COLOGNE, Germany: England manager Gareth Southgate was met with boos and thrown beer cups by his own fans despite topping Group C as Slovenia also progressed to the knockout stages thanks to a 0-0 draw in Cologne.
The Three Lions were already assured of a place in the last 16 but can expect more criticism after failing to improve on underwhelming performances in edging past Serbia and drawing with Denmark.
England will have to wait until Wednesday’s final group games to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16.
But more questions will be asked over one of the favorites’ ability to end a 58-year wait for major tournament glory as a star-studded forward line was snuffed out by Slovenia.
“That was the aim before the start of the tournament. Come top of the group and control our destiny,” said England captain Harry Kane.
“I thought we played a lot better than the other games. We couldn’t just find that finish but we look forward to the next one.”
Southgate made a statement with his team selection, resisting the calls to make mass changes as Conor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the only alteration from the opening two games.
If the England boss was looking for a reaction by showing faith in the other 10 who have started all three matches in Germany, he was left disappointed.
Slovenia are now nine games unbeaten, which included beating Portugal 2-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.
Declan Rice had highlighted Benjamin Sesko as their big threat on Monday.
Sesko could have been lining up alongside Rice at Arsenal next season had he not shunned interest to extend his contract at RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old shrugged off a thigh injury to start and had the first chance of the game when he tamely headed straight at Jordan Pickford four minutes in.
It took 20 minutes for England to pose a serious threat and only the offside flag denied them a slick opening goal.
Rice picked out Phil Foden’s run but the Manchester City midfielder had strayed beyond the Slovenian defense before squaring for Bukayo Saka to tap in.
England’s lack of attacking threat down the left had been pinpointed as a major weakness against Serbia and Denmark.
Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier has had to deputise on the left side of defense due to Luke Shaw’s lack of match fitness, while Foden tends to drift inside.
However, it was down that side that Southgate’s men looked most threatening as a teasing Trippier cross just evaded Gallagher and Harry Kane at the back post.
Southgate took action at the break as Gallagher was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.
The 19-year-old added some much needed thrust to the England midfield but they still struggled to turn dominance in possession into chances.
Kane saw a header cleared by Sesko from a corner and Rice flashed a shot wide from the edge of the box.
Southgate answered the call to give Cole Palmer his first minutes of the tournament in the final 20 minutes.
The Chelsea midfielder, who scored 26 goals at club level this season, had England’s only shot on target of the second half but failed to seriously test veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
A point was jubilantly celebrated by the Slovenians as it did enough for them to progress as one of the best third-placed sides thanks to three draws from their three games.
Matjaz Kek’s men missed out on second place in the group solely due to Denmark’s superior record in qualifying as the sides had the same points, goal difference and goals scored.
By contrast, Southgate had to endure a barrage of abuse as he saluted the England fans at the end.
England top Euros group but disappoint again in Slovenia stalemate
https://arab.news/zxj5c
England top Euros group but disappoint again in Slovenia stalemate
- England will have to wait until Wednesday’s final group games to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16
Cristiano Ronaldo sheds tears of joy after Portugal’s Nations League triumph
- The Portugal star shed tears after helping his team win the Nations League on Sunday
MUNICH: Another trophy for Cristiano Ronaldo. More records, more adulation.
The Portugal star shed tears after helping his team win the Nations League on Sunday.
Ronaldo scored to help Portugal draw level with Spain 2-2 in the final, then watched as his teammates won the penalty shootout 5-3.
“I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,” Ronaldo said. “These are tears. It’s mission accomplished and so much joy.”
The 40-year-old Ronaldo had been the first to run out onto the field for the pre-game warmup, sparking a huge roar from the Portugal supporters, including many wearing jerseys emblazoned with his name.
His appearance prompted many supporters to pull out their cell phones to record the superstar while they could still see him in action. Ronaldo conceded Saturday that he won’t be able to play forever.
That was three days after he helped Portugal to its first win over Germany for 25 years, scoring the winner for a 2-1 victory in the Nations League semifinals.
On Sunday he was driving the team again, though it was initially a frustrating game as his chances were limited by Spain’s hard-working defenders.
Nuno Mendes fired Portugal level after Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain. Then Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead 2-1 at the break.
But Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to fire home the equalizer from Mendes’ deflected cross in the 61st, setting off joyous scenes among his faithful fans. It was Ronaldo’s 138th goal for Portugal. Nobody has ever scored more for their country.
Ronaldo kept trying in what was his record-extending 221st appearance for the country, but eventually had to go off exhausted in the 88th to standing ovations from fans and a hug from coach Roberto Martínez.
Ronaldo said he was carrying an injury into the game.
“I had already felt it during the warmup, I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it,” Ronaldo said. “It’s for a trophy, I had to play and I gave it my all.”
Ronaldo’s future is uncertain as his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr only runs to the end of June. He posted “this chapter is over” on social media after the club’s last Saudi Pro League game of the season.
On Saturday he said he had all but decided not to go to the Club World Cup despite “quite a few” offers from participating clubs to play there.
Whatever club Ronaldo plays for, he will keep striving for Portugal.
“I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it’s about Portugal, it is always a special feeling,” he said.
Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win Nations League
- Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal’s third major title, along with Euro 2016
MUNICH, Germany: Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title.
Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores.
Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defense to put Spain in front after 21 minutes.
The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later.
Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain’s goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break.
Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalized with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home.
Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties.
Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal’s fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa.
Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. The victory was just Portugal’s second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history.
Portugal’s only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing.
Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal’s third major title, along with Euro 2016.
While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal’s fluid movement troubled the Portugese defense early in the match, La Roja’s opener was scrappy.
Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defense froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net.
The goal was just rewards for Spain’s early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately.
Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in.
Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal’s pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa.
Oyarzabal’s goal meant he has scored in three international finals — against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost.
Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike.
With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home.
The goal was Ronaldo’s fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over.
Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch.
Kings League MENA drops line-up of superstar team presidents
- Region’s biggest content creators join SURJ Sports Investment-backed Kings League MENA as team presidents
- Tryouts open, giving talented amateur players from across the region an opportunity to join Gerard Pique’s seven-a-side competition
PARIS: Kings League, former Barcelona player Gerard Pique’s revolutionary seven-a-side football competition, is set to debut its new Middle East and North Africa league in Riyadh, in autumn 2025, under a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment announced last week.
As SXB FC, the team led by Saudi Arabian streaming sensation SHoNgxBoNg, took the field for its second game at the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 in Paris, the first team presidents of Kings League MENA were unveiled.
At the same time, the application portal for player tryouts was opened for the newest competition in Kings League’s growing global ecosystem. Talented amateur players from across the MENA region have a life-changing opportunity to play in Kings League, as the selection process gets underway.
Kings League MENA is the latest expansion of the rapidly-growing Kings League global competition ecosystem. This covers leagues in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Latin America and Spain, plus two annual international competitions: the Kings World Cup Clubs and the Kings World Cup Nations.
Through this partnership, SURJ is revolutionizing sport in the region — bringing the MENA region its first digitally native, fast-paced, always-on, creator-powered football league, as it continues to drive investment that helps elevate the area’s sporting ecosystem.
In a dramatic video presentation before the start of last night’s Kings World Cup Clubs match between SXB FC and Kunisports (the team led by football legend Sergio “Kun” Aguero), the first Kings League MENA team presidents were announced:
SHoNgxBoNg (27.6 million social media followers) — The Saudi Arabian streamer vies with Drb7h for the title of number one streamer in the Arab world. He is a two-time winner of Best Influencer at the regional Joy Awards and one of the founding figures of the POWR esports team. He is currently taking part in his second Kings League World Cup, after leading the Saudi Arabian national team to the Kings World Cup Clubs in Italy in January 2025.
Drb7h (8.6 million followers) — Drb7h and SHoNgxBoNg are considered the leading streamers in the Arab world. Drb7h is also from Saudi Arabia and is part of the Falcons Esports team. In 2024, he won the Best Streamer award from the Saudi Esports Federation.
Ilyas Elmaliki (3.9 million followers) — Morocco’s biggest streamer, the man from El-Jadida led the national team that rocked the Kings League universe with a sensational run to the semifinals at the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025.
Tarboun (11.2 million followers) — After a long break from streaming, the gaming legend from Egypt is back and has his eyes on glory in Kings League MENA.
Maherco (12 million followers) — The veteran PUBG and Fortnite streamer is representing Jordan. He will aim to make experience count against his young gun rivals.
Fwaz (861,000 followers) — A rising star of streaming from Kuwait and a key member of the TheUltimates.gg esports team.
Absi (9.9 million followers) — Another up-and-coming streamer, representing Jordan’s next generation.
MENA fans can expect big announcements about more team presidents, the participation of iconic football players, and other exciting developments in the build-up to Kings League MENA.
In the coming months, the players selected during the tryouts will be allocated to their Kings League MENA teams at a draft.
Then, at a special presentation in the weeks leading up to kick-off, the team names, kits, and logo designs will be revealed.
Brazilian star Neymar tests positive for COVID-19
- The 33-year-old began showing symptoms on Thursday and was immediately removed from team activities
- The former Barcelona forward’s future at Santos remains undecided, with his contract set to expire on June 30
Brazil forward Neymar has been sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19, his club Santos said in a statement as quoted by Brazilian media.
The 33-year-old began showing symptoms on Thursday and was immediately removed from team activities. Medical tests later confirmed the viral infection, the Brazil Serie A side said on Saturday.
The club did not disclose how long Neymar will be out of action and did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Neymar is already ruled out of Thursday’s league match at Fortaleza through suspension.
The Fortaleza match will be Santos’ last outing before the Brazilian league pauses for the June 14-July 13 Club World Cup in the United States.
The former Barcelona forward’s future at Santos remains undecided, with his contract set to expire on June 30. Limited by injury, he has made 12 appearances for Santos across all competitions this season, contributing three goals and three assists.
Turkiye rally for 2-1 win in friendly against US, who lose 3rd straight under Pochettino
- With a year to go before co-hosting the World Cup, the US play Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, in another friendly, then open the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15
- Preparing for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in September, Turkiye have six wins, one loss and one draw in their last eight games
EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut: Turkiye took advantage of a sloppy defense to beat the US 2-1 in a rainy friendly on Saturday, dealing the Americans their third straight loss as Arda Guler and Kerem Akturkoglu scored in a 2-minute, 20-second span midway through the first half.
Jack McGlynn scored 59 seconds in for the US, who were missing many regulars as coach Mauricio Pochettino revamped his roster following a dismal performance at the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March.
With a year to go before co-hosting the World Cup, the US play Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, in another friendly, then open the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15.
The Americans dropped to 5-4 under Pochettino, who took over after first-round elimination last year’s Copa America led the US Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. They have lost three straight for the second time in a year.
Pochettino changed eight starters from the Nations League loss to Canada in March, keeping only left back Max Arfsten, winger Diego Luna and forward Patrick Agyemang.
Defender Alex Freeman, a 20-year-old son of former NFL All-Pro receiver Antonio Freeman, started in his US debut. Matt Freese, a starter at Major League Soccer’s New York City, made his debut in goal. Matt Turner, the usual starter since 2022, didn’t play for Crystal Palace after March 1.
McGlynn scored when he ran onto a pass from Malik Tilman, took several touches, cut inside and curled a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area inside the far post for his second goal in five international appearances. It was the earliest US goal since Shaq Moore scored 20 seconds in against Canada during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Turkiye tied it in the 24th minute when Freese tapped the ball to Johnny Cardoso, whose pass ricocheted off a leg and past Freese for Guler’s fifth international goal.
Then in the 27th, Miles Robinson tried to clear Oguz Aydın’s shot and the ball went to Akturkoglu, who one-timed a bouncing shot past Freese for his 12th international goal and sixth in eight games.
Turkiye goalkeeper Berke Ozer also made his international debut. Preparing for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in September, Turkiye have six wins, one loss and one draw in their last eight games.
