Breaking: Spain wins Euro 2024 trophy as they humiliated England in the finals
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England 1-2 Spain – Euro 2024 Final LIVE: Three Lions sucker-punched by late goal as Gareth Southgate’s future in doubt after wait for trophy continues
What is the Euro 2024 trophy called and who is Henri Delaunay? England and Spain compete for iconic silverware
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‘Sorry, Rio’ – Hollywood star Hugh Jackman reveals Manchester United legend’s Euro 2024 ‘secrets’
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Canada goalkeeper trolls Uruguay opponent with mischievous act during penalty shootout
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Nico Williams transfer round-up: Barcelona lead chase for Spain’s Euro 2024 star, Arsenal and Liverpool still involved as Athletic Bilbao issue statement
When is the Community Shield? Date, kick-off time and talkSPORT coverage as Manchester derby kicks off new domestic season
‘I have a feeling’ – Wayne Rooney names England star he predicts will score in Euro 2024 final against Spain
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England 1-2 Spain – Euro 2024 Final LIVE: Three Lions sucker-punched by late goal as Gareth Southgate’s future in doubt after wait for trophy continues
Spain become four-time European champions
Mikel Oyarzabal strikes late on to potentially win final
Cole Palmer makes instant impact from off bench
Nico Williams opens scoring from Lamine Yamal’s pass
talkSPORT
Updated: 21:58, 14 Jul 2024
England once again missed out on European Championship glory after falling to an agonising 2-1 defeat to Spain.
Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th-minute winner handed a decisive blow to the Three Lions’ hopes of ending a 58-year wait for a major tournament.
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Gareth Southgate thought he’d masterminded another comeback after substitute Cole Palmer cut out Nico Williams’ opener.
However, Spain’s own sub-Oyarzabal punished England late on by converting Palmer’s Chelsea teammate Marc Cucurella’s cross.
9th Jul 2024, 10:59
By Uma Gurav
A Wales of a time
Wales, who agonisingly missed out on Euro 2024 qualification, have confirmed the appointment of Craig Bellamy as their new manager – and he cannot wait to get started.
He has signed a four-year deal, leaving behind his post on the coaching team at Burnley.
Though he admitted the decision to leave the Clarets was hard, he said ‘the chance to be the manager, of Wales, my country, has always been a dream that has never left me and a chance I just couldn’t turn down’.
Bellamy made 78 appearances for Wales as player, scoring 19 international goals in that time.
The ex-Liverpool, West Ham and Man City player will take over after gormer manager Rob Page was sacked back in June after coming under increasing criticism for his failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
Wales made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and the round of 16 at Euro 2020, but missed out on Euro 2024 qualification after their lost their play-off final against Poland on penalties back in March.
Reflecting on the appointment, Bellamy said: “It’s an incredible honour for me to be given the opportunity to lead my country and it’s the proudest moment of my career. It was always my ultimate dream to become the Cymru Head Coach and I am ready for the challenge.
“I will give my full commitment to develop this team and I am passionate to bring continued success into Welsh football. I can’t wait to get started with our Nations League games in September.”
9th Jul 2024, 10:34
By Uma Gurav
Stop Lion to us
Gabby Agbonlahor has called on the Three Lions to show a little more honesty in their media interviews.
Despite some extremely nervy performances from England at Euro 2024 so far, the squad have remained largely positive about their campaign.
A number of players have come under fire for not matching the level of play they have shown at their clubs, including Man City’s Phil Foden and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane.
Foden previously told talkSPORT that while he accepts the performances could have been better, the focus remains on trying to block out the negativity from outside.
However, Agbonlahor insisted a bit more transparency would not hurt the side.
He said on talkSPORT Breakfast: “If I was in that England squad, I would just be coming out in interviews and saying, yes, I agree, we should be playing better, but we’re getting through, performances hopefully will come, we’re working on the training pitch to improve. Do you know what I mean?
“Say the right things, play the game. Some players have come out and they’ve had a little bite back at the fans – you can’t do that. You have to just come out with the right answers of, you know, we’re not performing, I get it. And they’ll all know, Phil Foden will know, he can do better than what he’s done.
“But you know what? It’s tournament football, I can understand sometimes you’re not going to play at your best, but just being honest – and everyone can relate to that. If players come out and say, you know what, we’re not playing our best, we’re trying our hardest though, then no one’s going to really criticise that much.
“It’s when you try and act like we can’t see the problems that are in this England squad.”
Credit: Getty
9th Jul 2024, 10:12
By Uma Gurav
Kylian me softly
Emmanuel Petit has told talkSPORT that Kylian Mbappe has been seriously disappointing French audiences with his Euro 2024 performances so far.
The striker has scored just once from the penalty spot this tournament, with his country still not having actually scored at all from open play as they head into their semifinal clash against Spain tonight.
The Real Madrid forward was subbed off before France’s penalty shootout win over Portugal after another subpar performance.
Mbappe did fracture his nose during France’s win over Austria, but whether it is the protective mask or a deeper issue that has hampered his usual quality remains unclear.
And Euro 2000 winner Petit admitted that whatever the cause, Mbappe had not showed up so far.
He told talkSPORT: “Kylian Mbappe is not playing on his real qualities, which means, you know, the speed, trying to play one against one, taking the depth behind the defense, things like this. Just the way Dembélé or even Barcola are trying to do every time they get the ball. He always wants to receive the ball in his feet, not asking for the ball in the space. He never tries to speak with his feet.
“So I think he needs to come back the way he used to play a couple of years ago. But he seems to be really tired in his mind and physically as well. To be honest with you, it’s been a big disappointment for every one of us to watch Kylian Mbappe because before the European tournament, the fact he signed for Madrid, we were very happy because we thought all of a sudden he would be free in his mind to play as a captain.
“But even as a captain and as a player, I think he’s very far away from what we expect from him.”
9th Jul 2024, 09:46
By Uma Gurav
No Spain, no gain
Rodri believes Spain’s player suspensions should be seen as a chance for others to shine in their semifinal clash against France tonight.
A crucial defensive duo of Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal are both suspended for the fixture, and midfielder Pedri suffered an unfortunate injury last time out, ending his Euro 2024 run.
But Man City midfielder Rodri was insistent in his pre-match press conference that Spanish players outside of the starting XI had already proved their worth – and could do so yet again.
“As you can see, during the tournament, there’s a lot of players that came in and they’ve been important,” he said. “Even in the last match, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, they weren’t starting and at the end they were decisive for us.
“So this talks about the importance of the whole team. I mean, yeah, we have important downs (losses), but it’s what it is. The guys that are going to get in, of course, they’re going to do even more, run more.
“So I’m pretty sure that the team is not going to fail anything and we’re very confident in this sense.”
Credit: Getty
9th Jul 2024, 09:23
By Uma Gurav
South-Gate
Gareth Southgate might have led England to another semifinal, but he has hardly had the most difficult paths at major tournaments.
That is the opinion of former Spurs Jamie O-Hara who believes praise for the England boss needs to be seriously moderated.
The Three Lions have so far dispatched Switzerland and Slovakia in the knockout stages of this tournament, having overcome Germany, Ukraine and Denmark at the last Euros on their way to the final.
They beat Senegal at the 2022 World Cup round of 16, before falling to France in the quarter-finals.
At Euro 2024, their route ensured they would avoid any of big-hitters France, Spain, Germany or Portugal until the final.
And talkSPORT Presenter O’Hara thinks England do not deserve too many congratulations unless they can overcome truly challenging teams.
He explained: “I don’t want to take anything away from Gareth Southgate, alright, because I don’t want to be the person that feels like it’s always negative, because it’s not, he’s done a brilliant job and he’s made some really good decisions. And, you know, he has got things right.
“But everyone talks about semifinals, oh he’s got us to the semifinals – we ain’t won anything! And the routes we’ve had to most of these semifinals have been easy routes.
“Every time we’ve come up against a decent team, where it’s a 50-50 game – Croatia, Italy, France – we’ve lost.”
And O-Hara would not tolerate any protestations from his co-presenter Jason Cundy, who tried to argue that there was at least one difficult time that England had overcome under Southgate.
“Every other game in those routes, Jason, don’t say Germany, because you know, and I know that Germany was not a good team,” O’Hara went on.
“The routes he’s had are against teams that we should win!”
Credit: Getty
9th Jul 2024, 08:37
By Sean O’Brien
Harder than it looks
Phil Foden has put England’s lack of fluidity down to the quality of their opponents at Euro 2024.
Despite reaching the semi-finals. the star-studded Three Lions have underwhelmed many with the nature of their performances.
Many expected Gareth Southgate’s men to blow teams away but they have been forced to scrape through each stage of the tournament.
However, Foden believes England have been expertly stifled by rival nations in Germany.
The Man City star told talkSPORT: “It’s down to the opponents. Every year, teams are getting better and more tactical.
“I look at every team in the tournament and it’s so difficult in every way. Sometimes people say we have the best team on paper and we should be able to beat teams easily, but it’s not like that. It’s not that straightforward.
“Sometimes it’s difficult and that’s the way football is. As long as we know we can do better, keep trying, and never give up – we can’t really go wrong with that.”
9th Jul 2024, 08:13
By Sean O’Brien
Question marks
England legend Stuart Pearce has questioned UEFA’s decision to appoint referee Felix Zwayer for the semi-final against the Netherlands.
Zwayer was handed a six-month football ban in 2005 for match-fixing following an investigation into a £250 bribe.
Three Lions midfielder Jude Bellingham was fined £34,000 for referencing the referee’s controversial history after a Borussia Dortmund match in 2021.
And Pearce admits UEFA have put themselves in an uncomfortable position.
“It horrifies me to hear that, it really does,” the England legend told talkSPORT.
“Listen, if he’s been a clean referee and honest for 20 years, then fine. But it is out there.”
Credit: AFP
8th Jul 2024, 22:54
By Jackson Cole
Baink on it
Trent Alexander-Arnold hopes former Netherlands international Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s knowledge will prove ‘useful’ as the England assistant coach looks to help down the Dutch in Wednesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final.
The former Leeds, Chelsea and Middlesbrough striker has been part of Gareth Southgate’s coaching set-up since March 2023 and was lauded for his role in Saturday’s quarter-final shoot-out win against Switzerland.
England star Jude Bellingham praised assistant coach Hasselbaink for his penalty nous after a triumph that set up a Euro 2024 semi-final against his homeland in Dortmund this Wednesday.
Asked if the ex-Netherlands striker would give England any particular pointers, Alexander-Arnold said: “I am not sure.
“I am sure he will have input with the manager and with Steve (Holland) with the messages they give across to us but the knowledge he has will be useful.
“Of course, and anything we can use to help us win the game, we need to do.
“Obviously he was a top player when he was playing so he knows the game, he understands the game, he can relate to us as players.
“He knows the pressures and everything that comes with being a footballer and in tournament football too, so he is good to have around.
“He works a lot with the attacking players, more than anyone, helps us with the penalties and things so he is a great addition to the backroom staff.”
Credit: Getty
8th Jul 2024, 21:56
By Jackson Cole
Hilarious
Ivan Toney has made light of all the memes about his brilliant no-look penalty with a hilarious video of him doing other no-look activities.
Following his no-look spot-kick in the victory over Switzerland, England and Brentford man Toney is seen playing Connect 4 and reading a book amongst other activities without looking.
Memes, memories and much more 😍@IvanToney24 is the latest #ThreeLions player to visit the Diary Room! pic.twitter.com/qXbA5G9SB0
— England (@England) July 8, 2024
8th Jul 2024, 20:07
By Jackson Cole
Fode to joy
Phil Foden is hoping England can be the dominant side in their Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands as he aims to return home with a winners’ medal to show his new son.
England are looking to make it back-to-back European Championship finals by beating the Dutch in Dortmund, having seen off Switzerland in a penalty shoot-out to reach the last four.
While most of their performances in Germany have drawn criticism, there were moments of progress in the win over the Swiss as manager Gareth Southgate reverted to a three-man defence.
That shift allowed Foden and Jude Bellingham to both operate in number 10 roles, with the former in particular having struggled to impact earlier games from the left wing.
“I enjoyed it a lot,” he said of the change of position.
“I felt like it suited me a bit more, being more central. It’s the best we’ve probably played in this tournament as well. We want to keep improving and take that into the semi now.
“Me and Jude had to stay a bit patient in the pockets and hopefully the lads can find us in between the lines.
“We spoke about that, staying patient in our positions. I felt like last game was a lot of improvement, me and Jude linking up well and changing positions.
“Gareth doesn’t want us to just stick to one position, he gives us freedom, which helps a lot.”
Credit: Getty
8th Jul 2024, 18:25
By Jackson Cole
Don’t care
Defiant France boss Didier Deschamps has insisted he does not care if people have been ‘bored’ by his Euro 2024 semi-finalists.
Deschamps, who guided his country to World Cup glory in 2018, will send them into battle against in-form Spain in Munich on Tuesday evening with some onlookers less than impressed with the form they have shown in the competition so far.
Asked by a Swedish journalist at his pre-match press conference about accusations his team has played ‘boring’ football, he said: “If you’re getting bored, you know what? Watch another game, that’s fine. You don’t have to watch, it’s fine. It’s a European Championship, it’s very difficult for everyone.
“Up until now, it has not been the same as in the past, but we do have the capability to share emotions, to make lots of French men and women happy though the results that we’ve been pulling out of the bag, especially in a period that has been quite difficult for our country.
“But I’m sorry if the Swedish are getting bored of our football. It doesn’t really bother me that much.”
France, who finished second behind Austria in Group D, have since edged past Belgium and, after a penalty shoot-out, Portugal, and midfielder Adrien Rabiot – back in the fold after suspension – is equally unconcerned as he attempts to exorcise the ghost of World Cup final defeat just over 18 months ago.
Rabiot said: “Whether we’re an interesting team to watch or not, the fact that we’re in the semi-finals speaks for itself. We want to lift the trophy after having got so close to the goal in 2022.”
Credit: Getty
8th Jul 2024, 17:28
By Jackson Cole
Response
The BBC have issued a statement about its ‘Misstiano Penaldo’ caption describing Cristiano Ronaldo during their Euro 2024 coverage.
Ronaldo was in tears after his penalty was saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak during the last 16 clash Portugal ended up winning in the later shootout.
The caption about Ronaldo’s penalty led to backlash, with former Chelsea and England player John Terry labelling it a ‘disgrace.’
The BBC has defended the caption, saying: “The caption was simply intended as a play on words, which we have done many times before on Match Of The Day analysis graphics. There was no offence intended toward Cristiano Ronaldo.
“In fact, throughout the programme we spoke favourably about Ronaldo on a number of occasions, including:
“1. In the pre-match build-up when Jose Fonte highlighted Ronaldo’s dedication to training, saying it’s why ‘he’s one of the best-ever.
“2. At half-time Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer did a long analysis run on Ronaldo’s movement, praising it as “absolutely fantastic”.
“3. After the penalty shoot-out, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both referenced Ronaldo’s courage and self-belief to step forward and take a penalty.
“At no point were the pundits overly critical of Ronaldo and in the context of the programme overall, the tone was consistently respectful towards him.
“However, we appreciate some viewers were unhappy with the graphic and the feedback has been passed on to the production team to help inform their work going forward.”
8th Jul 2024, 17:01
By Jack Cunningham
Shaw raring to go
Finally, after five months out, Luke Shaw is fully fit and ready to start for England.
The Manchester United defender was expected to be ready to play in the second group game against Denmark, but he didn’t actually make an appearance until the quarter-final against Switzerland.
The left-back came on with England 1-0 down to the Swiss and helped turn the game by providing some natural width on that side.
He now claims he’s ready to start should Gareth Southgate decide to drop Kieran Trippier.
Speaking the press ahead of the semi-final against the Netherlands, he said: “At the start, I was expected to come back a lot sooner, but I went through quite a few setbacks.
“It was really nice to get on the other night. I have been itching to get some minutes, it’s been a long while.
“Of course, hopefully, I can get some more in the next game.”
Credit: Getty
8th Jul 2024, 16:04
By Jack Cunningham
Pickford joins elite group
Rarely have England had a goalkeeper who is as reliable on the big stage as Jordan Pickford.
The Everton number one is the clear choice to be in goal for his country and has delivered countless top displays.
He’s also made plenty of stops during penalty shootouts and now boasts one of the best save percentages in European Championships history.
He is currently ahead of Gianluigi Buffon and Edwin van der Saar, while Iker Casillas is the only goalkeeper in Euros history to boast a better save percentage.
Pickford is one of England’s most important players and one of their best-ever goalkeepers.
One of the greats. And here’s more proof. @JPickford1 ?
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