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JJ Warr, the former Middlesex and England seamer who later became a cricket writer and then president of the MCC, has died at the age of 88

ESPNcricinfo staff10-May-2016JJ Warr, the former Middlesex and England seamer who later became a cricket writer and then president of the MCC, has died at the age of 88.Warr England’s career was limited to two Tests in which he managed just a single wicket against Australia on the 1950-51 Ashes tour.His Test career was recalled late last year when his debut figures of 0 for 142 in Sydney were overtaken as the worst by an England player in their first Test by Adil Rashid’s 0 for 163 in his first innings against Pakistan in Abu DhabiAfter his brief England career, Warr remained prolific in county cricket, taking 116 wickets in the 1956 season, and finished with 956 first-class wickets at 22.79. He also captained Middlesex in the last three seasons of his career.He became a writer for the , an after dinner speaker and was MCC president in 1987-88 before being made an honorary life vice-president.

The French defender headed in the only goal of the game while the debutant goalkeeper made a series of saves to shut out an impressive Wolves side

This was far from the performance Manchester United would have expected after a summer of lavish spending but they somehow got away with it and beat an excellent Wolves side 1-0 to start the season with three points.

Mason Mount had a really disappointing competitive debut but his fellow new arrival Andre Onana made four big saves to keep out Gary O'Neil's rampant visitors, who also hit the woodwork and defied expectations just a week after parting ways with coach Julen Lopetegui.

United went ahead against the run of play when Raphael Varane headed home Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross in the 76th minute. Wolves will be wondering how they did not take more from the game, especially after having a strong penalty shout in added time when Onana collided with two players. GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Old Trafford…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Andre Onana (7/10):

The Cameroonian played with courage on his competitive debut and, unlike in the friendly against Lens, his tendency to roam did not get him into trouble. Made smart saves from Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto and Fabio Silva (twice) although was fortunate to not be penalised for clashing with two Wolves players in added time.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (8/10):

Attentive to the danger down his side and set up the only goal with a smart cross to Varane. Stayed focused until the end.

Raphael Varane (8/10):

Gave United leadership when they were struggling to hold Wolves off and, most crucially, found the breakthrough goal.

Lisandro Martinez (5/10):

Looked rusty on what was his first competitive game in more than four months. Got an early booking for a sliding tackle on Neto and that conditioned his performance until half-time, when Ten Hag took him off for Victor Lindelof.

Luke Shaw (6/10):

Some of Wolves best chances came down his left side and he was not very effective going forward. Made an excellent block late in the game.

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Bruno Fernandes (6/10):

Was far from his dominant self but helped United find the breakthrough with a lovely through ball to Wan-Bissaka.

Casemiro (6/10):

Not as solid as usual defensively but was lively in attack.

Mason Mount (5/10):

An uninspiring full debut. Struggled to create much and his passing was imprecise.

GettyAttack

Antony (7/10):

United's liveliest attacker and a big improvement on many matches from last season.

Marcus Rashford (6/10):

Struggled to get much space as a centre-forward and had more joy when he returned to his favorite position on the left of the attack in the second half. Still created little to shout about.

Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):

Lively but frustrating. Got forward a lot but routinely made the wrong decision. Removed in the 68th minute.

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GettySubs & Manager

Victor Lindelof (6/10):

Played the entire second half and could do little to prevent Wolves' dominance.

Jadon Sancho (6/10):

Gave United a bit more fluidity when he came on.

Christian Eriksen (6/10):

His experience helped United get a win they did not deserve.

Scott McTominay (N/A):

Only introduced for the last 13 minutes.

Facundo Pellistri (N/A):

Only introduced for the final two minutes.

Erik ten Hag (6/10):

No complaints with his team selection and his substitutes helped improve the team and ultimately get the result.

Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday but controversy soon followed, as they complained about the assistant referee spying on them after the match.

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Barca celebrate narrow win over AtleticoNumber of controversial decisions Assistant caught eavesdropping outside dressing roomWHAT HAPPENED?

Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez was in charge of the match and the Montjuic home crowd felt that Barcelona had been given the short end of the stick on several occasions, particularly about Joao Felix's penalty appeal, Memphis Depay's two fouls, and his block of Ilkay Gundogan during the German's forward play. Linesman Raul Cabanero was allegedly discovered outside the Barcelona locker room following the game, according to [via ]. They claim he was listening in on the players throughout both half-time and full-time. Press officer Edu Polo instructed Cabanero to leave the premises of the locker room at full-time; however, the linesman summoned Sanchez over his radio, who subsequently inquired about Polo's identity. When Xavi Hernandez showed up, he verified Polo's identification.

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According to Diario AS [Football Espana], Sanchez urged composure, and a discussion was able to fix the matter. They do, however, support Sport's accusations, asserting that Cabanero entered the locker room at half-time to perform the routine player kit check, which is typically done outside the locker room.

DID YOU KNOW?

This season, the Catalans and referees have had a tense relationship that president Joan Laporta brought up last weekend when he insisted his club should have received a penalty for a foul on Raphinha in the LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano.

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WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Although there isn't likely to be any official process for this type of action, Barcelona will undoubtedly be tempted to vent their displeasure even more in a period when the big two have been eager to fuel the embers of refereeing controversy. All things considered, in recent seasons, officiating in Spain has far too frequently been a topic of discussion.

Sybrand Engelbrecht led Cape Cobras past a Jonathan Carter century to keep his side’s hopes of a semi-final spot alive in the Champions League, after a narrow Super Over win

The Report by Alagappan Muthu26-Sep-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details. Cape Cobras won the one-over eliminatorJonathan Carter’s power deserted him when he needed it most•BCCIIt was the second time Jonathan Carter was sprawled on his knees in Mohali. He hammered his bat into the turf and flung his head down in agony. The Cape Cobras were lined up beside him, having broken free from their celebratory hugs, to pat his back.Carter had bludgeoned his way to a maiden T20 century, but his team-mates toppled around him. Still Barbados Tridents had managed a total of 174. Their bowlers rallied to enforce a Super Over and it was down to Carter again with four needed of the last ball. A last ball that was a full toss. A full toss bowled by little-known offspinner Sybrand Engelbrecht. But when Carter needed his power the most, it was nowhere to be found as an inside edge dribbled away behind the keeper and Barbados Tridents had lost.While he was swallowed in grief, Cobras’ dressing room erupted. Had they lost this game, they would have been out of the CLT20.There were seven single-figure scores strewn amid Carter’s effort. The Tridents suffered two early jolts and their run-rate was below six by the end of the Powerplay. That lack of foundation meant every bottom-handed bludgeon from Carter was highly necessary. Many times, he looked set to swing himself off his feet, the bat swirling back towards the base of his spine during the follow through. The straight boundary received significant attention, as he razed 58 of his runs in the V, including all five of his sixes. He gave the run-rate a much needed boost. He offset the loss of a few late wickets, and his unbeaten 111 was nearly 64% of the Tridents’ eventual 174 for 8.However, the desperation he showed with the bat took a long while to match. Cape Cobras had the luxury of a Richard Levi blitz as a precursor to a Hashim Amla fifty that was dragging the match away. Tridents needed a stranglehold with the required rate a manageable 8.33 in the final six overs.Jeevan Mendis’ canny leg spin provided just that. Three wickets across eight of his deliveries, followed by a stellar 19th over that cost only five from Ravi Rampaul complicated the chase. Cobras diluted an equation of 13 from six to three from one. Engelbrecht slogged a slower ball to deep square leg and was haring back for an ambitious second. Tridents could have taken the match then, but a less-than accurate throw from Raymon Reifer and a fumble from the wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich pushed it into a Super Over.Rampaul fronted up again and rarely erred in finding the leg-stump yorker. There of them hit their marks, but Levi and Dane Vilas managed to string together 11 runs from the Super Over.The responsibility of defending that fell on Engelbrecht. Cobras had decided pace off the ball was their best chance. But offspinner Dane Piedt was injured and Robin Peterson’s left-arm spin can often be a lottery. So Engelbrecht, who’s acclaim as a fielder outstrips his skills with the ball, was tossed the ball. Carter managed a flat-batted thump to the long-off boundary that had Dilshan Munaweera, who’s 42 was the next best effort in their innings, skipping. Tridents needed seven from four.However, Engelbrecht kept bowling slow. He kept forcing the batsmen to reach outside off and finally stymied Carter on leg stump to steal the game. Something he enjoyed quite a bit considering the way he took off running. It was the first Super Over game he was involved in. It was the first Super Over he has ever bowled. It was a gamble from acting captain Vilas. It worked.

Stuart Law has resigned from his position as coach of Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, despite having a year left on his contract

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2015Stuart Law has resigned from his position as coach of Queensland and the Brisbane Heat, despite having a year left on his contract.Queensland Cricket said in a statement that the board met on Thursday night to review the on-field performances of the Heat after they finished last in the BBL this summer.”Law met this afternoon to discuss the board findings and subsequently offered to step down as head coach,” the statement said.Queensland are about to begin the second half of their Sheffield Shield campaign and they sit in last place on the table, with just one win from their first five games. Assistant coach Justin Sternes will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season.Law was appointed as coach of Queensland and the Brisbane Heat in August 2013, after his predecessor Darren Lehmann was given the role of national coach.He led the Bulls to the one-day title in his first season in charge, and they again finished in the top two of the Matador Cup this summer, but lost the elimination final and missed the chance to play in the decider.”After consultation with the board, and much agonising, I have reached a decision to stand down from the position as head coach,” Law said. “That is not a decision that I have taken lightly but one that will hopefully produce the desired results for Queensland in the future.”I wish the players, the support staff and Queensland Cricket all the best for the rest of the season. I am a passionate, diehard Queenslander who hates losing and that will never change. And to the fans, thanks for your support and passion for what we do.”Jim Holding, the chairman of Queensland Cricket, said: “We are moving on with a comprehensive evaluation of our elite coaching set-up and resources and will take the necessary steps to put in place a structure that will be best placed to deliver success for our key strategic targets.”We thank Stuart for his commitment to the Bulls and the Heat and wish him the best in his next endeavours. He will always fill a proud role in the eyes of cricket fans from his playing performances with the Bulls and Australia and this decision will not alter his standing in Queensland’s history.”Prior to his appointment in 2013, Law served as coach of Bangladesh and, briefly, Sri Lanka after the 2011 World Cup. He was also coach of the Australia Under-19 side that reached the finals of the World Cup in 2012.

Pep Guardiola has explained how being a “handsome man” helps him to get his message across during short training sessions at Manchester City.

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Catalan coach one of the best in the businessDoes not push players hard before gamesIs still able to deliver positive resutlsWHAT HAPPENED?

With so many games being packed into a hectic schedule, the Catalan coach is wary of pushing his players too hard behind the scenes. That means he can spend as little as 25 minutes working on upcoming fixtures, but he is still able to impart wisdom and ensure that his star-studded squad are ready for whatever challenge awaits them.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

Quizzed on how he is able to achieve that, former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has jokingly said: “Because I'm really good. I'm a handsome man and I seduce them and we did it. So, I'm really good. Today we have the TV, the images, and we talk individually, and moving that way. I spoke with Ruben (Dias) with what happened at Chelsea, I spoke with Kyle (Walker) with what happened at Chelsea. I talked about it in this specific was after they made mistakes, they just understand.”

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Revealing that he has never been one for long practice sessions, Guardiola said of the limited time that he spent with his players prior to a 1-1 Premier League draw with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium: “In seven years, I don’t train. Maximum 35 minutes. We don’t train. They started pre-season 15 days before. Do you know what 15 days is? We played the FA Cup final and then the Champions League final. They had 15 days more with the new players. We didn’t do one day of tactical. It's the same for Jurgen [Klopp], I’m pretty sure. The day before this game, we did 10-15 minutes with the ball and 10 minutes defensively. Before Tuesday it will be 10 minutes on the pitch, moving in that way. We cannot train. If we train, we don’t have players for the next game. We don’t have them. That’s why we have to learn from the past: just understand what you have to do. The press, who jumps. This is what we absolutely rely on.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA?

City, who claimed a historic treble triumph last season, will be back in Champions League action on Tuesday when playing host to RB Leipzig. The Premier League title holders are nursing a number of injuries at present, which is further preventing Guardiola from pushing aching limbs towards breaking point.

The Reds were unable to ease their recent woes as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Anfield in the FA Cup third round

Another record for Mohamed Salah, but another performance to set alarm bells ringing among Liverpool supporters as Cody Gakpo's debut did not spark an immediate revival.

The Reds' Egyptian King was on target at Anfield on Saturday night, his goal taking him above Sir Kenny Dalglish in the club's all-time list, but for Jurgen Klopp there was little else to smile about. His side were miles below par yet again as Wolves, threatened by relegation in the Premier League, left Merseyside with 2-2 draw – and now a replay – in the FA Cup third round.

Julen Lopetegui's side had, as so many teams seem to do against Liverpool these days, taken a first-half lead, with Goncalo Guedes capitalising on an awful error from Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

But Darwin Nunez's expertly-controlled volley on the stroke of half-time levelled matters, and when Salah put the home side ahead shortly after the break, Klopp's side looked set to put the misery of Monday's defeat at Brentford behind them with a win.

They couldn't hold on, though. Wolves substitute Hwang Hee-chan smuggled in an equaliser midway through the second half, and the visitors thought they'd snatched a win when Toti Gomes bundled home late on, only for an offside flag against Matheus Nunes to save Liverpool's bacon.

Klopp and his team now face an unwanted replay at Molineux later in the month, while questions over their form, in particular a lack of energy and legs in midfield, will only grow after yet another underwhelming showing.

Here, GOAL runs through the winners and losers from Anfield…

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Mohamed Salah:

From one King to another. Salah has laid waste to record after record since his arrival on Merseyside in 2017, but here he nudged his way past a true Anfield legend. His goal, taken with supreme composure in front of the Kop, takes him to 173 in a Liverpool shirt, one more than Sir Kenny Dalglish, the man widely considered to be the Reds' greatest ever player. Salah sits seventh on the all-time scoring list now, 10 behind Robbie Fowler and 13 behind Steven Gerrard. He should catch both by the end of the season, even considering his team's struggles.

Julen Lopetegui:

If the Premier League table makes for grim reading for Wolves fans, their side's performance here should allay some fears. This is not a team that should be battling relegation. The Midlanders have appointed themselves a mighty fine manager in Lopetegui, who should have plenty of fun getting a tune out of a gifted group of footballers at Molineux. All the best performers wore old gold here. Ruben Neves was imperious in midfield, Rayan Ait-Nouri was a constant menace down the left, while Guedes, Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez kept Liverpool's backline honest throughout. And when Lopetegui turned to his bench, he found game-changers. Hwang had only been on the field three minutes when he combined with another sub, Matheus Cunha, to force the equaliser at 2-2, while a third replacement, Matheus Nunes, showed why Liverpool are so keen to add him to their ranks next season. Wolves didn't get the win they probably feel they merited, but they should improve fast under Lopetegui. If they don't, they'll have let themselves down.

Ben Doak:

Five minutes plus stoppage time. That was all it took for Liverpool's 17-year-old Scot to do what so many of his vaunted team-mates couldn't, and show a little bit of purpose and bravery. Doak is a real talent, good enough to play first-team football at Celtic last season, and on this evidence he's worth a place in Klopp's squad. The manner in which he ran at players, and how he put himself about more importantly, did not go unnoticed among the home fans. While so many in red look crippled by fear, the teenager brought a freshness and an energy that was most welcome. Even if he can only do a short burst off the bench at this stage, he could come in very handy in the coming weeks.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Alisson Becker:

If ever you wanted a pair of goals to sum up Liverpool's season, here they were. The first was a comedy of errors, Thiago Alcantara too casual in the middle of the field, but able to just about salvage the situation with a slide tackle. The ball ended up with Alisson, who tried to spray it to the right flank but instead passed it straight to Guedes, who accepted the gift. The second wasn't much better, an Ibrahima Konate clearance sent back by Nathan Collins for Hwang, who had the freedom of Anfield as he waltzed into the box, fed Cunha and then, somehow, forced the return pass beneath Alisson's dive, via a deflection off Konate. Alisson, who has been one of the Reds' few consistent performers this season, beat the turf in frustration, but his face told the true story. 'What the hell is happening?' it said. Good question.

Liverpool's press:

Another week, another midfield nightmare for Liverpool. Having taken flak for his selection at Brentford, Klopp went with his 'best' three for this game, with captain Jordan Henderson back after concussion, alongside Fabinho and Thiago. None of them played well, all of them looking lethargic and a step or two off the pace. Liverpool's second-ball game was dreadful, with Wolves constantly able to get their heads up and play through the Reds' shape. Cody Gakpo, making his debut on the left of the Reds' attack, was unable to bring about a return to the counter-pressing style which has won so many admirers – and trophies – down the years, with the team looking disjointed and dishevelled. Only when Naby Keita came on did the Reds even threaten to win the ball back high up the field, and even the Guinea international made too many mistakes in possession. Whatever Klopp and his staff are working on at Kirkby, simply isn't working. This is a broken team at the moment, one that any opponent would fancy its chances against.

Jordan Henderson:

We know Liverpool's captain too well by now to write him off, but Henderson knows he and his teammates have to improve quickly or their season will be in the dust. 'We win cups' read the banner on the Kop prior to kick-off, but the Reds are only in this one still because of a marginal offside call, and they could have had few complaints had Wolves snatched the win. Henderson was one of four changes from the side which started, and struggled so badly, at Brentford, but when the fourth official's board went up midway through the second half, it was no surprise to see the No.14 on it. The skipper was poor, unable to get close enough to Neves and Co. in midfield, and lacking any real quality with his delivery and passing. One skied cross in the first half summed up his, and Liverpool's, evening. Dismal.

Getty ImagesLiverpool Ratings: Defence

Alisson Becker (4/10):

Nightmare for Wolves' opener and saw the ball squirm under his body for the equaliser. Off his line quickly to snuff out Traore and saved well from Ait-Nouri.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

Produced a pass of supreme quality for the equaliser and played with heart.

Joel Matip (6/10):

Lucky to get away with dallying in his own box early on. Defended OK generally.

Ibrahima Konate (6/10):

Unfortunate with the deflection for the equaliser, but didn't inspire confidence though his pace was more than useful against Traore.

Andy Robertson (6/10):

Struggled against Traore in the first half. Kept plugging away without reward. Wolves were dangerous down his side.

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Fabinho (5/10):

Looked a mile off it in the first half. Improved a bit after the break but is still some way short of what's expected. Looks so heavy legged and static.

Jordan Henderson (5/10):

Outran throughout by Wolves' midfield and, despite a decent 5-10 minute spell at the start of the second half. unable to impact the game on the ball.

Thiago Alcantara (7/10):

Poor first half, taking too many touches and putting his side under pressure.

Inter Miami teenager Tyler Hall admits he was left feeling “like I was in a video game” after being joined in Florida by all-time great Lionel Messi.

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All-time great now in the United StatesImpressing all of those around himCatching the eye on and off the pitchWHAT HAPPENED?

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner linked up with the MLS outfit over the summer, with a remarkable move to the United States being completed after reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. Messi made an immediate impact in Miami, as he helped to deliver a historic Leagues Cup triumph, and still has a number of team-mates pinching themselves.

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Hall falls into that category, with the highly-rated defender telling FIFA’s of what it is like to work with Messi on a daily basis: “The first day Messi came, it didn't feel real. It was like I was in a video game or something! It hits me once in a while that he's right next to me. He's a very approachable guy. He is always smiling and always comes over to shake my hand. He is a great guy and is so good with all the young players.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Facing Messi in training is helping Hall to improve his game, even if he admits that the Argentine icon can prove impossible to stop at times. The 17-year-old, who is yet to make his competitive debut for Inter Miami, added on lining up against Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba: “I’ve played 11v11 against them. It’s crazy. They just think faster, they play faster. It's amazing to have them on the field next to you at this young age. Messi actually played on my side [of the pitch] and was up against me. If you watch Messi's games, you see him walking around, scanning the field, then all of a sudden he checks his shoulder and then he's just gone! He moves so quick and it was hard for me to keep up. I was frustrated, even knowing he's one of the best players in the world, because I want to be able to guard him. I want to better myself and be able to defend him really well in the future.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Few defenders have been able to contain the obvious threat that Messi poses down the years, with the 36-year-old superstar having reached 726 goals through 899 appearances at club level while also hitting the target on 106 occasions in 178 outings for his country.

Concerns over the slow recovery of Lasith Malinga’s knee injury have grown stronger ahead of the World T20 – the paceman now in doubt for Sri Lanka’s first match on March 17

Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Mar-20161:11

Fernando: Malinga’s full availability not guaranteed

Lasith Malinga has offered to step down as Sri Lanka’s T20 captain, after concerns over the slow recovery of a knee injury have grown. The board is yet to make a final call on whether a change of leadership is needed, but Malinga has handed the board a letter voicing reservations about keeping the job when he cannot guarantee his availability for Sri Lanka’s full campaign.An MRI scan on Monday confirmed substantial damage to Malinga’s knee, but also suggested that he could manage the injury with painkillers over the next few weeks. The team is scheduled to leave for India on Tuesday, but Malinga is considering staying in Sri Lanka to receive further treatment. He may not depart to India until the days before Sri Lanka’s first match, on March 17.This overuse injury to the left knee – on which he lands during the delivery stride – has troubled him since West Indies’ series in Sri Lanka in November last year. He missed Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand in December and January, and was later ruled out of the T20s in India, in February. Then, Malinga played only one match of four during the Asia Cup, taking four wickets in Sri Lanka’s solitary victory against UAE, before sitting out games against Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. It is understood he has not bowled in the nets since the UAE game, though, he is not a player who generally requires extensive net bowling before matches.The recovery date for this injury has always been vague, but has been much slower than initially expected, prompting particular worry. It was hoped Malinga could be fit for the T20s in New Zealand, and he was picked for the Asia Cup on the understanding he could play a substantial role in that tournament.This is also the third serious injury to hit Malinga’s career. He had previously been plagued by a similar overuse injury in his right knee, which he said forced him to retire from Tests in 2010. Then in 2014, a long-term ankle injury was operated on in the months leading up to last year’s World Cup. It now appears possible that this current injury could end his international career. In the approach to the Asia Cup, Malinga had hinted the World T20 might be his final foray for Sri Lanka.Angelo Mathews appears the likeliest captaincy candidate if Malinga does step down, though Dinesh Chandimal is also an option. Malinga’s potential absence as a bowler is perhaps the bigger blow to Sri Lanka’s campaign. He has been instrumental to Sri Lanka’s march to three World T20 finals over the last four tournaments, and is also the World T20’s most successful bowler. He has been a diminished threat since his ankle surgery in 2014, but remains – at least in spirit – Sri Lanka’s limited-overs spearhead.

David Beckham believes that England can end their international tournament woes by winning the 2024 Euros with their talented squad.

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Beckham discusses England's chancesHopes for glory at Euro 2024Praises the depth of the squad(C)GettyImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The former England captain spoke about England's chances at the 2024 Euros as he attended the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and India in Mumbai in his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The 48-year-old revealed that he was hopeful of the Three Lions' chances in the coming tournament thanks to the quality in their squad with youthful players like Jude Bellingham helping out experienced veterans such as Harry Kane.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Although England have performed well in recent international tournaments, they have not experienced victory since winning the World Cup on home soil in 1966. They reached the World Cup semi-finals in Russia in 2018, before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Italy in the European Championship final at Wembley on penalties. With two games remaining, Southgate's team has already secured a spot at the Euro 2024 championships.

WHAT BECKHAM SAID

"I really believe in this England team," Beckham told the AFP. "I believe in Gareth Southgate and what he's doing and what he's done for a number of years now. We were unfortunate to lose in the Euros final against Italy, but we were so close. And I've seen that when our national team has some kind of success, the way our country comes together is incredible."

"I don't want to speak too soon, but with the 2024 Euros, I think that we have a real opportunity with young players like Cole Palmer, like Jude Bellingham, and the other players that we have in the team. And of course, you know, we have a captain like Harry Kane who still continues to inspire his team and still continues to score goals. So I think we have a real opportunity."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

England host Malta on Friday before travelling to North Macedonia three days later, despite having already qualified they will want to finish well in order to claim top seeding in next month's group-stage draw.