Euro 2024 live - England mocked, Kylian Mbappe update, Netherlands controversy (2024)

GOAL ALBANIA!

It's another electric start for Albania as they shock Croatia by taking a 1-0 lead!

Asani puts in a brilliant cross towards Qazim Laçi and he nods beyond beyond the despairing dive of Livakovic!

How do Croatia respond to this?

Kick-off!

We're underway in Hamburg between Croatia and Albania for the first game of the day!

Will Albania upset the odds or can Croatia get their tournament up and running?

Southgate's three problems

Former France international William Gallas has named three England stars he expects more from if England are to be successful at Euro 2024, after their performance vs Serbia. One was a little surprising.

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Foden sent Rooney message

Man City ace Phil Foden must follow in the foosteps of Wayne Rooney to become undroppable for England according to West Brown.

"I'll give you a good example: Wayne Rooney, absolutely fantastic, wants the ball all the time, but when he was playing with Cristiano Ronaldo, when he was in his mood and you knew he was the guy, Wayne would start dropping back a little and start to assist him," Brown said.

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Albania XI

Croatia XI

Livaković; Juranović, Šutalo, Gvardiol, Perišić; Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić; Majer, Kramarić, Petković.

Zola: England can go all the way

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola will hope to see Italy go all the way at Euro 2024 but has admitted he has a soft spot for England. The diminutive former forward exclusively told Ladbrokes 1-2-Free that the Three Lions don't have a weakness.

Zola said: "Of course I am an England fan too; it is my second home. I always long to see them doing well. I feel sorry that they haven’t reach the heights that they are capable of, up to this point. It is complicated though. Strength and ability isn’t everything, you sometimes need to be lucky too and I hope this is England’s time.

"The key for England succeeding is handling the pressure. Quality wise, they aren’t second to anyone. It’s a big competition and there will be attention and expectations on the players so the way they handle it will make the difference. There will be moments in the tournament where they will be tested, and those moments will determine if they get to the end or not.

"If I look at the England team now, I don’t see any weaknesses, ability-wise, to be honest. They really are strong in every position on the pitch and have so much variety. I think the key will be how they handle the pressure moments and playing with courage. If they do that, they can beat anybody. There are no technical or tactical problems. Finding a good momentum is key. If you remember Italy three years ago, they got good results from the very start of the tournament. The morale just increased, and they overcame all the obstacles as their confidence grew. England must do that. If they can find a good momentum, they can go all the way."

Luke Shaw trains separately

The Man United defender continues to undergo an individual programme with England's remaining players featuring in full team training ahead of Denmark.

Impact of a mask

Georgia reaction

“I am convinced we’re going to provide the same kind of performance on Saturday against the Czech Republic. I’m excited already.”

Shearer's Euro 96 memory

The former Newcastle United forward could not help but reflect on the Three Lions legendardy 4-1 win over Netherlands. Shearer says it was because of the atmosphere but his brace probably helps too.

"The atmosphere that we and the fans created, we gave them something to shout about, and they certainly responded," Shearer said

“That night against Holland when we beat them 4-1 was the best atmosphere I have known in an England shirt. It was just incredible and it great to be a part of. Wembley was rocking that night”.

“We had a bit of everything, we so many leaders in that team. We were tough and strong at the back; we had a bit of creativity in the midfield with Gazza and myself up top.”

Alan Shearer spoke on behalf of Topps for their UEFA EURO 2024 Match Attax and stickers collections. Collectibles are available now fromTopps.comand all good retailers.

Ruud Gullit's response to 'blackface' fans

Ruud Gullit is said to be “honoured” by fans imitating him at Euro 2024 - despite supporters being slammed for dressing up as the Netherlands icon during this summer's Germany showpiece.

That is according to Humberto Tan, a member of the committee set up to combat racism in football alongside the former midfielder.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, he said: “Ruud said when he saw it: ‘I actually feel quite honoured’, because it’s a reminder of one of the biggest prizes he won as a footballer. Blackface is an unattractive phenomenon, but in this specific case, where it’s meant as a tribute, I think that’s how you should see it.”

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Mbappe update

Surgery will be required for the France star but not until after the tournament.

Latest on the forward.

Fewest shots

It doesn't make for pretty that Scotland and England mustered the least attempt on goal during the first round of Euro 2024 matches with one and five respectively, per Opta.

England mocked

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has aimed a swipe at England.

“We have won three medals, England won one [more than] 50 years ago but they are a great team, we are not, we are always the dark horse."

Ouch! Full story.

Show us how you really feel Cristiano

Cristiano celebrated with Portugal's matchwinner Francisco Conceicao but made one stop off on his way there.

A hint of his petty side?

England's fuel

A Michelin star chef who isn't afraid to have ketchup or baked beans on the menu may be the order of the day for England's stars.

Simon Mullock caught up with Danny Schwabe, the figure helping fuel the Three Lions this summer at their Euro 2024 base.

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Andy Robertson's reply to Roy Keane

It wasn't a direct response to Keane's Friday criticism but certainly seemed to strike a similar tone. Scotland captain was unequivocal in what Scotland must do this evening.

"I could sit and talk all night, but it won’t make a difference.

“It’s easy to talk before or after a game, but not so easy to go out and do it. That’s what we need to do – we need action now. A lot of people were critical, a lot of people from the outside probably couldn’t wait to dip in.

“That’s what they’re paid to do and we respect that. All we know is we have to do a lot better on the pitch. We need to be confident, to play to our highest level and if we do we can cause ANY team problems.

“If we get the result we want, then we can talk afterwards and it’ll be a much happier chat. There was a lot of hype surrounding us from our own country before the opening game, there was a lot of excitement and we want that. But we let everyone down. The support we got in Munich was among the best I’ve ever had in my career and now owe them a result.”

Gilmour decision

Scotland boss Steve Clarke was asked whether not selecting the Brighton midfielder was an error last Friday.

“It is impossible to answer," he said. "In a 5-1 game where we were never in the game, is one player going to make that amount of difference?

"Maybe by talking about Billy in that context we are just putting too much pressure on him. If he is selected for the next game, let him go into it with a clear head. It is difficult. You can say what you want and I can say that I don’t think it made a difference. You can say: ‘Yes it did make a difference,’ and we will never know.”

TV Channel

Scotland will be shown live on BBC One, BBC One Scotland, and BBC iPlayer, with coverage starting from 7:30pm BST.

Germany vs Hungary will be televised live on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 4.30pm BST for a 5pm kick-off.

Croatia vs Albania will be shown live on ITV 1 and ITV X with coverage starting at 1pm.

Mainoo welcome Man United decision

KOBBIE Mainoo has welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to keep Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager and paid a special tribute to the Dutchman.

The young England midfielder is the first player to react to Ten Hag’s reprieve and clearly believes it is the right move, saying: “I am happy to keep building with him - he has won two trophies and there are more to come. It is nice to have the peace of mind that we know what manager we are going back to for pre-season. It’s nice to find out that he’s staying and we can continue building with him and hopefully win more.

After recovering from an injury sustained in pre-season, Mainoo was given his club debut by Ten Hag and has been one of the United manager’s go-to players ever since.

And Mainoo, who came on as a late substitute during England’s opening Euro 2024 win over Sweden on Sunday, has clearly developed a good relationship with Ten Hag.

The 19-year-old said: “I am so grateful for him that he put his trust in me and believed in me to play in the team. I can’t thank him enough.

“He’s given me tips on how he wants me to play. I came into the team late so he gave me instructions on how he wants me and the team to play and what my role is.

“He and all of his staff have helped me a lot.”

Mainoo replaced Jude Bellingham four minutes from the end of normal time in Gelsenkirchen at the weekend - winning his fourth cap - and is expected to fulfil a similar role when England face Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday evening.

Scotland team news

Steve Clarke has a fully fit squad but will be without the banned Ryan Porteous. Grant Hanley may be favourite to start in his place after coming on at half-time against Germany.

Billy Gilmour too will be pushing for a start.

Good morning!

We are back again building up to another day of matches. Croatia and Albania kick off the day with both teams in search of their first point before hosts Germany look to advance their claim on top spot against Hungary.

The final match sees Scotland look for a win against Switzerland. A tricky task but perhaps a necessary one for progress. We'll have all of the team news and build up.

Goodnight

Thanks for joining us today on our live Euro 2024 blog.

Be sure to head back here tomorrow for all the latest news from Germany and build-up to Wednesday's triple-header.

Take care and see you then.

Pepe's record-setting display

11 - Portugal defender Pepe - who tonight became the oldest ever player to appear at the European Championship (41) - won possession more times on MD1 of #EURO2024 than any other player (11). Warrior. pic.twitter.com/jDuWahCFdE

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 18, 2024

5 talking points from Portugal's win

Our very own Mark Jones was in Leipzig tonight watching Portugal edge past the Czech Republic.

Here are his five talking points.

FULL-TIME: Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic

And breathe for Portugal!

Roberto Martinez's side have got the three points but it should've been so much more comfortable.

Cristiano Ronaldo and co missed a hoard of chances, but it's the result that matters.

Francisco Conceicao is the hero.

GOAL: Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic (Conceicao)

He's been on the pitch for two minutes but Francisco Conceicao has surely won it for Portugal!

Fellow substitute Pedro Neto created the goal as his low delivery wasn't dealt with by Robin Hranac.

A nightmare evening Hranac, who scored the own goal to make it 1-1 after the Czechs took the lead.

Two minutes remaining...

Portugal score - but it's ruled out

Diogo Jota thought he'd been the super sub but it's offside!

Cristinao Ronaldo rattled the post with a header and Jota was there to head in the rebound.

But VAR quicky ruled that Ronaldo was inches offside.

GOAL: Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic (own goal)

Their lead didn't last long!

Bernardo Silva's cross found Nuno Mendes and his header was saved but cannoned in off of the unlucky Robin Hranac.