Football

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 will witness a thrilling clash between Spain and England in Berlin on Monday. This highly anticipated encounter marks the third meeting between the two sides at the Euros, with England holding a 2-1 victory in the 1980 group stage and a penalty shootout win in the 1996 quarter-final.Spain's path to the final included a hard-fought 2-1 victory over France in the semi-finals, while England overcame the Netherlands by the same scoreline. England manager Gareth Southgate expressed his delight after his team's semi-final triumph, stating, "We deserved to win. We were very fluid in our formation, and the players made so many good decisions. This has to be the best [achievement]. It's another landmark, but the way we played, we played so well throughout the game."The final will feature several key battles that could determine the outcome:* Unai Simon vs Harry Kane: Kane, the joint Euro 2024 top-scorer with four goals, will face off against Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon, who has been impressive in Germany.* Lamine Yamal vs Kieran Trippier: Barcelona's 16-year-old sensation Yamal will be tasked with testing England's Kieran Trippier, who has been solid at left-back.* Dani Olmo vs Declan Rice: Olmo, who has also scored four goals, will look to overtake Kane in the Golden Boot race. England's defensive midfielder Declan Rice will have the responsibility of marking Olmo, who will play in midfield in place of the injured Pedri.With both teams boasting talented players and a rich history in the Euros, the final promises to be a captivating spectacle. Spain will aim to avenge their previous defeats to England, while the Three Lions will seek to add another major trophy to their collection.

England manager Gareth Southgate believes his team is on the cusp of history as they prepare to face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday. The Three Lions are aiming to reach their first major tournament final on foreign soil and take a step closer to ending their 58-year wait for a major trophy.Southgate's men have endured a rollercoaster ride in Germany, narrowly avoiding early exits against Slovakia and Switzerland. However, they have shown resilience and determination, with individual brilliance from Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka proving decisive.England's captain, Harry Kane, is eager to make amends for his sluggish performances in the tournament. The Bayern Munich striker has scored two goals but has been criticized for his lack of mobility. Kane is determined to lead his team to glory and believes reaching back-to-back finals would be an "amazing achievement."The Netherlands, meanwhile, have found their rhythm after a shaky start. Ronald Koeman's side has won their last two matches, including a hard-fought victory over Turkey in the quarter-finals. Cody Gakpo has been in scintillating form, scoring three goals and leading the race for the Golden Boot.The Dutch face travel chaos ahead of the semi-final, with issues with the German train system disrupting their plans. However, Southgate believes it will not affect their performance.The selection of referee Felix Zwayer has raised eyebrows, given his previous involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Bellingham was fined for criticizing Zwayer during his time at Borussia Dortmund.England and the Netherlands have a rich history in football, and Wednesday's clash promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Three Lions will be looking to make history, while the Dutch will be aiming to reach their first major tournament final since 1988.

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.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, two of England's most promising footballers, will face off in a highly anticipated Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday. The match pits Bayern Munich, Kane's current club, against Real Madrid, where Bellingham has established himself as a global superstar.Kane, 30, has been a beacon of consistency for Bayern this season, scoring 42 goals in all competitions. Despite Bayern's struggles in the Bundesliga, Kane's individual brilliance has kept them in contention for the Champions League.Bellingham, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the world's best midfielders at just 19 years old. His performances for Real Madrid have been instrumental in their pursuit of the La Liga title.The two England internationals have never faced each other before, but they have played alongside each other 22 times for the Three Lions. They have developed a strong on-field partnership, with Bellingham providing three assists for Kane at international level.Kane is eager to win his first major trophy with Bayern, while Bellingham is looking to add to his growing collection of silverware with Real Madrid. Both players will be determined to lead their teams to victory in the first leg of this highly anticipated semi-final.The match will also have implications for the England national team. Kane and Bellingham are expected to play key roles for the Three Lions at Euro 2024, which will be held in Munich. A strong performance in the Champions League semi-final could boost their confidence and momentum heading into the tournament.

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund Clash in Crucial Bundesliga MatchWith Bayer Leverkusen on the cusp of a historic Bundesliga title, the traditional powerhouses Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund face off in a highly anticipated match on Saturday. Despite Leverkusen's commanding lead, there is still much at stake for both sides.Bayern Munich, currently in second place, could find themselves 13 points behind Leverkusen if the latter wins their earlier match against Hoffenheim. A Leverkusen title would break Bayern's or Dortmund's dominance in the Bundesliga, which has lasted for over three decades.For Bayern, a loss at home to Dortmund would be their first since 2014. They will also be eager to maintain momentum ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Arsenal. While pride is on the line for Bayern, Dortmund's Champions League aspirations are in jeopardy.Fourth-placed Dortmund are just one point ahead of RB Leipzig and face the prospect of missing out on the top four. For a club heavily reliant on Champions League revenue, this would have significant consequences.Former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm believes the match will be a spectacle. "A rivalry has risen between Dortmund and Bayern. It's the Bundesliga, it's the match of the round on Saturday," Lahm said. "A lot is at stake, especially for Dortmund, because the Champions League is the minimal goal they want to achieve."Lahm welcomed Leverkusen's challenge, emphasizing the importance of competition in the Bundesliga. "It's very, very important that the Bundesliga is exciting again and that someone can push or even take over Bayern," he said.Bayern legend Lothar Matthaeus predicts his former side will continue their dominance. "The title race is over for Bayern Munich. This game is more important for Borussia Dortmund, but Bayern's DNA is to win each and every game -- and they'll do it again."One to Watch:Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)Kane, who missed England's friendlies due to an ankle injury, is fit and ready to face Dortmund. In his first 'Klassiker' appearance in November, he scored a hat-trick. Kane has 31 goals in 26 league games this season.Key Stats:* Bayer Leverkusen has 70 points with eight games remaining.* Third-placed Stuttgart has 56 points after 26 games.* Struggling Darmstadt has just 13 points this season.

England's captain, Harry Kane, will miss the upcoming friendly match against Brazil on Saturday due to an ankle injury sustained during Bayern Munich's victory over Darmstadt last weekend. Kane's absence extends to the potential match against Belgium next week, leaving him "extremely doubtful" for participation.The injury setback comes at a crucial time for Kane, as England manager Gareth Southgate prepares to announce his squad for Euro 2024 in June. However, Kane remains confident in his place on the team despite the injury.Other notable absentees from the England squad include Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, who are also sidelined with injuries. Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka withdrew from the squad on Thursday due to an injury.Southgate expressed concern over Kane's injury, stating that he would be "extremely doubtful" for the Belgium match. However, he acknowledged the opportunity for Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to prove their worth as potential understudies to Kane at the Euros.Watkins has scored three goals in nine international appearances, while Toney made his England debut as a substitute against Ukraine last year. Southgate emphasized the importance of versatility in his squad, hinting at the possibility of selecting players who can fulfill multiple roles.Despite the absences, England remain favorites to defeat Brazil in their first match under new head coach Dorival Junior. The Selecao have won 10 of their last 11 friendlies against European opposition but will be eager to avoid a fourth consecutive loss since 2001.Southgate acknowledged England's poor record against Brazil but expressed confidence in his team's ability to create history and test themselves against a formidable opponent.

Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, two of the most prolific strikers in the world, showcased their exceptional abilities in the Champions League Round of 16, leading their respective teams, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, to victories.Mbappe's brace against Real Sociedad was a testament to his speed, power, and panache. He tormented the Spanish side's defense, leaving them bewildered with his blistering pace and clinical finishing. His first goal was a stunning solo effort, where he left two defenders in his wake before firing a powerful shot into the far corner. His second goal was equally impressive, as he outmuscled a defender and slotted the ball home with ease.Kane's goals against Bayern Munich were equally impressive. The English striker displayed his poacher's instinct, scoring two headers from close range. His first goal came from a Raphael Guerreiro shot that he cleverly redirected into the net. His second goal was a tap-in from a Leroy Sane rebound.Both Mbappe and Kane have been in scintillating form this season, averaging a goal per game for their clubs. Their performances in the Champions League have further cemented their status as world-class strikers.Mbappe's goalscoring prowess has been a key factor in PSG's success this season. The French giants are on course for a domestic treble, having already won the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France. Mbappe's pace and finishing ability make him a nightmare for defenders, and he is one of the most feared attackers in the world.Kane has been equally impressive for Bayern Munich. The German champions have struggled for consistency this season, but Kane's goals have kept them in contention for the Bundesliga title. His ability to score goals from all angles makes him a valuable asset to any team.Mbappe and Kane are two of the most exciting young players in the world. Their performances in the Champions League have shown that they are capable of reaching the very top of the game. They are both destined for greatness, and it will be fascinating to see how their careers unfold in the years to come.