Football

England's Euro 2024 preparations hit a major roadblock as they suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match at Wembley. The result sent shockwaves through the English camp, raising serious concerns about the team's readiness for the upcoming tournament.Gareth Southgate's side, considered one of the favorites for the Euros, had hoped to boost their confidence with a victory before heading to Germany. However, Iceland, ranked 72nd in the world, spoiled the party with a stunning first-half goal from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.England's performance was lackluster throughout, with Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Kobbie Mainoo failing to impress in their bids for starting roles. The hosts were booed off at half-time and the final whistle, as fans expressed their frustration with the team's disjointed and disappointing display.Southgate admitted that the defeat was a "reality check" for his players. "We have to be better. We didn't get our pressing right. There were questions asked that we weren't able to answer," he said. "It was obviously a disjointed and disappointing performance. We didn't show enough character."The England manager also expressed concerns about the team's defensive frailties, with just two clean sheets in their last seven games. "We've got to be far better without the ball and we've got to show more composure with it," he said.Southgate's worries were compounded by the absence of John Stones after the interval, who fell awkwardly in the first half. The England center-back's injury status remains uncertain.The defeat has raised questions about Southgate's starting lineup, with the team looking short on energy and composure in the absence of Jude Bellingham. Fans were left bored and entertained themselves by buzzing the pitch with paper airplanes.Southgate acknowledged that the result will count for nothing when England begin their quest for a first major trophy in 58 years. However, he admitted that it was an alarming performance that highlighted key areas of concern."We need to stay calm. No excuses on the result but there are a lot of things we can put right quickly. It actually gives us a chance to focus the mind," he said.

James Maddison's hopes of representing England at Euro 2024 have been dashed after he was reportedly omitted from Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad. The Tottenham attacking midfielder had been part of Southgate's 33-man training group but has failed to make the cut for the tournament in Germany, according to British media outlets BBC and Sky Sports.Maddison's exclusion comes as a surprise given his impressive start to the Premier League season with Spurs. However, his form has dipped in recent months, and he faces stiff competition for places in England's star-studded attacking lineup.The 27-year-old has won seven caps for his country but has struggled to establish himself as a regular in Southgate's plans. With England boasting a wealth of attacking options, Maddison has found it difficult to break into the starting XI.Maddison's omission from the squad is a blow to his personal ambitions and to Tottenham, who were hoping to see their player represent England at a major tournament. However, Southgate's decision is ultimately based on his assessment of the players who give England the best chance of success at Euro 2024.England face Iceland in their final pre-tournament friendly at Wembley on Friday before Southgate announces his final 26-man selection on Saturday. The Three Lions are among the favorites for the tournament and will be hoping to make a deep run in Germany.

England, the Three Lions, are poised to make a bold statement at Euro 2024 as they set their sights on capturing their first major trophy since 1966. Led by manager Gareth Southgate, England will face Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in Group C, aiming to navigate the group stage and advance deep into the tournament.Despite recent near misses, including a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, England remains a formidable force. Boasting a squad brimming with world-class talent, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, they are considered one of the favorites alongside France and hosts Germany.Southgate, who is entering what could be his final tournament in charge, is embracing the expectations and believes England has the potential to triumph in Berlin on July 14. "Everybody is waiting for that headline ('We can win the Euros')," he said. "There is no doubt what's possible, they have gone close already."England's journey begins on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen against Serbia, who finished second in their qualifying group behind Hungary. Four days later, they will face Denmark in Frankfurt, a team that pushed them to the brink in a dramatic Euro 2020 semi-final. The group stage concludes on June 25 in Cologne against Slovenia, a team participating in a major tournament for the first time since 2010.Finishing top of Group C would be crucial for England's aspirations, as it would grant them a more favorable last-16 tie against a third-placed team from another group. However, a second-place finish could potentially set up a daunting clash against Germany.Denmark, with their impressive squad led by Christian Eriksen, will pose a significant challenge for England. Slovenia, despite being the underdogs, will be determined to make an impact in their first European Championship appearance in 24 years.Serbia, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and AC Milan forward Luka Jovic in their ranks, will also be a threat. England's success will hinge on their ability to maintain focus, execute their game plan, and overcome the pressure that comes with being one of the tournament favorites.

England manager Gareth Southgate has unveiled his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, with notable omissions including Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson.Rashford, who has 60 caps and 17 goals for England, has endured a difficult season with Manchester United, scoring only seven Premier League goals. Southgate explained that other players in his position have had better seasons.Henderson, a former Liverpool midfielder, has also been left out after a disappointing spell with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq. He may now reconsider his international future.Several uncapped players have been included in the provisional squad, including Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton.Southgate will cut his squad to 26 by the June 7 deadline. He faces a difficult task in selecting his final team, given the depth of talent available to him.England are considered favorites for the tournament in Germany, having reached the final of Euro 2020 and boasting a talented squad that includes Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka.However, Southgate has expressed concerns about England's defense, which has been a weakness in recent years. He is considering new candidates in this area, with Quansah, Branthwaite, and Marc Guehi among those included in the provisional squad.Despite being out injured for a lengthy period, Manchester United's Luke Shaw has been included. Southgate has remained loyal to Harry Maguire, while Jack Grealish is still in contention despite admitting to being below his best for Manchester City this season.

Phil Foden, the 23-year-old Manchester City prodigy, has emerged as a formidable force in the Premier League, earning accolades as the league's best player from his manager, Pep Guardiola. However, his role in Gareth Southgate's England setup remains uncertain as Euro 2024 approaches.Foden's exceptional talent has been evident since his youth, and he has amassed an impressive collection of 14 major trophies with Manchester City. This season, he has been instrumental in the team's success, contributing 18 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances. Guardiola has hailed Foden as "the best player in the Premier League right now," citing his versatility and ability to win games with his goals.Despite his club form, Foden has yet to make a similar impact for England. He has been part of Southgate's squad for the past two major tournaments but has struggled to secure a regular starting role. His versatility has proven to be both a blessing and a curse, as he faces competition from a plethora of talented English players.In the England midfield, Foden has been overshadowed by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, who has established himself as one of the world's best at just 20 years old. On the right wing, he faces competition from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, who impressed at the World Cup and has earned Southgate's trust.As a result, Foden has been relegated to competing with Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish for a place on the left side of the England attack. While he is capable in that position, there is a sense that he has been sacrificed to accommodate others. His international goal tally of four from 31 appearances pales in comparison to his prolificacy for Manchester City.Former England captain Alan Shearer believes Foden should be an automatic starter for England, praising his ability to receive the ball in tight situations and make it look easy. Gary Neville, another former England international, has criticized Southgate for not finding a suitable role for Foden, calling him "a sensation" and "something really, really special."With Euro 2024 on the horizon, the pressure is on Southgate to find a solution that allows Foden to showcase his full potential for England. The possibility of playing both Foden and Bellingham centrally, with Declan Rice behind them, has been suggested by many fans and pundits. However, Southgate has favored a more defensive-minded approach in the past.Foden's form has made him impossible to ignore, and Southgate must now find a way to accommodate his array of attacking talent while ensuring balance in the team. The upcoming international fixtures will provide an opportunity for Foden to prove his worth and stake his claim for a starting role at Euro 2024.