Football

England's emphatic 5-0 victory over 10-man Republic of Ireland secured their promotion to the Nations League top flight, with four players marking their international debuts with goals. Interim manager Lee Carsley's final game in charge saw England dominate from the start, but it was a second-half penalty from Harry Kane that broke the deadlock.Tino Livramento's deflected cross found Anthony Gordon, who volleyed home his first international goal. Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen also netted their maiden England goals, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed in Jude Bellingham's cross to complete the rout.France also secured top spot in Group A2 with a 3-1 victory over Italy at the San Siro. Adrien Rabiot scored twice, including a brilliant header from a Lucas Digne set-piece. Italy's Andrea Cambiaso pulled one back, but Rabiot's second goal sealed the win for Les Bleus.Erling Haaland continued his impressive form for Norway, scoring a hat-trick in their 5-0 win over Kazakhstan. The Manchester City star broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute and added two more goals before Antonio Nusa completed the scoring. Norway's victory saw them finish top of Group B3 ahead of Austria, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenia.

England's interim manager Lee Carsley has been forced to make significant changes to his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland due to a string of withdrawals. Eight players, including key figures from the top four Premier League clubs, have pulled out, leaving Carsley with a depleted squad.Among the absentees are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden. Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has also withdrawn.To bolster his squad, Carsley has called up five new players: Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, Southampton's Tino Livramento, and Manchester United's James Trafford.Rogers, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, has impressed for Unai Emery's Villa side this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists. He has earned his first senior call-up as a reward for his performances.Carsley will be overseeing his final two fixtures before handing over the reins to Thomas Tuchel in January. Defeat in Athens would end England's chances of automatic promotion from the second tier of the Nations League.

Harry Kane's remarkable career reached a new milestone as he celebrated his 100th England cap with a stunning brace against Finland in the Nations League. The Tottenham Hotspur striker's goals sealed a 2-0 victory for the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium.Kane's first goal came in the 58th minute, as he received a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold and unleashed a blistering strike that cannoned into the net off the underside of the crossbar. His second goal followed in the 76th minute, with Noni Madueke setting up the striker for a clinical finish from close range.The goals marked Kane's 68th and 69th for England, moving him closer to Wayne Rooney's record of 120. Kane is now the third England player to score on their 100th appearance, joining Rooney and Bobby Charlton.England's interim manager, Lee Carsley, praised Kane's performance, saying, "His finishing is very good, even in training. It's not a surprise when he scores goals as his habits are so good."Carsley also oversaw a 2-0 victory against Ireland in his first game in charge on Saturday, making him the first England manager to win his first two competitive games since Fabio Capello in 2008.Carsley's attacking game-plan has been a stark contrast to his predecessor Gareth Southgate's conservative tactics. The former England Under-21 coach gave a first Three Lions start to Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, who made a solid impact, while Chelsea winger Madueke set up Kane's second goal after coming off the bench for his debut.Kane's performance was a reminder of his enduring quality and his ability to inspire his teammates. The striker has shown no signs of slowing down, and he remains one of the most feared forwards in world football.

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins have been ruled out of England's upcoming Nations League matches due to injuries and illness. The trio will miss the games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, which will be England's first under interim manager Lee Carsley.Chelsea's Palmer, who scored in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, has returned to his club with an injury. Aston Villa striker Watkins has also returned to his club with an injury. Manchester City forward Foden did not join up with Carsley's squad due to illness.The match against Ireland will be England's first since Gareth Southgate's eight-year reign as manager ended. Carsley has been placed in temporary charge and has given Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes their first call-ups.England will face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday before hosting Finland at Wembley three days later in League B. No further additions are planned to the squad at this time, according to the English Football Association.The absence of Foden, Palmer, and Watkins is a blow to Carsley, who will be looking to make a positive start to his tenure as interim manager. The trio are all key players for their respective clubs and would have been expected to play a major role in England's upcoming matches.Despite the setbacks, Carsley will be confident that his team can get positive results against Ireland and Finland. England have a strong squad, and Carsley will be hoping to get the best out of his players in his first games in charge.

Lee Carsley, the former England Under-21 manager, has been appointed as the interim coach of the senior England team. Carsley will take charge of the Three Lions for their upcoming Nations League fixtures in September, with a view to potentially staying on throughout the autumn while the Football Association (FA) continues its search for a permanent manager.Carsley's appointment comes after Gareth Southgate resigned as England manager last month following the team's defeat in the Euro 2024 final to Spain. Carsley, who has been managing England Under-21s since 2021, led them to the European Under-21 Championship title in 2023.The 50-year-old Carsley's first game in charge of the senior side will be on Sept. 7 away to Ireland, for whom he made 40 appearances. England also have a home game with Finland in September, and Carsley's task will be to make a strong start in the Nations League campaign in which they will aim to win promotion back to League A in a group also containing Greece.Carsley's coaching career began at Coventry City, where he finished playing, with two spells as caretaker. He later managed Brentford before a short spell as interim Birmingham City coach.FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: "Lee is a fantastic coach who is well known to the majority of our current senior squad having worked with most at international or club level. He offers us a very strong interim solution and we are confident he will perform well in the UEFA Nations League games ahead."Carsley said: "It's an honour to step up and lead this England squad on an interim basis. As I am very familiar with the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while The FA continues the process to recruit a new manager."

Gareth Southgate's tenure as England manager has been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks. After transforming the Three Lions' fortunes at major tournaments, Southgate once again fell short in the final of Euro 2024, extending England's 58-year wait for international glory.Prior to Southgate's appointment in 2016, England had a dismal record in major tournaments, reaching only three semi-finals and one final in their history. Under Southgate's leadership, however, they have reached three semi-finals and two finals in the last four tournaments.Despite their impressive run, England's familiar failings resurfaced in the Euro 2024 final against Spain. Spain's metronomic midfield dominated possession, while their wing wizards, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, tore through England's defense.Southgate's decision to rely heavily on the same core of players throughout the tournament, despite having a deep squad, also came under scrutiny. Eight England players started all seven games, and Southgate only turned to his bench when trailing against Slovakia, Switzerland, and Spain.The defeat has raised questions about Southgate's future as England manager. His contract expires at the end of the year, and he has admitted that the criticism he faced earlier in the tournament took its toll. However, he is also aware of the potential of this generation of English players.Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice are all still in their prime and will be key figures for England in the years to come. Southgate believes that England has "some fabulous young players" who will continue to challenge for major honors.Despite his record of reaching the latter stages of tournaments, doubts remain whether Southgate is the best man to lead this talented group of players. England's lack of control and physical issues in the final against Spain have highlighted areas where they need to improve.As England head home, the wait for international glory continues. Southgate will take time to ponder his future, but the pressure will be on him to deliver a major trophy in the next two years at the 2026 World Cup.

England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain has left captain Harry Kane devastated, with the Three Lions' second consecutive loss in the tournament's showpiece game leaving a deep wound.Kane, who was substituted off after 60 minutes, expressed his anguish after Spain's late winner: "It's tough to take. We did well to get back into the game but struggled to build on that."England's tournament heartbreak follows their penalty shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and their quarter-final elimination by France in the 2022 World Cup, where Kane missed a crucial penalty.Despite a stellar individual career, Kane remains without a team trophy. Prior to the final, he had stated his willingness to "swap everything in my career" for Euros glory."It's an opportunity missed," Kane lamented. "These finals aren't easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven't done it again.""It's extremely painful and it'll hurt for a long time."Kane also addressed the future of England manager Gareth Southgate, who has been in charge since late 2016: "We wanted to win it for him."Southgate's future is now uncertain, with the manager expected to take time to consider his options.

The UEFA Euro 2024 final promises to be a captivating clash of contrasting football philosophies as Spain's attacking prowess faces off against England's defensive resilience.Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, has showcased an exhilarating brand of football, effortlessly dismantling opposition defenses. Their attacking trio of Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal has been a constant threat, with Olmo emerging as the joint-top scorer of the tournament.In contrast, Gareth Southgate's England has adopted a more conservative approach, relying on moments of individual brilliance to navigate their way to the final. Despite reaching back-to-back Euro finals, England remains the underdog in this matchup.Former Manchester City defender Mark Seagreaves believes the final will be a tight affair, with both teams possessing strengths that could neutralize each other. "England's defensive approach could counteract Spain's attacking flair," he said. "It could go to extra time and penalties, where England's experience could give them an edge."Spain's newfound hero, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, has been a revelation in the tournament. With three assists and a stunning goal against France, he has become the youngest player to achieve these feats in the Euros. However, former player Terry Phelan cautions against comparing Yamal to Lionel Messi. "Messi is Messi," he said. "Yamal has a long way to go before he reaches those heights."The UEFA Euro 2024 final will be a battle of wits and tactics, with both Spain and England determined to claim the coveted trophy. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure: it will be a spectacle that will captivate football fans worldwide.

England and Spain, two footballing powerhouses, will clash in the highly anticipated final of Euro 2024 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday. The match, scheduled for 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), promises to be a thrilling spectacle as both teams aim to etch their names in history.Spain, led by the prodigious teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, has been the tournament's standout team, winning all six matches en route to the final. They have showcased their dominance by eliminating several heavyweights, including Croatia, Italy, and France. Their aim is to become European champions for a record fourth time, following their triumphs in 1964, 2008, and 2012.England, on the other hand, has had a more challenging path to the final. Despite struggling against lesser opposition, they produced a memorable performance in the semi-finals, defeating the Netherlands 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Ollie Watkins. This is their second consecutive European Championship final, and they are determined to erase the disappointment of their penalty shoot-out loss to Italy in the previous edition.Gareth Southgate's team is aware of the significance of this match. A victory would end England's 58-year wait for a major international title, since their triumph at the 1966 World Cup on home soil. "We have to get this trophy to truly feel the respect of the rest of the football world," Southgate emphasized.England's journey to the final has been marked by resilience and determination. They overcame a slow start in the group stage, where they scored only two goals, and faced adversity in the knockout rounds. Jude Bellingham's late heroics against Slovakia and their penalty shootout victories against Switzerland and the Netherlands have instilled a belief within the team.Spain, however, represents their toughest test yet. The young Spanish squad, guided by coach Luis de la Fuente, has captured the nation's imagination with their attacking flair and swagger. Led by the midfield maestro Rodri Hernandez and the lightning-fast wingers Nico Williams and Yamal, they have illuminated the tournament with their performances.The match is expected to be a close and evenly contested affair. Both teams possess exceptional talent and tactical acumen. The outcome could hinge on small details and the ability to minimize mistakes. Spain will welcome back Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, who missed the semi-final due to suspension, while England is likely to field an unchanged lineup.The Olympiastadion, which hosted the 2006 World Cup final, will provide a fitting stage for this epic encounter. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with a significant number of England fans expected to be present despite the limited ticket allocation.