Mbappe stays on bench as VAR controversy sees France draw with Netherlands

The Netherlands and France played out the first goalless draw of Euro 2024 in what was a tense and tight affair that neither side seemed to want to lose.

Both sides threatened on several occasions in the first half as the French side, missing their talisman in Kylian Mbappe, looked to play the game at their own pace, while the Dutch sought to utilise the guile of Xavi Simons, Memphis Depay and Jeremie Frimpong on the break.

Despite Antoine Griezmann fluffing his lines from six yards out after Adrian Rabiot unexpectedly squared him the ball, there were few big chances in a first half where neither side really got out of second gear.

The second half saw Griezmann again spurn France’s best opportunity of the half, while Xavi Simons had a goal harshly ruled out for the Netherlands as Denzel Dumfries was judged to have blocked Mike Maignan from an offside position.

Although neither side will be too pleased with their performance, a point tonight sees both reach four points and virtually guarantee progression to the knockouts.

Meanwhile, Poland are confirmed as the first side out of Euro 2024, and Group D goes to the final game to decide which of Austria, France and the Netherlands will top the group.

More to follow

Poland v Austria – Euro 2024 LIVE

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Poland and Austria with Eurosport. The match starts at 4:00 PM on June 21st, 2024.

Catch the latest Poland and Austria news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Austria impress again with clinical win over Poland

Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic struck in the second half as Austria boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 3-1 victory over Poland in Berlin.

In a Group D clash billed by both coaches as win or bust, Ralf Rangnick’s Austria roared out of the traps and took a ninth-minute lead courtesy of Gernot Trauner’s fine header from a Phillipp Mwene cross.

Poland responded and levelled when Krzysztof Piatek pounced upon a rebound to stab home on the half hour mark.

There was a relentless pace throughout an end-to-end contest with The Poles hoping the introduction of talismanic forward Robert Lewandowski from the bench would help swing it their way in the second half.

However, it was Austria who took charge with Baumgartner brilliantly finishing off a slick move past the hour, before Arnautovic made sure of the points with a penalty 12 minutes from time.

The result sees Austria move level on points with leaders France and The Netherlands who meet later this evening. Poland are rock bottom and will be unable to finish in the top two if the French avoid defeat later.

Next up, Austria face Netherlands on Tuesday while Poland meet France as Group D comes to a climax.

Talking Point – Austria live up to the hype

Austria had secured some eye-catching results heading into the tournament but an impressive showing against much-fancied France ultimately went unrewarded.

Rangnick’s side needed a big performance here in what he had suggested was already like a knockout tie against Poland, and they delivered with a high-octane showing that The Poles struggled to combat.

Indeed, not even the introduction of ‘Lewy’ could help wrestle some initiative Poland’s way and their hopes of extending their stay in Germany further now look somewhat forlorn.

In contrast, Austria have now lost just two of their previous 18 internationals and if they do manage to navigate their way out of Group D, few sides will relish the prospect of trying to get a handle on their aggressive press and fearless approach.

Player of the match

Christoph Baumgartner (Austria). The 24-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder epitomises the style and tactical approach Rangnick has instilled and he capped another classy but high-energy display with his country’s all-important second goal.

Player ratings

POLAND: Szczesny 7, Bednarek 6, Dawidowicz 6, Kiwior 6, Frankowski 6, Piotrowski 5, Slisz 6, Zalewski 7, Zielinski 7, Buksa 6, Piatek 7. Subs: Moder 6, Swiderski 6, Lewandowski 6, Grosicki 6.

AUSTRIA: Pentz 7, Posch 8, Trauner 8, Lienhart 8, Mwene 8, Seiwald 8, Grillitsch 7, Baumgartner 9*, Laimer 9, Sabitzer 9, Arnautovic 8. Subs: Wimmer 7, Danso 6, Prass 6, Schmid n/a, Gregoritsch n/a.

Match Highlights

09’ – GOAL! – Poland 0-1 Austria: (Trauner). Gernot Trauner thumps a header beyond the ‘keeper at the near post from Phillipp Mwene’s lovely left-wing cross.

30’ – GOAL! – Poland 1-1 Austria: (Piatek). Jan Bednarek sees a goal-bound shot blocked deep inside the area, but Krzysztof Piatek is alert to gobble up the rebound and drag the Poles level.

67’ – GOAL! – Poland 1-2 Austria: (Baumgartner). It’s a fine finish from 18 yards out after Marko Arnautovic had brilliantly dummied a low pass from the left.

78’ – GOAL! – Poland 1-3 Austria: (Arnautovic penalty). It’s an ice-cool penalty as Arnautovic sends Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way from the spot. The kick was awarded after the Polish keeper brought down Sabitzer.

Key Stats

Slovakia v Ukraine – Euro 2024 LIVE

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Slovakia and Ukraine with Eurosport. The match starts at 1:00 PM on June 21st, 2024.

Catch the latest Slovakia and Ukraine news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Yaremchuk wonder strike gives Ukraine precious comeback victory over Slovakia

Ukraine produced a thrilling second-half comeback to beat Slovakia in Dusseldorf and keep their Euro 2024 campaign alive as Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to score a wonderful late winner.

Slovakia, who stunned Belgium in their opening game, continued their fine start to the tournament with an impressive first-half showing as Ivan Schranz scored his second goal in as many games to give them a deserved lead.

But Ukraine showed signs of life before the break when Oleksandr Tymchyk rattled the post, and Mykola Shaparenko found the equaliser early in the second half as the momentum shifted.

The decisive moment arrived with 10 minutes to go when Yaremchuk’s delightful cushioned touch and finish completed the comeback to send the yellow-clad supporters wild.

It leaves a wide-open Group E finely poised, with Ukraine, Slovakia and Romania all on three points and Belgium still on zero ahead of Saturday’s clash between Belgium and Romania.

More to follow

World champion Wilson stunned by Donaldson at Championship League

World champion Kyren Wilson was dumped out of the Championship League at the first group stage as world No. 51 Scott Donaldson earned a 2-2 draw to top Group 1 in Leicester.

Scotsman Donaldson secured the point he needed against Wilson at the season’s first ranking event with breaks of 88 and 101 cancelling out an opening 79 from the Kettering player, who won the fourth frame with a knock of 111 to finish two points behind the group winner.

Wilson had earlier drawn 2-2 with Daniel Womersley before defeating Baipat Siripaporn 3-0, with Donaldson easing past Baipat 3-0 and Womersley 3-1 to leave himself chasing a draw to progress.

But Iran’s leading player Hossein Vafaei had no such trouble as he secured three straight wins over Josh Mulholland (3-0), Manasawin Phetmalaikul (3-1) and Louis Heathcote (3-0) to qualify for the second group phase.

Former world champion Stuart Bingham is in action on Friday in Group 18, with former Crucible semi-finalist Si Jiahui taking to the table in Group 13.

There is £33,000 on the table for the winner plus a spot in the Champion of Champions later in the year which is worth another £12,500 for qualifying.

Championship League: Latest group winners

  • Group 21: Neil Robertson (AUS)
  • Group 11: Ryan Day (WAL)
  • Group 4: Mark Williams (WAL)
  • Group 17: Chris Wakelin (ENG)
  • Group 25: Matthew Stevens (WAL)
  • Group 31: Ashley Carty (ENG)
  • Group 23: Michael White (WAL)
  • Group 22: Joe O’Connor (ENG)
  • Group 10: Jackson Page (WAL)
  • Group 32: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (THA)
  • Group 30: Jamie Jones (WAL)
  • Group 29: Ben Woollaston (ENG)
  • Group 8: Jak Jones (WAL)
  • Group 7: Robbie McGuigan (NI)
  • Group 24: Martin O’Donnell (Eng)
  • Group 28: Wu Yize (CHN)
  • Group 26: Alexander Ursenbacher (SUI)
  • Group 27: David Lilley (ENG)
  • Group 1: Scott Donaldson (SCO)
  • Group 14: Hossein Vafaei (IRN)
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer

Spain v Italy – Euro 2024 LIVE

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Spain and Italy with Eurosport. The match starts at 7:00 PM on June 20th, 2024.

Catch the latest Spain and Italy news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Calafiori own-goal sends Spain into Euro 2024 knockouts

A slick Spain side produced a dominant display to complete a glorious 1-0 victory over defending European champions Italy in winning Euro 2024 Group B with a game to spare.

The decisive goal in a one-sided affair in Gelsenkirchen saw the unfortunate Italian central defender Riccardo Calafiori turn the ball into his own net on 55 minutes from a cross by the outstanding Nico Williams.

Luis de la Fuente’s men should have won by more after passing up several chances with Williams also hitting the bar, but at least know their final group match with Albania on Monday has no added pressure after following up their 3-0 win over Croatia with another eye-catching display.

In contrast, an outclassed Italy side will have to regroup quickly needing a draw against Croatia to ensure they earn second place in the section.

Player of the Match: Nico Williams (Spain)

Tortmented Italy with the quality of his pace and poise out wide a real feature of a memorable victory for his side. Should really have scored as he headed wide from close range early on before hitting the bar, but adds so much menace in the final third.

Key Stat

Calafiori own-goal sends Spain into Euro 2024 knockouts

A slick Spain side produced a dominant display to complete a glorious 1-0 victory over defending European champions Italy in winning Euro 2024 Group B with a game to spare.

The decisive goal in a one-sided affair in Gelsenkirchen saw the unfortunate Italian central defender Riccardo Calafiori turn the ball into his own net on 55 minutes from a cross by the outstanding Nico Williams.

Luis de la Fuente’s men should have won by more after passing up several chances with Williams also hitting the bar, but at least know their final group match with Albania on Monday has no added pressure after following up their 3-0 win over Croatia with another eye-catching display.

In contrast, an outclassed Italy team – who had inspired goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank for preventing a heavier defeat – will have to regroup quickly needing a draw against Croatia to ensure they earn second place in the section.

Talking Point: How good is this Spain side?

After filleting the reigning European champions, it is inevitable that comparisons will be made between this class of 2024 and the Spanish vintage that swept all before them at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Of course, they will have to deliver a major trophy to deserve any true comparison, but alongside hosts Germany, it is fair to say Spain have so far been the stand-out team at this tournament.

With outstanding creative width in the shape of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, they will surely fancy the task of going all the way this summer.

Player of the Match: Nico Williams (Spain)

Tortmented Italy with the quality of his pace and poise out wide a real feature of a memorable victory for his side. Should really have scored as he headed wide from close range early on before hitting the bar in the second, but adds so much menace in the final third. The finishing touch is perhaps the next step in his development.

Player Ratings

Spain: Simon 6, Carvajal 7, Le Normand 7, Morata 7, Ruiz 7, Laporte 7, Rodri 7, Williams 9, Yamal 8, Pedri 8, Cucurella 8 Subs: Baena 6, Oyarzabal 6, Perez 6, Torres 6

Italy: Donnarumma 8, Di Lorenzo 5, Dimarco 5, Calafiori 5, Frattesi 5, Jorginho 5, Scamacca 5, Pellegrini 5, Chiesa 5, Barella 5, Bastoni 5 Subs: Cristante 6, Cambiaso 6, Retegui 6, Raspadori 6, Zaccagni 6

Match Highlights

2′ ALMOST A DREAM START FOR SPAIN! Brilliant wing play by Williams to hit the byline. Gets the cross over with some real menace, but the header by Pedri is clawed over by Donnarumma. Superb save.

10′ SPAIN BLOW ANOTHER BRILLIANT CHANCE This time Morata throws over a delightful cross, but Williams somehow nods the ball wide of goal from five yards out. How did he miss that? Such a brilliant start by Williams, but should have a goal to go with it. Still 0-0.

53′ PEDRI SO CLOSE TO THE OPENER He knocks the ball wide from the cutback by Cucurella before Donnarumma is forced to make a solid stop from the shot down his throat.

55′ GOAL! (CALAFIORI) SPAIN 1-0 ITALY And Spain finally have the lead as Riccardo Calafiori turns the ball into his own net from the cross by Williams. Unfortunate. But can’t say they haven’t deserved it.

73′ WILLIAMS SO CLOSE TO THE SECOND Nico showing all his quality to send the ball crashing back off the bar after leaving Giovanni Di Lorenzo for dead. Williams has been superb for Spain tonight.

Key Stat