Belgium’s Tedesco relying on proven returnees for crucial Romania clash
June 21 – Counting on reinforcing their defence, Belgium will need a result in their second Group E encounter against Romania after a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.
Netherlands battle to a scoreless draw with France after VAR rules out Simons goal
June 21 – It wasn’t a classic but it was certainly an entertaining and full blooded encounter as the two big dogs in Group D, France and the Netherlands, squared off in Leipzig to share the points in a 0-0 draw.
Rangnick’s Austria put three past Poland in the Olympiastadion cauldron
June 21 – Berlin has been fizzing with excitement for days as Austrians and Poles poured into the city for this crucial Group D. In the end the day was won by Austria, 3-1 to earn their first points of Euro 2024.
Ukraine come from behind to keep a nation under siege very much alive
June 21 – Bringing a brief moment of joy to its war-torn people at home, Ukraine’s national team rallied to complete a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Slovakia with an 80th-minute winner from substitute Roman Yaremchuk.
UEFA opens multiple investigations as Balkan nationalist fervour boils over
June 21 – The complex and fever-pitch intensity and rivalry among the various Balkan neighbours at Euro 2024 continues to take centre stage with UEFA now opening an investigation into Serbian claims that fans of Albania and Croatia chanted ‘kill, kill, kill the Serb’ during their Group B game on Wednesday.
Montagliani says Copa America in the US is preparation for Concacaf’s 2026 competitiveness
June 20 – Much has been made of the Copa America in the US being a test event for the 2026 World Cup, but there has not been so much comment about the importance of the event for six Concacaf nations competing as they build their teams towards 2026.
Copa America kicks off in Atlanta with Messi-mania driving Argentina past Canada
June 21 – The chants of ‘Mes-si! Mes-si! Mes-si!’ started more than an hour before kickoff and kept up throughout Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada in the Copa America opening game in Atlanta.
Moroccan legend Nourredine Naybet says co-hosting 2030 will be transformational
June 21 – Moroccan legend Noureddine Naybet has added his support to the country’s joint World Cup 2030 bid with Spain and Portugal.
UEFA mourns passing of guiding force Gerhard Aigner, 80
June 21 – There was a moment of silence ahead of the Spain-Italy Group B match on Thursday in honour of former UEFA general secretary and chief executive Gerhard Aigner, who has died aged 80.
Cooper takes charge at Leicester City for their Premier League return
June 21 – Former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has been appointed Leicester’s new manager on a three-year contract.
AFC allocates pots for final round of 2026 World Cup qualifying draw
June 21 – The AFC has released the seeding pots for the final round of its 2026 World Cup qualifiers that will kick off in September 2024, completing in June 2025.
Spalletti licks his wounds after Spanish schooling, De La Fuente says they will get even better
June 21 – Italy manager Luciano Spalletti admitted that his side were outplayed by Spain in a 1-0 defeat, but said that the humbling reality check must prompt his side to improve.
Southgate says England have work to do and have to improve, really?… no-one noticed
June 21 – England manager Gareth Southgate says the country must improve after suffering a barrage of criticism for failing once again to get the best out of his talented side.
Macedonians and Serbs demand sanctions for Albania’s Daku offensive chanting
June 21 – The North Macedonia FA has demanded a public apology from Albanian international Mirlind Daku for his offensive chants after Wednesday’s Euro 2024 match between Croatia and Albania.
Freidkin closing in on Everton deal as Moshiri grants him deal exclusivity
June 21 – Dan Freidkin has taken a step closer to the acquisition of Premier League club Everton having agreed a period of exclusivity agreement with club owner Farhad Moshiri.