Euro 2024 is into the knockout phases! Our each day recordsdata provide the newest reporting from across the event in addition to betting strains, what to look at for and finest reads.
Examine in with ESPN all through the event as we convey you the newest from Germany all the way in which as much as the ultimate on July 14.
The lead: Gakpo carrying Dutch, however he wants assist
MUNICH — Cody Gakpo is rising as one of many excellent gamers of Euro 2024 and is main the race for the Golden Boot, however the Netherlands ahead wants his underperforming teammates to step up if he and the Dutch are to progress a lot additional within the competitors.
Gakpo moved to joint-top of the Euro 2024 scoring charts alongside Jamal Musiala (Germany), Ivan Schranz (Slovakia) and Georges Mikautadze (Georgia) by netting his third purpose of the event and notching an help for affect sub Donyell Malen in a 3-0 win in opposition to Romania in Munich on Tuesday. The Liverpool ahead had one other purpose dominated out for offside by VAR because the Dutch missed a succession of possibilities earlier than wrapping up a snug victory of their round-of-16 tie.
Gakpo’s first-half strike, when he reduce inside from the left and beat goalkeeper Florin Nita with a strong right-foot shot, finally proved sufficient for Ronald Koeman’s crew to safe a quarterfinal conflict in opposition to Austria or Turkey in Berlin on Saturday. Within the 83rd minute Gakpo turned supplier, spinning past Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin earlier than squaring for Malen to transform from shut vary. Malen then added a 3rd deep in harm time, slicing in from the left after a fast counterattack and firing past Nita at his close to submit.
Having landed within the simpler half of the bracket, avoiding heavyweights resembling Germany, Spain, France and Portugal, the Netherlands may make all of it the way in which to closing, however Gakpo cannot take them there on his personal, particularly as soon as the Dutch discover themselves up in opposition to harder opposition. The 25-year-old is displaying all of his strengths in Germany, although Memphis Depay and Xavi Simons specifically should discover a method to match the Liverpool man’s output.
The misfiring pair had massive moments in opposition to Romania, however did not take benefit, both due to a poor end, misplaced move or unhealthy decision-making. Simons and Depay specifically missed clear-cut possibilities to make the sport secure for the Dutch, with Malen having an affect as a second-half substitute with two late targets. But it surely was Gakpo’s tenacity that made Malen’s first, selecting up a unfastened Depay move and operating to the byline earlier than pulling the ball again for a easy end.
Gakpo is proving to be the principle man for Koeman and the one attacking participant he can depend on. Solely France’s Kylian Mbappé has scored extra targets over the past World Cup and Euro 2024 (9 in 10 video games) than Gakpo’s 6 in 9. And Koeman, who received Euro 1988 in Germany with the Netherlands as a participant, now has a giant determination to make forward of the quarterfinals by way of his attacking formation.
Does Depay keep in, will he give Wout Weghorst a uncommon begin? One query he would not should ask is whether or not to make use of Gakpo, as a result of the ahead has grow to be the primary title on the Dutch teamsheet. — Mark Ogden
Sights and sounds round Euro 2024
‘Misstiano Penaldo’
Regardless that Portugal ended up progressing to the quarterfinal on Monday, it was a nasty evening for Cristiano Ronaldo in opposition to Slovenia.
The 39-year-old had a penalty saved within the first interval of additional time that might have despatched Portugal by way of after which shed tears on the interval — though he redeemed himself afterward by changing the primary penalty within the shootout.
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What did Ronaldo’s teammates say after his missed penalty?
Joao Palhinha reveals what his crew mentioned to Cristiano Ronaldo after he missed a penalty in opposition to Slovenia at Euro 2024.
Ronaldo was additionally criticised for taking a lot of free kicks through the sport — all of which missed — whereas struggling the indignity of seeing Slovenia followers behind the purpose making an attempt to place him off by holding up the shirt of his nice rival, Lionel Messi.
His evening to overlook did not cease there, and simply to cap all of it off, the BBC — broadcasting the sport within the UK — confirmed a replay of his penalty miss together with the caption: “Misstiano Penaldo.”
That did not go down effectively with former Chelsea captain John Terry, who posted on social media: “BBC it is a shame.” — Rob Dawson
Pogba brings the get together vibes
France worldwide Paul Pogba will need to have been pleasantly stunned with the reception he received from soccer followers throughout his first public look at a stadium shortly. The 2018 World Cup winner, who’s serving a four-year ban after a constructive doping check, was the star of the day in Düsseldorf after being invited to look at Monday’s win over Belgium by the French soccer federation and Didier Deschamps.
When he confirmed up at La Maison Bleue, the place the place French followers meet earlier than each France video games, the Juventus midfielder acquired a hero’s welcome. He received up on the stage whereas the track “Ramenez la coupe à la maison” (“Convey the cup house”), the 2018 hit by Vegedream, was being performed. Pogba danced, sang and mentioned just a few phrases of appreciation to the group, who stored singing his title and “Pogba President, Pogba President.”
The 31-year-old, who awaits a date for his listening to on the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport the place he hopes to see his suspension decreased to a two-year ban, additionally attracted loads of consideration on the match. Sat with the gamers’ households, not removed from France ahead Marcus Thuram‘s father, 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, at first he stored a low profile however finally took many selfies with followers and signed autographs.
He completed his night by visiting the France locker room after the 1-0 win to have a good time with a few of his former teammates. He hugged Thuram, kissed Deschamps, embraced Kylian Mbappé and N’Golo Kanté, danced with Ousmane Dembélé. It was like he’d by no means been away. — Julien Laurens
Brady ‘a giant supporter’ of England
Harry Kane believes England have added NFL legend Tom Brady to their military of supporters at Euro 2024.
The seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion reacted to England’s dramatic 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday by tweeting “Jude” alongside 4 exploding-head emojis in response to Jude Bellingham‘s last-gasp overhead kick which pressured further time.
Brady, who’s a minority shareholder in Birmingham Metropolis (Bellingham’s boyhood membership), later posted on X after Kane’s successful purpose with “Harry!!! What a sport!!!” and two extra exploding-head emojis. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes additionally merely posted “Loopy!” on X after Bellingham’s purpose.
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Why a ban is ‘extremely unlikely’ for Jude Bellingham at Euro 2024
Gab Marcotti explains why UEFA’s investigation right into a gesture made by Jude Bellingham is unlikely to result in a match ban.
When proven the response from all over the world — which additionally included Prince William describing the sport as an “emotional curler coaster,” Kane mentioned: “It is unbelievable. We all know how a lot soccer connects individuals and the followers but in addition celebrities and royalty. It brings everybody collectively.
“It exhibits you the way massive the European Championships is, how massive these main tournaments are all over the world. It is nice to have the help from all these guys. Even for Tom being American, I really feel like he is an English fan for this event. He is been a giant supporter, so it is nice to see.”
Kane went on to reiterate his need to sooner or later play within the NFL. “I might prefer to be a kicker, however I do not suppose I’ve received sufficient to be a quarterback,” he mentioned. “I am not taking these hits! I might like to do a little bit of golf as effectively. I am far sufficient off, after watching the boys and the way they play, I am miles off it! However any of these sports activities would have been sick.” — James Olley
Bagpipes proceed as Euros soundtrack
Scotland have been one of many first groups to be eradicated from the Euros, however the sound of the bagpipes continues to be loud and clear round a few of the host stadiums due to Neil Marriott, a kilt-wearing New Zealander.
Marriott has been touring Germany through the event, standing exterior a number of of the stadiums earlier than video games, carrying full Highland Gown — the normal outfit of kilt, bonnet and sporran — taking part in his bagpipes in a bid to lift funds to compete on the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow subsequent month.
This is Neil Marriott from New Zealand, taking part in his bagpipes exterior #EURo2024 video games – even England video games! – to lift funds to compete on the World Bagpipe Championships in Glasgow. He is on insta @njmarriott pic.twitter.com/iEjT7TCMeZ
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) July 2, 2024
He was in Munich on Tuesday forward of the round-of-16 tie between Romania and Netherlands, and bravely performed his pipes earlier than England’s group sport in opposition to Denmark in Frankfurt, regardless of the age-old rivalry between England and Scotland.
“I have been taking part in at just a few of the grounds,” Marriott informed ESPN. “I’ve come over from New Zealand, however hopefully I will have raised sufficient for Glasgow earlier than the top of the event.” — Mark Ogden
Stat of the day
Cody Gakpo joins 1992 and 1994 Dennis Bergkamp as the one Dutch males to attain at the very least three targets in consecutive main tournaments for the Netherlands. — ESPN Stats & Data
Betting tip (odds by way of ESPN BET)
France appear to not be scoring themselves, relatively counting on personal targets from the opponents proper now, so we’ll take the +1000 on provide for striker Kylian Mbappé to complete because the event’s prime scorer and assume he catches fireplace from right here. — ESPN
One massive learn
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Kevin De Bruyne calls reporter’s query ‘silly’
Kevin De Bruyne referred to as a reporter’s query about his aspect’s golden era “silly” as he left the post-match press convention following Belgium’s 1-0 defeat to France.
“Silly.” That was the response of Belgium’s star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne as he shuffled away from his postmatch interviews after his aspect’s 1-0 defeat to France within the spherical of 16 at Euro 2024 on Monday.
The 33-year-old was reacting to the suggestion that this “golden era” of Belgium gamers got here up quick by not reaching the ultimate of a significant event. De Bruyne doesn’t reject the concept that this Belgian aspect, at instances, could have underdelivered over the previous decade in comparison with the expertise they’ve possessed. His annoyance stems from the actual fact there are different nations with gamers equally as gifted.
“And also you say that France, England, Spain and Germany do not have golden generations?” he quipped again. “OK. Thanks. Silly …”
With that, De Bruyne bid farewell to Euro 2024. It stays to be seen if the Manchester Metropolis midfielder was additionally saying goodbye to his worldwide profession.
There are others remaining within the Belgium squad from what is taken into account some of the gifted generations ever. Striker Romelu Lukaku, 31, continues to steer the road, whereas Jan Vertonghen, 37, continues to be on the again, though the previous Tottenham Hotspur defender could now really feel it’s time to step apart.
– Marsden: Belgium’s ‘golden era’ is over, and that is a great factor
And at last …
English midfielder Jude Bellingham has by no means been removed from the headlines at Euro 2024, whether or not due to his targets, performances or controversies resembling being investigated by UEFA for alleged breaching the “fundamental guidelines of respectable conduct” together with his purpose celebration in opposition to Slovakia on Sunday.
However as a result of the Actual Madrid star is proving to be such a box-office attraction, he has loved an enormous uplift in his social media recognition for the reason that begin of the event.
Bellingham had 31.7 million followers on Instagram initially of the event, however since scoring his dramatic stoppage-time equaliser within the 2-1 round-of-16 win in opposition to Slovakia, the 21-year-old has seen his following on the platform transcend 34 million.
To place Bellingham’s recognition into perspective, Phil Foden is second on the record of England gamers who’ve seen the largest rise of their Instagram following this event, however the Manchester Metropolis ahead has solely grown his numbers by 410,000 to take his follower rely to 12 million. — Mark Ogden