Euro 2024 social round-up: Fussballliebe gets makeover, ice-cool Ivan Toney

By Sports Desk July 09, 2024

The final three matches of Euro 2024 are upon us, and the action kicked off on Tuesday with Spain taking on France.

Les Bleus were one of the pre-tournament favourites, but it is Spain who were more impressive en route to the last four. 

The other semi-final will see England face the Netherlands on Wednesday. 

And here, we round up the best posts from social media across the past few days.

Ice-cool Ivan

Ivan Toney stayed cool from the spot as he slotted his penalty home for England in their 5-3 shoot-out win over Switzerland.

The Brentford man showed the kind of composure he has so often in the Premier League, being widely regarded as one of the best penalty takers in the European game.

Indeed, such is the 28-year-old's confidence from 12 yards, he didn't even need to look at the ball as he stroked it beyond Yann Sommer.

And England's social media team took the chance to show just what Toney can do without even having to look...

MVP

It was hardly a classic between France and Portugal last Friday.

But Les Bleus got the job done on penalties to advance from their quarter-final tie, and substitute Ousmane Dembele was particularly impressive.

He was the player who got all the plaudits from his team-mates at full-time.

Alexander's joy

Scenes of supporters celebrating wildly at fan zones up and down Germany are always popular, but one particular fan captured Spanish hearts last week.

Surrounded by Germany fans as he watched La Roja's extra-time win over the hosts, it is fair to say this man – later identified as Alexander – enjoyed himself. 

Spain rewarded his passion by inviting him to meet members of the squad, posting heart-warming footage of the meet-and-greet on X.

Fussballliebe gets new look

The semi-final stage of a major tournament means one thing: a new look for the ball.

Euro 2024's star, the Fussballliebe, has been decked out in silver ahead of the matches.

It is gold, though, that the four remaining contenders will be targeting in the coming days.

The Oranje wall?

Clad all in orange while bouncing down the streets of host cities, the Netherlands' fans have been one of the highlights of the tournament.

They will descend upon Dortmund for Wednesday's second semi-final, looking to extend England's run of major tournament hurt.

The famous Yellow Wall at Signal Iduna Park could turn Oranje, and the stadium looked resplendent as the Netherlands' social media admin took in the views on Tuesday.

Saka's reward

Saturday was a good day for Bukayo Saka.

Having seen England fall behind to Switzerland in a tense quarter-final clash, the Arsenal winger rescued his country with a terrific 20-yard strike into the bottom-left corner.

He then held his nerve in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, beating Sommer to exorcise the demons of his costly kick in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

On Tuesday, the tournament's official X account awarded Saka the goal of the round award for the last eight.

Is it too much ask for more of the same on Wednesday? England fans will be hoping not.

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    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.

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    "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.

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

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    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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