Euro 2024

[mikesiva]

Turkey 2-1 Austria

Fantastic game!

[Durhamfootman]

it was a fantastic game

when the Turkey keeper made that last minute save, my first thought was that he'd done a Gordon Banks. Then the commo mentioned Banks and now it's all over the sports pages.

It was a much easier height to save than the Banks one, but terrific nevertheless.

The fans were a disgrace last night. Time to ban alcohol in the stadiums

[Durhamfootman]

Switzerland will be tough. Not world beaters perhaps but they did a number on Italy and will be full of confidence. England need a big step up. Going to miss Guehi in defence - wonder if we see a back three ?

If the chatterers are to be believed, that is exactly what we will see (I use the word 'we' generally.... I won't be watching it live, I quite like my health as it stands and I don't want some sort of catastrophic cardio-vascular incident caused by extreme anger and frustration)

Of course, this is Southgate, so it won't be the positive minded 3 at the back with 2 wing backs flooding down the Swiss bylines to get behind their 3 man defence, this will be the full panic 5 at the back cemented into their own box with 4 midfielders in a line 10 yards in front and Kane another 10 yards ahead of them, as wave after wave of Swiss attacks batter us back onto planes to the beaches of preference around the world, leaving Southgate to make sure his best shoes are nicely polished for his trip to see the Prince of Wales who has his knighthood on the dresser ready for him

[Durhamfootman]

no.... I'm wrong. Ronaldo got a fine as did Diego 'Ow me leg ref' Simeone in the same game, so Bellingham will definitely get a ban

and indeed he did

that it was suspended for 12 months is the only surprise

[Durhamfootman]

Erics are out

[Durhamfootman]

France and Portugal still can't score

[mikesiva]

Spain 2-1 Germany

Another exciting game!

[bigfluffylemon]

Belgium France looks to be headed for penalties.

[Gingerfinch]

France win on pens.

Gotta say that Ronaldo held that team back. Like a lamp post stood in the middle shrugging and stropping. A once great player but now an average one.

[Durhamfootman]

I watched the shoot out only. I was hoping to see the winker cry like a baby one last time, but he just about managed to hold the tears back

excellent pens from France, all sent the keeper the wrong way. Portugal's were all a bit closer to the keeper barring the last one which was lashed into the roof of the net. Thickness of the post the difference

[Durhamfootman]

I'm always glad to see Portugal out. I just don't like them

England might be following them through the exit door, but for tonight at ;least England have gone further in the tournament than Portugal

I doubt Spain will fear France much, as long as it doesn't go to penalties

[Gingerfinch]

Portugal were the better team but Martinez is a failed manager at this level. A stronger one would have hauled Ronaldo off, brought Jota on and maybe would have won.

[bigfluffylemon]

I'm always glad to see Portugal out. I just don't like them

Me too.

For all the derision of England as playing uncreative football, most of the other sides haven't been any better. France have three draws and two 1-0 wins, with one of those from an own goal. Portugal didn't score (outside shoot-outs) for 3 games in a row. Germany are out. Italy are out. The only side that actually looks halfway decent is Spain.

At this stage in the tournament, frankly, style is irrelevant. Win or go home. Scraping through on crappy 1-0 wins and penalties - it still counts. Just ask the 2004 Greek team.

[alfie]

Spain certainly look the best team so far : but I wouldn't totally rule out France overcoming them in their semi. Reckon they get a bit careless in defence at times and - in this game - Germany failed to punish them. Of course France have somehow made it through this far on two own goals and a penalty so perhaps they are incapable of punishing anyone On the other hand they are probably due to score some , based on the law of averages.

Like others , I am not too distressed to see Portugal out. I guess I just can't warm to Ronaldo...funny about that.

[bigfluffylemon]

Very quiet here?

I guess all the Southgate haters are seething.