Tag: Euro 2024

Turkey’s Mert Günok wowed fans with his all-time clutch save to deny Austria in Euro 2024

Turkey survived thanks to one of the greatest saves in soccer history.

Turkey is not a traditional international soccer power. Far from it. But after overcoming Austria in Euro 2024’s Round of 16 on Tuesday, it’s becoming apparent that this dark horse feels right at home in the tournament.

And that never happens without some all-time heroics on the part of goalkeeper Mert Günok.

With Austria relentlessly pressing for a tying goal in stoppage time, midfielder Christoph Baumgartner found himself wide open in front of the net for a perfect header. He would’ve scored under almost any other circumstance, and this matchup would have seen extra time. We’re probably talking about a goal 99.9 percent of the time.

Instead, Günok’s lightning-quick reflexes let him just barely get his fingertips on the ball to make one of the greatest soccer saves we’ve ever seen:

Here’s another close-up angle of Günok’s all-time clutch save:

HOW on Earth did he do that? It’s the clear save of the tournament, and there probably won’t be another worthy candidate, let alone one that will go down forever into soccer lore.

I’m inclined to believe that making the save is partly luck, but it takes a tremendous amount of skill to guess right and deny someone right at the doorstep off a perfect pass.

Kudos to Günok. He probably just singlehandedly (no pun intended) kept Turkey’s Cinderella run at Euro 2024 alive.

Soccer fans were amazed by Günok’s all-time clutch save

Featured image courtesy of Fox Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo was so relieved he redeemed himself during Portugal’s penalty shootout at Euro 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo got his redemption as Portugal moves on to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.

Cristiano Ronaldo came up short with an opportunity to punch Portugal’s ticket to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.

He was awarded a penalty kick in the 105th minute, but an incredible save from Slovenia’s Jan Oblak kept the match alive. Ronaldo was overcome with emotion after coming up short in that big spot.

However, he earned his shot at redemption.

The Round of 16 contest ultimately went to a penalty shootout as it remained locked in a 0-0 tie at the end of extra time. Ronaldo wouldn’t squander his second chance, and after he started the team off with a make, Portugal ultimately won the shootout 3-0.

He once again became emotional, but this time, it was a look of sheer joy and relief.

Portugal advances to face France, which dispatched Belgium 1-0 with a goal in the 85th minute in its Round of 16 matchup, on Friday in Hamburg. Ronaldo is 39 and playing in his record sixth Euro, and he’s looking to help Portugal capture its second championship after it won Euro 2016.

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Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after Slovenia’s Jan Oblak saved his extra-time penalty at Euro 2024

Soccer really means everything to Cristiano Ronaldo.

A living legend, Cristiano Ronaldo has accomplished just about everything you could hope for as a professional soccer player. But as he tries to win another Euro championship for his country, it’s abundantly clear the Portuguese superstar is nowhere near satisfied.

In the late stages of extra time during Portugal’s Round of 16 matchup with Slovenia at Euro 2024, Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to seal a likely victory. He had a chip-shot penalty kick that probably would’ve sealed the deal against the upstart Slovenians.

There was one not-so-small problem. Ronaldo had to score against Jan Oblak, one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Oblak wound up making an incredible save on a Ronaldo shot that both had pace and height:

In the aftermath, Ronaldo couldn’t help himself. He was overcome with emotion and started crying as his Portuguese teammates comforted him over his miss.

For Ronaldo, it’s pretty clear that ball is (still) life.

Featured image courtesy of Fox Sports

Ian Darke went bananas over Jude Bellingham’s breathtaking bicycle kick goal to save England at Euro 2024

Jude Bellingham to the RESCUE!!!

England’s uninspiring play at Euro 2024 continued on Sunday during a grueling Round of 16 game against Slovakia. It sure seemed like the Three Lions, a heavy tournament favorite, would really be upset by the massive underdog from Central Europe.

Then superstar midfielder Jude Bellingham had a say. Because of course he did.

With England fighting for its tournament life in the last moments of stoppage time, Bellingham got off an incredible bicycle kick that found the back of the net and tied the game at 1-1. Given the stakes, it will likely be remembered as one of the greatest goals in English history.

You can hardly blame English announcer Ian Darke for losing his mind over Bellingham’s remarkable “rescue.”

“Jude Bellingham! A rescue! It had to be him, didn’t it?”

Any time you see Bellingham, one of the best players in the world, play like a star when their team needs him most, you should count yourself lucky. And any time you can hear someone like Darke capture the moment perfectly, you know you’re living large as a soccer fan.

Mere moments later, in extra time — 192 seconds to be exact — Harry Kane gave England the lead on a header:

If the English go on to win, this stunning two-goal sequence from Bellingham and Kane will be firmly etched as one of the most iconic moments the Euros have ever seen.

Featured image courtesy of Fox Sports

7 terrifying views of the lightning that suspended play during Euro 2024’s Denmark-Germany game

The lightning that suspended play during Denmark-Germany was no joke.

During the 2024 European Championship round-of-16 game between Denmark and Germany in Dortmund on Saturday, an aggressive spat of lightning suspended play for a good while.

The storm produced some of the most awe-striking pictures of lightning near a sporting venue that we’ve seen in a good while, as there was absolutely no safe way for the soccer players involved to continue until the storm passed.

Outside of your typical thunderstorm troubles, hail was also spotted at the event, per the AP.

While play did eventually resume between the two teams, looking at the lightning may give you some goosebumps. Imagine actually being at the soccer match and seeing this in real time.

Here are some views of the lightning that may even spook the most seasoned storm chaser.

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Switzerland vs. Italy: How to watch Euro 2024, TV channel, streaming

The knockout stage begins with a clash in Berlin

The Euro 2024 knockout stage is here, with Switzerland and Italy facing off on Saturday in a last-16 clash.

Switzerland got out of the group stage unbeaten, defeating Hungary before drawing Scotland and Germany.

Murat Yakin’s side would have advanced as group winners were it not for a stoppage-time equalizer by Germany forward Niclas Füllkrug in the group stage finale. Instead, Switzerland had to settle for second place in Group A.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Switzerland vs. Italy FREE on Fubo” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=1205322&subId1=PSW&subId2=Generic&subId3=2023%2F24″]

Italy was less impressive in Group B, defeating Albania in its opener before a loss to Spain and a draw with Croatia that would have seen them eliminated were it not for a 98th-minute equalizer from Mattia Zaccagni.

The winner of this match will meet either England or Slovakia in the quarterfinals.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Switzerland vs. Italy (Euro 2024 round of 16)

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Serbia flew Novak Djokovic in for Euro 2024 as a good-luck charm against Denmark

Novak Djokovic found time for his country during a tough moment of his career.

A torn meniscus at this year’s French Open might threaten the end of Novak Djokovic’s legendary tennis career. However, as Wimbledon nears at the start of next month, Djokovic’s status is still in question, and he doesn’t appear to be stressed about it.

How could he be if he was in attendance at Euro 2024 all the way in Munich?

With Serbia’s tournament chances on the line against Denmark on Tuesday, the country flew in Djokovic, arguably the greatest athlete in the small nation’s history, to try and rally the troops. After Djokovic practiced earlier in the day, further addressing his health for Wimbledon will have to wait for now.

Given Djokovic’s legendary status amongst his countrypeople, having him around is not a bad bet at all:

Barring a win over Denmark with impossible on-paper odds, the Serbians will likely be done in Euro 2024. Having Djokovic around as a good-luck charm really might swing those odds.

Daniel Sturridge is going through it sitting next to Alexi Lalas

Welcome to American television!

Daniel Sturridge is getting quite the introduction to the world of American punditry.

The ex-England international is making his debut with Fox Sports this summer, serving as a studio analyst for the network’s coverage of Euro 2024.

Also serving as a studio analyst is notorious pot-stirrer Alexi Lalas, who continues to grace the airwaves with his unabashed style of punditry.

Lalas provided another example of his freeform commentary during a segment on Thursday, taking aim at England in a rant featuring a Justin Timberlake reference, a pointed mention of the very British term “whinging” and, of course, lots of yelling.

Sitting next to the ex-U.S. international, Sturridge could hardly contain himself, burying his head in his hand at one point while offering plenty of side-eyes to his colleague.

At the end of his diatribe, Lalas turned to Sturridge and demanded to know where he would play Phil Foden if he were in charge of England.

“Don’t put this on me Alexi,” was all could Sturridge could muster before breaking out in exasperated laughter.

Welcome to American television, Studge!

Watch Lalas go on England rant

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Kylian Mbappe’s mask is here, and it is very French

The France star will have a new look going forward at Euro 2024

Kylian Mbappé has introduced his first mask, but it doesn’t look like it will be one he’ll be able to use in a game.

The France star suffered a broken nose in his side’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria, colliding with defender Kevin Danso near the end of France’s 1-0 win.

It was immediately apparent that Mbappé had broken his nose, which appeared to be out of place as blood poured out onto the striker’s jersey.

It was also quickly apparent that the Real Madrid forward would be sporting a new look whenever he appeared on the pitch next.

Just hours after the injury, Mbappé was on social media asking his followers if they had any mask ideas.

In France’s training on Thursday, one day before a marquee matchup against the Netherlands, Mbappé debuted his first effort — and it was not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask he was once gifted. 

Mbappé showed up on the training pitch in a patriotic mask that featured the colors and pattern of the French flag. On one side was his initials “KM” while on the other, his number 10 featured in between two stars.

In the middle was the Gallic rooster — a national symbol of France that also appears on the French team’s crest.

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the striker will actually be able to wear his mask during a game. According to UEFA rules, masks have to be just one color and free of team and sponsor logos.

As for when the superstar will actually debut a mask in a game, France coach Didier Deschamps sounded optimistic it could be against the Netherlands.

“Everything is going well, after the shock we had. He was able to take part in some light exercises yesterday, and that will be the same this evening. Everything is evolving in the right direction,” Deschamps said Thursday in his pre-match press conference.

“We’ll do all we can to ensure that he’ll be available tomorrow.”

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Kylian Mbappe’s facemask for his broken nose makes him look like a French superhero

Captain France is here!

What would Kylian Mbappe wear for a mask at Euro 2024 after he broke his nose?

That’s what so many soccer fans wanted to know after the French superstar asked on social media for suggestions. The choices ranged from Bane’s iconic look to LeBron James’ mask.

But Mbappe went with something that’s more country-appropriate: a blue, white and red mask that covers most of the upper part of his face, and it looks like it says “KM” on it.

He looks like Captain France if there was such a thing in the MCU, and some folks liked it a lot (although there were Ninja Turtle jokes):

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