Mbappé Plays 20 Minutes as France Draws with Canada in Its Last Euro 2024 Warmup 

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappé (C) runs with the ball during the International friendly football match between France and Canada at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, on June 9, 2024. (AFP)
France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappé (C) runs with the ball during the International friendly football match between France and Canada at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, on June 9, 2024. (AFP)
TT

Mbappé Plays 20 Minutes as France Draws with Canada in Its Last Euro 2024 Warmup 

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappé (C) runs with the ball during the International friendly football match between France and Canada at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, on June 9, 2024. (AFP)
France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappé (C) runs with the ball during the International friendly football match between France and Canada at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, on June 9, 2024. (AFP)

Kylian Mbappé got some rest ahead of the European Championship, playing only about 20 minutes as France drew 0-0 with Canada on Sunday in its final warmup.

The match in Bordeaux marked Olivier Giroud's last home game for France. The striker, who is moving to Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, is retiring from the French national team after Euro 2024, which starts Friday in Germany.

Mbappé entered in the 74th minute and failed to spark France to victory. He had played the entire friendly against Luxembourg on Wednesday, when he scored in France's 3-0 win in what was his first match since his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid was finally confirmed.

France's opening game at Euro 2024 is on June 17 against Austria.

Mbappé reportedly was not fully fit after the game against Luxembourg and had missed some training sessions during the week but is expected to play a key role for France in Germany.

France, runner-up to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, is in Group D along with Poland and the Netherlands.

Defending European champion Italy beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 at home.

Davide Frattesi scored the only goal with a neat volley from inside the area in the 38th minute in Empoli.

Italy won Euro 2020 but missed out on qualifying for the last two World Cups. It begins its Euro 2024 campaign on Saturday against Albania. The other teams in Group B are Spain and Croatia. Spain routed Northern Ireland 5-1 on Saturday, while Croatia defeated Portugal 2-1.

Also Sunday, Slovakia routed Wales 4-0 with goals from Juraj Kucka, Robert Bozenik and Laszlo Benes, as well as an own goal by Ethan Ampadu, intensifying the pressure on Wales manager Rob Page.

Slovakia will start its Euro 2024 campaign on June 17 against Belgium. Group E's other teams are Romania and Ukraine.

Montenegro lost 3-1 at home to Georgia, which is in Group F with Portugal, Türkiye and Czech Republic.



Euro 2024: Germany Aims to Ride Host-nation Buzz Against Denmark for Quarterfinal Spot

From left, Germany's Robert Andrich, Emre Can and Robin Koch practice during the team training session in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Friday June 28, 2024. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)
From left, Germany's Robert Andrich, Emre Can and Robin Koch practice during the team training session in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Friday June 28, 2024. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)
TT

Euro 2024: Germany Aims to Ride Host-nation Buzz Against Denmark for Quarterfinal Spot

From left, Germany's Robert Andrich, Emre Can and Robin Koch practice during the team training session in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Friday June 28, 2024. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)
From left, Germany's Robert Andrich, Emre Can and Robin Koch practice during the team training session in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Friday June 28, 2024. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)

Germany takes on Denmark in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday. Germany will have to make changes in defense for the game as it tries to carry the host-nation buzz deeper into the knockout stages. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. local (1900 GMT) in Dortmund, The Associated Press reported. Here’s what to know about the match:
Match facts — This is the only game in the round of 16 that features two unbeaten teams. Germany finished top of Group A with wins over Scotland and Hungary and a draw with Switzerland. Denmark drew all of its games against Slovenia, England and Serbia.
— Germany was eliminated by eventual runner-up England in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 and hasn’t won a knockout game at a major tournament since Euro 2016.
— Denmark went all the way to the semifinals at Euro 2020 before losing to England, its biggest success since winning the European title in 1992.
— Three games into its Euro 2024 campaign, the German team hasn't yet ignited quite the same kind of patriotic fervor that it had at the 2006 World Cup. Flags have been popping up across the country and crowds in the stadiums are vocal, though, so a win over Denmark for a quarterfinal spot could build momentum.
Team news — Germany will have to rethink the center of defense following a one-game suspension for Jonathan Tah and a hamstring injury for Antonio Rüdiger. Nico Schlotterbeck is set to replace Tah, while Waldemar Anton could make his first Euro 2024 appearance if Rüdiger can't play.
— Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand — no relation to coach Kasper Hjulmand — is suspended after picking up two yellow cards. Thomas Delaney could replace him.
— With six days between its last group game and the clash with Denmark, Germany had the benefit of extra rest. Coach Julian Nagelsmann gave his players a day off with their families Tuesday. Denmark was playing that day and had two days fewer to rest.
By the numbers — Kai Havertz is on course to make his 50th appearance for Germany. He has started all of Germany's games so far at Euro 2024. Teammate Joshua Kimmich can play his 90th international game.
— Striker Niclas Füllkrug has scored 13 goals in 19 games for Germany and, being a Borussia Dortmund player, should get an especially warm reception from the Dortmund crowd.
— Denmark hasn't beaten Germany since 2007, but three of their last four games have been draws. The most recent was 1-1 in a Euro 2020 warmup.
What they’re saying — "I think the stadium is something very special because it’s simply the biggest in Germany, the most atmospheric in Germany. ... We have triggered a little euphoria in Germany and are now trying to spread it. And I think if we play a good game, then all the fans will be happy and can cheer us on.” — Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who plays his club soccer in Dortmund.
"I really love football here in Germany. And playing against Germany there, with the Danish team - can’t be better, I can’t wait. It’s a great team. But we are great team as well. And when we play big nations we always step up.” — Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand.