dad set up.
      “We’ve sold it on so it was the end of a little era but we did really well.
      “Now I’m concentrating on football. It would be nice if I could do my bit to put Cornish football on the map.
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      “It’s where I’m from, so I feel as though I’m giving something back to my own people. That’s great and I’m really enjoying it.”
      Morris enjoyed a successful career as he was the only ever-present in Celtic’s centenary Double-winning team.
      Morris, now 59, was a key figure as Billy McNeill’s legends won the title AND Scottish Cup in 1988.
      He also went to the 1990 World Cup in Italy with the Republic of Ireland.
      The defender played in every game as the Irish made it to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Italy.
      On his achievements with Celtic, he said: “I’m very proud of the fact that I was the only ever-present in the centenary squad. There were 55 games and I played in all of them.
      “It’s great to be remembered. Some squads define their own little place in Celtic history. No one will ever match the Lisbon Lions, and rightly so, because what they achieved was absolutely colossal.
      He won the double with Celtic in 1988Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Morris left the club in 1992Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “But what I find really touching is that one squad which regularly gets a mention is the centenary team.
      “It makes me immensely proud. Not only was I part of a squad that won the Double under Billy, we have our own niche in the history of one of the greatest clubs in the world.
      “Clinching the Double by beating Dundee United in the Cup final has to be my stand-out memory because it was such a joyous occasion.
      “The year I came to Celtic, I’d actually had a tentative enquiry from United when Jim McLean was there and they’d just reached the final of the Uefa Cup.
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      “But I went to Celtic and we went on to prove we were a really good team.
      “Frank McAvennie was the star of the show but we had the likes of Paul McStay, Mick McCarthy, Roy Aitken, Tommy Burns and Andy Walker in our side.” More

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      Roberto Mancini reveals emotional final meeting with Gianluca Vialli as late Italy and Chelsea icon made incredible plea

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      HE is the international boss who thought about quitting after a late missed penalty led to World Cup heartbreak.He is worried about the lack of homegrown talent playing in his country’s top division.
      Roberto Mancini will manage Italy for their Euros qualification campaignCredit: AP
      He revealed that Gianluca Vialli told him Italy must win the next World CupCredit: Marc Aspland EURO 2020 Newspapers Pool
      And he is seeking more Euros glory to ease the pain of the recent past.
      No, not Gareth Southgate.
      Because if you think the England boss has had a rollercoaster few years, it is nothing compared to what Roberto Mancini and Italy have faced.
      Southgate led the Three Lions to a first major final in 55 years, only for Mancini to emerge triumphant from their Euro 2020 showdown at  Wembley, thanks to his side’s greater spot-kick composure.
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      But from such great heights came a great fall.
      It was a year ago that North Macedonia stunned football with a   play-off semi-final win which meant Italy would miss a second World Cup in a row.
      But it all could have been so different if Jorginho had scored a penalty a few months earlier.
      Italy won a  spot-kick in the last minute of their qualifier against Switzerland in November 2021, with the score at 1-1.
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      If Jorginho had netted it, Mancini’s side would have gone into the last round of games top of the group, three points ahead of the Swiss and with a better goal difference.
      But just like Harry Kane at a crucial stage of England’s World Cup quarter-final with France, the Arsenal ace blazed his effort over —having had another penalty saved in the away game against Switzerland.
      Unlike Kane, Jorginho and Italy had chances to redeem themselves — and blew them. A draw in Northern Ireland sent them into the playoffs as the Swiss thrashed Bulgaria, then came that luckless night against North Macedonia.
      Mancini later admitted: “When things don’t go well, it’s clear the responsibility lies with the coach. I  thought about leaving.”
      But the former Manchester City boss stayed and guided Italy to the Nations League Finals later that year, winning and drawing against Southgate’s England on the way.
      When the teams played out a dull goalless draw at Molineux last June, pressure started to build on the Three Lions boss.
      When the same venue hosted a 4-0  thrashing by Hungary three days later, the backlash left Southgate on the verge of announcing he would step down after the World Cup.
      But he did not, then quickly ended any speculation about his future following the France defeat by confirming he would stay on until at least 2024.
      Southgate and Mancini go in search of redemption in tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier singing from the same hymn sheet.
      The England coach warned the falling number of Englishmen featuring in the Premier League will force future managers to look for players in the Championship.
      Mancini, in response, said: “We are worse off than Southgate. I don’t know why there are so few strikers, we are very limited going forward.
      “We have three teams in the Champions League quarter-finals. Yet out of them, there are seven or eight Italians at most.  This is the reality.”
      For the record, it is seven. Meanwhile, England’s two clubs in the last eight, Manchester City and Chelsea, provide eight players in Southgate’s squad.
      And the England party, even without injured Chelsea pair Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount, looks stronger on paper.
      Italy will particularly miss Giacomo Raspadori, whose brilliant goal earned Italy victory over the Lions in  September. Napoli’s Raspadori is out with a thigh injury.
      Vialli passed away in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      But Mancini and Italy have something else spurring them on — the memory of former Azzurri striker Gianluca Vialli.
      The most powerful image of the Euro 2020 final was head coach Mancini embracing  Vialli, his ex-Sampdoria and Italy team-mate, after Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Bukayo Saka in the shootout.
      The former Chelsea striker had accepted a position with the national team during his first bout of cancer in 2018.
      But tears of joy at Wembley in July 2021 became tears of pain in January when Vialli died, aged just 58. Heartbroken Mancini said afterwards he was on a mission assigned to him by his “little brother”.
      He said: “I went to see Luca in London in December, I was a little scared. He told me, ‘I’m relaxed, don’t worry’. He was the one trying to raise my spirits.
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      “Gianluca told me we must win the World Cup in 2026 and that he’ll be with us. We hope to dedicate a great victory to him soon.”
      In Naples tonight, Italy’s first game since Vialli’s death would be a fitting way for Mancini’s  European champions to start that quest. More

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      England stars take the Countdown challenge as Gareth Southgate spells out why he couldn’t quit after World Cup heartache

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE spelt out his demands to England’s stars in the Countdown to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and told them: Seize the moment.Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and Co took part in a special edition of Channel 4’s popular TV game show, alongside maths whizz Rachel Riley, at St George’s Park on Tuesday.
      Bukayo Saka took part in a special edition of Countdown with his England palsCredit: Channel 4
      John Stone also took part in the showCredit: Channel 4
      England Countdown, which also features Luke Shaw, will air before the game against ItalyCredit: Channel 4
      Luke Shaw and James Maddison featured with Rachel Riley hostCredit: Channel 4
      Gareth Southgate did not rule out staying on until after Euro 2024Credit: Getty
      And Southgate knows his first conundrum is how England qualify for the finals, starting with facing champions Italy in a tough Group C clash in Naples.
      With the clock ticking, the Three Lions boss told his players not to assume they will be a permanent fixture in the team as heartbreak could be around the corner.
      England are still looking for a first trophy since 1966 World Cup glory.Southgate, whose deal runs out after this tournament, also hinted he could stay on if his team wins.
      He declared: “You have to be careful as a player not to assume this might not be your last chance.
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      “You’re always going to think you’re going to have other opportunities. But injury, form, new players coming in . . . you can never take it for granted.
      “The older ones know the timescale is quite clear. But everybody else has to be mindful as well.
      “The team is always evolving. We have tried to constantly give people their opportunity.
      “That happened with Jude Bellingham and we have one or two others just on the fringes.”
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      Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham starts against the Azzurri and Southgate will field a similar team to the one which lost 2-1 to France in last year’s Qatar World Cup quarter-final.
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      Asked if he will definitely quit England next year, Southgate said: “Well, that depends if we win!”
      Quizzed whether he would sign a new deal if England won in Germany, he added: “Let’s hope we’ve got that opportunity to make that decision.”
      Southgate is hoping to deliver his 50th win as England bossand Three Lions skipper Harry Kane is looking to become England’s all-time record scorer as he is level with Wayne Rooney on 53 goals.
      Asked about Kane, who missed a penalty against France, Southgate said: “We’ve seen with his performances for his club that he has put the World Cup behind him.
      “But he will have added motivation to show what he is about in an England shirt, which is a great position for us.”
      West Ham midfielder Declan Rice stressed England are keen to win in Italy for the first time since 1961.
      Rice said: “There is more expectation now than ever.
      “If you look at this squad it’s full of top-quality players.
      “The record in Italy hasn’t been good and since the Euros this will be the fourth time we have played them and we haven’t won yet.
      “It will be a really big statement if we can go there and win.”
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      England will have a great chance if Bukayo Saka, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Eric Dier and James Maddison dazzle as they did on Countdown.
      Channel 4 will screen the programme before Sunday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine. More

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      Belgium name Premier League star as new captain after ex-Chelsea ace Eden Hazard’s international retirement

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      BELGIUM have named their next captain following the international retirement of Eden Hazard. Chelsea legend Hazard, 32, stepped down from national team duty following Belgium’s early exit from the World Cup.
      Eden Hazard has retired from international dutyCredit: Rex
      Kevin De Bruyne will take over as captainCredit: Getty
      Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne will take the reins in Hazard’s stead.
      Speaking to RTL-TVI television, De Bruyne said: “It’s an honour for me to be named and represent the country in this way.
      “I’m almost 32. I’ve never considered international retirement. I think I can still bring something to the table and help the youngsters.”
      De Bruyne has made 97 appearances for the Belgium national team.
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      He made his debut in 2011, and has gone on to score 25 goals while also adding a staggering 46 assists.
      Belgium have also confirmed Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku will be the nation’s new vice-captains.
      Domenico Tedesco, who succeeded Roberto Martinez as manager, will face Sweden and Germany in his first fixtures.
      The Sweden clash will see the Red Devils also kickstart their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
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      Speaking in a video released on the Belgium National Team’s Twitter page, De Bruyne said: “It’s a proud moment to be captain of the national team.
      “I have been represeneting Belgium as a footballer for quite a long time.
      “To represent it in this way is an honour. I hope I can fulfil that role well.” More