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Tag: Euro 2020

  • “We stand with our players” – English FA hits back at racist trolls after EURO defeat

    “We stand with our players” – English FA hits back at racist trolls after EURO defeat

    The England Football Association has confirmed that after losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, racist trolls attacked Marcus Rashford, Jordan Sancho, and Bukayo Saka online. 


    All the three players missed from the spot as the Italian team won 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after the final game ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time. 

     All three players suffered racist abuse on the internet over their failure to convert the penalty kick.

    In a statement, England Football Association condemned the racist abuse, before stating that they ‘stand with our players”

    The football body released a statement on Twitter, which reads: “We’re disgusted that some of our squad, who have given everything for the shirt this summer have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight’s game. We stand with our players”.

  • BREAKING: Italy Beat England to win Euro 2020 Trophy

    BREAKING: Italy Beat England to win Euro 2020 Trophy

    Italy defeated England 3-2 on penalties in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed in the shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Wembley.

    Luke Shaw scored for England inside two minutes, the fastest ever goal in a European Championship final, but Leonardo Bonucci bundled in an equaliser at a corner midway through the second half.

    Needing to score to keep England alive in the shoot-out, Saka’s spot-kick was saved by Italy goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, as the Azzurri won the tournament for the second time.

  • Euro 2020: UEFA sanctions Hungary over fans’ ‘discriminatory behaviour’

    Euro 2020: UEFA sanctions Hungary over fans’ ‘discriminatory behaviour’

    UEFA on Friday ordered Hungary to play their next three home matches behind closed doors and fined the Hungarian football federation 100,000 euros for “the discriminatory behaviour of its supporters”.

    European football’s governing body had opened an investigation into allegedly homophobic banners and monkey noises during Hungary’s Euro 2020 group stage matches in Budapest and Munich.

    AFP

  • Euro 2020: England Qualifies to play Italy in final

    Euro 2020: England Qualifies to play Italy in final

    England booked their place in the final of Euro 2020, with a nervy 2-1 victory over Denmark on Wednesday night.

    Three Lions boss, Gareth Southgate, made only one change to the team that crushed Ukraine 4-0 in the quarter-final, with Bukayo Saka replacing Jadon Sancho.

    But it was the Danes who took the lead in the first half through Mikkel Damsgaard’s stunning free-kick.

    Saka then crossed in the ball for Simon Kjaer to divert it into his own net for 1-1.

    The game ended that way after 90 minutes and subsequently went into extra time.

    England were awarded a controversial penalty after Raheem Sterling went down in the box and Harry Kane converted his rebound after Kasper Schmeichel saved the initial effort.

    They will now face Italy at Wembley on Sunday.

  • Italy Beat Spain On Penalties To Reach Euro 2020 Final

    Italy Beat Spain On Penalties To Reach Euro 2020 Final

    Alvaro Morata scored but missed the crucial spot-kick as Italy edged out Spain on penalties to reach the Euro 2020 final after their last-four clash at Wembley finished 1-1 on Tuesday.

    Federico Chiesa’s curling strike put Italy ahead on the hour mark, but the much-maligned Morata came off the bench and his 80th-minute equaliser forced extra time.

    Italy, chasing a first European title since 1968, won 4-2 in the shoot-out though to secure a place in Sunday’s final against either England or Denmark, who play on Wednesday, in London.

    More to follow . . .

  • De Bruyne injured as Belgium kick title-holders Portugal out of Euro 2020

    De Bruyne injured as Belgium kick title-holders Portugal out of Euro 2020

    Belgium knocked out title-holders Portugal and reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals after Thorgan Hazard’s superb strike sealed a 1-0 win on Sunday.

    Roberto Martinez’s side will now face Italy, who have also won every game so far at the tournament, in Munich on Friday.

    But star Kevin De Bruyne was substituted with an apparent ankle injury early in the second half of the last 16 clash and could be a doubt.

    Eden Hazard also asked to come off late on.

    Belgium, the number one-ranked team in the world, were arguably second-best before the goal late in the first half and thereafter.

    “It was a nice goal and we beat the title-holders,” the goalscorer said.

    “The second half was very tough. We should have kept the ball better. (The injuries) are tricky situations for us. I hope they can come back quickly. Today was like a final…and (the match against) Italy is also (going to be) a complicated game.”

    Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was left stranded on 109 international goals, sharing the men’s record with Iran’s Ali Daei.

    But he is likely to be back for qualifiers and the Qatar World Cup in less than 18 months in spite of his 36 years of age.

    Portugal coach Fernando Santos told a news conference: “Now, it’s about looking forward and trying to win the World Cup.

    “There is no team that can say they were better than Portugal. We deserved to win this game but it didn’t happen.”

    Belgium made five changes and started with their strongest-looking line-up of Euro 2020 so far, while Portugal again began without Bruno Fernandes.

    Martinez was managing a game in his native Spain for the first time and was being cheered by his family in the stands.

    He saw opponents Portugal have the first decent chance with Diogo Jota screwing a shot wide.

    Eden Hazard fired well over before tournament top goalscorer Ronaldo tested Thibaut Courtois with a dipping free-kick.

    Portugal were largely on top until Thorgan Hazard, Eden’s younger brother, picked up the ball 25 metres from goal.

    He then sent a wicked swerving effort into the corner of the net three minutes before the break.

    Thorgan has now scored in consecutive games for Belgium for the first time and has netted four times since his brother last notched an international goal.

    Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio may feel he could have done better.

    His opposite number Courtois will also claim half an assist after tricking Ronaldo with his feet in his own box and launching the attack which led to the goal.

    The sight of De Bruyne limping off, having only just fully recovered from facial fractures suffered in Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League final loss to Chelsea, will worry Belgium fans.

    The midfielder came out for the second period but quickly decided he could not continue.

    He had undergone treatment after a tough challenge before the break.

    Portugal threw on Fernandes and Joao Felix 10 minutes into the second half.

    Jota, Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro, when he hit the post, all had good chances but it was to no avail amid a bad-tempered ending.

    The game —— tournament favourites against defending champions —- was one of the most eagerly-anticipated of the tournament so far.

    It did not quite live up to the hype, but Belgium did enough as they seek their first major title.

    Martinez said: “We showed incredible concentration and defended really well. Everything was about those aspects of being tactically disciplined and very, very astute.”

  • Portugal Crash Out Of Euro 2020 After Defeat To Belgium

    Portugal Crash Out Of Euro 2020 After Defeat To Belgium

    Portugal have crashed out of Euro 2020 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium on Sunday evening, ending the defending champions’ hopes of another continental triumph.

    Thorgan Hazard’s first-half goal gave Belgium a tense win over the holders to set up a quarter-final tie against Italy at Euro 2020.

    Belgium held on despite losing skipper Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the second half and will face the Italians in Munich in the last eight on July 2.

    Cristiano Ronaldo tested Thibaut Courtois with a dipping free-kick in the first half but the 36-year-old neither broke the international goals record nor added to his five for the tournament.

    Raphael Guerreiro went closest to a late equaliser when his shot came back off the post but Belgium were the braver, more fluid team and deservedly edged through.

    They will now face Italy in Munich on Friday and possibly without Kevin De Bruyne, who hobbled off injured in the second half but returned to the pitch to join the celebrations at the end.

    For all the superstar names on the pitch, it was Eden Hazard’s less heralded brother Thorgan who proved decisive, the Borussia Dortmund winger who Eden once said had even more talent than him.

    Portugal, meanwhile, stuck to the defensive approach that served them so well in France five years ago but has perhaps been outgrown by a side that now boasts some of the most creative technicians in the world.

    De Bruyne injury worry 

    Eden Hazard started in Belgium’s front three again after playing 90 minutes against Finland on Monday. Portugal’s Diogo Dalot came in at right-back for the injured Nelson Semedo.

    Eden Hazard skied an early shot over after a neat exchange with Romelu Lukaku while Diogo Jota skewed wide, slipped in down the left by the impressive Renato Sanches.

    Ronaldo cut an isolated figure up front, his every touch booed early on by the Belgian fans, who then cheered when he was robbed of the ball before being bumped to the ground by Thomas Meunier.

    The closest Ronaldo came to an all-time record 110th international goal was a dipping free-kick from 30 yards which Courtois parried away while at the other end, Lukaku was a more dynamic force.

    One scintillating break saw Lukaku tear through Portugal’s midfield and with his shirt being pulled behind him, he was just lacking the final pass to Hazard.

    An untidy game found its moment of clarity in the 42nd minute. It started with Courtois coolly evading Ronaldo’s press before more excellent work from Lukaku allowed De Bruyne to switch left to Thorgan Hazard.

    Hazard cut in and ripped a swerving shot that rocketed towards the centre of the goal before swerving right and past Rui Patricio, who was too slow to adjust.

    Belgium played with more verve after half-time and looked set to take charge.

    But De Bruyne’s injury checked their rhythm and Portugal came again, Jota firing over and Joao Felix, on as a substitute, heading into the hands of Courtois.

    Tempers flared as a crescendo of collisions incensed the crowd and left Pepe lucky only to be booked after he led into his challenge with his arm.

    Portugal finally had to push and in a wild last 10 minutes, Guerreiro went closest to an equaliser, his shot hammering against the post. Belgium did just enough.

    AFP

  • Germany beats Portugal 4-2 at Euro 2020

    Germany beats Portugal 4-2 at Euro 2020

    Germany Beats Portugal 4-2 in Group F at Euro 2020 on Saturday to revive their hopes of reaching the last 16 and leave the reigning champions in danger of crashing out.

    Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead in Munich but own goals from Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro gave Germany the advantage before Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens struck in the second half to make it 4-1.

    Diogo Jota pulled a goal back for Portugal, who are level on three points with Germany and a point behind leaders France. Portugal face France in their final game while Germany take on bottom side Hungary.

  • Denmark’s Eriksen ‘Awake’ In Hospital After Collapse In Euro 2020 Game

    Denmark’s Eriksen ‘Awake’ In Hospital After Collapse In Euro 2020 Game

    Denmark’s star player Christian Eriksen collapsed and had to be revived on the field by medics during the Euro 2020 match with Finland on Saturday.

    The opening match of Group B was paused amid emotional scenes after Eriksen fell to the turf at the end of the first half.

    Danish players immediately gestured to the medical staff to attend to Eriksen and his teammates were in tears as the 29-year-old was given CPR.

    Eriksen was eventually carried off the field at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen after having lengthy treatment and a photo showed him apparently holding his head as he laid on the stretcher.

    The Danish Football Union (DBU) said the Inter Milan player was awake and had been able to speak to teammates.

    DBU director Peter Moeller told Danmarks Radio (DR): “We’ve been in contact with him, and the players have spoken to Christian. That’s the great news. He’s doing fine, and they are playing the game for him,”

    After Eriksen was carried off, a crisis meeting was held with both teams and match officials over whether to restart the game and the players resumed the game at 8:30 pm, finishing the final minutes of the first half.

    The match was poised at 0-0 at half-time.

    Distraught players and supporters

    The previously raucous crowd at the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital fell silent in gut-wrenching scenes as the other Danish players, mainly clearly distraught, formed a circle of red shirts around him to stop anyone from seeing the on-pitch treatment.

    Many suppporters were also in tears.

    “I don’t know how i feel. He’s such a national treasure. He’s like your best friend,” Denmark fan Rasmus Ottosen, 34, told AFP.

    “I could look down and see him get the treatment. Everyone was like, ‘I can’t look at this.’”

    Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and captain Simon Kjaer had to comfort Eriksen’s stricken partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen by the side of the pitch.

    After around 15 minutes Eriksen was stretchered off the field followed by the rest of the Denmark team, while Finland’s players also walked off.

    The fans in the stadium, who were celebrating the chance to see their national team again live at the stadium, sat silently in their seats waiting for news of Eriksen’s condition.

    However soon after stadium-wide chants of “Christian” and “Eriksen” from both sets of supporters began to ring out as news of his status began to filter through to supporters.

    They were brought to their feet when stadium announcers said that Eriksen was “stable”, and the ground rose as one when to was announced that the teams would come out to finish the match.

    A huddle among Finland’s players were loudly applauded by all four sides of the stadium before both teams began their warm ups before rstarting the match.

    However some fans did not agree with the decision to play.

    Gustav Schoendorff, 19, saying “It’s so bad. It’s ethically wrong they should start tomorrow instead”.

    AFP

  • Sergio Ramos Left Out Of Spain Euro 2020 Squad

    Sergio Ramos Left Out Of Spain Euro 2020 Squad

    Spain coach Luis Enrique on Monday left veteran defender Sergio Ramos out of his Euro 2020 squad but called up centre-back Aymeric Laporte, who recently switched his football nationality.

    Ramos, the 35-year-old Real Madrid captain has struggled with injury this season and has featured just five times since the start of the year.

    “It was a very difficult decision but he has not been able to play this season and has hardly trained since January,” Luis Enrique told the press conference as he announced a 24-man squad.

    “I called him yesterday (Sunday), it was hard, difficult. I feel bad because he is very professional and he helps the national team a lot. And he can still help it in the future. But I have to look for the best for the squad,” the coach said.

    The absence of Ramos means there is not a single Madrid player in the Spain squad.

    Laporte, a 26-year-old Manchester City defender, was born in southwest France and was called up three times for Les Blues but never made it onto the pitch.

    While France coach Didier Deschamps has a wealth of central defenders to choose from, Luis Enrique has had fewer options since Gerard Pique retired in 2018.

    Ramos has been an automatic starter when fit with a number of players, including Villarreal’s Pau Torres, Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez and Eric Garcia of Manchester City, playing alongside him.

    After an impressive start at City, Laporte suffered a knee injury in 2019 and has not been a regular under Pep Guardiola this season.

    Spain squad

    Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United/ENG), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton/ENG).

    Defenders: Jose Gaya (Valencia), Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City/ENG), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Diego Llorente (Leeds/ENG), Marcos Llorente (Atletico  Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/ENG)

    Midfielders: Fabian Ruiz (Napoli/ITA), Pedri, Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City/ENG), Koke, Marcos Llorente (both Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool/ENG).

    Forwards: Dani Olmo (Leipzig/GER), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Manchester City/ENG), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Juventus/ITA), Adama Traore (Wolverhampton/ENG), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA).