Football

Portugal's relentless determination and Diogo Costa's heroic saves propelled them to a hard-fought 3-0 penalty shootout victory over a resilient Slovenia in the Euro 2024 Round of 16. The match, played in Hamburg, Germany, was a tense affair that saw both teams battle valiantly for a place in the quarterfinals.After a scoreless 90 minutes, the game entered extra time, where Cristiano Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot. However, Slovenia's goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, made a brilliant save, denying the Portuguese captain a chance to add to his legendary tally.As the game remained deadlocked, it went to a penalty shootout. Josep Ilicic's first kick for Slovenia was saved by Costa, giving Portugal an early advantage. Ronaldo stepped up and calmly converted his spot-kick, putting his team ahead. Jure Balkovec's subsequent miss for Slovenia sealed their fate.Costa continued his heroics, saving Benjamin Verbic's penalty, setting the stage for Bernardo Silva to confidently slot home the winning spot-kick. Portugal's victory was a testament to their resilience and the brilliance of their goalkeeper.In the quarterfinals, Portugal will face a formidable challenge in the form of France, who defeated Germany in their Round of 16 match. The two European powerhouses will clash in Hamburg on Friday, with a place in the semifinals at stake.

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.

Spain, the formidable force in European football, will face off against Georgia in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024. The match, scheduled for Monday, July 1, will be a crucial test for both teams as they vie for a spot in the quarterfinals.Spain, despite entering the tournament without the overwhelming favoritism of France or England, has emerged as a serious contender. Their impressive performance in the group stage, where they topped Group B with a perfect record and three clean sheets, has instilled confidence within the team.One of the standout performers for Spain has been 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal. Despite balancing his studies with the tournament, Yamal has showcased his exceptional talent in Spain's first two matches. The news of passing his secondary school exams has further boosted his morale ahead of the crucial knockout clash.Georgia, making their debut in the Euro, will be eager to make a statement against the tournament favorites. They will rely on their defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess to upset Spain.The match will be played at the Cologne Stadium in Germany, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 AM IST. Fans can catch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network, while the live streaming will be available on the SonyLiv app and website.Spain will be looking to continue their impressive form and reach the quarterfinals, while Georgia will be determined to cause an upset and make history in their first Euro appearance. The match promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair.

Italy's Euro 2024 campaign ended in a humiliating fashion as they were eliminated in the last 16 by Switzerland. The four-time world champions and reigning European champions were outplayed by the Swiss in Berlin, losing 1-0.The defeat was the latest in a series of disappointing results for Italy, who have now failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. It also raised questions about the future of manager Luciano Spalletti, who has been in charge for less than a year.Italy were second best for much of the match against Switzerland. They were pinned back in their own half for long periods and struggled to create any clear-cut chances.Ruben Vargas scored the only goal of the game just seconds after half-time. The Swiss forward took advantage of some poor defending from Italy to fire home from close range.Italy never really recovered from that setback. They continued to struggle to create chances and were unable to find a way back into the game.The defeat was a major disappointment for Italy, who had been hoping to defend their European title. It also raised concerns about the team's future.Spalletti has come under fire for his team's poor performances. He has been accused of being too negative and of not getting the best out of his players.The Italian media are already calling for Spalletti to be sacked. It remains to be seen whether he will be given the chance to turn things around.

Slovenia's historic Euro 2024 campaign has reached the last-16 stage, where they face the formidable Portugal. Despite their impressive unbeaten run, Slovenia's star striker Benjamin Sesko has yet to find the back of the net.Sesko's absence from the scoresheet is a departure from his prolific form for RB Leipzig, where he scored in each of his last seven games. His versatility as a striker is evident in his ability to score with his head, unleash fierce strikes from distance, and possess exceptional speed and physicality.Despite Sesko's goal drought, Slovenia has shown resilience and determination in their group stage matches. They held England to a 1-1 draw, narrowly missed out on a victory against Denmark, and drew with Serbia in a heart-wrenching 1-1 tie.Their third-place finish in Group C sets up a clash with Portugal, who impressed with wins over Czech Republic and Turkey. However, Portugal's talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo has also failed to score in the tournament.Ronaldo, despite his advancing age, remains a pivotal figure for Portugal. His experience and leadership will be crucial against Slovenia, who will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Portuguese defense.Sesko, who was just a toddler when Ronaldo made his Euro debut in 2004, will be eager to make his mark on the tournament. His potential and the underdog status of Slovenia could inspire a similar upset to Greece's victory over Portugal in the 2004 final.

Argentina's Copa America campaign got off to a flying start as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Peru in Miami on June 29. Despite the absence of talisman Lionel Messi due to a sore hamstring, Argentina showcased their depth and resilience to secure a comfortable win.With coach Lionel Scaloni serving a one-game suspension, Argentina made nine changes to their starting lineup. However, the makeshift team displayed impressive cohesion and control throughout the match. Peru, on the other hand, struggled to create any meaningful chances, managing just one shot on goal.Lautaro Martinez emerged as the hero for Argentina, scoring both goals to seal the victory. His first came just after halftime, when he latched onto a sublime through ball from Angel Di Maria and calmly lifted the ball over Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.Argentina had a chance to double their lead in the 72nd minute when Jesus Castillo handled the ball in the area, conceding a penalty. However, Leandro Paredes' spot-kick crashed against the woodwork, leaving the score at 1-0.Martinez then grabbed his second in the 86th minute, latching on to a long pass forward before finishing past Gallese. Replays indicated Martinez may have shoved defender Aldo Corzo in the build-up, but referee Cesar Ramos waved away Peru's protest and the goal stood."It was tough in the first half because they were defending deep, but the first goal opened up the game," Martinez said afterwards. "There's a lot more to come from us."Argentina's victory ensures their place as Group A winners and a spot in the quarterfinals. They will now face the runner-up from Group B in Houston next Thursday, most likely either Ecuador or Mexico.In Saturday's other Group A game, Canada held 2015 and 2016 Copa America champions Chile to a 0-0 draw in Orlando, which was enough to see the Canadians into the last eight. Chile needed a victory to leapfrog the Canadians into the knockout rounds but were left with a mountain to climb early in the game when Gabriel Suazo was dismissed for a second yellow card after only 27 minutes."It took a lot of hard work -- it's our first time in this competition and it's not easy," Canada captain Alphonso Davies said about his team's advance to the last eight. "There's a lot of good teams in this competition and a lot of good players. But we stuck to our plan and we played well. We showed a lot of fight. We had to show our teeth at times, but overall we did well."Canada will play the winners of Group B in the quarterfinals.

Euro 2024: Germany-Denmark Clash Halted by Violent StormThe highly anticipated Euro 2024 last-16 tie between Germany and Denmark was abruptly halted late in the first half on Saturday due to a severe storm that unleashed torrential rain, hailstones, high winds, thunder, and lightning.English referee Michael Oliver made the decision to suspend the match in Dortmund in the 35th minute, with the score locked at 0-0. The players were escorted off the pitch as the storm intensified, leaving supporters in exposed seats scrambling for cover.The stadium roof proved inadequate to withstand the downpour, resulting in water cascading into the stands. Fan zones in Dortmund were also forced to close due to the hazardous weather conditions.The storm's impact was evident throughout the stadium, with the pitch becoming waterlogged and the visibility significantly reduced. The safety of the players and spectators became paramount, prompting the decision to halt the match.The suspension of the game came as a disappointment to the 60,000 fans in attendance, who had eagerly anticipated the clash between two of Europe's top footballing nations. The match was expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting talented squads.The storm's severity raised concerns about the possibility of further delays or even the cancellation of the match. However, UEFA officials remained hopeful that the game could resume once the weather conditions improved.The suspension of the Germany-Denmark match served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of outdoor sporting events. While the storm disrupted the flow of the game, it also highlighted the importance of prioritizing safety in the face of adverse weather.

Germany and Denmark Set for Euro 2024 Round of 16 ClashThe highly anticipated Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark is set to take place on Sunday, June 30th, at the BVB Stadion Dortmund. Both teams finished second in their respective groups and will be eager to advance to the quarter-finals.Switzerland, who finished second in Group A, came close to defeating hosts Germany in their final group game. Italy, the defending champions, managed to qualify for the knockout stage despite losing to Spain and drawing with Croatia.The winner of this match will face either England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.Match Details:* Date: Sunday, June 30th* Time: 12:30 AM IST* Venue: BVB Stadion Dortmund, DortmundBroadcast Information:* TV: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteKey Players to Watch:* Germany: Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz* Denmark: Christian Eriksen, Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas ChristensenAnalysis:Germany will be the favorites heading into this match, but Denmark has shown that they can be a dangerous opponent. Switzerland pushed Germany to the limit in their previous game, and Italy has a wealth of experience in knockout matches.Germany will need to be wary of Denmark's counterattacking threat, led by the likes of Eriksen and Yussuf Poulsen. Denmark, on the other hand, will need to find a way to contain Germany's attacking firepower, which includes Müller, Havertz, and Serge Gnabry.This match promises to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams having a chance to advance to the quarter-finals.

Georgia's fairytale run at Euro 2024 has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. After defying all odds to reach the knockout stage, the underdogs face their toughest test yet against tournament favorites Spain on Sunday.Georgia coach Willy Sagnol exudes confidence despite his team's underdog status. "We have nothing to lose," he declared. "We've already exceeded expectations by making it this far. We're just excited to be on the pitch."Georgia's remarkable journey began with a stunning 2-0 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in their final group match. Despite losing to Turkey and drawing with the Czech Republic, they secured a spot in the last 16 as one of the best third-placed finishers.However, Spain poses a formidable challenge. The tournament's most impressive team has won all three group games without conceding a goal. Georgia has faced Spain four times under Sagnol, losing all encounters, including a humiliating 7-1 defeat in Tbilisi last September.Sagnol acknowledges the difficulty of the task ahead but believes his team has learned from past setbacks. "That 7-1 taught us a lot," he said. "It was part of our journey. If we're here today, it's because we've grown from that experience."Despite Spain's dominance, Sagnol remains optimistic. "It's a different competition, a different atmosphere," he said. "Anything can happen."Georgia's underdog status may work to their advantage. With no pressure to perform, they can play with freedom and surprise their opponents. Sagnol's belief in his team is infectious, and they will undoubtedly give Spain a run for their money on Sunday.