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England have officially qualified for the Euro 2024 knockout stages with a group game to spare.
The Three Lions are guaranteed to qualify as at least one of the best third-placed teams following the conclusion of Group B's fixtures.
Mattia Zaccagni popped up with a 98th-minute equaliser to rescue Italy after Luka Modric had put his country on the brink of the last-16.
His late goal meant they leapfrogged Croatia in the standings to finish second in Group B behind Spain, who also beat Albania 1-0.
The two results ensured Gareth Southgate's men have qualified for the last-16, with their four points from two Group C outings more than Croatia and Group A's third-placed team Hungary.
England do still need a win to top their group and set up a favourable first knockout opponent and Southgate is set to start Conor Gallagher in Cologne.
Listen live to talkSPORT here
Monday's Euro 2024 fixtures:
- Croatia 1-1 Italy (Leipzig, 8pm)
- Albania 0-1 Spain (Dusseldorf, 8pm)
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19th Jun 2024, 16:16By Jack Johnson
Set for another thriller?
Wow, what a game that was!
Next up, we have Germany vs Hungary and they certainly have a tough task of trying to live up to that one!
Team news is in for the 5pm kick-off, with the hosts unchanged from their impressive opening game win over Scotland.
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19th Jun 2024, 16:00By Marc Williams
Croatia 2-2 Albania – Full-time
Could Croatia be heading home early?
With Spain facing Italy tomorrow night, Croatia now face a huge task to make it out of Group B, even as a one of the best third-place teams.
They face the Italians on Monday while Albaniatake on the Spanish.
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19th Jun 2024, 15:58By Marc Williams
Croatia 2-2 Albania – Full-time
What a finish in Hamburg!
Klaus Gjasula's own goal looked to have handed Croatia the victory before the veteran midfielder pop up with the latest of equalisers.
Another brilliant, brilliant game at Euro 2024.
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19th Jun 2024, 15:55By Marc Williams
GOAL! Croatia 2-2 Albania - Klaus Gjasula
Incredible from Albania who break Croatian hearts!
Albania work a really smart move again to hit the byline and drag it back for Klaus Gjasula.
He fires for goal and Croatia can't get a block in this time as Albania level it up!
Amazing drama at the death!
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19th Jun 2024, 15:53By Marc Williams
Croatia 2-1 Albania
Another Mirlind Daku chance and another brave block from Croatia.
The ball bounces around the Croatian box before popping up into the air and Daku goes for a volley.
He fires over again and catches Josko Gvardiol in the head! He goes into the book this time.
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19th Jun 2024, 15:50By Marc Williams
Croatia 2-1 Albania
Drama again as Albania go close.
A effort from range is spilled by Dominik Livakovic and Mirlind Daku rushes in to try and turn it towards goal.
Livakovic is really brave to dive at the feet of Daku who can only smash it wide.
Livakovic catches a nasty one to the face for his efforts and needs some treatment.
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19th Jun 2024, 15:37By Marc Williams
GOAL! Croatia 2-1 Albania – Klaus Gjasula OG
What a turn around for the Croatians!
Ante Budimir does really well to keep an attack alive and cut the ball back into the box.
Luka Sucic fires for goal and Berat Djimsiti blocks it. But his clearance hits Klaus Gjasula and bounces into the net.
So unlucky for Albania but it's been a great fight-back from Croatia.
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19th Jun 2024, 15:33By Marc Williams
GOAL! Croatia 1-1 Albania – Andrej Kramaric
It has been coming and now Croatia are level in Hamburg.
Former Leicester man Andrej Kramaric picks up inside box, cuts to his right and fires for goal.
It goes between a defender's legs and nestles into the bottom corner.
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19th Jun 2024, 15:14By Marc Williams
Bee-have
Germany stung Scotland in their Euro 2024 opener on Friday and will be buzzing to return to action in Stuttgarttonight...
But they're not the only ones with a swarm of bees descending on the stadium!
The hosts face Hungary at the MHPArena tonight and firefighters had to rush to the ground yesterday to get rid of the unwanted animal visitors.
A host of the buzzy bugs made home around the advertising boards by the side of the pitch and Stuttgart's fire brigade has been on hand to safely remove them.
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19th Jun 2024, 14:52By Marc Williams
Croatia 0-1 Albania - Half-time
That's the break in Hamburg and could Croatia be heading home early here?
A defeat won't mathematically eliminate them today but you'd have to think they won't be able to come back from this.
Manager Zlatko Dalic has a lot of thinking to do ahead of the second 45.
Albania, on the other hand, have been terrific so far!
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19th Jun 2024, 14:47By Marc Williams
Croatia 0-1 Albania
Albania nearly double their lead again right on half-time.
Rey Manaj dives to meet a cross from the right and sends a strong header towards goal.
Dominik Livakovic gets down well to deny him.
All the good chances have gone to Albania.
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19th Jun 2024, 14:32By Marc Williams
Croatia 0-1 Albania
Another huge chance for Albania!
It's more great play from the Red and Blacks as Luka Modric gives it away cheaply.
Kristjan Asllani runs onto a brilliant through-ball and takes aim early but Dominik Livakovic saves well.
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19th Jun 2024, 14:22By Marc Williams
Shut down
UEFA have made the early decision to close the roof for England’s Group C clash with Denmark tomorrow night.
The game will kick off at 5pm UK time at the Frankfurt Arena.
And UEFA have elected to shut the roof due to bad weather being forecast in Frankfurt.
While Croatia v Albania is currently being played in bright Hamburg sunshine, poor weather has been an early theme of the tournament.
Portugal's win over the Czech Republic was played in torrential rain last night while Turkey v Georgia was at risk of being called off completely due to storms in Dortmund.
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19th Jun 2024, 14:12By Marc Williams
GOAL! Croatia 0-1 Albania – Qazim Laci
Albania take the lead early doors once again!
What a cross from Jasir Asani as he whips in a wicked ball for Qazim Laci to attack.
The Sparta Prague ace jumps well and heads it home past Dominik Livakovic.
Albania just love a fast start!
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19th Jun 2024, 14:04By Marc Williams
Croatia 0-0 Albania - Away we go
We're up and running at the Volksparkstadion.
Commentary is live on talkSPORT 2 right now with Nigel Adderley and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.
Both teams desperately need a victory so we should be set for a thriller.
Croatia vs Albania LIVE commentary: Group B rivals looking to bounce back at Euro 2024Copied
19th Jun 2024, 13:41By Marc Williams
‘An Albanian being born’
Sylvinho will forever be an honorary Albanian and he’ll be eager for Euro victory this afternoon.
Under the ex-Arsenal defender, Albania topped Group E in qualifying and were rewarded with the group of death inGermanyalongside Spain, Italy and Croatia.
They narrowly lost to the Italians in their opening game, taking the lead within one minute before Gli Azzurri recovered to win 2-1.
Sylvinho's success in recent years saw him awarded with the Golden Eagle medal, a prestigious honour in Albania, just before the tournament.
“You are the first non-Albanian receiving the Golden Eagle not for what you have done but because you are an Albanian being born,” said Prime Minister Edi Rama.
“After the Golden Eagle very soon you should accept the Albanian citizenship too.”
Who knows what Albania will gift Sylvinho with should he mastermind a victory today!
Albania star nets just 23 seconds into Italy clash to make European Championship historyCopied
19th Jun 2024, 13:15By Marc Williams
Time for some footy!
The Group B tie between Croatia and Albania is our opening game today.
Both sides must win after their opening defeats so we should be in for a cracked in Hamburg.
Here's how they line-up
Croatia: Livakovic, Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Petkovic, Kramaric
Subs: Stanisic, Pongracic, Erlic, Labrovic, Mario Pasalic, Budimir, Ivanusec, Sosa, Pjaca, Vida, Ivusic, Marco Pasalic, Sucic, Baturina
Albania: Strakosha, Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Asani, Bajrami, Laci, Manaj
Subs: Etrit Berisha, Balliu, Gjasula, Broja, Kastrati, Mihaj, Seferi, Medon Berisha, Muci, Ismajli, Daku, Abrashi, Kumbulla, Aliji, Hoxha
Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
Croatia vs Albania LIVE commentary: Group B rivals looking to bounce back at Euro 2024Copied
19th Jun 2024, 12:49By Joe Brophy
Great Scott
Scotland midfielder Callum McGregor has found an ally in the form of John McGinn's brother after concerns over his form.
Celtic star McGregor started and was later hauled off during the Tartan Army's 5-1 defeat to Germany.
There have since been calls over whether the 31-year-old should retain his spot for Scotland's do-or-die clash with Switzerland.
However, recently-retired midfielder Stephen McGinn told Go Radio: “I would never drop McGregor out of the Scotland team if he is fully fit.
“We understand and we are all aware that, in the final three or four months of the season, Callum McGregor was struggling with an injury.
“We spoke earlier about three games in such a short space of time. I know he got taken off the other night. But I can’t see any way Steve Clarke drops Callum McGregor. I think he is too important.
“Part of the performance not being up to scratch the other night is not being able to get McGregor on the ball.”
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19th Jun 2024, 12:26By Joe Brophy
England digged by Euro rivals
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic threw a cheeky dig at England in response to a perceived lack of respect for his side ahead of Euro 2024.
Dalic resented his team's regular tag of tournament 'dark horses' when the Three Lions are so often listed among the favourites.
The Croatia boss compared the two country's records on the big stage after overseeing a 3-0 defeat against Spain.
He said: "It wasn’t a pretty sight, it wasn’t great to watch, we didn’t get a great feeling.
"But we are always the dark horse, we are always not among the favourites, nobody believes in us but in the past six years we have won three medals.
"After France, our national team is the first team to have done this so I always keep saying that Croatia deserves greater respect from everyone else for what we have managed to do.
"We have won three medals, England won one [more than] 50 years ago but they are a great team, we are not, we are always the dark horse.
"We are little but we are brave, we will fight and we have the evidence of thousands of Croats in Berlin. We are a nation that is entitled to feel proud and our results show that we are better than our perception.
"I know after this defeat [to Spain] there is a lot of pessimism and negativity but we will give our best and we are doing the best to be the best we can.
"Everything we have done in the past six, seven years, we have to look at that and feel proud. Croatia is much better than is said and seen in the public."
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19th Jun 2024, 12:06By Joe Brophy
If looks could Kyl
Kylian Mbappe has posted a cryptic six-word message on social media following continued fears over his fitness for the rest of Euro 2024.
The France captain's return date at the tournament remains in doubt following the broken nose he sustained against Austria.
There have since been a whole manner of reports over his next move, with Mbappe rumoured to be undergoing surgery or wearing a mask.
Ahead of France's next match against the Netherlands, for which he is yet to be definitively ruled out, Mbappe dropped a hint that he could take a gamble to return early.
He wrote: "Without risks, there are no victories.."
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19th Jun 2024, 11:31By Marc Williams
Mbappe update
Didier Deschamps has revealed that Kylian Mbappe will require surgery on his broken nose.
The France superstar suffered a nasty injury in their opening win over Austria on Monday night.
Deschamps says Mbappe is ‘feeling better’ and will undergo further tests later today before adding: “Even if it won’t happen immediately, he should have an operation.”
France face Netherlands on Friday night before their final Group D game against Poland next Tuesday.
It's unclear as of yet whether Mbappe will feature in the group stage again or if Deschamps will protect his star man ahead of the knockout phase.
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19th Jun 2024, 11:16By Marc Williams
What a gift!
Turkey vs Georgia produced a surprise thriller yesterday with a pulsating game at the Westfalenstadion.
Turkey’s 3-1 win came on the 50th birthday of manager Vincenzo Montella.
"It was a match worthy of the finals," said Montella. "Our supporters were great, even when it was tough, and this victory is for them as well.
"I'm turning 50 today so this was the best present I could have received.
"We've never got beyond the group stage in the last three Euros - we didn't even pick up a point last time.
"Our first target was to win this match. Now we've won it, the dream is to win the next one and reach the knockout stage."
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19th Jun 2024, 10:40By Marc Williams
Latest from the England camp
England are today continuing preparations for their clash with Denmark tomorrow evening but Luke Shaw is not training with the rest of the squad.
25 players will be out training this morning at the Three Lions’ base in Blankenhain with Manchester United full-back Shaw continuing an 'individual programme elsewhere', the FA have said.
Shaw is still struggling with a muscular injury and looks unlikely to play a part in tomorrow’s Group C tie in Frankfurt.
England will make the 215-mile trip to the Deutsche Bank Park Stadium later today.
Gareth Southgate and Kyle Walker will then hold a pre-match press conference in Frankfurt this evening.
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19th Jun 2024, 10:18By Marc Williams
Pumped up
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to celebrate in the face of the Czech Republic goalkeeper after Portugal's late winner last night.
Francisco Conceicao’s dramatic 92nd-minute goal sparked wild celebrations from the Portugal team.
And footage capturedRonaldorunning up to Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek and fist pumping in his face before he wheeled away with his team-mates.
It was a hard-fought win for Portugal and Ronaldo was clearly in the mood to enjoy it...
Footage caught excited Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating winner in face of Czech goalkeeperCopied
19th Jun 2024, 09:26By Marc Williams
Wout wanted
Netherlands’ Euro 2024 hero Wout Weghorst is reportedly set to join Ajax.
The 31-year-old, who is still on Burnley’s books, netted an 83rd-minute winner in Holland’s opening Group D clash against Poland on Sunday.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now claimed the 31-year-old is set to join Dutch giants Ajax.
Romano has reported that talks are at a ‘very advanced’ stage and Ajax are ‘increasingly optimistic’ of getting a deal done with Burnley.
Weghorst will be pushing for a start when Netherlands face France in a blockbuster game on Friday night.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2024🔴⚪️🇳🇱 Talks between Wout Weghorst and Ajax on personal terms are already very advanced, all parties are confident to make the deal happen.
Negotiations to follow with Burnley but Ajax are now increasingly optimistic to bring Weghorst at the club. pic.twitter.com/uUgcPHKe8D
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Topics
- Euro 2024
- England Football
- France football team
- Portugal football team
- Ben Chilwell
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Gareth Southgate
- Jordan Henderson
- Kylian Mbappe
- Raheem Sterling
- Steve Clarke
- Toni Kroos
- Scotland
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