Spain players celebrate after beating Italy 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen to clinch a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024. VNA/VNS Photo

By Xuân Đăng 

Spain - Italy: Spain qualified thanks to Italy's own goal

Spain took a spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Italy in their clash at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday.

Spain made one change to their starting line-up after the 3-0 win over Croatia. Aymeric Laporte took the place of Nacho in defence. Rodri and Alvaro Morata started after being substituted against Croatia due to minor injuries.

Italy were unchanged after their 2-1 victory over Albania.

Spain had a first chance of the match, when Nico Williams tore down the left and reached the byline. He crossed to Pedri, who should have scored from six yards but headed straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma, who tipped over the bar.

Most of the game was played in the Italian half showing how much Spain control the game.

After the break, William once again burst down the left, tearing away from Giovanni Di Lorenzo. His cross was parried by the Italian goalkeeper straight at Riccardo Calafiori’s knee, diverting the ball into the back of his own net.

The win was enough for Spain to secure top spot in Group B with a game to spare, meaning they already know they will play their last-16 tie in Cologne on June 30 against one of the best third-place finishers.

Jude Bellingham failed to inspire England in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Denmark. VNA/VNS Photo

England - Denmark: Disappointing draw for England

It was a huge disappointment for England when they failed to get a win against Denmark in Frankfurt in Group C.

An underwhelming performance that leaves more questions over their chances of becoming European champions for the first time.

Harry Kane had opened the scoring in the 18th minute after Danish defender Victor Kristiansen had a momentary lapse in concentration, allowing Kyle Walker to run through and set up the England captain.

It was his first goal of Euro 2024 but his 50th for club and country in 2023-24, following an extraordinary debut season in Germany with Bayern Munich.

But all too predictably, England went into their shell once more and only led for 16 minutes.

Going behind breathed new life into Denmark which equalised before half-time courtesy of a long-range shot from Morten Hjulmand.

England looked disjointed throughout and were second best to Denmark for much of the match. Kane, considered one of best players in the world, was taken off in the second half after an ineffectual performance following his goal.

England were ragged from the outset, making errors and many loose passes.

A criticism of manager Gareth Southgate throughout his England tenure has been his approach after taking leads in big games. Yet again, they made little effort to push for a second goal and they were punished in brutal fashion.

England gained a point that puts them in a strong position to win the group, but they will want to leave this desperate performance behind them. There’ll need to be a huge improvement against Slovenia next Tuesday.

Luka Jovic (centre) salvaged a 1-1 draw for Serbia against Slovenia

Slovenia vs. Serbia: Jovic rescues draw for Serbia

Luka Jovic snatched a last-gasp equaliser for Serbia in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia keeping both teams in contention for a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

Both sides hit the woodwork and had periods where they dominated possession and created chances at the Munich Football Arena in an end-to-end game. Just like against England, Serbia started slowly and handed the initiative to Slovenia whose first big chance came when Timi Elsnik hit the near post after dribbling into the box in the first half.

Slovenia broke the deadlock after the break with a brilliantly worked goal from right-back man-of-the-match Zan Karnicnik who put them on the brink of their first ever Euros win. Slovenia had missed several good chances until Karnicnik drove upfield from the edge of his own penalty area, released the ball to Timi Elsnik and then met the return cross to slot the ball past Predrag Rajkovic in the 69th minute.

Serbia increased the pressure looking for an equaliser with veteran striker Aleksandar Mitrovic hitting the post. They finally levelled when Jovic nodded home a corner five minutes into added time to leave their opponents distraught. Serbia failed to capitalise on periods of superiority despite the menace of Mitrovic, who saw a close range shot deflected by Karnicnik onto the woodwork, until Jovic struck.

The result at the Munich Football Arena puts Slovenia in second place on two points with group leaders England to come in their third and final Group C game. Serbia, bottom with one point, face Denmark next. VNS