Euro 2024 touchlines: Jude Bellingham’s defiant words and Julian Nagelsmann’s love story

Sporting obituaries put on hold

It seemed as if Gareth Southgate's final act as England manager would cement a legacy he may not deserve.

England's most successful manager in a generation has overseen runs to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, yet Southgate's authority in the role has been chipped away in recent months and it looked like a desperate last-16 defeat against Slovakia would be his final contribution.

Another woefully inept England performance was capped off by Southgate's bizarre decision to throw Brentford striker Ivan Toney onto the field deep into injury time with Slovakia leading 1-0.

Using Toney earlier in the game may have been shrewd, yet Southgate confirmed the striker was justifiably bemused by the call to throw him on when the game appeared to be up.

That was before Jude Bellingham's sensational overhead kick equaliser and Harry Kane's extra-time winner saved England for now.

Yet the problems Southgate has failed to solve in this tournament have not been solved and an impressive Switzerland side have to be favourites to beat England in next weekend's quarter-final.

Oh… and you won’t be surprised to learn that England most read tabloid newspaper have decided this is the moment for a headline we have all seen before as ‘It’s Coming Home’ is emblazoned on the back page today.

Nagelsmann's love story

The German media are captivated by the flourishing relationship between national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann and his girlfriend Lena Wurzenberger.

After Saturday's 2-0 victory over Hungary secured Germany's place in the knockout stages, Nagelsmann ran straight to the stands where he shared a loving kiss with Lena.

This romance is now very much in the public eye after a rocky start when it was first revealed.

Wurzenberger lost her job as Bayern Munich reporter at Bild magazine after news of the relationship became public, with Nagelsmann also ousted as Bayern boss last year after his romance with a journalist was cited as one of the reasons for his exit.

“I know his relationship with the Bild reporter is a huge topic in the dressing room,” claimed former Bayern star Bayern star Markus Babbel, as quoted by Mail Online.

“It didn't go over well at all that he was with her. His girlfriend was therefore a big problem for Bayern.

“There was a breach of trust because some players just weren't able to communicate what they were thinking anymore because they were afraid that everything would end up in the newspaper.”

Julian and Lena's relationship will continue to fill the gossip columns for as long as Germany are involved in Euro 2024.

Video of the day

With the Euro 2024 knock-out stages moving into overdrive, Daniel McDonnell has given us his verdict from Germany on what comes next.

Today At the Euros - It's another big day of knockout football

Where can I read the latest?

Daniel McDonnell is on the ground in Germany for the Irish Independent and suggests Jude Bellingham's moment of brilliance will only be a stay of execution for England.

Roy Keane gave his verdict on England's dramatic win against Slovakia and insisted Gareth Southgate's side deserve praise for finding a way to win.

Spain showed England how to deal with unfenced opponents as they beat plucky Georgia.

Quote of the day

England's Jude Bellingham: “It’s very difficult when you talk in press conferences and interviews to talk as openly as footballers want to because they’re always judged.

“For me, football, being on the pitch, scoring goals and celebrating is my release. Maybe it was a message to a few people. I was very happy at the end, lots of adrenaline.

“It’s a feeling that is like no other. In international football, in knockout football, it’s even a worse feeling, because you’re 30 seconds from going home.

“Having to listen to all the rubbish, feeling like you have let a nation of people down. In one kick of the ball, everything can change.”

When asked who writes his scripts, Bellingham replied defiantly: “I do.”

Number of the day – 29

Spain are through to a mouth-watering quarter-final against Germany and the statistics confirm they are among most potent attacking team in the tournament so far.

The free-flowing Spanish side have had 29 shots on target in their opening four matches, putting them top of the statistic in that table, with their quarter-final opponents Germany in second place on 28 attempts.

Germany top the scoring charts with 10 goals, with their total boosted by the thumping 5-1 win against a lacklustre Scotland side in their opening match.

Spain have scored nine goals and they are the only team to win their first four matches at Euro 2024, so the battle between the two most attacking sides in the tournament will be a classic in the making next Friday.

Fact of the day

Spain's Nico Williams became the only player on record at the European Championship (since 1980) to score a goal, assist a goal, and complete 100 per-cent of his passes (46/46) in a game he started. He achieved the flawless performance against Georgia on Sunday evening.

Tweet of the Day

When are the games?

ROUND OF 16

Monday July 1

France vs Belgium, 5pm, Dusseldorf

Portugal vs Slovenia, 8pm, Frankfurt

Tuesday July 2

Romania v Netherlands, 5pm Munich

Austria vs Turkey, 8pm Leipzig

QUARTER-FINALS

Friday July 5

QF1: Spain v Germany, 5pm, Stuttgart

QF2: Portugal/Slovenia v France/Belgium, 8pm, Hamburg

Saturday July 6

QF3: England v Switzerland, 5pm, Dusseldorf

QF4: Romania/Netherlands v Austria/Turkey, 8pm, Berlin

SEMI-FINALS

Tuesday July 9

QF1 v QF2, 8pm, Munich

Wednesday July 10

QF3 v QF4, 8pm, Dortmund

FINAL

Sunday July 14, 8pm, Berlin