Gareth Southgate must look towards starting Anthony Gordon or Cole Palmer in England's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday, says former Three Lions defender Wes Brown.

England seemed set to be heading out in the last 16 last Sunday until Jude Bellingham's superb 95th-minute overhead kick sent the tie to extra time against Slovakia.

Harry Kane then headed in the winner just a minute after the restart, with England able to hold on to get into the last eight with a 2-1 comeback victory.

Southgate has resisted altering his line-up so far at the Euros, making just two changes to his starting XI in four games, yet Brown believes England would benefit from considering their two youthful attackers.

"He's [Southgate] the manager and he's stayed with the same four at the top with Bellingham there," said Brown, speaking to Stats Perform at the Home of Adidas football in Berlin.

"And I think we've all seen the likes of Palmer come on and do really well. It's just a matter of, for the next stages, are you going to change one or two players?

"I don't think it will change much in general. It's not like any of the lads have done anything bad, but no one's played brilliantly as well.

"I think that's where people talk about balance and maybe we should bring Gordon on, or Palmer especially to change it, because he is the in-form player at the moment, I think everyone would agree.

"We've managed and done enough to get through to where we are, and I think that speaks for itself considering we've not played great, fluent football."

England scored just two goals as they topped Group C with one win and two draws, and their games produced the fewest expected goals (xG) among the teams during the group stage (2.26 for, 1.13 against).

Bellingham's leveller was the first shot on target against Slovakia in the last 16, though Brown credited the team's mentality to keep going until the end.

"The way we've been playing, we've not really created much," Brown, a 23-cap international for England, said.

"I know we hit the post, and we had one other opportunity. [But it’s] not quite up to the standard everybody hoped we were going to be. But we're through.

"I think that's very important; the lads have maintained the mentality to keep going and get the goals when needed. I know for a fact we can play much better and we've got another opportunity now to do that against Switzerland at the weekend."

England, however, suffered a blow early on in the last 16, as Marc Guehi received his second booking of the tournament in the third minute, ruling him out of Saturday's game.

The Crystal Palace centre-back has received plaudits for his performances so far, yet Southgate is now facing a dilemma over who will partner John Stones in defence.

"It's a tough one," Brown added. "The obvious choice is either [Ezri] Konza or [Lewis] Dunk.

"Dunk hasn't had any game time at the moment. Konza came on the last time and played out of position a little bit, so I would have thought it would be Konza.

"But the manager is going to have to come up with a decision, he could easily move a few other people around, I don't know, could you play [Kyle] Walker there?

"There's a lot to think about, but if you're talking like-for-like, you've probably got to bring Konza in."

Toni Kroos says he is not feeling nostalgic about the possibility of his career ending on Friday when Germany face Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Kroos came out of international retirement to play for Germany on home soil at the European Championships, but announced in May that he would be retiring from football at the end of the tournament.

The German won LaLiga before earning a sixth Champions League title in his farewell game for Real Madrid and is now aiming to finish his career by lifting the Euros trophy for the first time.

With a place in the next round not guaranteed, Kroos could play his final game on Friday should Germany lose to Spain, but that is not something he is thinking about.

"It is the second most important title you can win, and it would have a huge importance for me," he said. "If I did not see having the chance to do it with the team, I would not have [come back].

"It would be a sensational end, but I have also considered the possibility of it not happening. I am not nostalgic at all and did not bring any treats for [journalists] either.

"I do not expect it to be my last game, so I assume we will see each other again."

Kroos has been an influential figure in the side already. In the group stage, he completed 95% of his passes (411/431), the highest completion rate by a player to attempt 300+ passes on record in the competition.

After a string of disappointing major tournament results in recent years, with Germany being knocked out of the last two World Cups in the group stage, Kroos is confident they can go all the way this time around.

"There were big doubts about the tournament before it started," he added. "That's normal after the previous tournaments we had.

"So we've now reached a minimal goal and, whatever the result, we won't be speaking about a tournament catastrophe here. But anything that comes now is not a bonus.

"We, as a team, have the goal to win the tournament. So, it is not a bonus, but we are at a stage in the tournament we wanted to reach.

"We should be satisfied, but the demand within the team is to progress further, and we are convinced we can do it."

Vincenzo Montella praised Turkiye's soul and belief following their victory over Austria in Leipzig on Tuesday. 

Merih Demiral's double ensured Montella's side progressed to the quarter-finals of a European Championships for the first time since 2008. 

"No one gave up," Montella said. "Everyone gave a bit extra in terms of their soul, and for a head coach, you know that there are matches such as these and you can only win matches such as these if there is a soul within the squad.

"There's that belief, that conviction. I could go on all night, but I saw all of those attributes, and that makes me very proud."

However, the result could have been so much different if it was not for the fingertips of Mert Gunok. 

With the game ticking towards the fourth and final minute of injury time, Christoph Baumgartner saw his header brilliantly tipped behind by the Besiktas goalkeeper. 

The triumph was of huge significance to the Turkiye head coach, having seen his side lose 6-1 to Austria in an international friendly back in March. 

"That was a horrible stain on my career," Montella said. "That was the team that I was really waiting for, to try and get this monkey off my back.

"So I respect Austria, I respect their head coach, I respect their game plan, the tactics that they implemented on the pitch. But we head coaches, just like footballers, are competitors. 

"And I had that real competitive instinct deep within me because I wanted to change this result. It was only a friendly, but there's no such thing as a friendly at international level."

Montella's side face the Netherlands in Berlin this Saturday for a place in the semi-finals and set up a potential tie against England. 

"We've got huge following. There's passion and the love is really visceral back home in Turkey, so I'm very happy to have handed Turks a bit of pride," he said.

"So this responsibility, this love and support, we constantly feel it. But you can only really embrace these dreams if you work hard right from day one. We've done that right from the outset. We'll really celebrate tonight, but as of tomorrow, we get down to work."

Jude Bellingham says he "felt like Ronaldo" while scoring a stunning overhead kick to send England to extra-time against Slovakia in the round of 16 at Euro 2024.

The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the European Championships on Sunday until Bellingham scored a 95th-minute equaliser.

Harry Kane then scored the winner in the first minute of extra time, with the captain later describing Bellingham's strike as one of the best in England's history.

Bellingham has admitted that while he was in the air, he compared himself to former Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored an iconic overhead kick for Los Blancos in the 2018 Champions League final.

"It was really instinct more than anything," Bellingham said while speaking on England's 'Diary Room' show. "It kind of fell in the perfect spot, and it was a little bit behind me.

"When I was in the air, I thought, 'I'm six feet off the ground, and it's like Ronaldo!' But I've watched it back, and I still had one hand on the ground, so it wasn't the most acrobatic.

"But it was a nice contact. Definitely one of the most important and memorable moments of my career so far."

The England performance was drawing comparisons to their early exit at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016 until Bellingham's intervention, with his strike their first on target.

The Madrid man reflected on how close England came to an exit, but praised the team's belief for getting them over the line.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster really, and probably not the most enjoyable way that you want to win a game," he added.

"You want [to] feel comfortable and in control, but you've got to find ways to win, even if it means overhead kicks in 90 plus five minutes.

"The difference in emotion is huge – it's one minute being dead and buried, as I saw the Slovakia bench all ready to run on, and you feel a bit disheartened and a bit gutted.

“It's not the way I would've wanted it to end – I'm having a good time here with all the lads and the staff and one moment later, it all changes.

"You start believing that we could create one more chance and, luckily, we got it in."

England will play Switzerland in their quarter-final on Saturday, with the Netherlands or Turkiye awaiting in the semi-finals if they make it through.

Ralf Rangnick expressed frustration at aspects of Austria's defensive showing but lauded their entertainment factor after the exit at Euro 2024, where other games have been "difficult to stay awake for".

Austria topped Group D ahead of France and the Netherlands but were exposed from two corners in their last-16 defeat against Turkiye, who triumphed 2-1 in Leipzig on Tuesday.

Merih Demiral capitalised just 57 seconds into the encounter after Arda Guler's set-piece caused carnage, before the same combination provided another telling blow in the second half.

Austria have now fallen at the first knockout stage in back-to-back editions of the Euros, though Rangnick was far from displeased with his battling side.

"We didn't have the necessary luck," the Austria manager told reporters. "I believe if the game had gone to extra time we would have had a chance to win, the Turks were fairly exhausted towards the end, but we had a physical advantage."

"We didn't score enough goals, not enough chances and the set pieces, we didn't defend well. For the second goal, we had three players very good at headers, but Demiral still scored, and if you're two goals behind, it's not easy.

"The four games we played were very entertaining, including today's game. Not everything was accurate, we could have played a few passes better.

"Four entertaining games, super intense – I saw games that were difficult to stay awake for, but that is not the case with us."

Austria recorded an expected goals figure of 2.7 against Turkiye, the most by a team that failed to progress from the Euros knockouts since France against Switzerland in the 2020 round of 16 (3.1).

That entertainment cited by Rangnick was clear to see as Austria were thwarted by Mert Gunok's eye-catching stop in the last minute from Christoph Baumgartner's downward header.

"We are very happy, it is difficult to find words right now," Turkiye's goalkeeping hero Gunok said after his country progressed to the last eight of a major tournament for the first time in 16 years.

"It was a great win, I thank everyone who supported us, I thank our supporters, people and citizens who continued to support us and prayed for us.

"We still have a long way to go, if it's God's will we will go to the very end. We believe this. This win took us to the next level in terms of morale and confidence."

Demiral was the hero at the other end, becoming the first defender to score twice in a game at a major tournament (World Cup/Euros) since John Stones for England versus Panama at the 2018 World Cup.

"I would like to first say this – how happy is the one who says I am a Turk? We experienced incredible moments thanks to our supporters," centre-back Demiral added.

Vincenzo Montella will hope that the Turkish pair can deliver once more when they meet the Netherlands, who overcame Romania 3-0 on Tuesday, in the last eight in Berlin on Saturday.

In the blink of an eye, the Euro 2024 last-16 round is over after Tuesday wrapped up this stage of the competition.

The Netherlands are in the quarter-finals after producing arguably their best performance in Germany, sweeping Group E winners Romania aside with ease.

Turkiye overcame Group D winners Austria in Leipzig and will meet Ronald Koeman's side in the last eight, with the winner potentially facing England in the semi-finals.

After another action-packed day of knockout football, we take a deep dive into the best statistics from the day, using Opta numbers.

Romania 0-3 Netherlands: Malen, Gakpo and Simons star for Oranje

The Netherlands eased past Romania 3-0 to banish demons of previous years by progressing through a European Championship knockout game for the first time since their 2004 penalty shoot-out win over Sweden.

Excluding shoot-out victories, this convincing victory in Munich – inspired by Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen – was the Dutch's first win in the Euros knockout stages since beating Yugoslavia 6-1 in 2000.

Gakpo scored three goals at the 2022 World Cup and has three so far at this tournament after his fine first-half finish, becoming just the third Dutch player to score 3+ goals at two different major tournaments, along with Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992, World Cups in 1994 and 1998).

In fact, across those last two major international tournaments, only France's Kylian Mbappe (nine goals in 10 games) can better Gakpo's six-strike tally in nine appearances among European players.

The Liverpool man played an instrumental part in the Netherlands' second goal, too, setting up Malen, who added another late on to become the first player to score twice in a single game at Euro 2024.

Malen is also the first substitute to score a brace at the Euros since Savo Milosevic in 2000 for Yugoslavia against Slovenia, but the role of those two forwards should not take away from Xavi Simons' credit.

Simons set up Gakpo's opener, as well as assisting against Austria in Group D, and is the youngest player (21 years, 72 days) to assist in consecutive Euros appearances since Switzerland's Eren Derdiyok at Euro 2008 (20 years, 3 days).

That trio were integral as the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals in consecutive major tournaments for the first time since doing so at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

In stark contrast, Romania have now won just two out of 20 matches at the European Championships (D6 L12), with their 10% win ratio the lowest of any nation to play 10+ games in the competition.

Austria 1-2 Turkiye: Record-breaking Demiral secures quarter-final berth

Merih Demiral will be the toast of Turkiye after his double, including a record-breaking opener, powered his side to a 2-1 win over Austria and into the European Championships last eight for the third time.

Demiral needed just 57 seconds to open the scoring, the fastest goal in Euros knockout history and the second earliest in the entire competition ever, to help the Crescent Stars grab another world record.

Turkiye now boast the fastest knockout goal at the Euros, as well as at FIFA's top event (since records began in 1966), with Hakan Sukur also netting after 11 seconds against Korea Republic at the 2002 World Cup.

Yet Demiral was not done there, adding another after the interval to become the first defender to score twice in a game at a major tournament since John Stones for England versus Panama at the 2018 World Cup.

He is also the first player in his position to manage two goals in a knockout-stage game since France's Lilian Thuram against Croatia in the 1998 World Cup semi-finals.

Ralf Rangnick's side halved the arrears through Michael Gregoritsch, who has scored four goals in two appearances against Turkiye, with his other 12 goals for his nation coming against 12 different opponents.

That goal was not enough for Austria but, they achieved a bizarre feat in the process, with this the first match on record (since 1980) at the European Championship to see as many as three goals come via set-pieces.

Austria will look back with regret after consecutive last-16 exits at the Euros, having also accumulated the most expected goals (2.7) by a team that failed to progress from a Euros knockout stage tie, since France against Switzerland in the Euro 2020 round of 16 (3.1).

Turkiye, by contrast, will be looking to the future after they became the second team in the competition's history to name two teenagers (Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler) in their starting XI for a knockout stage game, following Hungary in 1964 against Denmark.

Ronald Koeman saluted the Netherlands' "outstanding" performance against Romania, as they cruised into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a dominant 3-0 victory.

Cody Gakpo was on target - taking his joint-leading goal tally for the tournament to three - while Donyell Malen struck twice from the bench to set up a last-eight clash with Turkiye, who beat Austria 2-1 later in the day.

The Netherlands stumbled through to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams, following a disappointing 3-2 defeat against the Austrians in their final Group D outing.

However, the Oranje were much improved as they ousted Group E winners Romania, and Koeman insisted his players must maintain these performance levels heading into the business end of the tournament.

"It is sometimes difficult to say why you play badly in one game and then can reach a high level the next match," he told reporters during his post-match press conference.

"We were sharp from the beginning today, and that made a difference. Maybe, one critical point is that it took too long to score the second goal.

"The result is always the most important thing, but we are Dutch and in the Netherlands, we have to play well and offensively. We know that.

"The whole performance today was outstanding, and that is what we need to do to continue in this tournament. This is the level. If we go down from this, we won't reach the final."

Koeman was part of the triumphant Dutch side at the 1988 European Championship, which was also held in Germany.

And after guiding his side into their first quarter-final in this competition since 2008, he maintained his players must match the achievements of 36 years ago if they are to be mentioned in the same breath.

"We have great talent in this team," he added. "But, of course, you need to win something, then people can start to make comparisons with 1988."

Turkiye's Merih Demiral produced a record-breaking opener before his second goal secured a 2-1 victory over Austria at Euro 2024, teeing up a quarter-final meeting with the Netherlands.

Ralf Rangnick's side topped Group D ahead of France and Ronald Koeman's Oranje, but came unstuck in the first knockout round on Tuesday in Leipzig.

Demiral scored after just 57 seconds for the fastest knockout-stage goal in European Championship history, before doubling Turkiye's lead, and his own account, after the interval.

Michael Gregoritsch offered Austria hope with his 66th-minute finish, yet Vincenzo Montella's men – saved by last-gasp Mert Gunok heroics – held on to progress into the last-eight clash in Berlin on Saturday.

Demiral struck first with less than a minute on the clock, smashing in from point-blank range after Patrick Pentz tipped away an Austrian deflection from Arda Guler's right-sided corner.

Christoph Baumgartner almost responded immediately, though, dancing towards the perimeter of the area before whistling a right-footed drive narrowly wide of Gunok's left-hand post.

Another chance fell Baumgartner's way moments later as Demiral failed to clear Romano Schmid's corner, though the stretching Austria forward was unable to get the decisive touch at the back post.

Those missed opportunities would come back to haunt Rangnick's side after 59 minutes when Guler delivered another corner onto the head of Demiral, who powered home from inside the six-yard box.

Substitute Gregoritsch halved the arrears just seven minutes later, steering in after Stefan Posch's flick-on before Baumgartner's header was denied by an expert Gunok stop in stoppage time.

That Gunok save will live long in the memory of Turkish supporters after progressing to the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years.

Data Debrief: Turkiye living in Demiral dreamland

Demiral is the first Turkish player to score a brace at the Euros since Nihat Kahveci against Chechia in 2008, and the first-ever player for his country to do so in the knockout rounds.

Turkiye now have the earliest goal scorers in knockout rounds at both the European Championships and the World Cup (Hakan Sukur versus Korea Republic in 2002 - 0:11), since records began in 1966.

Austria's undoing came at the hands of a familiar foe, too, as Rangnick's men have now gone winless in their last six meetings with Turkiye, who will now hope to down the Netherlands in four days' time.

Turkiye's Merih Demiral scored after just 57 seconds on Tuesday, shattering the record for the fastest goal in the history of the European Championship knockout rounds.

The Turkiye defender profited from two fortuitous deflections from an early corner, rocketing into the roof of the net to open the scoring against Austria in the last 16.

That strike marked the fastest goal for Turkiye at major tournaments (World Cup or Euros) since Hakan Sukur against Korea Republic at the 2002 World Cup (11 seconds), another competition record.

Remarkably, there were no goals in the first minute of a match in the first 16 editions of the European Championships (1960-2020) – now there have been two in the opening minute at Euro 2024.

A youthful Turkiye side also became the first team in the Euros knockout stages to name two teenagers (Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler) in their starting XI since Hungary in 1964 against Denmark.

At the age of 25 years and 254 days, Turkiye named the youngest starting XI in a European Championship knockout stage game as well, since Belgium against Wales at Euro 2016 (24y 242d).

Cody Gakpo said the Netherlands' performance against Romania represented the ideal answer to media criticism as they booked their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Gakpo opened the scoring as the Oranje ran out 3-0 winners in Tuesday's last-16 tie, with Donyell Malen coming off the bench to add two more goals in the latter stages.

The Liverpool man has now scored six goals at the last two major tournaments, with Kylian Mbappe (nine goals) the only European to better that tally across the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

He is also one of just three players to net three or more goals in two separate tournaments for the Oranje, after Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992, 1994 and 1998 World Cups).

The Netherlands were fiercely criticised by the media at home after finishing third in Group D, and Gakpo was aware of the need to respond emphatically.

"This was the answer we had to our last performance – we had a good game, scored good goals, we played good football," Gakpo said.

"Of course we could do better, but it was a good showing after the last game. A good step in that next direction. 

"We felt we were in control even though they were a dangerous opponent. We never had the feeling that we would lose control of the game."

Virgil van Dijk was among the Oranje players to see his group-stage performances slated, and he was equally proud of the team's response on Tuesday.

"We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," Van Dijk said. "We could have scored a lot more. 

"After a turbulent week, where a lot was said, we had to show something and we did that. We are self-critical and we knew it had to be a lot better after the last game.

"Everyone went for the duels, won the second balls and took chances. Playing good football gives us self-confidence."

The Netherlands have progressed from a European Championship knockout match for the first time since 2004, when they beat Sweden on penalties after a goalless draw.

Excluding penalties, it is their first win in a knockout game since they thrashed Yugoslavia 6-1 in 2000 – the biggest margin of victory ever recorded at the tournament. 

Cody Gakpo scored and Donyell Malen netted twice off the bench as the Netherlands booked their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Romania.

Gakpo saw his low drive beat Florin Nita for power 20 minutes in to settle the Oranje's nerves, and they were in total command from that moment on.

The Liverpool man saw a potential second goal ruled out before Virgil van Dijk struck the woodwork, but some fine work late on saw him tee up substitute Malen to make it 2-0.

Malen then added further gloss on the break in stoppage time, and the Netherlands will approach Saturday's quarter-final tie against Austria or Turkiye with confidence, with a potential semi-final clash with England still on the cards.

The Netherlands made a tentative start and were fortunate to see Dennis Man's 20-yard drive float over the crossbar, but the Oranje went ahead in the 20th minute.

Gakpo cut inside Andrei Ratiu before shooting from the left side of the area, and Florin Nita arguably should have done better as the ball squirmed past him at his near post.

The Netherlands grew in confidence from there and bossed the remainder of the first half, going close to a second goal when Denzel Dumfries forced an error from Bogdan Racovitan before teeing up Xavi Simons, but the RB Leipzig man took too long before shooting wide.

The Oranje pressure continued after the restart as Ratiu's desperate tackle prevented Memphis Depay from blasting into a gaping net, before Van Dijk sent a downward header against the post and wide just before the hour mark.

Depay then called Nita into action with a ferocious 25-yard strike before he was denied his brace by a VAR review, being called offside after he poked home following a scramble in the area.

Joey Veerman went closer still when he rolled his shot across goal and wide after finding space on the left of the box, but Ronald Koeman's team had daylight with seven minutes remaining.

Gakpo did brilliantly to keep the ball in play under pressure from Radu Dragusin, with Malen turning his low cross home for the clinching goal.

With Romania crestfallen, Malen doubled his tally at the death, streaking away on the break before rolling his finish into the bottom-left corner.

Gakpo enters Golden Boot race

Perhaps Nita should have done better for Gakpo's opener, failing to keep his shot out despite getting two hands to it at the near post, but the Liverpool man caught out the goalkeeper with a lethal strike after turning Ratiu.

He now has three goals at Euro 2024, joining Jamal Musiala, Georges Mikautadze and Ivan Schranz at the top of the scoring charts, with the latter two having already been eliminated.

He also scored three times at the 2022 World Cup, meaning Kylian Mbappe (nine goals) is the only European player to outscore him across the last two major tournaments.

Gakpo is also just the third Netherlands player to score three or more goals at two different major tournaments, after Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992, 1994 and 1998 World Cups).

Romania's luck runs out

Romania thrilled fans with their matchday-one victory over Ukraine, but after that, they were somewhat fortunate to escape the most balanced group in European Championship history.

Among all teams to progress from the group stage, only Georgia (71) faced more shots than Romania's 46.

They started brightly as they attacked a sea of yellow at one end of the stadium on Tuesday, but the Netherlands soon assumed control, firing off 23 shots worth 2.75 expected goals (xG) to Romania's five (0.28 xG).

The extent of the Dutch dominance was illustrated by the fact they had 10 first-half corners, with only Sweden (11 versus Italy at Euro 2000) having more in an opening period at the tournament since 1980.

The Euro 2024 round of 16 comes to an end on Tuesday.

Romania and the Netherlands are in action in Munich, with their fans creating quite the atmosphere.

Turkiye and Austria face off later on.

And there was also plenty of reaction from the previous matches of the round, too. We've picked out some of the best social media posts.

Private Ed-ucation

England thought they were heading out of the tournament until Jude Bellingham's moment of brilliance against Slovakia on Sunday.

And along with a quarter-final against Switzerland coming as a reward, the Three Lions' squad got an extra treat when pop sensation Ed Sheeran visited their camp to put on a private performance.

Clips of the gig made it onto social media. Perhaps that is what England need to add some spark to their performances?

Oranje takeover

The Dutch fans have been an off-field highlight in Germany, and they were in fantastic voice again as they travelled in their thousands to Munich to cheer on Ronald Koeman's team against Romania.

It was a sea of orange (or Oranje), and it really is some sight.

Fans in unison

But it wasn't just the Dutch fans enjoying themselves in Munich ahead of kick-off.

In fact, supporters of both the Netherlands and Romania joined up to have a sing and dance in the fan park before the match.

Ronaldo's tears

Cristiano Ronaldo was in the limelight on Monday, albeit not for the reason he would have wanted.

The Portugal star missed a penalty in extra time against Slovenia, and relied on his goalkeeper Diogo Costa to get the Selecao out of trouble by making three saves in the shootout.

Ronaldo was in tears at the interval in extra time, though it all worked out in the end. Portugal will face France in the last eight.

CR7's free-kick woes

That penalty was not the only set-piece Ronaldo squandered against Slovenia, with the 39-year-old also trying his luck from free-kicks.

In fact, Ronaldo has now taken 60 free-kicks at major tournaments, yet he has only scored one (against Spain at the 2018 World Cup).

Opta Analyst posted a handy graphic of all those free-kick attempts on X, while also providing a comparison with Lionel Messi, who has scored five out of 53 free-kicks at major tournaments.

Talk about adding insult to injury, guys...

Bellingham's 'most important goal'

Bellingham was the man in England's 'diary room' on Tuesday, and he mentioned how he made sure to give Marc Guehi credit for helping to tee up his overhead kick against Slovakia.

The 21-year-old called it "the most important" goal of his life, too.

There's plenty of spirit in the England camp. Can they translate that into a better performance, though?

Safety first...

Gareth Southgate has come in for plenty of criticism for his conservative tactics at Euro 2024.

And that has seen some accounts join in with what has become something of a pile-on... Including, bizarrely, KFC.

Their official X account posted an AI-generated image of Southgate in a hi-vis, helmet and gloves while frying chicken. Poor old Gareth.

Memphis' new(er) look

Memphis Depay debuted a headband in the group stage, but it looks like he's now switched up the colour from white to black.

He has scored one goal so far, though that came in a defeat to Austria. Will this new look change his luck?

Leroy Sane is hoping he can replicate the impact of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams when Euro 2024 hosts Germany face Spain in a huge quarter-final tussle on Friday.

Germany will face La Roja for a spot in the last four in Stuttgart after overcoming Denmark 2-0 in the last 16, while Luis de la Fuente's side beat Georgia 4-1 after falling behind.

Spain have arguably been the standout team at the tournament thus far, with the impact of their young wing duo Yamal and Williams turning heads.

Sixteen-year-old Yamal assisted as he became the youngest player to feature in a Euros match against Croatia in the group stage, also teeing up Fabian Ruiz against Georgia to become the first teenager with multiple assists at the Euros since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004 (also two).

Williams, meanwhile, netted a fine solo goal on Sunday, becoming the first player on record at the Euros (since 1980) to score, assist and complete 100% of his passes (46/46) in a game he started.

Yamal (11) and Williams (nine) rank joint-third and joint-seventh for dribbles completed at Euro 2024, with the former also fifth for the total distance he has carried the ball upfield (556.8 metres).

Having replaced Florian Wirtz in Germany's starting lineup against Denmark, Bayern Munich man Sane is desperate to match his fellow wingers.

"Especially when they win possession, they instantly look to play forward. They now have an added weapon with their two very quick wingers," Sane said of Spain.

"What happened in the past against Spain, we cannot change that. Our goal is to get to the next round and we will do everything we can to achieve that."

Sane endured a stop-start season with Bayern, with a groin problem he sustained during the Bundesliga run-in threatening his place at Germany's home tournament.

Reflecting on his disrupted preparations, Sane added: "I didn't know how long the injury would last and if I would make the tournament.

"At the end of the day I am here and happy that it worked out and that I could recover and be here for the Euros.

"It is not yet completely gone but it is much, much better than before. I have no pain any longer and that is very good. 

"Before when I had a game I needed five or six days for the pain to subside. I don't have that anymore."

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared Euro 2024 will "without a doubt" be his last European Championships, after Portugal scraped past Slovenia to reach the quarter-finals.

Ronaldo missed chance after chance as Slovenia held on for a goalless draw in Monday's last-16 tie, seeing an extra-time penalty turned away by goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was seen in tears at the extra-time interval, later saying he hit "rock bottom" at that moment.

However, he recovered to convert Portugal's first kick of the shoot-out, while goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia's efforts as the Selecao booked a quarter-final date with France.

Ronaldo is playing at his 11th major tournament (World Cup/Euros) and this is the first in which he failed to score a group-stage goal.

He is still yet to find the net with 20 shots at the tournament, with those efforts giving him a cumulative total of 2.75 expected goals (xG) – the second-most of any player.

Only Germany's Kai Havertz, who has taken and scored two penalties, has accumulated a higher figure, with 3.75.

Ronaldo turned 39 in February and many have questioned whether this will be his final opportunity to win more international silverware. 

He is certain he will not still be playing when Euro 2028 rolls around, telling RTP: "Without a doubt it's the last Euros [for me], of course it is."

Ronaldo dismissed the suggestion his extra-time tears were the result of him approaching the end of his career, saying: "I'm not emotional about that. 

"I'm moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people's passion.

"It's not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?" 

Emma Raducanu used England's comeback win over Slovakia at Euro 2024 as motivation ahead of her Wimbledon opener.

Raducanu was handed a boost on Monday when her planned first-round opponent - world number 22 Ekaterina Alexandrova - withdrew due to illness.

But the 2021 US Open champion did not put in the most convincing display as she beat lucky loser Renata Zarazua 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 on Centre Court.

Nevertheless, Raducanu got the job done, much like Gareth Southgate's side as Jude Bellingham's stunner and Harry Kane's header secured an extra-time win over Slovakia in Germany, despite another poor display.

Raducanu, however, believes England's progress to the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 shows that "winning ugly" is sometimes the way forward.

"I was nervous, I think everyone could see that in my tennis, but at the end of the day you have to do whatever it takes to get over the line," said Raducanu, who wore an England shirt to practice on Sunday.

"Honestly, watching the football [on Sunday], it was winning ugly – it all counts."

Raducanu suggested the late switch of opponent did not help.

"For the past three days, I've been playing and setting up practice for similar opponents and then it is a change of plan," said Raducanu.

"It took a little bit of adjusting and finding my feet.

"But I’d like to thank everyone for their support in the crucial moments. I enjoyed playing back here."

Raducanu will face Elise Mertens in the next round, and is delighted to have progressed as she aims to build on a solid grass-court swing so far.

"I said I'd be over the moon if I won my first round here, and I really am," the 21-yea

"I feel the joy of being on site, the joy to be part of the buzz. I'm really just enjoying myself."