And with that, the Euro 2024 group stages conclude on yet another dramatic day of action across Germany.
Turkiye, Georgia, Romania, Belgium and Slovakia were the final teams to secure their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Here, we unpack the best of Wednesday's social media clips from the football at the European Championship.
Germany eyeing Denmark task
Julian Nagelsmann's side now know their opponents for the knockout stages of Euro 2024 following the conclusion of Group C on Tuesday.
The hosts will travel to Dortmund this Saturday to play Denmark at the Westfalenstadion for a place in the quarter-finals.
Having had two extra days of rest compared to their opponents, Germany will be hopeful of continuing their impressive start to the tournament.
Varga returns to Hungary
Following a successful operation, Hungary striker Barnabas Varga has been discharged from hospital and returned home to continue his recovery.
The 29-year-old was left with multiple broken facial bones and a concussion after colliding with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn last Sunday.
Varga's club side, Ferencvaros, posted a picture to X of the striker waving to the camera upon his return back.
Skills on show from Zinchenko
Ahead of Ukraine's meeting with Belgium in Stuttgart, defender Oleksandr Zinchenko was seen showing off his skills.
The Arsenak full-back was introduced as a second-half substitute against the Red Devils, but was unable to prevent his side from finishing bottom of Group E.
Ukraine became the first side in European Championship history to fail to progress to the knockout stages of the competition after claiming four points.
A night to remember for Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia starred in a landmark triumph for Georgia over Portugal, and was able to grab a souvenir to remember the occasion.
In a video posted to his Instagram, the Napoli forward managed to grab Cristiano Ronaldo's shirt at full-time.
With that memento to cherish, Kvaratskhelia will hope to power Georgia through Sunday's last-16 meeting with Spain, the only side still boasting a 100 per cent record in Germany.
Nagelsmann's future number one?
Germany confirmed top spot in Group A on Matchday 3, coming from a goal down to draw with Switzerland in Frankfurt.
Manuel Neuer has kept one clean sheet from his three games, but could have found his future replacement in goal.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was seen sharing a moment with a ball boy prior to kick-off, with the youngster approving of Neuer's throw to him with a thumbs up.
De la Fuente thanks Spanish journalists
The relationship between footballers and journalists can often come into question but that is not the case for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente.
La Roja's head coach met with the Spanish media to thank them for their coverage of Spain's perfect start to the tournament, even sharing food and drink with them.
Kane ready for important part of Euro 2024
After failing to dazzle in their three group games, England captain Harry Kane insists his side are ready to shine in the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
The Bayern Munich striker joined Josh Denzel on Wednesday's episode of the Lions' Den, discussing finishing top of Group C and controlling their destiny moving forward.
"Got a game on Sat!"
The Azzurri face a stern test in the last-16 as they look to retain their European Championship crown.
Luciano Spalletti's side face Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday, with Italy's social media account quick to remind them of getting back into training.
Ferdinand backs Mainoo and Palmer to take England to glory
There were perhaps only two positives from England's draw with Slovakia; topping the group and the introductions of Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer.
The Three Lions young guns made their case for a starting spot against Slovakia in their last-16 fixture on Sunday.
And Rio Ferdinand believes Gareth Southgate must start the pair in Gelsenkirchen, and for the rest of the tournament to stand any chance of success.
'In eight years we never lived like this' – Guardiola shocked by City drop-off
Pep Guardiola admits he has been surprised by Manchester City's alarming dip in form, saying: "In eight years we never lived like this".
Guardiola is in the midst of the longest losing run of his managerial career, with City suffering a fifth straight defeat in all competitions on Saturday as they were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham.
They have also lost three Premier League games in a row and could end the weekend eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who visit bottom club Southampton on Sunday.
It is their worst run in the competition since they lost three straight between February and March 2016, when they finished fourth under Manuel Pellegrini.
"In eight years we never lived this. I knew sooner or later we would drop," Guardiola said after Saturday's game.
"I never expected to lose three Premier League games in a row but we have been incredibly consistent again and again and again.
"Now we cannot deny the reality that sometimes happens in football and life is here."
City's drop-off has coincided with star midfielder Rodri – who won the Ballon d'Or last month – being sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Guardiola's side did not lose any of the 34 Premier League matches in which Rodri appeared last season, winning 27 and drawing seven, though they lost three of four when the Spaniard was absent.
Each of City's last six league defeats have come when Rodri has not featured, but former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes their poor run cannot be totally blamed on his injury.
"We've seen City lose the odd game here, but we've very rarely seen them outplayed in every department, but that's what we're watching," pundit Neville told Sky Sports.
"They look well short. As short as I've seen them since Pep's first season. I've not seen them as bad as this, how they've been in the last few weeks.
"He will have wanted that international break to come, thinking it would be a reset moment. But now here, it further entrenches the opinion this is a City side currently in decline.
"This is more than just Rodri, far more."
Caribbean Premier Showcase offers scholarship opportunities for Jamaican athletes
Coaches from over 35 colleges and universities in the United States are scheduled to scout for players and offer scholarship opportunities, through the Caribbean Premier Showcase (CPS), that will be held over three days at three locations across the island come January 2025.
The Caribbean Premier Showcase was founded two years go with the goal of connecting soccer players with college coaches in expanding opportunities for Jamaican athletes. The showcase began under another name and started only at St. Elizabeth Technical High School for all male soccer players in Jamaica.
That same year the Caribbean Premier Showcase team was invited to the islands of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago to bring the same opportunities for their high school soccer athletes. Shortly after these stagings the showcases were rebranded to Caribbean Premier Showcase (CPS) reflecting the organizations commitment to the Caribbean.
Rajay Maragh, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner at CPS, said the major objective is mainly bringing players and coaches together to create opportunities for recruitment. Players he said get to see show their skills live, interact with coaches, gather information and processes all with the intention of securing a scholarship to study and play overseas.
“The process is heavily based on the coaches whereas the showcase is not limited to anyone local school or conference but rather each athlete is given the same access, playing time and information to showcase their talent. Once completed coaches will reach out after, gather additional data and also create a player profile of they wish to proceed,” Maragh said.
“There is also the academic check with takes place after, each school have their own admission processes and requirements which crates the second stage of follow up to make sure the student is eligible for recruitment,” he added.
All the members of the CPS team received academic and sports scholarship at some point to attend and or player soccer overseas. Maragh said they understood the value, the complexity and the opportunities showcase like CPS can create and felt the need to pass it on, as it is important for the continuity and development of the region.
Colleges confirmed so far include Iowa Western College CC, Wright State University NCAA DI, Eastern Kentucky University NCAA DI, Pearl River CC, Tougaloo College CC, NYU, UCON NCAA DI, Comberland University NAIA, Lincoln University NCAA DII, Concordia NCAA DII, Missouri Valley NAIA, New College Florida NAIA, Baker University NAIA, Johnson County CC, Lindenwood University NCAA DI, Missouri State University, Keiser University NAIA, Hampton University (Womens Soccer) NCAA DI, Maine Maritime University (Women Soccer) NCAA DIII, Ruben Gap (High School), Broward College CC, Hill College CC, Ranger College CC, Allen CC, Southeastern CC, NIU (NCAA DI), Fairleigh Dickinson University NCAA DI, Daytona Beach CC, North Eastern Community College CC, Daemen College CC, Central Community College CC.
Professional coaches include Atlanta United, Houston Dynamo and CSF Spartanii Sportul (Moldovan Super League).
The Caribbean Premier Showcase will be held on January 8, 2025 at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School; on January 9, 2025 at the Horace Burrell Facility in Kingston and on January 11, 2025 in association with the Inter Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), All DaCosta Cup versus All Manning Cup teams.
Maragh said their team while focused on the Caribbean have been invited to help with other showcases; this past May in Athlone, Ireland and next year in Portugal, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.
The application process is now open and athletes can register online at carribeanpremiershowcase.com:
https://www.caribbeanpremiershowcase.com/event-page
Persons interested in being apart of the project can email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Robertson makes overseas players plea after New Zealand labour versus Italy
New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has said he wants to see overseas-based players become eligible for the All Blacks after his side laboured to a 29-11 win over Italy.
The visitors recorded their 18th straight win against Italy to wrap up their autumn series, but Robertson's side were made to work for the victory in Turin in flanker Sam Cane's final Test for the team, ahead of his switch to play club rugby in Japan.
Speaking after the game, Robertson said he would ask New Zealand Rugby to follow in the footsteps of world champions South Africa and allow those playing outside domestic competitions to be eligible for the national team.
"We don't want to be a cycle behind or a couple of years behind," Robertson said.
"Professional rugby is always evolving. Let's keep an open mind and see what's next. I'll definitely be presenting.
"Using South Africa as an example, they get the opportunity to use a lot of experienced players who are looked after and managed well into their 30s so they've got a great balance.
"And they've got big squads, they can have two really quality 15s."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
