FOLLOWING Harry Kane’s plea for TV pundits to refrain from “digging out” the England team, manager Gareth Southgate has says he has learned to block-out criticism.”That’s the world we’re in. I’m oblivious to it, it’s not important to me at all. What’s important to me is I guide this group of players through the tournament. We’re a high profile team with expectations and we understand everything we do will be scrutinised. I’m very comfortable with that life. I don’t need to listen to externals because I am my own biggest critic and I think the players are as well,” said Southgate.
ITALY secured their place in the last 16 of EURO 2024 with an added time goal from Mattia Zaccagni against Croatia. They had been trailing to a Luka Modric goal, which would have sent Italy to third place in the group. Croatia, who went into the game with only one point, are effectively eliminated after earning two points from three games. Modric, who saw his penalty kick saved by Italy’s keeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, scored almost immediately afterwards from close range. Croatia’s team, not as “old” as some pundits repeatedly expressed, was a shadow of the side that finished third in the 2022 World Cup. Modric, meanwhile, who is 38, may have played his last major tournament game.
URUGUAY got off to a flying start in their Copa America campaign, beating Panama 3-1 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Now coached by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay’s squad for the competition has a young look than the past after the retirement of players like Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin. Uruguay have been improving in the past year and have beaten both Argentina and Brazil. They are tipped to do very well in the Copa America this year. They also have to face USA and Bolivia in the group stage. Uruguay’s goals came from Max Aráujo, Darwin Núñez and Matías Viña.
WILLIE CARLIN, who was part of Brian Clough’s transformation of Derby County in the late 1960s, has died aged 83. A journeyman footballer, he started with Liverpool, playing one league game, and went on to play for another seven clubs, making over 400 Football League appearances. Born in Liverpool in 1940, the son of a docker, Carlin was signed by Clough from Sheffield United for £ 60,000. Just 5 feet 4 inches in height, he headed the goal that sent Derby to the first division in 1969. Clough called him a “belligerent, aggressive little scouser” and it was his tigerish approach that made him popular. He later joined Leicester City, Notts County and Cardiff, where he ended his career in 1974. Carlin died on June 10, aged 83.
GAME OF THE PEOPLE 