Spain kept themselves on course to win a fourth European Championship as Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute goal sent them into the semi-finals and eliminated hosts Germany following a pulsating encounter at Stuttgart Arena. This was the most anticipated match of the tournament so far as it put together the resurgent home nation against arguably the best-performing side to date at Euro 2024 – and it certainly lived up to expectation.
Read more
Belgium reached the knockout stages of Euro 2024 as group runners-up – but Ukraine exited the competition following their goalless draw in Stuttgart. Ukraine knew they needed a win to progress but they were unable to make an impact – limiting Belgium to few chances but lacking a consistent attacking threat of their own until late on.
Read more
Xavi Simons had a second-half goal controversially ruled out as the Netherlands and France played out the first goalless draw of Euro 2024. The French started without Kylian Mbappe after he broke his nose in the win against Austria on Monday and they clearly missed their captain as they failed to take a number of chances. But it will be the Netherlands who will feel most aggrieved at not claiming the three points after Simons’ strike was chalked off.
Read more
Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid came away with a draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Bayern Munich. The Brazilian took advantage of two errors from Bayern defender Kim Min-jae – beating him for the opener and converting a penalty he conceded. Leroy Sane and Harry Kane had fired Bayern into a second half lead but Madrid hold the advantage ahead of the second leg.
Read more
Five-time winners Barcelona came from behind to earn a slender advantage over Paris St-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in France. Xavi’s side were in danger of being overawed by a hostile Parisian crowd but the Barcelona boss used his bench to magnificent effect to turn the tie in their favour after seeing a 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 deficit.
Read more