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England have exacted their 2018 World Cup loss to Croatia with a narrow 1-0 win in their first match of Euro 2020.

Fans at Wembley stadium were boisterous and got behind the Three Lions as the game of champions seemed destined for a stalemate as both sides were only barely split down the middle on all counts from shots, to fouls and passing.

England kicked off and maintained a very high pace game from the opening whistle and looked to be the side more likely to score, but failed to convert their chances early on, doing very little to threaten the Croatian defensive pairing of Duje Caleta-Car and Domagoj Vida.

Kalvin Phillips put in a tireless shift for England, and threatened the Croatian goal from distance but Livakovic was up for the challenge. Croatia were forced to contend with England’s high pressure game and seemed a bit lost when they had possession of the ball in the first half.

Unlike their campaign that saw them make the 2018 World Cup final, Croatia had to try and counter attack England’s forward pressure but were inefficient with their early chances, Ante Rebic registering the only shot on target in the first half for the Croatians in the 6th minute.

England’s pressure paid off in the second half as a beautifully worked team play saw Raheem Sterlingbreak the deadlock at the 57th minute, assisted by Kalvin Phillips. England’s pinpoint passing was enough to exploit the gap between Vida and Caleta-Car as Sterling’s shot squeezed between the gloveman and the near post.

The remainder of the game saw very little budge between both sides, Luka Modric played uncharacteristically deeper in midfield which in turn resulted in fewer attacking opportunities than Croatia would have preferred.

England’s performance was far from their best, though it was good enough to get past their first test in Croatia. Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Sterling all caused some havoc but should the Three Lions wish to progress with real intent it’s imperative to get Harry Kane involved in the play.

Nonetheless, England have gotten off to a winning start at Euro 2020, and they’ll face neighbouring Scotland in their next fixture, while Croatia will have to go back to the drawing board before taking on the Czech Republic.

EURO 2020 – Group Stage

Croatia – 0

England – 1 (Sterling 57′)

Wembley Stadium, London

Man of the match: Kalvin Phillips, ENG

Source: Tribalfootball

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Romelu Lukaku continued his stunning domestic form by scoring a double for Belgium in a 3-0 win over Russia on Saturday.

There was some doubt as to whether Belgium’s game with Russia in St Petersburg would go ahead after Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s clash with Finland in the previous game.

But the Danish Football Association gave the all clear after reporting Eriksen was awake in hospital.

Lukaku opened the scoring after 10 minutes and paid tribute to his Inter Milan teammate Eriksen.

A routine cross from Dries Mertens went through the legs of Andrei Semonov to Lukaku who instinctively dragged an instant shot on the turn past Anton Shunin from 12 yards out.

The 28-year-old spun away in celebration and made straight for the touchline camera, shouting “Chris, Chris, I love you,” into the lens.

Lukaku sends a message to Inter teammate Eriksen

An early goal released a mountain of pressure on Belgium, shook up after witnessing Eriksen’s collapse, and allowed them to overrun a tepid Russia side.

Eden Hazard, starting on the bench, watched as his brother Thorgan helped set up Belgium’s second.

The Borussia Dortmund star swung in a cross from the left which Shunin could only parry. Thomas Meunier swept up the rebound, only six minutes after coming on for the injured Timothy Castagne.

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov made three substitutions at half-time but they continued to make little threat in the second-half despite support from 34,000 local crowd.

With two minutes left in the game, Lukaku finished off the victory with his 40th goal for club and country this season after finishing calmly past Shunin.

Belgium players celebrate together

Real Madrid winger Hazard came off the bench late as he looks to regain fitness, while the Red Devils still have Kevin De Bruyne to come back from a fractured eye socket.

Meanwhile, Russia will have some serious analysis to do over the next few days if they want to turn things around in their next group game against Finland on Wednesday.

Roberto Martinez’s Belgium will take Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday.

EURO 2020 – Group Stage

Russia – 0

Belgium – 3 (Lukaku 10′, 88′), Meunier (34′)

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

Source: TribalFootball

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is “awake” in hospital after collapsing in the Euro 2020 match against Finland, said the Danish Football Association.

The Inter Milan player’s condition has been “stabilised”, according to tournament organisers Uefa.

The game in Copenhagen was suspended before half-time after the former Spurs playmaker fell to the ground and was given emergency treatment on the field.

Finland won the Group B match 1-0 after it restarted at 19:30 BST.

Danish players were applauded on to the pitch by their opponents as they returned to the field to resume the game.

Uefa said it agreed to restart the match “following the request made by players of both teams”.

The final five minutes of the first half were played, before a five-minute half-time break and the second half.

The game in Copenhagen was suspended before half-time after the former Spurs playmaker fell to the ground and was given emergency treatment on the field.

Peter Moller of the Danish Football Association told Danmarks Radio: “We have been in contact with him [Eriksen] and the players have spoken to Christian. He is doing well and they are playing the match for Christian”.

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand was in tears at the post-match news conference.

“It was a really tough evening, on which we’ve all been reminded what the most important things in life are. It’s meaningful relationships. It’s those people who are close to us. It’s family and friends.

“Everything, everything, everything – all thoughts are with Christian and his family.”

Report

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “Moments like this put everything in life into perspective. I wish Christian a full and speedy recovery and pray his family has strength and faith.

“At these times, the unity of the football family is so strong and he and his family carry with them the good wishes and prayers of everyone. I heard of fans of both teams chanting his name. Football is beautiful and Christian plays it beautifully.”

Saturday’s other Group B match between Belgium and Russia took place as scheduled at 20:00, with Belgium winning 3-0.

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, who scored twice, paid tribute to his Inter team-mate on opening the scoring, saying to the TV cameras “Chris, I love you”.

After his game, Lukaku said: “I enjoyed the game but for me, it was difficult to play because my mind was with my team-mate Christian Eriksen.”I cried a lot because I was scared, obviously. You live strong moments together. I spent more time with him than with my family. My thoughts are with him, his girlfriend, his two kids and his family.”

The Denmark-Finland game was goalless approaching half-time at about 17:45 when the incident happened.

Manchester-born referee Anthony Taylor immediately called for medical support and Eriksen received CPR before the players were taken off the pitch and the match was postponed.

Uefa confirmed that his condition had “stabilised” after being taken to hospital.

“The match has been suspended due to a medical emergency which involved Denmark’s Christian Eriksen. The player is now in hospital and in a stable condition,” it said.

“Uefa wishes Christian Eriksen a full and speedy recovery and wishes to thank both teams for their exemplary attitude.”

The incident happened as a throw-in was played towards Eriksen near the end of the first half.

His distressed team-mates surrounded him and the shocked supporters at Parken Stadium were visibly upset as the player was treated.

Eriksen’s club, Inter, tweeted: “Forza Chris, all of our thoughts are with you.”

Former team Tottenham said: “Get well soon, Christian. The whole Spurs family is with you.”

Last month, Eriksen helped Inter Milan clinch their first Italian title for 11 years in his first full season with the club, after joining from Spurs for £16.9m in January 2020.

The Ajax youth player spent seven years with Tottenham, scoring 69 goals in 305 appearances.

Source: BBC