General Football Thread

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Portugal vs France​

 

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Kylian Mbappé went down in pain and held his nose after Bernardo Silva's header hit his mask during France's clash with Portugal at Euro 2024.He was able to continue in the match.

 

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France reaches Euro 2024 semifinals after penalty shootout victory over Portugal​

Ben Morse, CNN
July 5, 2024

Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo embrace ahead of France vs. Portugal at Euro 2024.
Alex Pantling/UEFA/Getty Images

France edged into into the semifinals of Euro 2024 after beating Portugal 5-3 in a penalty shootout after the game finished 0-0 on Friday.

Theo Hernández scored the decisive penalty to seal the quarterfinal victory in Hamburg, after João Félix had hit the post earlier in the shootout.

The game had been billed as Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Kylian Mbappé but it was a match of few chances, with both teams showcasing their excellent defensive records at the tournament rather than taking risks to find a goal.

France will face Spain in the semifinals on Tuesday, July 9 in Munich.

 

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England through to Euro 2024 semis after beating Switzerland on penalties​

Alexander-Arnold fired into the top left corner to send England through, winning the shootout 5-3

Reuters
July 07, 2024

England's Jude Bellingham, John Stones and Cole Palmer celebrate after winning the penalty shootout. PHOTO: REUTERS

DUESSELDORF: Trent Alexander-Arnold converted the winning spot kick in a penalty shootout to send England into the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after Manuel Akanji missed for Switzerland.

Alexander-Arnold fired into the top left corner to send pre-tournament favourites England through, winning the shootout 5-3 after the match was level at 1-1 after extra time.

Breel Embolo had put Switzerland ahead after 75 minutes when he poked home from close range after John Stones failed to clear, and Bukayo Saka levelled for England five minutes later with a brilliant strike in off the far post.
England will meet either Netherlands or Turkey, who play later.

 

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The Netherlands came from behind to see off Turkey and set up a semi-final against England at Euro 2024.

An own goal from Mert Muldur, bundling the ball over his goalline under pressure from Cody Gakpo, meant the Dutch clawed back the lead having trailed at the break.

Centre-back Samet Akaydin had deservedly put Turkey in front when he headed in Arda Guler's dinked cross, capping an impressive first-half display.
He ran over to the Turkey fans, kissed the badge on his shirt and knelt down to pray in front of them, while substitutes sprinted down the touchline.

But their celebrations would not last as the Netherlands, who had a poor first half, responded after the break, buoyed by substitute Wout Weghorst.
They found an equaliser through Stefan de Vrij's header, moments after Weghorst made a crucial interception inside his own box to stop Turkey's Kaan Ayhan getting to a rebound.

Turkey almost doubled their lead when Real Madrid's Guler bent a brilliant free-kick on to the post, but did not capitalise when they had their chances.
It means Ronald Koeman's side will now take on England in Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 BST) after Gareth Southgate's side beat Switzerland on penalties, with a place in the final against either France or Spain at stake.

Weghorst makes difference for Dutch​

 

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It is a disappointing end to what has been a brilliant tournament for Turkey.

Overcoming Austria in the last 16 was no mean feat and Turkey threatened to take down a European favourite here in Berlin.

Akaydin’s opener capped a perfect first-half performance from Turkey as they wore down the Netherlands, blocking a shot on target and posing a threat on the break.

Aside from a few glimpses of goal from Gakpo and Memphis Depay, the Netherlands offered very little until Weghorst’s introduction.

Baris Alper Yilmaz’s runs in behind tested Denzel Dumfries, while Guler’s trickery and intelligence kept Virgil van Dijk on his toes.

But ultimately Turkey paid for their lack of ruthlessness, with the Netherlands finding a higher gear, while Turkey’s response came too late in the second half.

They put up a strong fight and can be pleased with their performances throughout the tournament, but this was a missed opportunity to reach a third European Championship semi-final.

 

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Spain 2-1 Germany (aet)​

Spain are the best team in the competition.

Germany were jubilant when Niclas Fullkrug scored their stoppage-time equaliser in their final group game against Switzerland, but they will be gutted that it meant they ended up in this side of the draw. They would rather be playing England, I'm sure.

Germany are not just the hosts, though. They have got a bit about them as well. Antonio Rudiger has arguably been the best central defender at this tournament.

 

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For years, England fans, players and pundits have feared the very mention of penalty shootouts.

England have now been in 10 shootouts at European Championships and World Cups. Their record? Won three, lost seven.

But things seem to have changed. England have no reason to be scared of penalties any more – and based on the perfect shootout win over Switzerland, they have no fear at all.

Under Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions have won three of their past four shootouts – including beating the Swiss 5-3 in Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final.

All five penalties were fired home with precision, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford crucially saved from Manuel Akanji.

This win follows shootout victories under the management of Southgate in the 2018 World Cup against Colombia, and versus the Swiss again in the 2019 Nations League third-place play-off.

The blot on the copy book is a big one – defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final. But it seems like this England team have not been shaken from the spot.

Former England defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We have players who have an arrogance and a confidence in themselves. That will help England because sometimes, these key moments and big games can come down to that sort of bottle.”

 

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Netherlands next - England's path to Euro final​

6 July 2024

England will play the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after beating Switzerland in the last eight.

Gareth Southgate's side overcame Switzerland by winning a penalty shootout 5-3 on Saturday after Bukayo Saka's goal cancelled out Breel Embolo's opener.
The Netherlands beat Turkey in Saturday's late game.

England's semi-final will take place in Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
Spain play France in Tuesday's semi-final, with the winners of the two matches meeting in Berlin on Sunday in the final.

 

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France manager keeps tactics under wraps amid leaks at Euro 2024​

Rabiot reveals Deschamps had to hide tactics from players due to leaks, affecting France's strategy at the tournament

Reuters
July 09, 2024

France's Aurelien Tchouameni, coach Didier Deschamps and Adrien Rabiot during a drinks break. PHOTO: REUTERS

MUNICH: French midfielder Adrien Rabiot said coach Didier Deschamps had been forced to keep his tactical plans close to his chest, even with his own players, because they were leaking out before matches at the European Championship.

Deschamps was reported to have changed both the line-up and the tactical approach just hours before their quarter-final win over Portugal last Friday and also did not tell the players the line-up until they were on the bus on the way to the stadium.

 

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TUESDAY, 9 JULY​

Spain v France​

Munich, 20:00 BST

I'm in a bit of a pickle here, because before a ball was kicked I went for France to win Euro 2024.

Plus, I am at Allianz Arena for Radio 5 Live, so I cannot close my curtains and pretend Didier Deschamps' side are not playing.

Didier is an old friend of mine because we joined Chelsea at the same time in 1999 and stayed in the same hotel. We used to play cards together, as a pair, and he was always quite cautious then... but nothing compared to how he has got his team playing now.

When I think of the France football team, I think of flair and flamboyance, starting with Michel Platini's side that won the 1984 European Championship. Their sides that have won major honours in the years since then have been the same.

This version of Les Bleus, though, has been utter dross to watch.

Defensively, they have been excellent. As a centre-half pairing, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano have been absolutely outstanding and Mike Maignan has been superb in goal too.

Attack-wise though, I was just shocked by their level of performance against Portugal. Ousmane Dembele came on and made a difference, but Kylian Mbappe has not got going at all.

 

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WEDNESDAY, 10 JULY​

Netherlands v England​

Dortmund, 20:00 BST

Wout Weghorst's physicality made the difference for the Dutch against Turkey after he came on at half-time when they were 1-0 down.

England manager Gareth Southgate has been accused of not being decisive enough with his substitutions, but Ronald Koeman got it right for the Netherlands there.

Rather than trying to be intricate and playing through Turkey, they got the ball wide, crossed it in and Weghorst was a massive threat.

I do not necessarily think he will start against England, but they will have him as an option on the bench if they need him.

It is not just Weghorst that England have to watch out for though, because Cody Gakpo will be dangerous too.

Gakpo probably has not delivered the form we expected from him for Liverpool, but he has had his moments. For the Netherlands, though, he has been their best player at this tournament.