Romania progressed to the Euro 2024 knockout stages as unlikely Group E winners as Slovakia also made it through with Wednesday's 1-1 draw in Frankfurt.

Razvan Marin's first-half penalty cancelled out Ondrej Duda's early header before the two sides shared the spoils, as was the case in Belgium's goalless draw in the other group game with Ukraine.

Serhiy Rebrov's side were the unfortunate losers as all four teams remarkably finished on four points, with Domenico Tedesco's side sneaking through in second and Slovakia in third.

Romania topped the group on goals scored and will face the best third-place side from Group A, B, C or D in Munich on Tuesday, while Slovakia will meet either England or Spain in the next round.

Despite knowing a draw would be enough, Slovakia came flying out the blocks and wasted a flurry of chances before finally getting the breakthrough.

A backtracking Duda rose brilliantly to thump a header back across goal into the bottom-right corner after Juraj Kucka's angled cross from the right-hand side.

Ianis Hagi was brought down on the perimeter of the box shortly after, with the VAR overturning the onfield decision for a free-kick, and Marin emphatically buried the spot-kick to leave Martin Dubravka helpless.

Marin almost doubled his tally just after the hour mark, with his curler sailing just over the crossbar, while Lukas Haraslin whipped his attempt to get a winner narrowly wide as neither side could find a decisive goal.

Data Debrief: Mind the gap

Marin's goal was his second at the Euros – he has now scored twice in his last three games for Romania across all competitions, as many as he managed in his previous 54 appearances combined.

Meanwhile, Kucka assisted Slovakia's opening goal in this match, his second at a major tournament, with his other coming 14 years and two days ago (against Italy at  the2010 World Cup). It is the biggest gap between assists at a major tournament for a European player.

Duda also became the first Slovakian player to score at two major tournaments after netting as well at Euro 2016.

Belgium limped into the Euro 2024 knockout stages after Wednesday's goalless draw with Ukraine, setting up an enticing last-16 meeting with France. 

Domenico Tedesco's side had several golden opportunities but were unable to make them count as Ukraine were eliminated from the competition on goal difference, as all four Group E teams finished level on points.

Romania's 1-1 draw with third-placed Slovakia was enough to send them through as group winners on goals scored, while Belgium finished second due to a superior goal difference.

Romelu Lukaku threatened to open his tournament account early on after being picked out by Kevin De Bruyne but failed to trouble Anatolii Trubin with his effort. 

The Red Devils continued to dominate possession but failed to convert it into gilt-edged chances, with De Bruyne's inventive near-post free-kick the closest Tedesco's side came.

Ukraine posed a threat on the break, however, and almost took the lead when Roman Yaremchuk's cross narrowly evaded Artem Dovbyk in the six-yard box.

De Bruyne and Lukaku combined again in the second half, but the same result followed as the Red Devils' all-time top scorer saw his tame attempt easily gathered. 

The introduction of Yannick Carrasco sparked Belgium into life, with his stinging effort palmed away by Trubin as they looked to find a winner. 

Yet Ukraine went the closest late on as Ruslan Malinovskyi's audacious corner-kick almost caught Koen Casteels out at his near post. 

However, the winning goal for both sides ultimately eluded them, with Belgium now facing the difficult task of facing the two-time Euros champions on Monday in Dusseldorf.

Data Debrief: Lack of clinical edge punishes the Red Devils

Belgium can only have themselves to blame after failing to capitalise on several promising opportunities, registering just four shots on target from 10 attempts, underperforming their expected goals (xG) by 0.28. 

Lukaku's woes continued in front of goal and he is still yet to find the target at Euro 2024. The Belgium striker had the joint-most shots (two) and shots on target (two) but should have done much better with his opportunities. 

Anthony Joshua is set for another shot at the IBF heavyweight title but Daniel Dubois hopes to become a "king slayer" when the pair meet at Wembley Stadium.

Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF heavyweight championship just five weeks after becoming the undisputed world heavyweight champion with his win over Tyson Fury, confirming his decision on X on Tuesday.

The all-British showdown was confirmed the following day as the duo prepare to battle at Wembley on September 21.

Joshua will bid to become a three-time world champion, while Dubois will appear in his first title fight after becoming the mandatory challenger for the IBF crown with his win over Filip Hrgovic this month.

The meeting will be Joshua's first at Wembley in three years, and Dubois hopes to bring his homecoming crashing down.

"That's just where I'm aiming for, to fight the best and be the best," Dubois said at Wednesday's press conference. 

"AJ's been the king for a long time and on the night, I need to become a king slayer and that's my goal, that's the mission at hand.

"I'm learning more about myself as a fighter, as a person, coming out of the darkness and into the light, improving all round as a fighter and as an athlete. I'm up for this and ready to go."

Joshua has repeatedly been suggested as a potential opponent for Usyk or Fury, though says he will turn his attention solely on the upcoming Dubois bout.

"Congratulations to Daniel for winning his last fight," a measured Joshua said at the same press conference. 

"I've been having Dubois on my mind for a while and he'll be on my mind for the next 12 weeks until I get my hand raised.

"The goal is just getting through a successful training camp, performing on the night and the shiny stuff comes at a later date."

Antonio Conte is relishing the "challenge" of the Napoli job and has promised the fans a "seriousness" in his approach to getting the club back among the contenders in Serie A.

The Italian, who returned to management after a 15-month absence following his departure from Tottenham, was unveiled to the fans for the first time after signing a three-year contract with the club earlier this month.

The Partenopei won the Scudetto with five games to spare in 2022-23 but could not follow that success up last season as they stumbled through their title defence.

Napoli went through three managers last season after Luciano Spalletti’s departure in June 2023, with Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri getting fired before Calzona oversaw the last few months of the campaign.

In the end, they finished 10th, outside the extended European places, with Conte confident Napoli will get back on top form.

"It'll take time and patience. I am of the 'those who have time don't wait for time'," Conte said. "We will try in every way to take this responsibility. This is the project. It gave me great enthusiasm, I felt something in my stomach.

"Definitely a challenge that comes at the right time. I think I'm a coach who has gained experience, which leads me to face this fascinating challenge with great desire. One person asked me: 'But aren't you afraid to go and coach Napoli?' Afraid of what?

"For me, it's a pleasure, knowing the difficulty of the challenge. Those who know me know that no one has ever given me anything. Ever. What I have won, I always won with sweat and sacrifice. It's what my parents taught me, and it's what I try to pass on to my daughter and my players.

"I know that this challenge comes at the right time for me as a person because I really want to enjoy this passion and enthusiasm.

"Because for me the difficult thing will be to change this enthusiasm and this passion, but I'm convinced that I can do it because I will put everything I have into it, as I have done in the past. That is clear."

Napoli fans became restless with their season as they won just 13 of their matches and finished on 53 points, 37 fewer than they won under Spalletti in his final year.

"What I can promise is seriousness, a word that is often underestimated. Seriousness in giving everything for Napoli, in transmitting my culture at work, my mentality.

"The transmission of my footballing ideas. The goal of a coach, besides excelling, is to make his fans proud.

"But in defeat, there mustn't be the extenuating circumstance of not having given our best. What I can promise is that we'll give our best, more than our best, because sometimes the best is not enough."

Emma Raducanu secured her first win over a top 10 opponent as she defeated Jessica Pegula to reach the quarter-finals of the Eastbourne Open. 

The former US Open champion came from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5, emerging victorious after two hours and 42 minutes. 

Pegula stamped her authority on the game from the start, winning break point in the opening game and remaining in control despite a spirited comeback from Raducanu. 

However, the Brit built on her improved display in the second set, trading blows with the world number five and coming out on top to take the game to a decider. 

Raducanu looked set to close out the contest as she claimed consecutive break points, but the American showed her class to drag herself back level. 

But it would be Raducanu who would emerge victorious, meaning there will be three British women in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 1978.

Data Debrief: Raducanu roars to victory

Raducanu's victory saw her reach her first ever quarter-final at the Eastbourne Open. 

The Brit's success was also the first time she has won a match on tour after being a match point down. 

Emma Raducanu secured her first win over a top 10 opponent as she defeated Jessica Pegula to reach the quarter-finals at Eastbourne. 

The former US Open champion came from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5, emerging victorious after two hours and 42 minutes. 

Pegula stamped her authority on the game from the start, winning break point in the opening game and remaining in control despite a spirited comeback from Raducanu. 

However, the Brit built on her improved display in the second set, trading blows with the world number five and coming out on top to take the game to a decider. 

Raducanu looked set to close out the contest as she claimed consecutive break points, but the American showed her class to drag herself back level. 

But it would be Raducanu who would emerge victorious, meaning there will be three British women in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 1978.

Data Debrief: Raducanu roars to victory

Raducanu's victory saw her reach her first ever quarter-final at Eastbourne. 

The Brit's success was also the first time she has won a match on tour after being a match point down. 

Phil Foden has left the England squad to fly back home 'temporarily' due to a pressing family matter, an FA spokesperson confirmed. 

The Manchester City star played 89 minutes in the Three Lions' final Group C fixture against Slovenia on Tuesday night. 

Foden has started in all three of Gareth Southgate's side's group fixtures, featuring in England's win over Serbia and 1-1 draw with Denmark. 

After confirming top spot in Cologne, the Three Lions last-16 fixture will take place this Sunday at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen. 

Austria midfielder Leopold Querfeld is confident his side can beat anyone at Euro 2024 after reaching the knockout stages in Germany. 

Querfeld, who represented his nation twice before the start of the tournament, made his European Championship debut in Austria's win over the Netherlands on Tuesday. 

The defender played 26 minutes as Ralf Rangnick's side finished top of Group D following France's 1-1 draw with Poland. 

"It's by no means something that can be taken for granted, but it's definitely something we thought we could do," Querfeld said. 

"The evening after the game was extremely nice. We brought friends and family to the hotel, were able to spend a cozy evening together and had a really nice time," 

Austria will watch this evening's action with interest to discover who their opponents will be at the Leipzig Stadium next Tuesday. 

Rangnick's side will face the runners-up of Group F, with Turkiye, Czechia and Georgia all in with a shout of progressing to the knockout stages on Matchday 3. 

But given their performances in the tournament so far, Querfeld is confident that Austria can reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. 

"No matter what opponent we get, they will have a very difficult time against us," he said. 

 

 

Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi has been named in Spain's squad for the football tournament at the Paris Olympic Games, with Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Pedri among the eligible players not selected.

The 17-year-old centre-back was named in Luis de la Fuente's provisional squad for Euro 2024 but was cut ahead of La Roja's final party being announced.

He is joined by Eric Garcia, who spent last season on loan at Girona, while Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena are included despite being at Euro 2024 with the senior team.

Head coach Santi Denia was able to select players under the age of 23, with Manchester City's Sergio Gomez, Sporting CP's Abel Ruiz and Real Betis left-back Juan Miranda taking the three overage spots.

The likes of Yamal, Williams and Pedri were eligible but have not been chosen in what is initially a 22-man squad but must be cut to 18 ahead of the Games.

Spain took silver at the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo three years ago, losing 2-1 in extra time to Brazil in the gold medal match.

For this year's competition, they have been drawn alongside Uzbekistan, Egypt and the Dominican Republic in Group C, facing the former in their first match on July 24.

Provisional Spain squad: Arnau Tenas (Paris Saint-Germain), Joan Garcia (Espanyol), Alejandro Iturbe (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Almeria), Juanlu Sanchez (Sevilla), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Jon Pacheco (Real Sociedad), Juan Miranda (Real Betis), Miguel Gutierrez (Girona), Adrian Bernabe (Parma), Benat Turrientes (Real Sociedad), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid), Aimar Oroz (Osasuna), Sergio Gomez (Manchester City), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona), Diego Lopez (Valencia), Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano), Samu Omorodion (Atletico Madrid), Abel Ruiz (Braga).

Lando Norris has "emerged from the pack" to represent the main threat to Red Bull, says the team's principal Christian Horner. 

Alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen, Norris has finished in the top two positions at five of the last six races, including Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver has also finished in the top four in each of his last six races, as many times as in his previous 15. 

He has led for a career-high 58 laps this season and his next podium finish will see him match John Watson for 13th place in the charts for all British drivers, with 20.

Looking back on last week's race in Barcelona, Horner acknowledged Verstappen – who triumphed by 2.219 seconds – was fortunate to make a strong start count.

"If Lando had track position it would have been difficult to beat him," Horner told Sky Sports News.

"It was so close between the two of them and they were 18 seconds ahead of the rest. I would say Lando has emerged from the pack as the most consistent challenger.

"We've had four pole winners in the last four races. It's very, very tight.

"But Lando I would say, he seems to have worked out these tyres, McLaren have done a great job as well, and they're going to push us hard for the rest of the year."

Red Bull are on home turf this weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix, for the third sprint race weekend of the season.

"On such a short lap, it's going to be so tight and we expect McLaren and Lando to be fast again," Horner added.

"Ferrari and Mercedes? Who knows. If you look at the gap to those guys after the race it was pretty similar to last year. The one who has stepped up is Lando."

South Africa coach Rob Walter says his players will not feel the burden of near misses in the past as they prepare for their T20 World Cup semi-final against Afghanistan.

The Proteas withstood a nervy finish to get a three-wicket victory over co-hosts West Indies in Antigua, maintaining their perfect run at the tournament with seven wins from seven so far.

South Africa have never made it past the semi-final stage of the T20 World Cup, with this due to be their third such appearance.

This time around, they have been on the right side of tight wins, and Walter is keen to ease any pressure from past results that could hinder the team.

"The near misses in the past, they belong to the people who missed them," Walter said. "To be honest, this team is a different team.

"We own whatever is ours to own. And so, our nearest reflection point is this tournament where we've managed to get over the line. So that's what we think about.

"I think there's always an energy that you can feel that's tangible when it comes to a semi-final.

"There'll be a mixture of emotions which is with anxiety, but excitement and I think anyone in any sport, if they get to this phase of a competition, feels that. And so really, it's just acknowledging that and accepting it and then just understanding what you'll do with that.

"We still want to play our best cricket in the key moments of the game."

United States goalkeeper Matt Turner has urged fans of the Copa America hosts not to forget the value of results ahead of Thursday's clash with Panama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The USA got their Group C campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Bolivia, with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun on target.

Some believed Gregg Berhalter's side should have recorded a more comprehensive victory as they racked up 20 shots on goal to Bolivia's six.

Nottingham Forest shot-stopper Turner, though, says tournament wins should not be taken for granted.

"We'll never have that luxury. I think you take wins when you can get wins, no matter the context," Turner said.

"You take the result, especially in tournament play, it's the end all be all. I implore people to not lose sight of that.

"Obviously, we wish we did some things better, but that's what tournaments are about. You want to improve and get better throughout the tournament and keep growing as a team, and a bond and a culture.

"At the end of the day, we got a clean sheet, we scored two goals and we won. Going into this next match, we know we might have to be a little bit better if we want to win."

Panama, meanwhile, were beaten 3-1 by Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay in their opening match, with Amir Murrillo netting a late consolation after Maximiliano Araujo, Darwin Nunez and Matias Vina scored for the 15-time winners.

"I think we had too much respect for Uruguay, in the first half there were too many mistakes," head coach Thomas Christiansen said.

"They're a great team that you have to respect, but I think in moments we were afraid of making a mistake.

"In the second half, we showed this team is alive with enthusiasm and desire. Now it's time to make another big effort against the United States before ending with Bolivia."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Panama – Amir Murillo

Murillo netted a late consolation against Uruguay, also recording the most touches (62) and joint-most touches in the penalty area (four, also Jose Fajardo) of any Panama player in their opening match.

That game saw Panama surpass 250 completed passes in a Copa America game for the first time. They will not be pushovers in Atlanta, but if they are to really trouble the hosts, they need wing-back Murillo to contribute in the attacking third.

United States – Christian Pulisic

Pulisic provided a goal and an assist as the USA beat Bolivia in their Group C opener, becoming the first American to score and assist in a single Copa America match since Clint Dempsey did so twice in 2016, versus Ecuador and Costa Rica.

Pulisic averages 0.93 goal contributions per 90 minutes in competitive matches for his country, the highest rate in their history (minimum 1,500 minutes played).

 

The Milan winger also recorded the most line-breaking passes in the attacking third of any player during Group C's first set of games, with four.  

Until the USA's first match, only Rodrigo De Paul of Argentina had reached that figure in the tournament's opening round of fixtures.

MATCH PREDICTION: UNITED STATES WIN

After beating Bolivia, the USA could start a Copa America tournament with back-to-back victories for the very first time. 

Only once before have they managed successive wins in the competition, winning three games in a row up to the quarter-finals in 2016, as they finished fourth on home soil.

They have never lost or even conceded a goal to CONMEBOL opponents at the Copa America, drawing 0-0 with Mexico in the 1995 quarter-finals before triumphing on penalties, and routing Costa Rica 4-0 in the group stage in 2016.

The USA have only failed to score in one of their previous 19 matches against Panama on home soil, in a goalless draw in New Jersey in the 2005 Gold Cup final, which they won via spot-kicks. 

With home advantage on their side, we expect more joy for the USA on Thursday.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Panama – 22.6%

United States – 54.7%

Draw – 22.7%

Mexico captain Edson Alvarez will miss the remainder of the Copa America after suffering a hamstring injury in their opening match against Jamaica.

Alvarez was in tears as he left the pitch just 30 minutes into El Tri's 1-0 victory in Houston on Saturday, having gone down clutching his right hamstring.

It has now been confirmed that the West Ham midfielder will play no further part in Mexico's campaign, which continues against Venezuela on Wednesday.

In a video posted to the team's social media accounts, Alvarez said: "I had that dream just like my team-mates but sometimes these things happen in football and I will have to learn and grow from all this.

"I have made the decision to stay with the team until the end, to support and encourage them, as I always have done. 

"Now it will be my turn off the field. It will also help my rehabilitation and I will return as soon as possible."

After facing Venezuela, Mexico round off their Group B campaign versus Ecuador on Sunday. 

Lionel Messi has revealed he played through discomfort in his right hamstring as Argentina beat Chile 1-0 in their second match at the Copa America on Tuesday.

Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to score an 88th-minute winner as the world champions secured qualification for the quarter-finals with one match to spare.

Messi failed to score for a second successive game at the tournament, only recording one shot worth 0.02 expected goals (xG), though he did create a game-high five chances for his team-mates.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also led all players on the pitch for passes in the final third (18) and completed seven of his 11 attempted dribbles – both match-high figures.

Boss Lionel Scaloni has now been handed a major worry, however, with Messi revealing he played through the pain barrier.

 

"I felt some discomfort in my right hamstring at the beginning of the game. It was tight." Messi said. 

"It wasn't as loose as it should've been, but I was able to finish the game. We'll see how it goes."

Messi could get a rest when Argentina face Peru in their final Group A match on Saturday, though, with only a point required to secure top spot.

Scaloni said: "Against Peru, the guys who didn't get minutes in these matches will play."

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