Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Euro 2024: Lacklustre England top group, France face tough road ahead

Euro 2024: Lacklustre England top group, France face tough road ahead

England secured the top spot in Group C after a goalless draw with Slovenia, avoiding a last-16 clash with hosts Germany. However, France face a challenging path to the final after a 1-1 draw with Poland on Tuesday.

Gareth Southgate's team struggled to find their best form in the tournament and delivered another lacklustre performance in Cologne. Despite their uninspiring play, they advanced as group winners thanks to a similar 0-0 draw between Denmark and Serbia in Munich, allowing Denmark to finish second ahead of Slovenia.


"That was the aim before the start of the tournament, to top the group," England captain Harry Kane told ITV. "These games are really tough. We've been here before and stepped it up in the knockouts. Hopefully we can do it again but whoever we get in the next round will be tough."

England will face one of the four best third-placed teams in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday for a spot in the quarter-finals. Denmark edged out Slovenia for the runners-up spot due to a better disciplinary record, with both teams finishing with identical records. Denmark will now face Germany in the last 16.

"It's a great team but we're a great team as well and when we play the big nations, we always step up," said Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand.

Slovenia celebrated reaching the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time, while Serbia was eliminated, and Croatia's exit was also confirmed.

France falters

France missed the chance to top their group despite Kylian Mbappe scoring his first European Championship goal from the spot in a 1-1 draw with Poland. Austria won a thrilling match against the Netherlands to take the top spot.

Didier Deschamps' France did not finish first in their group at a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2012, due to missed chances. "We've achieved our first objective," said Deschamps. "Even though we didn't secure the spot we were aiming for because we are second. A new competition is about to start."

Austria, having lost their opening game to France, secured a 3-2 victory over the Dutch, relegating their already-qualified opponents to third place in Group D. France, now in the half of the draw with Germany, Spain, and Portugal, will face the runners-up from Group E.

Mbappe, playing with a mask after breaking his nose, scored in the 56th minute with a penalty after Ousmane Dembele was fouled by Jakub Kiwior. Poland equalised with a penalty of their own after a foul on Karol Swiderski. Robert Lewandowski's initial effort was saved, but he scored on the retake.

Austria powers through

Dutch fans turned Berlin orange, but Austria took an early lead when Donyell Malen scored an own goal. The Netherlands equalised quickly after the restart with a goal from Cody Gakpo. Austria reclaimed the lead through Romano Schmid's header, deflected in by Stefan de Vrij.

Memphis Depay equalised again for the Netherlands, but Marcel Sabitzer's 80th-minute goal secured Austria's victory. Austria now looks forward to a match against Turkey, the Czech Republic, or Georgia in the last 16, aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. The Netherlands will face the winners of Groups C or E.

"We didn't manage to play our best football. Things improved in the second half, but it wasn't enough," Gakpo told Dutch broadcaster NOS.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Is SS Rajamouli's 'Varanasi' really a £126 million film? Priyanka Chopra’s reaction sparks new questions

Priyanka Chopra reacts as Kapil claims her pay cheque drove ‘Varanasi’ past £126 million

Is SS Rajamouli's 'Varanasi' really a £126 million film? Priyanka Chopra’s reaction sparks new questions

Highlights:

  • Priyanka Chopra faced questions about SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi budget on The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 4
  • Kapil Sharma asked if the film costs around £126 million (₹1,300 crore)
  • Priyanka nodded at the figure, but avoided giving a formal confirmation
  • Rajamouli’s film stars Mahesh Babu, with plans for a global theatrical release in 2027
  • Varanasi is reported as the most expensive Tollywood film to date

Priyanka Chopra spoke about SS Rajamouli’s new film Varanasi on the opening episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 4. Kapil Sharma pressed her on rumours that the production budget has touched £126 million (₹1,300 crore). Priyanka did not confirm it outright. She nodded at Kapil’s line of thought, which was enough for the live audience. SS Rajamouli is working with Mahesh Babu on a large-scale action project. Priyanka plays the female lead.

Kapil pushed the cost question further, saying Priyanka’s involvement has raised the scale of Varanasi. He joked that her fee might be swallowing half the numbers. Priyanka replied: “Are you trying to imply that half of the budget has gone into my bank account?” Navjot Singh Sidhu joined in by asking what kind of story needs a spend this large. Priyanka avoided all story points. She reminded Kapil that Rajamouli never reveals plot details.

Keep ReadingShow less