Tag: Euro 2024

LONDON: Gareth Southgate hailed “ruthless” Bukayo Saka as the England forward’s breathtaking goal inspired a 2-0 win against Ukraine that maintained his side’s perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Sunday.

Southgate’s team followed an impressive victory against Italy in their Group C opener with another composed display highlighted by Saka’s brilliance and the latest example of Harry Kane’s predatory instincts.

Saka has been one of the standout performers in Arsenal’s climb to the top of the Premier League this season and the forward was at his very best once again at Wembley.

It was Saka’s pin-point cross that allowed Kane to give England the lead in the first half as the Three Lions captain extended his record tally for his country.

Kane wrote himself into the record books against Italy, scoring his 54th international goal to surpass Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Surrounded by his wife and children, the Tottenham striker was presented with a golden boot before kick-off, but quickly got back down to business with goal number 55.

Kane had been more instrumental than most in England’s progress to major tournaments in his career, scoring 34 times in just 29 qualifying group matches.

Aged 29, Kane is at his peak, while the 21-year-old Saka is only just starting to explore the vast depths of his potential, as he showed with his superb long-range goal.

“Once he receives inside and turns you know there’s a chance that might happen. It’s a top-level finish,” Southgate said.

“That’s really the ruthless part he’s added to his game in the last 18 months.

“There were times where you weren’t certain he was going to finish, and now you’ve got real confidence when he’s through on goal.

“Everyone can see technical quality. It is the mentality that is the outstanding part.”

England’s 2-1 victory over European champions Italy on Thursday — their first success on Italian soil since 1961 — was a significant statement of intent in their bid to finally win a first major trophy since 1966.

Dismissing Ukraine in business-like fashion ensured the positive mood will continue while England wait to resume their qualifying campaign against Malta and North Macedonia in June.

“I’m really pleased. We made a difficult game look straightforward,” Southgate said.

“To back up the Italy result was important but there is still room to grow.”

Patient England

It was an emotional occasion for more than 1,000 Ukrainians and their host families, who were invited to the game as special guests of England’s Football Association having been displaced by the war with Russia.

Showing solidarity with Ukraine, England’s players joined their opponents before kick-off behind a Ukrainian flag with “Peace” written across it.

“It was amazing to see so many Ukrainian fans here. We knew it was going to be emotional and we all have tremendous sympathy with what’s going on. Everyone’s supporting Ukraine,” Southgate said.

Beaten in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the European Championship final two years ago, England are still chasing their trophy holy grail.

In their first home game since last year’s World Cup campaign ended in a painful quarter-final defeat against France, Southgate’s men showed their hunger has not been dulled by so many agonising near-misses.

England had been patient against Ukraine’s massed defence and, while their build-up might have looked ponderous at times, it was a steady approach that paid off in the 37th minute.

Saka whipped a perfectly-weighted cross towards the far post and when Oleksandr Karavaev couldn’t get enough power on his attempted clearance, Kane stuck out a boot to deflect it in from close range.

Having provided the assist for Kane, Saka got on the scoresheet himself three minutes later.

Taking possession 20 yards from goal, the Arsenal forward easily evaded Mykola Matviyenko and curled a sublime strike over Anatoliy Trubin into the far corner for a jaw-dropping goal that brought the previously subdued Wembley crowd to their feet.

READ: Babar, Rizwan will get more respect after Afghanistan series: Shadab

PARIS: Spain won 3-0 against a Norway side missing the injured Erling Haaland in the opening round of Euro 2024 qualifiers Saturday, while Wales snatched a stoppage-time equaliser to frustrate Croatia.

Dani Olmo turned in Alejandro Balde’s driven low cross on 13 minutes in Malaga and Joselu scored twice on his Spain debut to give new coach Luis de la Fuente a victory in his first match in charge.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a brilliant reflex stop to deny Fredrik Aursnes and clawed another effort off the line on his first start for Spain since October 2020.

Alexander Sorloth then volleyed wide before Espanyol striker Joselu came off the bench and bagged a quick-fire double — heading in his first and sweeping home a rebound for the second.

“I still can’t believe it,” said the 32-year-old Joselu, the first Spain player to net twice on his international debut since Fernando Morientes in 1998.

“For any player this is just the best thing that can happen. It’s the reward for all the daily work.”

Three-time European champions Spain next go to Scotland, who saw off Cyprus 3-0 in their Group A opener after Scott McTominay scored twice late on as a substitute at Hampden Park.

Cyprus finished with 10 men after Nicholas Ioannou was sent off for a second yellow in added time.

“It’s a really good start but we have to try and back it up on Tuesday against the Spanish,” said Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

Norway, who haven’t played at a major tournament since Euro 2000, will again be without Manchester City striker Haaland for next week’s trip to Georgia because of a groin problem.

Unlikely Welsh hero

Croatia, finalists and semi-finalists at the past two World Cups, conceded a last-gasp equaliser to kick off Group D as Wales debutant Nathan Broadhead tapped home a flick-on from a long throw.

“I got a bit overwhelmed to be honest, a bit emotional,” Broadhead, who plays for third-tier Ipswich, told S4C. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.

“We needed a point, we came here to try and win but to get a point is good as well.”

Andrej Kramaric’s low shot from just outside the area had given Croatia the lead in Split against a Wales team beginning life after the retirement of their record goalscorer and captain Gareth Bale.

Luka Modric won his 163rd cap for Croatia, who have never lost a home European Championship qualifier — a run now spanning 36 matches dating back to 1994.

Turkey came from behind to defeat Armenia 2-1 in Yerevan as efforts from Orkun Kokcu and Kerem Akturkoglu cancelled out an early own goal by former Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak.

Renato Steffen scored a first-half hat-trick as Switzerland thrashed Belarus 5-0 in a game played behind closed doors in Serbia.

UEFA has banned Belarus from playing at home due to the country’s support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Granit Xhaka and Zeki Amdouni, on his second international appearance, added goals in the second half as Switzerland powered top of Group I.

Dennis Man and Denis Alibec were on target as Romania eased to a 2-0 win away to 10-man Andorra, while Israel drew 1-1 at home to Kosovo.

READ: Ballance, Madhevere star as Zimbabwe win ODI series

NAPLES: Harry Kane described his 54th international goal as a “magical moment” as he became England’s all-time leading goalscorer in a 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win away to Italy on Thursday.

The Tottenham striker banished memories of his crucial penalty miss in the Three Lions’ World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in December by smashing home a spot-kick just before half-time to give the visitors a 2-0 lead in Naples.

“It had to be a penalty, and once it hit the back of the net, huge emotion,” Kane told Channel 4. “A magical moment.”

On his 81st international appearance, the England captain moved clear of Wayne Rooney’s tally of 53 goals for the Three Lions.

“I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick,” Rooney posted on Twitter. “Great man, unbelievable goalscorer and an England legend. Congrats Harry.”

Kane also surpassed Jimmy Greaves’ previous record of 266 to become Tottenham’s top scorer in February.

“To be a part of that is amazing. I just want to say a big thanks to all my teammates, the staff, the fans, my family back home and my wife,” added Kane after England’s first win away to Italy since 1961.

“Just a really special night for me and a night I will never forget. I’m just really proud.”

The 29-year-old scored his first senior international goal just seconds into his debut as a Wembley substitute against Lithuania in March 2015.

He was named as Gareth Southgate’s skipper ahead of the 2018 World Cup and led his country to the semi-finals, bagging the Golden Boot with six goals in Russia.

Four more goals at Euro 2020 helped England reach a first major final since 1966.

Kane’s two goals at the 2022 World Cup saw him move ahead of Gary Lineker as England’s top scorer at major tournaments with 12.

However, a career laden with personal milestones is still lacking collective glory.

Kane is yet to win a major trophy for club or country.

As well as the near-misses for England, he was on the losing side when Tottenham reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history in 2019, going down 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.

His future at club level is again a source of speculation with just over one year left to run on his contract amid interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

READ: Ronaldo breaks men’s international caps record, scores double

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo broke the men’s international appearance record on Thursday and marked the occasion by scoring twice in Portugal’s 4-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein in Euro 2024 qualifying.

The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese first-choice XI during the World Cup in Qatar last year, won a 197th cap for his country in Lisbon as a starter.

He netted a 51st-minute penalty after earlier goals from Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva, before drilling home a free-kick 12 minutes later.

It was Ronaldo’s record-extending 120th goal for his country and made him the first man to score 100 times in competitive internationals.

“Records are my motivation,” Ronaldo had told reporters on Wednesday.

“I want to become the most capped player in history. That would make me proud.

“But it doesn’t stop there, I still want to be called up very often.”

Ronaldo made his international debut in 2003 and became the first man to score in five World Cups last year before Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals.

He is currently playing for Saudi club Al Nassr after an acrimonious end to his second spell at Manchester United.

Ronaldo’s appearance off the bench in the defeat by Morocco equalled the previous mark of 196 caps held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

He left the pitch in tears following Portugal’s shock 1-0 loss against the North Africans.

Since leaving Europe, Ronaldo has scored nine goals in 10 matches for Al Nassr.

He was replaced as the starting striker by Goncalo Ramos during the World Cup, with the Benfica youngster scoring a hat-trick in a last-16 win over Switzerland.

Ronaldo captains team 

But veteran coach Fernando Santos stepped down following the tournament and new boss Roberto Martinez has immediately put his faith in Ronaldo, who also captained the side.

There were questions over whether his 20-year international career had ended in Qatar as Ronaldo will be 39 by the time Euro 2024 kicks off.

But Martinez, who left his role as Belgium coach after the World Cup, has strongly defended his decision to keep Ronaldo in the fold.

“To be in the national team, you have to be committed,” the Spaniard said on Thursday.

“It’s a new cycle. It is very important that a player shows commitment and that he can use his experience.

“Cristiano has that: a lot of experience and a lot of commitment to the national team.”

Portugal made the perfect start to their qualification campaign with a straightforward win against Liechtenstein.

Cancelo scored the only goal of the first half in the eighth minute but the floodgates opened after the break.

Bernardo Silva doubled the advantage less than two minutes into the second period before Ronaldo hammered a penalty into the bottom corner.

A powerful free-kick from the edge of the box flew through the hands of goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel to complete the scoring.

Ronaldo was substituted late on for Ramos, with the much expected changing of the guard put on the back burner.

Ronaldo adds the international appearance landmark to an impressive list of individual records.

He is the leading goalscorer in European Championship finals with 14 goals and has netted a record 140 times in the Champions League.

Ronaldo has also finished as the top-scorer in three of Europe’s top five leagues — in England, Spain and Italy.

Portugal will visit Luxembourg in their second Group J qualifier on Sunday.

They have also been drawn alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Slovakia.

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo made no secret Wednesday of his ambition to notch up another world record — for the number of international caps — a day before Portugal face Liechtenstein in Euro 2024 qualifiers.

The 38-year-old was named in new Portugal coach Roberto Martinez’s first squad despite being dropped from the starting lineup for Portugal’s final matches of the World Cup in Qatar.

Ronaldo already holds the world record for men’s international goals, with 118, and the European men’s record of 196 caps, a tally that also equals the world landmark with Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

“Records are my motivation,” Ronaldo told reporters.

“I want to become the most capped player in history. That would make me proud.

“But it doesn’t stop there, I still want to be called up very often.”

Ronaldo’s international career began in August 2003 in a friendly against Kazakhstan and he has represented Portugal in every international competition since Euro 2004.

After the Liechtenstein match, Portugal face Luxemburg on Sunday.

READ: Multan Sultans manager Haider Azhar given one-match suspension