Harry Maguire has confirmed that he will not be part of England's squad ahead of Euro 2024 due to injury.

Maguire was called up to Gareth Southgate's preliminary 33-man party but joined James Maddison and Curtis Jones in leaving camp ahead of Friday's friendly meeting with Iceland at Wembley Stadium.

The 31-year-old has not played since April due to a calf injury, but it was hoped he would recover in time, having been key for Southgate in previous tournaments.

Maguire trained individually on Thursday before reports claimed he had not been selected, and that news was confirmed by the player himself.

In a post on X, Maguire wrote: "I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer.

"Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf. Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted.

"For me, representing England is the highest honour. It means everything to me. If I can’t help the team as a player, I will support them as a fan – along with the rest of the country. Go and win it boys.

"Next, I will return to the supervision of the Manchester United medical team in order to prepare for next season."

Reports also suggested that Jack Grealish has been cut from the squad.

The Manchester City winger was reduced to a substitute role in England's friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday, but impressed after coming off the bench to assist Trent Alexander-Arnold's goal.

However, he struggled for form last season, scoring just three goals in 36 appearances in all competitions. 

James Trafford, Jarell Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite are the other players expected to miss out on a place in the Three Lions' squad, which had to be cut down to 26.

Pat Nevin believes Scotland can be considered as dark horses to triumph against the odds at Euro 2024.

Steve Clarke's side welcome Finland to Hampden Park in a friendly this week before making the trip to Germany, where they will open the tournament against the hosts on June 14. 

Scotland will be hopeful of earning a first triumph over their opponents since 1999, when Don Hutchison scored the only goal in a 1-0 friendly victory, but they have yet to beat the Germans in a major tournament. 

The Scots, who will also face Switzerland and Hungary in Group A, have reached successive European Championship finals, making it to four overall, but they are yet to make it past the first round.

But that is something Nevin, who represented Scotland for a decade between 1986 and 1996, insists will not happen this time around.

“I think this is the best chance that Scotland have had for progression for generations, obviously, because we've not got there a lot of the time," Nevin told Stats Perform.

"But this is a group that is a real possibility. The Hungarians and the Swiss are similar in quality to Scotland, so there's not a great deal between us. If I had to push it, I think we're better, player for player. Nothing would make me happier for Steve Clark, for the players, for the way the fans have got behind us, for us to get through to this next stage. I'm better than hopeful, I'm quietly confident.

"I've been asked who the dark horses are for the Euros quite a few times. And I honestly can think of only one team that is the obvious dark horses - it's Scotland.

"I look around all the other teams and I think, no, people don't rate Scotland that highly because you're too busy looking at England and how brilliant a team they are.

"They have a lot of players that have played in the Premier League or are at the top level in Scotland. Add on top of that a manager who has developed something extra special. I honestly think it's us, it's Scotland this time.

"Anything can happen in the Euros and that's one of the great things about it. Sometimes I wish the draws weren't done before because we know who we'll get if we're first and second, and it's going to be tough if we get through.

"Get the job done in hand first. The job in hand is to get out of the group. You know, it's going to be a tough one after that."

Premier League clubs have voted to continue using VAR in the competition, following a motion from Wolves to abolish it from the start of next season.

However, clubs have committed to tweaking the way VAR is operated "for the benefit of the game and supporters".

VAR has been used in the Premier League since 2019, and though England's top flight has published statistics to demonstrate increased accuracy in decision-making, it has continued to cause controversy.

Wolves were on the wrong end of several contentious decisions in 2023-24, starting from their opening game last August as Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) representative Jon Moss apologised for a failure to award them a penalty during a 1-0 loss to Manchester United.

In April, Wolves saw a potential stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham disallowed for a subjective offside call against Tawanda Chirewa, with boss Gary O'Neil given a one-match ban for a subsequent post-match outburst towards referee Tony Harrington.

Wolves brought the motion to abolish VAR forward at the league's annual general meeting in Harrogate, saying the technology had been introduced "in good faith" but had damaged fans' relationships with the game, led to accusations of corruption and diminished the accountability of officials.

However, they failed to garner any support for their position as all 19 of their rivals voted to keep VAR.

The clubs did, however, agree on a need to tweak VAR to improve the supporter experience, picking out six areas of focus.

In a statement, the league committed to "maintaining a high threshold" for VAR interventions, reducing delays through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology and exploring in-stadium announcements from referees.

The league also said "more robust" VAR training would be administered by PGMOL and pledged to improve transparency through expanded communications and broadcasts.

Finally, a "fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign" will be established to clarify VAR's role in the game.

Semi-automated offside technology will be introduced in the Premier League later this year, having already become a fixture in UEFA competitions and other divisions across the continent.  

Suriname, Curacao, Nicaragua, and Guatemala opened their Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers account on a winning note, while Trinidad and Tobago had to come from behind to secure a point against Grenada in Second Round action across the region on Wednesday.

While the four winners pocketed three points to take pole positions in their respective groups, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada shared the spoils after a 2-2 stalemate, and so too did Antigua and Barbuda and Bermuda, who battled to a 1-1 scoreline.

Antigua and Barbuda vs Bermuda

Antigua and Barbuda and Bermuda locked horns in Group A at the ABFA Technical Centre in Piggotts.

Raheem Deterville sent the hosts in front with a 26th-minute strike from inside of the penalty arc. The assist came from a long pass over the top by D’Andre Bishop.

However, Bermuda rescued a point in the 90th through Sachiel Ming, who picked up a pass from Kane Crichlow and slotted home from close range.

Up next for Antigua and Barbuda is a trip to the Cayman Islands on Saturday, while Bermuda will host Honduras on Sunday at the Bermuda National Sports Centre.

Suriname vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname registered a comfortable 4-1 victory over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to get their Group F campaign going at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo.

Oalex Anderson gave St Vincent and Grenadines a dream start, when he pounced on a loose ball and converted in the 31st minute.

But Sheraldo Becker pulled Suriname level in the 39th from the penalty spot after Immanuel-Johannes Pherai was taken down inside the danger area.

Jeredy Hilterman then pushed Suriname ahead in the 45+3 minutes as he rose above defenders to head home from Pherai’s weighted cross.

From 2-1 at the break, Suriname wasted little time to press the ascendancy on the resumption, as Justin Lonwijk pushed them further ahead with a well-taken 46th-minute effort, to make it 3-1.

Jaden Montnor then capped the win in the 70th minute.

Suriname will visit Anguilla on Saturday, while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will remain in Suriname to play host to El Salvador, at the same venue, on Sunday.

Trinidad and Tobago vs. Grenada

Trinidad and Tobago’s opener produced a less than desirable outcome, as they had to dig deep for the 2-2 stalemate with Grenada in Group B action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

The Soca Warriors found themselves on the backfoot when Myles Hippolyte converted a 24th-minute penalty to gift Grenada an early lead, after the ball was handled inside the red zone.

And before they could catch their breaths, Grenada doubled the lead four minutes later when Hippolyte rifled home off the volley, beating Trinidad and Tobago’s custodian Denzil Smith, all ends up in the 28th minute.

Needing to respond, Trinidad and Tobago did just that through Ryan Telfer, who got on the end of a through pass from Reon Moore and calmly slotted home in the 43rd to make it 2-1 at the break.

Moore later found the equalizer in the 74th from a well-worked counter attack to secure a share of the spoils.

Trinidad and Tobago will next be away to Bahamas on Saturday in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, with Grenada to host Costa Rica on Sunday in St. George's.

Curaçao vs. Barbados

Curaçao began their campaign with a tidy 4-1 victory over Barbados in Group C action at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad.

Rangelo Janga opened the scoring in the 25th with a close range effort.

Curacao had to wait until the 62nd to double their lead as Janga again found space inside the area to slot home. He completed his hat-trick in the 85th from the penalty spot.

Niall Reid-Stephen pulled one back for Barbados in the 90+2, also from the 12-yard spot. But Gervane Kastaneer found another for Curacao which served as icing on the cake.

Curaçao will visit Aruba in Oranjestad on Saturday, while Barbados will host Haiti in Bridgetown on Sunday.

Nicaragua vs. Montserrat

Nicaragua also completed a 4-1 win over Montserrat in Group D at the National Football Stadium in Managua.

It was a frantic start to the contest, as the host went ahead through Jaime Moreno, who expertly headed home in the fourth minute. But Brandon Barzey pulled Montserrat level in the 10th.

However, that was all the visitors would get as Junior Arteaga pushed Nicaragua back in front with a well-taken 23rd-minute freekick.

Jacob Montes fired home from the edge of the 18-yard box to extend the lead in the 70^th, before Harold Medina capped the win in the 90+3.

Nicaragua will visit Belize on Saturday in Belmopan. Montserrat will remain in Managua to face Panama on Sunday.

Guatemala vs. Dominica

Guatemala registered the widest victory margin on the day, as they hammered Dominica 6-0 in Group E at the Doroteo Guamuch Flores Stadium in Guatemala City.

Alejandro Galindo started the rout in the third minute, before Allen Yanes headed in an Oscar Santis cross to make it 2-0 in the 28th.

Galindo completed his brace in the 49th when he converted off a follow-up attempt after Glenson Prince’s shot from a distance was kept out.

Rubio Rubin added his name to the scoresheet from a 59th-minute header, before Jose Martinez made it 5-0 in the 79th from a setplay.

Jose Morales capped the win in the 84th with a strike from distance.

Guatemala will play the British Virgin Islands on Saturday, while Dominica hosts Jamaica on Sunday.

James Maddison and Curtis Jones have become the first two players to be cut from England's squad ahead of Euro 2024.

Maddison and Jones both made Gareth Southgate's preliminary 33-man party, but neither started Monday's 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina despite the Three Lions fielding an experimental team.

Tottenham man Maddison was reduced to a substitute role as Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen started in the absence of key men Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.

Liverpool midfielder Jones, meanwhile, was an unused substitute and is still yet to win his first senior international cap.

On Wednesday, reports suggested Maddison had become the first player to learn he had been cut from the Three Lions' party, with reports of Jones being cut swiftly following. His Liverpool team-mate Jarell Quansah is also not expected to make the final squad.

On Thursday, it was confirmed via England's social media accounts that both players had left the camp ahead of Friday's meeting with Iceland at Wembley Stadium.

Reacting to the news in a post on X, Maddison wrote: "Devastated doesn't quite cut it. 

"I trained well and worked hard all week but if I'm honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn't at the levels I had set, which gave Gareth a decision to make. 

"I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26-man squad as I feel I bring something different and had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that. I'll be back, I have no doubt. 

"Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends. I genuinely hope football comes home."

Maddison made a flying start to the season upon joining Tottenham from Leicester City but saw his form tail off badly after he suffered an ankle injury in November, which sidelined him for almost three months. 

When Maddison suffered his injury in a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on November 6, he led all players in the Premier League for chances created (31), was joint-top for assists (five) and ranked third in the competition for expected assists (3.2 xA) after 11 games. 

He only recorded another four assists, created 36 chances and amassed 3.1 xA in a further 18 appearances before the end of the season. 

Jones, meanwhile, made 23 Premier League appearances for Liverpool in 2023-24, 14 of them starts. He only managed one goal and one assist in the competition as the Reds finished third in Jurgen Klopp's final season at the helm.

Twenty-seven England players took part in full training on Thursday, with Lewis Dunk, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw all following individual programmes as the latter duo continue their recovery from injuries.

Romelu Lukaku is open to joining a Saudi Pro League club one year after rejecting Al-Hilal, as Chelsea look to get the striker off the books.

Chelsea re-signed Lukaku for an estimated £97.5million in 2021, but he has spent the last two seasons on loan at Inter and Roma after struggling at Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku scored 21 goals for Roma in 2023-24 and the Giallorossi are keen on keeping him at the Stadio Olimpico, but cannot match Chelsea's reported £37m asking price.

The Blues accepted an offer for Lukaku's services from Al-Hilal last year, when several big-name players swapped Europe's top leagues for the Saudi Pro League, but the Belgian rejected the move.

He is now more open to playing in the country after discussing the prospect with international team-mate Yannick Carrasco, who left Atletico Madrid for Al-Shabab last September.

Recalling his decision to turn Al-Hilal down, Lukaku told VTM: "It was really intense for two weeks. For two days in a row I thought, 'yes, I'm going', then, 'no, I'm not going'.

"I was scared for a moment, everyone only went there after I declined the offer.

"I have often spoken with Yannick about life there. He lives in a complex, but you really have everything there."

Lukaku, who is gearing up to represent Belgium at his sixth major tournament at Euro 2024, says patience will be required as he weighs up his next move.

"A lot of people like to talk, maybe because I don't have an agent, but I'll decide," he added. "I'm in control of my situation. 

"I'm going to make a choice and once I explain it, everyone will agree with me."

Lukaku scored 14 goals in just eight games in Euro 2024 qualifying, a record for a European Championship qualification campaign. Those goals came from just 29 shots, with the 31-year-old averaging a goal every 39 minutes.

He is also Belgium's all-time leading scorer at major tournaments (World Cup and Euros), with 11 goals in 22 matches.

However, just two of those strikes have come in knockout games, against the United States in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup and versus Italy in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.

New York Red Bulls forward Lewis Morgan has been added to Scotland's preliminary squad for Euro 2024 following the withdrawals of Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak.

Steve Clarke lost Queens Park Rangers striker Dykes to a knee injury in training last week, and Liverpool winger Ben Doak also withdrew from the squad on Tuesday, having not featured for his club since sustaining a knee problem last December.

Bristol City's Tommy Conway was added to Scotland's party upon Doak's withdrawal, and he has now been joined by Morgan, who has spent the last two years with the Red Bulls.

Morgan has scored nine goals in 16 league appearances in 2024, with Sandro Schwarz's Red Bulls sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference, six points behind leaders Inter Miami. He has previously won two caps for Scotland, with both outings coming under Alex McLeish in 2018.

Morgan's nine league goals this year have come from 46 shots amounting to 6.56 expected goals (xG). His big chance conversion rate of 63.6 per cent has only been bettered by 13 players in MLS this term and is identical to the figure posted by Lionel Messi.

He scored a hat-trick as the Red Bulls thrashed Miami 4-0 in March, when Messi was unavailable.

Scotland kick off Euro 2024 versus Germany in eight days' time, with fixtures against Switzerland and Hungary also on the agenda for Clarke's team in Group A.

Igor Tudor has resigned from his position as Lazio head coach following the conclusion of the 2023-24 Serie A season. 

The Croatian was appointed in March following Maurizio Sarri's resignation at the Stadio Olimpico, signing an 18-month contract. 

However, the Biancocelesti have now confirmed his departure, despite Tudor having led the Italian side to a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification. 

"S.S. Lazio announces that, today, Igor Tudor has resigned as head of the first team," the statement read.

"The Club would like to thank the coach for his work and wishes him the best of luck personally and professionally."

The 46-year-old started his coaching career in his home nation with Hajduk Split, for whom he made 66 appearances during his playing days. 

Tenures in Greece and Turkey would follow, before Tudor moved to Serie A for the first time in 2018 with Udinese, who he coached on two separate occasions in the space of a year. 

Tudor also took charge of Hellas Verona and Marseille, leading the French club to a third-place finish in Ligue 1 and ensuring qualification for the Champions League before returning to Italy in March, though his Lazio spell has proved short-lived.

Marcelo Bielsa questioned Mexico's approach after Darwin Nunez scored a hat-trick in Uruguay's comprehensive 4-0 friendly win over El Tri in Denver.

Uruguay warmed up for their Copa America campaign with their seventh win in 12 games under Bielsa (three draws, two defeats), thrashing a much-changed Mexico side.

With Mexico set to face Brazil in their final pre-tournament friendly on Saturday, head coach Jaime Lozano benched the likes of Santiago Gimenez and Alexis Vega and saw his team torn to shreds.

Uruguay raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time as Nunez netted twice and Facundo Pellistri converted Brian Rodriguez's cross, then the Liverpool man made it a treble by finishing into an empty net shortly after the interval.

After the win, former Leeds United boss Bielsa suggested Mexico took the game lightly, saying: "I think a team that is preparing should have taken today's game with maximum power, knowing that they have to play Brazil."

However, Bielsa expects far more from El Tri at the Copa America, where they have been drawn in Group B alongside Ecuador, Venezuela and Jamaica. 

"It was a deceptive result, in the first half Mexico could have scored and it would have been different," he said.

"Don't lose sight of the fact that today there were many important players out of the team, too many. 

"Keeping the stars they had on the field today and adding the players that came on, Mexico will be a very difficult opponent."

Uruguay begin their Copa America campaign against Panama on June 23, taking on Bolivia four days later and rounding off Group C against the host nation, the United States.

While disappointed that the adjusted time of their opening Concacaf World Cup qualifying fixture will affect spectator turnout, Reggae Boyz Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and his team are focused on the task at hand, as they brace for a tough encounter against Dominican Republic.

Thursday’s second round Group E clash was initially scheduled for a 6:30pm kickoff, however, Concacaf opted to move the game up to 3:30pm to allay concerns about the poor lighting situation at the National Stadium.

Though an earlier kickoff is likely to result in hot and humid conditions, Hallgrimsson is forecasting a win for his team, as he stressed the importance of starting the campaign on a high, especially with only the top two from the group to progress. British Virgin Islands, Guatemala, and Dominica are the other teams in the group.

“It (the time) will of course affect how we play, but most of all, it's a shame that people cannot attend the game because people are at work at that time. But the most important thing is to win this game, I think Domincan Republic is the team that everybody should be on the lookout for because they are a tricky team to play so we want to take three points and start this World cup campaign on the front foot,” Hallgrimsson told journalists during a pre-game conference.

Jamaica will be without some of its first choice players for various reasons.

That said, the Icelandic coach is by no means expecting their Spanish-speaking Caribbean opponents to be pushovers, and is looking forward to a highly competitive and difficult contest.

“I feel like everybody think it's going to be an easy game for us, but I promise you it's not going to be. It's going to be an equal game because Dom Rep are a tactical and really improving team with really promising young players. They have been recruiting some really good players playing high level in Spain and England, so I am expecting a tough match,” he noted.

Hallgrimsson will be without a number of his first choice players –Demarai Gray, Amari’i Bell, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ethan Pinnock, Andre Blake and Dujuan Richards –due to injury, while Leon Bailey remains unavailable. However, the tactician is confident that his squad, which includes 17-year-old Adrian Reid Jr, possesses enough quality to get the job done.

Still, there is no doubt that the weight of the Reggae Boyz attack will rest on West Ham United’s Michail Antonio and Clermont’s Shamar Nicholson, both of whom Hallgrimsson insists will deliver the goods.

“Both of them have played really well for Jamaica, whether they are playing good for their clubs or not, and especially Shamar. He has really played some fantastic games for Jamaica, even though he's not even playing in his club, and we were really happy to see Michail coming back, progressing and getting sharper every game. So happy to have them both here. It's a good option for us up front, both powerful guys,” Hallgrimsson reasoned.

Michail Antonio expected to lead from the front.

Where Reid Jr is concerned, Hallgrimsson hinted at the possibility of the teenager getting his first senior international cap, as the Boyz will also be without right-back Dexter Lembikisa and midfielder Kasey Palmer, who will both serve card suspensions for the opening World Cup qualifying contest.

“I think for the younger players like Adrian, it's an opportunity for him to measure himself. He's a versatile player, he can play right back, and he can play in the middle, so we kind of don't know where he will end up, but it's really nice for me to get to look at him in this camp,” the coach shared. 

“For other (players), it's an opportunity for them to step up and show what they can do and try to increase the depth in that position. Jamaica doesn't have many players playing at a high level in midfield, we have an abundance of wingers and strikers, but we don't have many, especially defensive midfielders,” he opined.

Regardless of which 11 players gets the start or whatever position they have to fill, Hallgrimsson declared that the objective remains the same.

“We're going to start the game on the front foot, try to get some tempo in and truly maximize the qualities we have. So we're thinking about our tactical approach, I won’t say here what we are going to do tactically, but we are going to start on the front foot, and try to put in some pressure right in the beginning,” he ended.

Kylian Mbappe put the furore over his move to Real Madrid to one side as France's "fantastic leader" dominated in Wednesday's 3-0 friendly victory over Luxembourg.

Didier Deschamps lauded the leadership qualities of star striker Mbappe, who celebrated confirmation of his switch to the Spanish capital with a goal and two assists at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz.

Mbappe dazzled down the left flank to find space and tee up Randal Kolo Muani's first-half opener before paving the way for Jonathan Clauss' finish after the break.

The France forward was not done there, however, rounding off a fine individual performance with a late goal after an assist from former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Bradley Barcola.

Just 12 days before Les Bleus' Euro 2024 opener against Austria, France head coach Deschamps was delighted with Mbappe's resounding international return.

Deschamps told French channel TF1: "He's a fantastic leader. His head and body weren't used to playing so little. He lacked a bit of juice.

"But he got it in his head that he was going to do everything to make up for his PSG frustration. It was a good example during the week."

France have a final warm-up friendly to come against Canada on Sunday before heading to the Euros, with Netherlands and Poland also in their challenging group.

Deschamps says this dominance over Luxembourg was a positive sign, though there remains room for improvement.

"It's a good rehearsal for the work we've done," he added.

"We're not going to get excited but there are some interesting things. I'm going to correct some positioning.

"But in the offensive animation, we had a lot of variety."

Olivier Giroud also became France's oldest player in history in the victory, coming on as a second-half substitute aged 37 years and 249 days.

Mikel Oyarzabal staked his claim for a place in Spain's final Euro 2024 squad after his hat-trick in Wednesday's 5-0 friendly victory over Andorra.

Real Betis forward Ayose Perez marked his international debut with a 24th-minute opener in Badajoz, capitalising on Pau Cubarsi's headed assist to edge the hosts ahead.

Perez added further credit to his European Championship hopes with a smart assist after the break, teeing up a tap-in for Oyarzabal, who then added his second of the game after 66 minutes.

Oyarzabal completed his treble just seven minutes later before Ferran Torres netted a fifth as Spain, who face Northern Ireland in their final warm-up on Saturday, eased to victory just 10 days before their Euros opener against Croatia.

Data Debrief: Treble heroics from Oyarzabal

Oyarzabal is the second player to score a hat-trick for Spain under Luis de la Fuente, after Alvaro Morata against Georgia in September 2023.

The Real Sociedad man accounted for 2.61 of La Roja's 3.89 expected goals (xG), while Andorra mustered just 0.08 xG in response as David Raya went largely untested.

For Pepetho Barrett, a devoted Real Madrid fan, attending the UEFA Champions League final between Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium was a dream come true. Barrett, who won an all-expenses-paid trip courtesy of JustBet and SportsMax, described the event as “an experience of a lifetime.”

Departing from Norman Manley Airport last Wednesday, Barrett was filled with excitement and anticipation. “This is such a dream come true for me. I am still pinching myself and don’t think I am over the shock. I am so thankful to JustBet and the team,” Barrett exclaimed before his departure.

 JustBet ensured Barrett had a packed itinerary, which included a tour of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and sightseeing around London before the grand final. Barrett was accompanied by his father, Pepetho Barrett Sr., and fellow winner from Guyana, Keith Dowridge.

 Reflecting on the match, Barrett shared his thoughts: “Just as I predicted it would. I am not disappointed, good experience. Evenly contested game. Dortmund dominated the first half but did not translate that into goals. The second half saw Real Madrid taking center stage and actually scoring goals. Hala Madrid!”

The match held special significance for Barrett, as it marked the final game for Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos. “This match was very special for me because I am a long-time Real Madrid fan, and this is the last match for Toni Kroos. He is a Madrid legend, and to retire with a win is so exceptional. I look forward to watching him in the Euro,” Barrett added.

The highly anticipated UEFA Champions League final took place on Saturday, June 1, at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

“I am ready again. Let’s do this trip again. I think I will continue to bet and bet,” Barrett said jokingly, indicating his excitement for future opportunities.

Kamal Powell, Head of Marketing at Supreme Ventures Limited, expressed his delight in making such dreams a reality for fans. “We are elated to make this dream a reality for two of the many football fans out there. Sports betting is our fastest growing segment at Supreme Ventures, and so it made sense for us to enhance our customers' betting experience by partnering with SportsMax to offer a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the UCL Finals.”

 For Barrett, the trip was not just about the game, but about experiencing football at its highest level and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Kylian Mbappe assisted two goals and scored the other as France eased to a 3-0 victory over Luxembourg in Wednesday's international friendly at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz.

In a game in which Olivier Giroud came on to become Les Blues' oldest-ever player aged 37 years and 249 days, new Real Madrid superstar Mbappe stole the show as France kicked off their preparations for Euro 2024 in a serene manner.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward crossed for Randal Kolo Muani to head home the opener two minutes before half-time after a jinking run down the left, before fizzing in a delivery for Jonathan Clauss to settle himself and flash home a second in the 70th minute.

Mbappe was not finished there as he was teed up by former club-mate Bradley Barcola to slide in the third of the game for France, who did have one moment of concern as Dayot Upamecano departed with a knock.

Data Debrief: Mbappe overtakes two fellow greats

Mbappe has now assisted 28 goals for France, which is two more than Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry. Indeed, over the past 50 years, only Antoine Griezmann (30) has provided more.

While the victory was straightforward enough for Didier Deschamps' men, who face Canada in their final pre-Euro 2024 friendly, their expected goals return (xG) of 1.46 - compared to 0.13 for Luxembourg - was lower than many would have anticipated.

In a last-minute change, the Reggae Boyz's crucial World Cup qualifier against the Dominican Republic on Thursday, June 6, will now kick off at 3:30 PM instead of the previously scheduled 6:30 PM. This adjustment comes amid ongoing efforts to upgrade the lighting at Jamaica's National Stadium to meet international standards.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange recently highlighted the installation of new LED lights on Tower Four and additional lamps on the stadium canopy. These enhancements aimed to significantly improve the lighting quality, surpassing the minimum requirement of 1,000 lumens for international matches.

"The National Stadium lights over time have been less than optimal," Minister Grange stated last week. "Independence Park Limited has installed LED lights on Tower Four and some additional lamps on the canopy, pending further upgrades. This latest shipment of equipment, once installed, will improve the lighting substantially."

Despite these efforts, Major Desmon Brown, General Manager of Independence Park Limited (IPL), explained the decision to reschedule the match time in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.

"Despite efforts by Independence Park Limited (IPL) to bring the lighting levels at the National Stadium up to the standards required by CONCACAF, the World Cup qualifying football match slated for Thursday, June 6, 2024, will kickoff at 3:30 p.m.," Brown stated.

The decision was influenced by broadcast requirements and was finalized on May 31. IPL had initially been notified by CONCACAF via a letter dated May 9, stating that the lighting levels during the last CONCACAF match on February 22 were below the required 1,000 lumens.

Consequently, no international night matches would be sanctioned at the National Stadium until the lighting was improved.

To address this, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport authorized IPL to purchase light fixtures to meet the required standards pending a larger reconstruction project for the National Stadium.

IPL made swift arrangements, securing and installing lighting locally while awaiting fixtures from China, aiming for an inspection date of June 4. However, despite these proactive steps, the early kick-off time was necessitated to accommodate broadcast needs and ensure compliance with international standards.

The National Stadium, through a 'grandfather clause', has been allowed to host regional or international events sanctioned by FIFA or World Athletics, despite not meeting the latest standards. This clause allows the stadium to continue operations that were approved before the implementation of new regulations.

Fans are encouraged to adjust their schedules accordingly to support the Reggae Boyz in this pivotal match, now set for a 3:30 PM start.