Euro 2024 social round-up: Kroos' goodbye, Spain celebrate on and off the pitch

By Sports Desk July 06, 2024

Euro 2024 action returned on Friday, as the first two teams booked their places in the semi-finals.

Spain scored a last-gasp goal to knock hosts Germany out of the tournament thanks to their 2-1 win. Meanwhile, France were perfect from the spot in their shootout win over Portugal after a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes.

Two more ties were on offer on Saturday as Switzerland and England face off before the Netherlands and Turkiye vie for the final spot.

But what about the action online? 

Here is the best of the social media posts from Friday and Saturday at Euro 2024.

Saying goodbye to a legend

Germany suffered heartbreak as they became the first host nation to exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage of the tournament.

But their defeat also meant the end to a true footballing great's career. 

Toni Kroos played his final game on Friday, with the official Euro 2024 X account sharing their appreciation for the midfielder.

Celebrations on and off the pitch

While Mikel Merino's 119th-minute goal sent Spain fans everywhere into raptures, that was not the only celebration going on in La Roja's camp on Friday.

Dani Vivian celebrated his 25th birthday with the team earlier in the day, with everyone sharing their well-wishes.

All in all, not a bad way to spend your birthday.

Les Bleus' cheers ring out

While France v Portugal did not quite live up to some of the expectations placed upon it as the teams played out a goalless draw after extra time.

But Didier Deschamps' men kept their composure from the spot, scoring all five of their penalties in the shootout to book a place in the next round.

And they gave fans a glimpse of the players' reactions as they made their way into the changing rooms post-match. 

Southgate hits landmark

It is a big day for England on the pitch as they bid to reach the European Championships semi-finals for the second consecutive edition.

And it's a milestone match for Gareth Southgate, who is taking charge of his 100th match.

Three Lions fans will be wishing he can mark that landmark with a special win.

The Dutch arrive

It has been a sight to behold throughout the tournament when the Dutch fans descend on a new city before their matches in a sea of orange.

While they have drawn the eye with their orange bus and fan parades in the past, their new modes of transport were spotted getting to Berlin ahead of their match against Turkiye. 

A sea of red

The fans were also out in force for Switzerland as they aim to book their place in the semi-final of the Euros for the first time in their history.

And, painted red, they were a united front as they arrived in Dusseldorf, with the hopes of another big result on their minds. 

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  • Leipzig have 'everything you would want' – Celtic boss Rodgers Leipzig have 'everything you would want' – Celtic boss Rodgers

    Celtic may be four points clear of RB Leipzig in the Champions League, but Brendan Rodgers is not underestimating the challenge that his side face on Tuesday.

    The Hoops welcome Leipzig to Celtic Park on matchday four, for what will be the fifth meeting between the sides.

    Leipzig have won three of the previous four encounters, with Celtic winning 2-1 in a Europa League match in November 2018.

    While Leipzig, who are second in the Bundesliga, have lost all of their Champions League matches this term, Celtic bounced back from their heavy defeat to Borussia Dortmund by holding Atalanta to a 0-0 draw in their last European outing.

    Rodgers' team come into Tuesday's clash on the back of a resounding 6-0 defeat of Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, but Rodgers knows his side are in for a stern test.

    "Leipzig are no different to Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta," said Rodgers. "A top team. They have everything you would want - speed, power, technique.

    "It's a brilliant challenge for us."

    After conceding seven goals against Dortmund on MD2, Rodgers explained Celtic knew they had to step up.

    "You always have to learn and be better and we were against Atalanta, a really outstanding team," said Rodgers, who were perhaps fortunate not to concede against the Serie A side, given they conceded 2.4 expected goals (xG).

    "We'll look to bring our energy to the game but we also know we'll have to defend for good periods of the game, play with concentration and commitment like we did against Atalanta," he said.

    "There will be moments when we press with aggression and moments where we have to be controlled. Top teams will push you back and you have to have resilience."

    After a run of 12 home games without a win at Celtic Park in the Champions League between 2013 and 2023 (D3 L9), Celtic have won their last two home games. They last had three wins in a row back in November 2007 under manager Gordon Strachan.

    "Home games are very important at this level and when you want the result the supporters can bring you closer to that," said Rodgers.

    "What the noise generates here is absolutely incredible.

    "We will also need that bit of patience as well because we have to be educated in our pressure.

    "We've got ourselves into a really good position after three games and now we have another opportunity to show we can pick up a result against a top team."

  • Neymar does not believe latest injury is serious Neymar does not believe latest injury is serious

    Neymar does not feel his latest injury is anything to be overly worried about.

    The Brazilian star had to be substituted off late on in Al-Hilal's 3-0 win over Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

    Aleksandar Mitrovic's hat-trick propelled Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal to a comfortable win, though it was soured when Neymar clutched his right thigh and left the field just 29 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.

    It was only the 32-year-old's second appearance since he returned from a year-long lay-off due to a serious knee injury.

    However, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona attacker allayed fears over a serious injury.

    "It felt like a cramp, only very strong!" Neymar posted on Instagram. "I'm going to have some tests and I hope it's nothing too serious.

    "It's normal for this to happen after a year, the doctors had already warned me, so I have to be careful and play more minutes."

    Neymar has played only seven games for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal since joining from PSG in a blockbuster transfer last year.

  • Fonseca targets statement Milan win over Real Madrid Fonseca targets statement Milan win over Real Madrid

    Milan have no need to fear Real Madrid and their coach Paulo Fonseca is targeting a statement win in the Champions League.

    Despite having won more Champions League/European Cup titles (seven) than any other club apart from Madrid (15), it has been 17 years since Milan last lifted the trophy in 2007.

    On the other hand, holders Madrid have won the Champions League six times since 2013-14.

    But Fonseca sees no reason to fear Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Carlo Ancelotti's side were recently hammered 4-0 by Barcelona.

    "We're playing against a team that aspires to win the Champions League every year and for us it's a great opportunity to grow," Fonseca said.

    "We'll play without fear of anything, with courage, because we believe we can play a great game and do great things.

    "I always transmit to my team the desire to win and tomorrow will be no different. Real Madrid are a great team, but we will go out there thinking about winning. After that, anything can happen, but that's the mentality.

    "To win a match like this, we have to defend well, have possession of the ball and create dangerous situations. A match against Real Madrid is a chance to show the world our quality and the way we are growing."

    Madrid are 12th in the 36-team Champions League table with six points, while Milan are languishing in 25th spot – just outside the play-off places – with three points after three games.

    Fonseca explained Milan had carefully studied Barcelona's 4-0 win over Madrid in last month's Clasico.

    "I saw the derby, it's impossible not to watch it. They are teams I like to watch and I paid close attention to the game," Fonseca said.

    "We are different from Barcelona but it was important to see Real Madrid's intentions against them because Barca have a similar way of defending with us. We made the whole team watch the game.

    "It is the match between the two clubs that have won the Champions League the most. There are many games in the continent that are big, but this one is obviously something special, a match between two clubs that are attractive.

    "We hope to put on a good show for people who enjoy good football."

    Milan are winless in their last three Champions League games against Madrid (D2 L1) since they won 3-2 in October 2009 with goals from Andrea Pirlo and Alexandre Pato.

    Madrid have won five of their seven home matches against Milan in the competition (D1 L1), beating them 2-0 in the most recent such match in October 2010.

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