Category: Football

Spain qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a match to spare on Thursday after beating defending champions Italy 1-0 in a dominant display which ensured that La Roja would go through as Group B winners.

Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal nine minutes after half-time was the difference between the two sides in the biggest match to date at the tournament in Germany.

But the slender margin of victory in Gelsenkirchen didn’t reflect a statement performance from Spain who completely nullified Italy and should have had the game won by half-time, as they did in their opening round thumping of Croatia.

Nico Williams was the star for Spain as he ran Napoli right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo ragged and supplied the cross from which the unfortunate Calafiori poked the winning goal into his own net.

“We had quite a few really good chances, but we’re very happy because we showed that we are a great team and that we can stifle any team,” said Spain captain Alvaro Morata.

Luis de la Fuente’s team have a perfect six points at the top of the group and take on Albania on Monday knowing that they are already in the knockout rounds and playing like potential champions.

For Italy, Thursday’s deserved defeat was a reality check as vibrant Spain peppered the brilliant Gianliugi Donnarumma’s goal throughout the match.

“We misplaced too many easy passes and didn’t play with enough quality. If you make that many mistakes you are going to be punished,” said Donnarumma who made eight saves.

It was a performance reminiscent of the Euro 2012 final between the two teams when Spain crushed Italy 4-0.

However, all is not lost for Luciano Spalletti’s team, who are second on three points, as a draw with Croatia on Monday will be enough to guarantee qualification behind Spain.

“We created some situations with which we could have equalised, but they were much better than us. They deserved to win,” said Spalletti to RAI.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Spain could have been ahead twice in the first 10 minutes but squandered two great-headed chances.

Less than two minutes were on the clock when an unmarked Pedri nodded Williams’ pinpoint cross straight at Donnarumma.

And then Williams, who had a field day against Di Lorenzo, was the guilty party by somehow heading wide Morata’s superbly delivered, inswinging ball from the left flank.

Spain were clearly on top as Italy struggled to get out of their half, Gianluca Scamacca toiling on his own up front with little support and wasting possession when it did come his way.

Donnarumma had to be at his best twice within a matter of seconds when he first stuck out a foot to deny Morata and then pulled off a superb fingertip save which kept out Fabian Ruiz’s powerful drive from distance.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was a virtual spectator as Italy’s sole shot in the first half came just before the break when Federico Chiesa blazed a poor effort over from a difficult position.

The same pattern of Spanish possession and Italian defending continued after half-time and Pedri again wasted a great chance in the 51st minute, slamming wide after Marc Cucurella pulled back a perfect low cross.

But Spain got the breakthrough soon after and it came through more sensational play from Williams on the left, who made mincemeat of Di Lorenzo before fizzing across a ball which Calafiori couldn’t help but divert home.

La Roja went close to doubling their lead with two distance strikes from Morata and teen sensation Lamine Yamal before the superb Williams smashed an effort past Donnarumma which came crashing out off the crossbar in the 71st minute.

Italy pushed forward in the hope of an equaliser after Mattia Zaccagni and Mateo Retegui replaced the ineffective Chiesa and Scamacca.

But in the dying moments, Donnarumma again made two superb saves to twice stop Ayoze Perez making the scoreline better reflect a one-sided contest.

READ: Lionel Messi becomes most capped player in Copa America history

Argentina star Lionel Messi became the most-capped player in Copa America history on Thursday as he reached 35 appearances in the opening match of the tournament against Canada.

The 36-year-old had shared the record with Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone (34 caps) since appearing in the final of the 2021 Copa America in Brazil, where Argentina triumphed.

Messi’s appearances have been spread across seven editions of the Copa America, starting with the 2007 tournament in Venezuela.

The eight-times Ballon d’Or winner could set more records in this year’s competition — he needs four goals to tie compatriot Norberto Mendez and Brazil’s Zizinho as all-time Copa America scorer with 17 goals.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Should Argentina win the tournament, Messi would also become the first captain to win back-to-back tournaments.

Notably, the ongoing Copa America is set to be Messi’s final edition of the continental championship as he is set to turn 37 on Monday.

Meanwhile, winger Angel Di Maria, 36, is approaching the end of his career, signalling an era’s conclusion for Argentina.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has urged his compatriots not to worry about when Messi and Di Maria will hang up their boots and to instead just enjoy watching them in the Copa America.

“It doesn’t make much sense to think about when they’re gone. Let’s enjoy them now, we’ll see what happens later. Messi is fine, he’s happy. I’m with renewed ideas and strength. It’s a nice challenge to defend the title,” Scaloni said.

READ: Hjulmand strikes as Denmark hold England for stalemate

England failed to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after Morten Hjulmand’s spectacular strike earned Denmark a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

A point was the least the Danes deserved as England again flattered to deceive in Frankfurt after an underwhelming 1-0 win over Serbia to open their tournament.

Harry Kane had given the Three Lions an early lead as England pounced on a Danish defensive error.

Hjulmand’s rocket from outside the box levelled before half-time and Denmark were left to rue missing late chances to secure a famous victory.

England remain on top of Group C of the ongoing Euro 2024, two points clear of Slovenia, who they face in Cologne on Tuesday, and Denmark.

Serbia’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia earlier on Thursday also keeps their destiny in their own hands.

England boss Gareth Southgate said on Wednesday that he avoids media coverage during tournaments to escape negative stories.

But will be braced for more criticism after another flat display from one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel claimed on the eve of the game they would not be fuelled by revenge for their Euro 2020 semi-final heartbreak to England three years ago.

However, the Danes were a different beast from the side that disappointed at the 2022 World Cup and in drawing against Slovenia to open their tournament in Germany.

Denmark had made the brighter start as both sides struggled to cope with a bobbly pitch in Frankfurt that cut up badly in just its second game of five at Euro 2024.

Yet, England capitalised on a howler from Hjulmand’s men to take the lead on 18 minutes.

Victor Kristiansen was caught unaware of Kyle Walker’s run down the right and his deflected low cross fell perfectly for Kane to roll in his 13th goal at major tournaments.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Failing to build on early 1-0 leads has been a consistent criticism of England under Southgate.

In the 2018 World Cup semi-final and final of Euro 2020, Croatia and Italy were able to wrestle away momentum from the Three Lions.

This time Denmark were not deterred by conceding, although it took a spectacular strike to bring them level.

Hjulmand was given far too much room by the England midfield to take aim but he took full advantage form long range with a blistering shot that clipped the inside of the post on its way in.

Southgate made no changes at the break, but the future of his experiment of playing Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role is in doubt after he was hooked for Conor Gallagher on 55 minutes.

Phil Foden’s form for England had been a source of much debate after he again failed to shine at international level against Serbia.

The Manchester City playmaker looked much more like the man that won Premier League player of the year awards this season and was inches away from restoring England’s lead with a low drive that came crashing back off the post.

Southgate’s caution has been criticised in the past, but he was bold with his changes in the search for a winner as Kane, Foden and Bukayo Saka were sacrificed for Eberechi Eze, Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen.

Watkins nearly made an immediate impact as he was denied by Schmeichel after a brilliant through ball from Jude Bellingham.

Yet, it was Denmark who had the better chances to take all three points in the closing stages.

Andreas Christensen spooned over when unmarked from a corner before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg curled inches wide.

READ: “Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad were more talented than us,” Azhar Ali

Scotland were unable to claim a first major tournament victory in 28 years against Switzerland on Wednesday, but they bounced back from a humbling loss to Germany to record a 1-1 draw which keeps their chances of reaching the last 16 of Euro 2024 alive.

As much as Steve Clarke’s team were dismal in their 5-1 defeat against the hosts in Munich in the tournament’s opening game, they were mature and courageous in holding the Swiss in Cologne.

Facing a much more experienced side, Scotland went ahead early on when Manchester United’s Scott McTominay –- their top scorer in qualifying -– swept home Callum McGregor’s cutback on a counter-attack.

They were pegged back before half-time when Xherdan Shaqiri pounced on a slack pass by Anthony Ralston to score with a stunning strike.

That was one of several instances of Scotland looking shaky in possession at the back, but the improvement from their display against Germany was remarkable.

“I thought it was a good team performance against a good opponent. It was a good reaction to a disappointing night and we are still alive in the tournament,” Clarke told reporters.

His decision to bring pocket-sized Billy Gilmour into the side for Ryan Christie brought a level of assurance and quality on the ball in midfield that was sorely lacking against Germany.

“He is a fantastic player. It was always my intention to start Billy in the second game,” Clarke said of the 23-year-old.

“Maybe that is why he didn’t start the first game. I knew the little man was tiring towards the end of the game, because it is a tough shift in the midfield.”

Playing the number 10 role, McTominay’s physical presence also caused plenty of problems for the Swiss side.

Scotland rode their luck at times, with Dan Ndoye missing one glorious chance before Breel Embolo had a goal disallowed for a tight offside.

However, Scotland looked the more likely winners late on and Grant Hanley –- in for the suspended Ryan Porteous — hit the post with a late header.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

There will be disappointment at not recording a first victory at a major tournament since defeating the Swiss 1-0 at Euro 96.

Yet context is important. The Swiss were quarter-finalists at Euro 2020 and have reached at least the last 16 at the last five tournaments. They are 20 places above Scotland, who sit 39th in FIFA’s rankings.

The Scots go into their final Group A match against Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday knowing a win may well be enough to take them to the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time.

It would leave them on four points and guarantee at least third place — four points has always been enough to reach the last 16 in the current European Championship format.

“The reality is that when the draw was made and we were drawn against the host nation in the opening game, you are looking at the other two games in the group and thinking maybe that is where our points are going to come from,” Clarke said.

“That is the way it has turned out.”

However, Scotland have now failed to win any of their last eight matches across World Cups and European Championships.

They have only ever won six of 34 games at these tournaments, a record that simply has to improve against the Hungarians.

“They are going to feel a lot better going into the next game on the back of that kind of performance, which is what we are. This is how we play,” Clarke said.

“This is how we work and we have showed that as well as the aggression and the fight and that dirty side of the game if you like, that we can play.

“We are still in the competition and that was the most important thing.”

However, Clarke confirmed that they will go into the Hungary encounter without Kieran Tierney after the defender was stretchered off in the second half with an apparent hamstring injury.

READ: Germany ease past Hungary to reach last 16 at Euro 2024

Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan scored as hosts Germany became the first team to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Wednesday after beating Hungary 2-0 in Stuttgart.

Musiala struck for the second game running midway through the first half, much to the anger of Hungary players who felt a foul should have been awarded in the build-up to the goal.

Gundogan grabbed his side’s second on 67 minutes as Germany eased to a second successive win in Group A of Euro 2024, making sure they will progress to the knockout phase at least as one of the best third-placed sides.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men can wrap up top spot when they play Switzerland in Frankfurt in their final group fixture on Sunday.

Hungary are staring at elimination after back-to-back defeats and must beat Scotland if they are to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.

Germany unsurprisingly stuck with the same line-up that battered Scotland 5-1 in the first game of the tournament, ending a run of three major finals in which they had lost their opening match.

Hungary coach Marco Rossi made two changes following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Switzerland, bringing Marton Dardai into his three-man defence and starting Bendeguz Bolla at right wing-back.

A dismal first half left Hungary with too much to do against the Swiss and Rossi admitted beating Germany would require a “perfect match” from his team.

Hungary almost struck in the opening seconds as Manuel Neuer raced out to take the ball off the toe of Roland Sallai.

Kai Havertz outmuscled Willi Orban only to be superbly denied by Peter Gulacsi, who thrust out his right hand to deny the Arsenal attacker.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Robert Andrich’s volley from the resulting corner was bravely headed behind by Bolla, but it wasn’t long until Germany’s persistence was rewarded.

Musiala cushioned the ball through for Gundogan and the Germany captain kept the attack alive after jostling with Orban, knocking it back for Musiala to slam in off the crossbar with a touch off Attila Fiola.

Hungary were furious no foul was given for the contact between Gundogan and Orban that knocked the defender to the ground, the goal confirmed after a brief VAR check.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s curling free-kick drew a terrific stop from Neuer soaring to his right, the goalkeeper kicking away the follow-up as Hungary tried to scramble in the rebound.

A key block from Jonathan Tah foiled a second opportunity in quick succession for Szoboszlai, with Musiala then drilling into the side-netting at the other end.

Hungary had the ball in Germany’s net in first-half stoppage time, but Sallai’s effort was ruled out for offside after Neuer palmed away an Orban header.

Gulacsi clawed away a deflected Toni Kroos drive early in the second half before Hungary forward Barnabas Varga, who scored in the loss to Switzerland, nodded narrowly over from an inviting cross.

Germany picked apart the Hungary defence with a patient attack to double their lead just past the hour.

Maximilian Mittelstaedt found space down the left and slid across a pass for Gundogan to sweep home from near the penalty spot.

Niclas Fuellkrug failed to get a finishing touch as Joshua Kimmich powered across the face of goal, with Gulacsi making smart saves to keep out Kimmich and Leroy Sane as Germany sought a third goal.

Julian Nagelsmann withdrew his front three with the game under control to keep them fresh for the Switzerland clash.

Neuer had a nervy moment late on when he spilt a cross, but Kimmich cleared Orban’s shot off the line to preserve the clean sheet for Germany — their first in eight games at the Euro 2024.

READ: Babar, Rizwan remain firm in ICC Men’s T20I Rankings

Maximilian Woeber’s own goal was enough to give France a winning start to their Euro 2024 campaign on Monday as they edged Austria 1-0 in their opening game but Kylian Mbappe came off late on with a broken nose.

Woeber diverted Mbappe’s cutback into his own net seven minutes before half-time in Duesseldorf to allow the French, one of the leading contenders to win the tournament, to come through a stiff test.

Austria have been much-improved under Ralf Rangnick and they often made life uncomfortable for France, who saw Mbappe leave the field near the end after being hurt in a collision.

He had earlier failed to convert a glorious chance that would have allowed France to win by a wider margin, and sources close to the player confirmed he had broken his nose in the accidental clash with Kevin Danso.

“He is in a bad way. He is not well. His nose is a mess, that’s for sure. That is the black mark of the evening for us,” France coach Didier Deschamps said, without confirming the extent of the injury.

“We had the chance to put the game to bed and it is true that we could have been more precise in attack, but it’s very good to start with a victory,” Deschamps said of the result.

France will next face the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday, while Austria will face Poland on the same day in Berlin.

“We are obviously disappointed with the result. No France player scored against us in 100 minutes, just a very unfortunate own goal,” said Rangnick.

“I think Didier Deschamps was really happy when the final whistle came which shows how well my team played.”

Austria had enjoyed some impressive results coming into the tournament and their team is on familiar ground during these Euros — Rangnick is from Germany and eight of their starting line-up played in the German Bundesliga last season.

The French, however, are arguably the most talented team at the tournament, led by their captain Mbappe.

He endured a miserable time at his only previous Euros in 2021, failing to score and missing the decisive penalty in a shoot-out defeat by Switzerland in the last 16.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The new Real Madrid signing will wonder how he did not score in this game, with his first big opportunity arriving inside eight minutes.

Antoine Griezmann and Theo Hernandez combined to release Mbappe, who cut in from the left and shaped to curl a shot into the far corner before instead aiming for the near post.

However, Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz managed to make the save.

The Austrians settled into the contest and passed up a wonderful chance of their own to go ahead on 36 minutes.

Skipper Marcel Sabitzer touched down a Michael Gregoritsch cross from the left for Christoph Baumgartner, but he was foiled by goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

That proved crucial as France took the lead two minutes later.

Ousmane Dembele gave the ball to Mbappe on the right, and he produced a stepover to get to the byline before his cutback was nodded into the far corner of his own net by the unfortunate Woeber.

Mbappe was then thwarted by Pentz as he tried to go around the goalkeeper in first-half stoppage time, but that was nothing compared to the chance he squandered 10 minutes after the restart.

Adrien Rabiot sent Mbappe away, bounding in behind the Austrian defence, but he somehow put his shot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.

That left the game in the balance, and Austria continued to push for a leveller, without success.

Their fans were less than impressed by what they perceived as timewasting late on from Mbappe, who needed treatment after colliding with Danso in the box.

He left the pitch with his shirt stained by blood, only to then come back on and sit down, earning himself a yellow card before being replaced by Olivier Giroud.

READ: Younis Khan names Babar Azam’s replacement for Pakistan captaincy

Portugal defender Ruben Dias said Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence shows their squad they can achieve anything as they prepare to make their Euro 2024 bow against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Portugal won Euro 2016 and are spearheaded by 39-year-old superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo, preparing to play at a record-extending sixth Euros.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the record men’s international goalscorer with 130 strikes for his country, is also the all-time top scorer at the tournament with 14, a distance ahead of former France great Michel Platini in second spot on nine goals.

“I would say he represents inspiration, he represents that anything is possible, he represents all that you can dream, and achieve it,” Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias told a news conference Monday.

“Mainly I would like to say it’s a pleasure to have him with us. More than all these little things or big things, him being with us in this moment of his career represents that he wants to win again.

“He’s our captain and obviously we follow him to the end.”

If Ronaldo scores at the Euros this summer he will become the competition’s oldest goalscorer of all time, breaking a record set by Austria’s Ivica Vastic at 38 in Euro 2008.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said Cristiano Ronaldo’s experience could be vital at the tournament, along with veteran centre-back Pepe, 41.

“(Ronaldo) is very important… at tournaments, Euros and World Cups, the key is a mix of experience and new talent,” said Martinez.

“Our team does it perfectly — you mentioned Cristiano, and him and Pepe bring experience nobody else has, they are the two oldest players at the tournament.

“Then we have (the young players too)… we need all of this, they all need to be linked together, committed, that is crucial for us.”

Czech Republic and West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek said his team could not afford to let their guard down against the Al Nassr striker.

“We all know Ronaldo’s quality especially if you give him space,” Soucek told a news conference.

“We can’t give him an inch, especially in the area — (there) we need to double our defence on him.

“Our goal is to stop him but obviously we need to stop the rest of the Portuguese team too.”

If Ronaldo fires then Portugal may be able to live up to their billing as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Martinez said he was aiming for that when asked if he had packed enough clothes in his suitcase to go the full distance.

“We must believe, we need to dream big — if we don’t dream big then it will be tough,” he said.

“Tomorrow will be the right time to show we are ready, that we can meet all the expectations, but after the first three matches we can gauge whether or not we deserve to stay or not.

“I brought seven shirts, not three.”

READ: Younis Khan names Babar Azam’s replacement for Pakistan captaincy

GELSENKIRCHEN: Jude Bellingham showed why he has been hailed as the key to England’s Euro 2024 challenge with a masterful display capped by the winning goal in their 1-0 victory against Serbia at the Arena AufSchalke on Sunday.

Bellingham arrived at the European Championship heralded as one of the world’s best young players after enjoying the season of his life at Real Madrid.

The 20-year-old lived up to the hype as his influential performance ensured England started their bid for a first major trophy in 58 years in winning fashion.

“It’s really special to score any time for England, especially a match-winning goal and one that can hopefully help us do well in the tournament,” he said.

From the moment he burst onto the scene at Birmingham at the age of 16, Bellingham has been on a remarkable rise that shows no signs of abating.

Bellingham helped Madrid beat his former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final earlier in June and was named La Liga’s Player of the Year after starring in the club’s latest domestic triumph.

Bellingham’s 19 league goals for Real this term showcased his transformation into a genuine penalty area threat, a valuable weapon along with his smooth passing and indefatigable work rate.

He took just 13 minutes to underline the point in their Group C opener against Serbia.

Bellingham started the move in midfield with a measured pass to Kyle Walker before sprinting into the penalty area to meet Bukayo Saka’s cross with a superb diving header that arrowed into the net from six yards.

After being mobbed by his teammates, Bellingham showed his comfort in the spotlight, soaking up the adulation of the England supporters with his arms outstretched before running to the centre circle to whip up the fans at the other end.

“It’s a great start for me personally. They give me a lot of appreciation and love. It’s good to give that back,” he said.

Scoring England’s first goal of a major tournament is nothing new to Bellingham, who headed their opener against Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Jude Bellingham is the first European player to feature in three major tournaments before he turns 21 after previously playing at Euro 2020 and the last World Cup.

Having become the youngest Englishman to play at a major tournament four years ago, Bellingham is also the second man after Michael Owen to score at both the World Cup and European Championship before the age of 21.

Despite his tender age, Bellingham is already so influential for England that he was named part of boss Gareth Southgate’s four-man ‘leadership group’ ahead of the tournament.

Serbia were completely unable to contain Bellingham and veteran Nemanja Gudelj earned a booking after resorting to a crude foul on the midfielder.

“I took a few kicks but it’s something I have got used to. I feel like in every game I can make an impact, I can decide a game,” he said.

With 56 touches in the first half — compared to just two for England captain Harry Kane — the relentless Bellingham was the Three Lions’ driving force.

“I felt really good coming into the game. You could see I was enjoying it. I wanted to get on the ball and build some energy,” Bellingham said.

England’s Euro campaign was starting in what was once known as the ‘city of a thousand fires’.

And Bellingham lit up the drab surrounds of Gelsenkirchen’s industrial heartland in such vibrant fashion that it is hard to imagine England’s stay in Germany being a slow burn.

He remained a blur of intelligent movement in the second half to keep Serbia at bay as England held on despite a nervy finish.

“This team is still so new, gelling together with every game,” Bellingham said.

Fittingly, he departed to a standing ovation when he was substituted in the closing stages.

Jude Bellingham already has a mural in his hometown of Stourbridge — a tribute that might well be upgraded to a statue if England get their hands on the trophy in Berlin on July 14.

READ: Sri Lanka thump Netherlands to seal consolation victory in T20 World Cup

Italy recovered from conceding the fastest goal in European Championship history to begin their title defence with a 2-1 win over Albania on Saturday after Spain made a dream start to their Euro 2024 campaign by beating Croatia 3-0.

Albania went ahead after just 23 seconds against Italy in the Group B opener in Dortmund as Nedim Bajrami scored to the delight of their huge support.

Bajrami’s strike destroyed the previous record for the quickest goal at the Euros, of 67 seconds by Dmitri Kirichenko for Russia against Greece in 2004.

However, Italy kept their calm and equalised when Alessandro Bastoni headed in at the back post on 11 minutes, before Nicolo Barella’s glorious effort put them ahead just past the quarter-hour mark.

That proved to be enough for the Euro 2020 winners, with Davide Frattesi coming closest to adding another for the Italians as he hit the post before half-time.

“It was a negative situation but we did really well to turn it around,” said Italy’s Federico Chiesa, who played in the final three years ago when they came back to beat England on penalties despite conceding inside two minutes.

“We had a flashback to the Euro 2020 final when we went behind immediately, and we were great today because together we took control of the match as a team, just as the manager wants from us.”

Italy, whose line-up at kick-off featured only five players who started that final against England, now move on to a heavyweight showdown with Spain on Thursday in Gelsenkirchen.

Spain, the three-time European champions, made a dream start to their Euro 2024 campaign as they tore apart a disappointing Croatia at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock before the half-hour mark and Fabian Ruiz soon made it 2-0, with Dani Carvajal getting the third goal just prior to the interval.

The day was also notable for Lamine Yamal, Spain’s Barcelona winger, becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history at 16 years and 338 days old.

Morata’s goal was his seventh at the European Championship, a tally which allowed him to move joint-third on the all-time list alongside Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 14, and Michel Platini, who got all of his nine goals on France’s run to glory in 1984, are ahead of them.

“Of course this give us a boost, and settles us, but in five days we have a big game against Italy,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

“Above all we have to stay calm, our target is still very far away, we have to just keep our feet on the ground.”

It was a chastening night for Croatia, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.

They thought they had claimed a consolation when substitute Bruno Petkovic tapped in after his penalty was saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.

But the goal was ruled out by VAR for encroachment by Ivan Perisic, and Croatia now face Albania in a key game for both sides in Hamburg on Wednesday.

READ: England advance to Super 8s as Australia avoid Scotland scare

MARYLAND: Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina wrapped up their preparations for the Copa America with a 4-1 friendly victory over Guatemala here at Commanders Field on Friday.

Messi grabbed an early equaliser and then dinked in Argentina’s fourth as the world champions came from behind in what was their final game before they launch the defence of their Copa America crown against Canada in Atlanta next Thursday.

Guatemala took a shock lead after only four minutes at Commanders Field in Landover when a free-kick from Oscar Santis from wide on the left sowed confusion in the Argentina defence.

Santis’s cross bobbled across the six-yard box and ended with Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez scooping an attempted clearance into his net for an own goal.

But Argentina did not have to wait long to get back on level terms and equalised in the 12th minute after a disastrous blunder by Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.

Under no real pressure, Hagen screwed an attempted clearance from a back pass straight to an unmarked Messi in the middle of the penalty area.

The Argentina captain duly took full advantage of his gift-wrapped opportunity, taking a touch and coolly tucking away his 107th international goal.

Thereafter it was a question of when or not Argentina would add their second, with Guatemala sitting deep and inviting pressure.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Argentina eventually took the lead from the penalty spot on 39 minutes after Guatemala defender Nicolas Samayoa chopped down Valentin Carboni after the 19-year-old forward darted to the byline.

Messi elected to pass up the opportunity of the spot-kick, and instead, it was Lautaro Martinez who stepped up to fire home the penalty and make it 2-1.

Argentina almost extended their lead on the stroke of half-time when Messi crashed a low rasping free-kick from the edge of the area against the inside of the post.

Lautaro Martinez’s overhead kick from the rebound also hit the woodwork, and although Lisandro Martinez bundled the loose ball into the net, the Manchester United defender was ruled offside.

The Argentines made it 3-1 on 66 minutes with a fine team goal.

Messi found Enzo Fernandez in space on the edge of the area, and the Chelsea midfielder then threaded a pass back to Messi inside the penalty area.

The Inter Miami star’s first touch teed up Lautaro Martinez for a simple close-range finish.

Messi then completed his double with the goal of the game on 77 minutes, latching onto a sublime through ball from fellow veteran Angel Di Maria and lifting a deft finish over Hagen for 4-1.

READ: Germany hammer 10-man Scotland to launch Euro 2024