TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has urged the British government to reduce the number of fans allowed into London's Wembley stadium for the final Euro 2020 matches, as fears grow over the spread of the Delta variant.

Just hours before Germany meet England at Wembley, Seehofer told a German newspaper: "I think it's irresponsible for tens of thousands to gather in close proximity" in countries where the "highly contagious" Delta variant is spreading.

European football's governing body UEFA and the British authorities have said some 45,000 supporters will be allowed to attend the game, equivalent to 50 percent of capacity, which will be increased to 75 percent for the semi-finals and final at Wembley.

Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says a rise in coronavirus cases is partly linked to football fans watching the Euro 2020 tournament indoors and travelling by coach to London to watch Scotland play.

Shares in French TV companies TF1 and M6 fell on Tuesday after France's surprise loss to Switzerland. TF1, which broadcast the game on Monday night, was down by 1 percent by 07:05 GMT, while M6 fell 0.8 percent.

Belgium is sweating on the fitness of captain Eden Hazard and playmaker Kevin de Bruyne ahead of the team's quarter-final match against Italy in Munich on Friday, according to coach Roberto Martinez.

De Bruyne went off in Sunday's 1-0 win over Portugal in the last 16 in Seville, asking to be replaced three minutes into the second half due to an ankle injury, while Hazard pulled up three minutes from time in a double blow to the top-ranked Belgians.

Martinez said: "The initial information that we have from medical staff is positive for both, they will remain with the squad and they have no structural damage." 

 

TUESDAY'S FIXTURES

England vs Germany  at 4 p.m. GMT

The Germans are unbeaten in their last seven games against England at Wembley (Won five, drawn two). They have not lost there since succumbing 2-0 in a March 1975 friendly. Their last competitive defeat at the stadium was the 1966 FIFA World Cup final.

Sweden vs Ukraine at 7 p.m. GMT

The Swedes are currently on an eight game unbeaten run in 2021, the only draw in that sequence having come in their opening Euro 2020 fixture against Spain.

 

MONDAY'S RESULTS

Switzerland beat France on penalties

Switzerland's Yann Sommer saved France striker Kylian Mbappe's penalty to secure a 5-4 shootout win over the world champions following a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time on Monday to reach the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, where the team will meet Spain. 

On a memorable evening for Swiss football, the so-called Nati repeatedly beat the odds, coming from 3-1 down with two goals in the final five minutes to force extra time and eventually penalties.

Despite the shock defeat, France's coach Didier Deschamps said Mbappe will bounce back from missing the decisive penalty. 

 

Spain through, despite own goal

The Croatian players were crestfallen following their exit from Euro 2020 in a 5-3 extra time defeat by Spain, after a riveting fightback in the last 16 clash at Parken stadium.

"I am sad because we are out of the tournament and I feel sorry for our fantastic fans and the players who left it all out there on the pitch," said coach Zlatko Dalic

A bizarre own goal by Pedri fired the Croatians ahead but they looked down and out after Pablo Sarabia, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres put Spain 3-1 up.

Late substitutes Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic engineered a spectacular comeback and forced extra time, pulling the scores level at 3-3. But goals from Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal sank Croatia 5-3 at the final whistle.