Football

Italy secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Belgium in Brussels. The visitors dominated the early stages and took the lead after 11 minutes when Sandro Tonali tapped in a deflected cross from Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Belgium pressed for an equalizer but could only manage a second-half header from Wout Faes that hit the post.Meanwhile, France's qualification was confirmed despite a lackluster 0-0 draw with Israel in Paris. The hosts struggled to create chances against a resolute Israeli defense, managing only 25 attempts on goal. Israel's goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz, made two diving saves in the second half to deny Warren Zaire-Emery and Christopher Nkunku.In Athens, England's interim coach Lee Carsley enjoyed an emphatic 3-0 victory over Greece. Ollie Watkins replaced Harry Kane and justified his selection with a goal after seven minutes. Jude Bellingham forced the second goal after 78 minutes, with Curtis Jones adding a third five minutes later. England and Greece are level on points but England's superior goal difference puts them top of the group.Austria and Norway also secured wins in Group B3. Austria defeated Kazakhstan 2-0, while Norway beat Slovenia 4-1. Erling Haaland scored once for Norway, who are now level on points with Austria but trail on goal difference.

France and Germany secured crucial victories in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, thanks to the contributions of stand-in forwards.In Brussels, France overcame fierce rivals Belgium 2-1, with Randal Kolo Muani scoring both goals for the visitors. Kolo Muani, who has started only two games for Paris Saint-Germain this season, has now scored in all three of his appearances for France against Belgium.Belgium, who have lost their last three matches against France, took the lead through Loïs Openda's header in the 38th minute. However, Kolo Muani equalized just before halftime, heading in Lucas Digne's cross.The Paris Saint-Germain striker then grabbed the winner in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error to slot home from close range. France held on to their lead despite being reduced to 10 men after Aurélien Tchouaméni was sent off for a second yellow card in the 76th minute.In Munich, Germany defeated the Netherlands 1-0, with Jamie Leweling scoring the only goal of the game in the 64th minute. Leweling, who was making his debut for Germany, fired a powerful drive into the bottom corner from outside the box.The victory was a welcome boost for Germany, who have been struggling for form in recent months. It was also a fitting farewell for four players who recently retired from international duty: Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, and Ilkay Gundogan.Italy and Hungary also recorded victories in the Nations League on Monday. Italy defeated Israel 4-1 in Udine, with Mateo Retegui, Giovanni Di Lorenzo (2), and Davide Frattesi getting on the scoresheet. Hungary, meanwhile, beat Bosnia 2-0 in Sarajevo, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Martin Adam scoring the goals.With two group games remaining in November, France, Italy, and Germany are all on the verge of clinching a top-two finish and spots in the quarterfinals.

As the European Championship enters its knockout stages, two of the tournament's favorites, France and Belgium, find themselves in an unexpected predicament. Both teams failed to secure top spots in their respective groups, setting up a head-on collision in Duesseldorf on Monday.France's vaunted attack has been plagued by a crisis of confidence. Despite boasting world-class talent like Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema, the French have scored just two goals in their opening three matches, one of which was a penalty. Coach Didier Deschamps is facing a dilemma over whether to restore Antoine Griezmann to the lineup and pair him with Mbappe up front.Belgium's situation is equally concerning. After limping into the next stage with a draw against Ukraine, they were subjected to a barrage of criticism from their own supporters. Captain Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his displeasure with the hostile reaction, and his attitude will set the tone for the rest of the Belgian side.Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's record goalscorer, has yet to find his scoring touch in the tournament. His poor form is a major concern for a team that relies heavily on his goals.Deschamps and Belgium coach Roberto Martinez have some tough decisions to make ahead of Monday's clash. Both teams will be desperate to avoid an early exit and prove that they are still contenders for the title.The winner of the France-Belgium match will face Portugal or Slovenia in the quarter-finals. The match is scheduled to kick off at 9.30 p.m. on July 1.

Belgium, Romania, and Slovakia have secured their spots in the last 16 of Euro 2024, while Ukraine's valiant efforts fell short in a thrilling conclusion to Group E.Romania's 1-1 draw with Slovakia in Frankfurt earned both teams the point they needed to advance. Ukraine's spirited 0-0 draw with Belgium proved insufficient, as they finished bottom of the group on goal difference due to their opening game defeat to Romania.Belgium, despite being heavily favored, struggled to dominate the group and will now face a formidable opponent in France in the last 16. Slovakia, as one of the best third-placed teams, awaits their last 16 opponents, along with Romania.Belgium's blend of experienced veterans and rising stars has yet to fully impress in Germany. Their fans expressed their frustration at the final whistle in Stuttgart, with captain Kevin De Bruyne urging his teammates to avoid acknowledging the jeers.Ukraine became the first team since the Euros expanded to 24 teams to fail to advance from the group stage with four points. They came agonizingly close to a winner against Belgium, but goalkeeper Koen Casteels denied Georgiy Sudakov in stoppage time.Despite the disappointment, Ukraine received a hero's welcome from their supporters. President Volodymyr Zelensky praised their fighting spirit, emphasizing the importance of unity in both victory and defeat.In Frankfurt, Romania secured their first knockout stage appearance at a Euros in 24 years. Slovakia took an early lead, but Ianis Hagi, son of legendary Romanian player Gheorghe Hagi, earned a penalty that Razvan Marin converted to level the score.

Ukraine vs Belgium: Euro 2024 Round of 16 Contenders Clash in StuttgartAs the Euro 2024 group stage nears its conclusion, Ukraine and Belgium will face off in a crucial match that could determine their fate in the tournament. Belgium, with a win against Romania under their belt, are poised to secure a spot in the Round of 16. Ukraine, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Romania.Belgium's star striker, Romelu Lukaku, will be eager to make his mark on the tournament after having three goals ruled out for offside. His presence in the box will pose a significant threat to the Ukrainian defense. Ukraine, meanwhile, will need to find a way to contain Lukaku and create scoring opportunities of their own.The match will take place on Wednesday, June 26, at the Stuttgart Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM IST. The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Ukraine's hopes of advancing to the knockout stage rest on a positive result against Belgium. With only three points from their first two matches, they are currently at the bottom of Group E. Even a draw against Belgium may not be enough to secure a top-three finish, which is required for qualification.Belgium, on the other hand, are in a more comfortable position. A win against Ukraine would guarantee their place in the Round of 16. However, a draw or a loss could leave them vulnerable to being overtaken by Finland or Romania, who are also on three points.The match between Ukraine and Belgium promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair. Both teams have the potential to reach the latter stages of the tournament, and this match could be a pivotal moment in their respective campaigns.

Belgium and Ukraine face off in a crucial Group E match at Euro 2024, with both teams vying for top spot in a group where all four teams are level on three points. This unprecedented situation in the tournament's history sets the stage for a thrilling final round of games.Belgium, despite a surprising 1-0 loss to Slovakia in their opener, bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Romania. Kevin De Bruyne, the team's talisman, delivered a masterclass, showcasing his ability to create chances and inspire his teammates. However, Belgium's conversion rate remains a concern, with Romelu Lukaku having three goals disallowed due to VAR interventions.Ukraine, playing in their first major tournament since the Russian invasion, have shown resilience and determination. After a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Romania, they rallied to edge Slovakia 2-1, earning praise from President Volodymyr Zelensky. The team's spirit and unwavering resolve have been evident throughout the tournament.No team with four points has ever failed to advance to the last 16 since the tournament expanded to 24 teams. However, Ukraine could miss out on goal difference if both Group E games on Wednesday end in draws. Slovakia and Romania, who face off at the same time in Frankfurt, know that a point apiece would be enough to send both countries into the next round.Slovakia, after beating Ukraine for their first win at a major tournament since Euro 2000, fought valiantly against Belgium but ultimately fell short. Edward Iordanescu's side needs just a point against Slovakia to guarantee a top-two finish.Romania, who defeated Ukraine in their opening match, also need a point against Slovakia to secure a place in the knockout phase. Iordanescu believes his team has the potential to write history for Romania.

Belgium Faces Romania in Crucial Euro 2024 ClashWith the pressure mounting in Group E, Belgium faces a pivotal match against Romania on Sunday, June 23. After a disappointing loss to Slovakia, the Red Devils find themselves in a precarious position, needing a victory to avoid falling behind in the race for qualification.Romania, on the other hand, has made a strong start to the tournament, securing a convincing 3-0 win over Ukraine. Their confidence will be high as they take on a Belgian team that has struggled to find its rhythm.Belgium's attacking prowess is undeniable, with Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Romelu Lukaku leading the charge. However, their defense has been shaky, conceding three goals against Slovakia. Lukaku will be eager to make amends after having two goals ruled out by VAR in the previous match.Romania's defense has also been impressive, keeping a clean sheet against Ukraine. They will need to be at their best to contain Belgium's attacking threats.The match will be played at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne, Germany, and will kick off at 12:30 AM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.With both teams desperate for a win, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Belgium will be looking to bounce back from their defeat, while Romania will aim to continue their impressive start to the tournament.

In a stunning upset at the European Championship, Slovakia stunned Belgium 1-0 on June 17, 2023, in a match marred by two disallowed Romelu Lukaku goals.Slovakia struck early, with Ivan Schranz scoring in the seventh minute after a defensive error by Belgium's Jérémy Doku. Despite Belgium's dominance in possession, they struggled to break down Slovakia's resolute defense, which featured two 37-year-old outfield players.Lukaku, Belgium's record scorer, had two goals ruled out by video review. His first was overturned for offside, while the second was deemed to have been handled by Loïs Openda before his pass to Lukaku.Belgium's frustration was compounded by a brave goal-line block from Slovakia's Dávid Hancko, who left the field with a face injury after colliding with a teammate's knee.Slovakia's victory was their first in the European Championship finals and a triumph for their Italian coach, Francesco Calzona. The win also preserved the record of two 37-year-olds starting a match in the tournament, which could be broken if Portugal selects Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe on Tuesday.Belgium, who had won 14 consecutive qualifying matches under Domenico Tedesco, suffered their first loss in 15 games. They now face Romania on Saturday, while Slovakia will take on Ukraine on Friday.

Belgium vs Slovakia: Euro 2024 Group E Clash PreviewBelgium, one of the tournament favorites, will face Slovakia in a highly anticipated Group E encounter at the Euro 2024 in Frankfurt on Monday. Despite their impressive roster, Belgium has yet to claim a major title in recent years. However, the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who missed most of the Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury, provides a significant boost to their hopes.Slovakia, on the other hand, impressed during their qualification campaign and will be eager to upset their more illustrious opponents. The match promises to be a fascinating clash between two teams with contrasting strengths and ambitions.Belgium: A Contender with a Point to ProveBelgium boasts a star-studded squad featuring the likes of De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard. They are renowned for their attacking prowess and possession-based style of play. However, they have struggled to translate their individual brilliance into collective success at major tournaments.The presence of De Bruyne, who has been in scintillating form for Manchester City, will be crucial for Belgium's chances. His creativity and vision will be key to unlocking the Slovakian defense. Lukaku, the team's all-time leading scorer, will be looking to add to his tally and provide a focal point for the attack.Slovakia: Underdogs with a Surprise in Store?Slovakia may not possess the same star power as Belgium, but they have shown great promise in recent years. They qualified for the Euro 2024 with an impressive record, finishing second in their group behind Spain.The team is led by Marek Hamšík, a veteran midfielder who has been a key figure for Slovakia for over a decade. Other notable players include Milan Škriniar, a solid defender, and Róbert Mak, a dangerous winger.Slovakia will likely adopt a more defensive approach against Belgium, looking to frustrate their opponents and hit them on the counterattack. They will need to be disciplined and organized to contain Belgium's attacking threats.Match Details:* Date: Monday, June 17 (IST)* Venue: Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt* Time: 9:30 PM IST* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and website