Belgium bounced back from their opening defeat at Euro 2024 with a much-needed 2-0 win over Romania, Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne scoring as they got off the mark in Group E.
Following their surprise 1-0 defeat to Slovakia on matchday one, Domenico Tedesco's men knew another defeat would leave them unable to secure a top-two finish.
They came flying out of the traps and needed just 73 seconds to open the scoring, Tielemans firing home from the edge of the area following good hold-up play from Romelu Lukaku to score the Red Devils' fastest ever goal at a major tournament.
They continued to press throughout the first half but were unable to find a second goal, Lukaku going close when he saw his shot on the turn blocked by Nicusor Bancu.
De Bruyne flashed a curling effort narrowly wide of the far corner shortly after the break, then it appeared he had assisted Belgium's second when he released Lukaku to finish into the bottom-left corner, only for the striker to be ruled offside following a VAR check.
Koen Casteels made a crucial stop from Dennis Man to keep Belgium's lead intact, and they made that reprieve count with 11 minutes to play, De Bruyne latching onto Lukaku's flick-on before prodding his finish past Florin Nita when one-on-one.
Belgium failed to add a third despite chances for Lukaku and Leandro Trossard late on, but their win tees up an intriguing finale in Group E with all four teams on three points ahead of Wednesday's final set of games.
Data Debrief: Lukaku's rotten luck continues
Belgium may have gotten over the line on Saturday, but Lukaku continued to endure some rotten luck up top, his disallowed goal in the second half being the third strike he has seen chalked off at Euro 2024. That is more goals than any player has scored.
Not including those strikes, he has now failed to score from eight shots worth a total of 1.27 expected goals (xG) at this tournament.
He will be desperately hoping it is a different story in next Wednesday's decider against Ukraine.
'You can't build a team overnight' – Brazil boss Dorival Junior convinced his way is the right way
Brazil are "convinced" they will come good at the Copa America, as they aim to get back on track after a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, so says Dorival Junior.
The Selecao were frustrated in their opening Group D match, accumulating 1.71 expected goals and having 19 shots, though only three were on target.
With Colombia having started their campaign with a win over Paraguay, the pressure is on Brazil to deliver when they face the same opponent on Friday.
Coach Dorival, though, urged for calm heads and a touch of patience.
He told reporters: "It's natural that we all expected a slightly different result in the last game, but we can't fail to appreciate how we performed. The way we put our opponents in their defence.
"I am convinced of what we are doing and what we are achieving. It is work we have just started, but I think we are progressing in a balanced way.
"We have to be calm, balanced and confident. If every game we have doubts about everything we are doing, we will get nowhere.
"We need to understand it's a time of change, of transition, you can't build a team overnight.
"It's a natural process. The team has shown more positives than negatives in every match, not just the last one."
Brazil will need more cutting edge than they showed on matchday one.
They made 695 passes in their opening match, more than any other team in the first round of the competition.
The omens are not brilliant, either. Brazil and Paraguay have drawn their last four encounters in the Copa America. These four draws represent the longest consecutive streak of draws between two teams in the history of the competition.
Man Utd part ways with captain Zelem
Manchester United have confirmed the departure of captain Katie Zelem.
England international Zelem has spent six years with United, helping them gain promotion to the WSL in her first season.
Zelem has scored 32 goals in 161 appearances for the club, and led them to a maiden Women's FA Cup triumph in 2023-24.
However, she is now set for pastures new, with the 28-year-old joining forward Lucia Garcia in departing upon the expiration of her contract.
"Everyone at Manchester United would like to place on record their thanks to Katie for her excellent service and wish her the best of luck in the next phase of her career," a club statement read.
Zelem and Garcia do not appear to be the only big names who will be leaving United after the end of their current deals, with England goalkeeper Mary Earps reportedly set to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Foden heading back to Germany following birth of third child
England star Phil Foden was set to join back up with his team-mates on Thursday, according to reports.
Foden left England's Euro 2024 camp on Wednesday due to a "pressing family matter".
It was subsequently confirmed Foden was attending the birth of his third child.
The 24-year-old was then travelling back to Germany late on Thursday.
England face Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday.
Foden has started all three of England's matches at the tournament so far, though the Premier League Player of the Season has so far failed to find his best form.
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