Gareth Bale’s Wales pledge a happy footnote to Euro 2020 campaign brought to cruel end by Denmark

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For Wales supporters, the pain of their national team’s gruelling defeat by Denmark was compounded just a few minutes after the final whistle.

In a post-match television interview that was evidently conducted out of obligation rather than desire, Gareth Bale simply turned on his heels and walked away when asked whether he might have played his last game for his country.

First the defensive collapse on the pitch, leading to their 4-0 loss, and now this. Many Wales supporters would have feared for the worst.

There had been rumours swirling for weeks about whether Bale might call it a day at the end of this tournament, and, in truth, he had done little to shut them down. After the emotions of the night began to settle, though, there was relief to be found in an interview with Welsh channel S4C.

“I want to continue to play,” Bale confirmed. “People ask stupid questions all the time, but obviously I love playing for Wales.

“I will play for Wales until the day I stop playing football. We have just started the World Cup campaign, and we need to take this experience into that. I feel like we have a very good way of playing when we play well, and we need to keep that confidence high.”

Bale stays, then, and that will be seen as an encouraging way to sign off from what has been another encouraging tournament, even if it has not been quite as spectacular as Euro 2016. Wales were outclassed by Denmark in Amsterdam, but their presence in the knockout stages is proof that this has been another successful adventure for a team with plenty of promise.

With the likes of Daniel James, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and David Brooks in their ranks, Wales have talents to be developed. This year’s experience should help them going forward, especially with the World Cup already looming on the football calendar, and even those who did not play major roles – Ben Cabango, Rubin Colwill and Tyler Roberts, for example – will surely have benefited from being part of the journey.

“We have said to them [the players], ‘You will become bigger and better from having gone through this experience,’” said manager Rob Page. “We have had a taste of tournament football now and we want more of it.”

The Welsh journey should be seen as even more impressive because of the circumstances they found themselves in over the last month. Unlike the other home nations, Wales have been sent from Baku to Rome to Amsterdam without all but a few hundred hardy supporters to cheer them on.

Not wishing to make excuses during the tournament, the players and coaches generally held their tongues when asked about the situation over the past few weeks. Following the loss to Denmark, there was more willingness to speak openly.

“You and us deserved more from this joke set-up of a tournament,” said Chris Gunter in a social media message to the fans.

The concern going forward is that, as the young players inevitably improve over the coming years, Bale and Aaron Ramsey will naturally go into decline. Bale turns 32 in a few weeks, while Ramsey turns 31 later this year.

Their brilliance against Turkey showed they remain world-class players on their day, but for how long will that be the case?

Thankfully for Wales, the post-Bale era has not started yet. As long as he remains, his sheer presence will provide belief for his teammates and fear for their opponents.

He does not have the speed of old but, as he showed in that win over Turkey, he has other ways of destroying a nervous defence.

This is not to say that nothing should change. Wales have issues to address, starting with their managerial position. Page is expected to remain in charge while Ryan Giggs awaits trial in January, accused of headbutting and controlling his ex-girlfriend. The issue hangs over the Football Association of Wales like a cloud.

For the players, this tournament has helped to create a siege mentality. In their minds, it was Wales against the world (and especially the competition organisers). Their unity remains strong, and Gunter clearly believes it will continue to be their greatest strength in the coming years.

“This country is in safe hands with the squad we have,” he said. “I’d go to the trenches with every member of this team and staff… have a cry, but then smile that we were dining at the top table yet again.

“And smile even more that we will be back, and we will be the ones with the full stadium, belting out our anthem [as] we all deserve.”

03:00 PM

That's all for now

... but, again, feel free to join Alan Tyers for our first live blog of the day before coverage of Belgium's game against Portugal commences later on.

We'll leave you with a picture of a Netherlands fan dressed as an orange lion because, why not?

02:55 PM

Czech fans also in the mood

... and already winning when it comes to comically oversized top hats.

02:50 PM

Dutch flag display

Top marks for flag waving, everyone.

02:45 PM

Follow live updates

... of the Netherlands' meeting with the Czech Republic right here.

Will the Dutch summon up the spirit of Euro '88 and triumph? Or will the Czechs halt their momentum? There's only one way to find out.

02:35 PM

Fans arrive at Puskas Arena

... with the Dutch swamping the ground in a wave of orange shirts, novelty wigs and bucket hats.

Veel succes!

02:20 PM

Czechs need 'exceptional performance'

Czech Republic manager Jaroslav Silhavy has conceded that his team will need to play out of their skins to get a result against the Netherlands.

"We have analysed all the Netherlands' games and they had about 30 chances," he said. "We simply must effectively and responsibly defend as a team.

"It is not about the Dutch tactical system but about their massive attacking power. We must work hard as a team, work hard and be dangerous in attack.

"If we do not come up with an exceptional performance, we will not succeed."

02:10 PM

Depay says playing Czechs 'won't be plain sailing'

Asked to give his assessment of the Czech Republic, Netherlands forward Memphis Depay struck a wary note.

"I know that [the Czech Republic are] very intense," he said. "I haven't come up against them for a while, I think 2015 was the last time for me.

"But they've never been an easy team to play against. So you know it will be tough. We have to give a full 100 per cent if we want to win.

"We're planning to do that, but it certainly won't be plain sailing."

02:00 PM

De Boer looking to go all the way

Speaking ahead of his side's last-16 meeting with the Czech Republic, Netherlands manager Frank de Boer suggested that a run to the semi-finals is the least he expects from his players.

"What would be a success for this tournament? If we get to the last four, then we have done well," he said.

"Ultimately we want to be getting paraded down the canals [of Amsterdam] on a boat: that is the ultimate goal. We not only want to reach the final, but also to win it.

"Then the tournament is completely successful. We are now focusing only on the Czech Republic, we have a lot of work to do to deal with the Czechs."

01:40 PM

Gunter says Euro 2020 set-up a 'joke'

Chris Gunter has called the format of Euro 2020 a "joke" and accused Uefa of letting down Wales.

Rob Page's side bowed out of the cross-continent competition in the last 16 on Saturday with a 4-0 defeat to Denmark in Amsterdam.

It was Denmark's first game outside their Copenhagen home, while Wales had travelled over 5,300 miles after playing group games in Baku and Rome.

"Written off before a bag of air was kicked, 3,000 miles from home," Gunter, Wales' most capped men's player, wrote on Instagram.

"Every nation had fans wherever they went, apart from the 350 who broke government rules and bank accounts to be there [we didn't], you and us deserved more from this joke set-up of a tournament, but who said life was fair."

Having had little support in Baku and Rome due to coronavirus restrictions, Wales were then told by the Dutch government that their supporters were banned from entering the Netherlands.

Denmark supporters, however, were allowed in and a small band of Wales fans, who had managed to get into the Johan Cruyff Arena, were vastly outnumbered in a 14,645 crowd.

"Suck it up, keep your chin up, we'll be alright, trust me on that," said Charlton defender Gunter, who won his 102nd cap in the final group game against Italy.

"We did not deserve that scoreline but who said life was fair.

"Have a cry, but then smile that we were dining at the top table yet again.

"And smile even more that we'll be back, and we'll be the ones with the full stadium belting out our anthem [as] we all deserve."

Simon Peach, PA

01:30 PM

DJ set underway

Is it a 180bpm gabber track? No? Well, it should be.

01:15 PM

Giant papier-mache trophy sighting

What is football, truly, without people waving around crudely designed replica trophies that look like they were made in a primary school art class?

Gather round, everyone, and marvel at its beauty.

01:05 PM

Dutch get the party started

... ahead of their last-16 tie against the Czech Republic, with thousands packing out Budapest's designated fan zone.

12:40 PM

Germans not worried about penalties

Germany aren't doing any major penalty training ahead of their Euro 2020 round-of-16 match against England at Wembley on Tuesday, saying they hope to finish off the game within 90 minutes.

The Germans have won every single World Cup penalty shoot-out they have taken part in, as well as two out of three at the Euros, losing only their first one in the 1976 European Championship final against Czechoslovakia.

They also beat England on penalties at Wembley in the semi-finals at Euro '96, before going on to win their third European crown.

"We are going into the game wanting to win it over 90 minutes," Germany forward Kai Havertz told a news conference at their team base in Bavaria on Sunday.

"It could of course go to penalties at this stage of the tournament, so we have to be prepared. Obviously, after training, we hit a few penalties to see who the better penalty takers are.

"But it is not the biggest issue of the game. The 120 minutes before that could be far more important and putting too much pressure on yourself [with penalties] is not good."

The Germans won just one game in their group, but advanced in second place after a nervous 2-2 draw against Hungary.

England were more efficient and topped Group D with seven points and no goals conceded, but they are the lowest-scoring team ever to top a Euros group with just two goals.

"It would be wrong to underestimate them. We know England well. They have some of the world's best players and, yes, they also have room for improvement," said Havertz, who will come up against several of his Chelsea teammates on Tuesday.

"But England have not yet conceded a goal in the tournament and they have so many individual qualities. You have to respect them but we are also a team with good players. For me and the entire team it will be a special game."

Reuters

12:05 PM

Alderweireld on Ronaldo

While, inevitably, Cristiano Ronaldo has been the centre of attention ahead of the game, Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld insists that Portugal are a multi-dimensional side.

"What's the best way to stop Ronaldo? As a team," he said. "That has always been our strength.

"I know the media focus on Cristiano, but they have so much quality. We should not underestimate Bernardo Silva – he's an incredible player – and Diogo Jota.

"They have a lot of guys who can score a goal out of nowhere. We certainly do not underestimate them."

11:50 AM

Santos 'convinced' Portugal will beat Belgium

Speaking ahead of their clash in Seville, Portugal manager Fernando Santos gave a bullish assessment of his side's chances against Belgium.

"Belgium score goals and rarely struggle," he said. "They have some players who are more influential, but Belgium will not man mark and nor will we.

"These sides are a similar class. It's a final, it's for winning, not for playing. We know we will have good opponents. I believe, hope and am convinced that we will be better."

Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho was slightly more cautious. "Belgium are very compact – they showed that in the group stage – but we will try to impose our game and our strengths on them and take advantage of any lapses," he said.

"[Kevin] De Bruyne is not the only danger man, but if he has space he is even more dangerous. But if all of them get space, they will play calmly and that will make our job difficult."

11:30 AM

Patience with Sane wearing thin?

"It was shortly after the hour mark of Germany's fraught 2-2 draw against Hungary on Wednesday when, for a good while, it looked as though Die Mannschaft would be exiting back-to-back major tournaments for the first time in their history, that the boos began to ring out.

"Leroy Sane, looking a pale imitation of the swashbuckling winger who had terrorised Premier League defences en route to being named PFA Young Player of the Year with Manchester City three years earlier, had again lost the ball after yet another failed dribble. The frustrations of the Munich crowd finally boiled over..."

Want to read James Ducker's piece on Sane's struggles ahead of Germany's meeting with England at Wembley? Here's the lowdown on the misfiring Bayern Munich forward.

11:10 AM

Italy let off the leash

Still hungry for coverage of Roberto Mancini's managerial magic with the Azzurri?

Here's our chief sports writer Oliver Brown on Italy's irresistible dynamism.

10:55 AM

Williams hopes Bale hasn't played last game for Wales

Former Wales defender Ashley Williams has given his thoughts on Gareth Bale's future, which has come to the fore again following the team's Euro 2020 exit.

In his column for BBC Sport, Williams wrote: "There are lots of reasons why I'm hoping Saturday's defeat by Denmark isn't the last time we see Gareth Bale in a Wales shirt.

"Gaz is my friend as well as my former international teammate and I think the perfect way for him to sign off his amazing Wales career would be by taking us to the 2022 World Cup – that's the dream finale, and not just for me.

"It's down to him to decide, though. His decision about his future shouldn't be based on what we all want him to do.

"I don't know what comes next for him following the end of our journey at Euro 2020 but, in his 96 games for Wales since his debut aged 16 in 2006, he has earned the right to carry on for as long as he wants to, or finish when he likes without worrying about letting his country down – he has never done that.

"Whatever his decision, though, his legacy for his country is secure."

10:35 AM

More to Portugal than Ronaldo

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has warned his players not to underestimate Portugal's collective talent, even as they look to contain Cristiano Ronaldo.

"When you put a plan against a player specifically, you could be hurt by other players," he said. "Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be the player that gets the right moment, that right pass and the right chance and you have to be always aware, but you have to defend the 10 players of Portugal in the same measure.

"You know why this team has been successful, you know why this team has won the Euros and the Nations League. It's because they've got an incredible mentality and they know how to play big games.

"We all know [Ronaldo] is one of the best footballers in the world. Every player adapts when you get a little bit older, you become a little more clinical with what you do.

"I think Cristiano Ronaldo knows how to use the space, he penetrates from different areas, he's got an incredible aerial threat... we are just trying to adapt to what's going to be needed on Sunday and be as good as we can."

10:10 AM

England have 'ticked every box' when it comes to penalties

John Stones has suggested that England are no longer afraid of penalties ahead of their fateful meeting with Germany on Tuesday.

The Three Lions famously crashed out of Euro '96 after Gareth Southgate missed his spot kick against the Germans. They had done the same six years earlier at Italia '90, when Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle fluffed their lines.

Those failures are now distant memories and, having beaten Colombia on penalties at the last World Cup, Stones feels that spot kicks are no longer a particular hang-up for the side.

"Everything will be done before so it's not like a mad scramble and we look like we're unprepared," he said. "We want to be going into it knowing that we've ticked every box.

"Knowing that, when a certain situation comes, no one is panicking, saying, 'Oh, do you want to go third?'"

Want to read the full interview? Go on, put off that Sunday morning jog for another five minutes.

09:40 AM

Wales heartbreak

Having slumped to a 4-0 defeat to Denmark in Amsterdam yesterday, Wales are out of the tournament.

While Denmark were excellent, Wales were well below their best. Despite making a bright start to the game they were downed by a brace from Kasper Dolberg and late goals from Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite, the last of which came after Harry Wilson's soft sending-off.

Speaking after the match, Wales boss Rob Page lamented a cruel end to his side's Euro 2020 campaign. "I'm really disappointed to end in the manner that we have done," he said. "The lads don't deserve that, they don't deserve to end the tournament in that way.

"To get to the competition itself was a great achievement for this group of players. To get out of the group was an even bigger achievement.

"Like I said, they're a great group and they don't deserve to leave the tournament in that manner."

09:10 AM

Mancini says Austria test 'can do us good'

Speaking to RAI Sport after the match, Mancini suggested that beating Austria will stand Italy in good stead for the quarter-finals.

"We brought it home because we deserved it, even though we conceded on a corner and had to let one in sooner or later," he said.

"We frankly should've scored the two goals a lot earlier and not gone to extra time, and we got tired as it wore on, but we won deservedly.

"The players who came off the bench had the right mentality and stepped straight into the match to change the game. Those who came on were extraordinary after those who came off had already given everything they had.

"I knew this was going to be tough, probably tougher than the quarter-final. Games can take the wrong bent, but we played well and deserved it. This test can do us good, we had to show a strong mentality."

Asked whether he'd prefer to face Portugal or Belgium in the quarters, Mancini added: "They are two extraordinary teams, so it's difficult to choose."

08:50 AM

Mancini style tips

If you're looking for a lighter read, we've got just the thing.

Here's Jim White on Mancini's impeccable dress sense, effortless cool and semi-suave ball skills.

08:35 AM

Righting past wrongs

Want to read about Mancini's troubled backstory with Italy as a player and his personal quest for redemption with the national team?

Here's James Ducker with some intriguing insight into Mancini's motivations.

08:25 AM

Mancini reacts

After the game, Mancini tweeted: "We wanted it, we won it and now let's all embrace each other!"

It's hard to overstate the feelgood factor in Italy's success at Euro 2020 so far. They are now 31 games unbeaten under Mancini's management, setting a new national record. Ahead of Kalajdzic's header deep into extra time, they had broken another record by going 1,168 minutes without conceding a goal.

08:10 AM

Beep, beep!

For all those in Rome who slept through the sound of car horns and scooter parps last night, well, congratulations.

08:00 AM

Scenes in Rome

... last night as the final whistle went.

Will there be more jubilation in the Eternal City after the quarter-finals? Or heartbreaking images of a man draped in il Tricolore slumped solemnly in a piazza somewhere? Major tournaments only ever end one of two ways for the Italians.

07:45 AM

Party time in Italy

... with celebrations carrying on into the early hours of the morning after their last-16 victory against Austria last night.

The Azzurri won in extra time thanks to goals from Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina and, despite a late header from Sasa Kalajdzic which made them sweat, they held firm to book their place in the quarter-finals.

They will now face either Belgium or Portugal, so Roberto Mancini and co will be watching tonight's game with interest.

Until then, though, it's time to enjoy a bit of calcio revivalism. Viva l'Italia!

07:30 AM

Today's games

The Netherlands take on the Czech Republic in today's 5pm kick off, with the game taking place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

Then, at 8pm, Belgium play Portugal at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. Not a bad evening of football, all told.

07:13 AM

Lukaku out to beat his idol again

It took five years and six attempts but Romelu Lukaku finally managed a first win over Cristiano Ronaldo last season.

It was a moment to savour for Lukaku at the San Siro after winning against one of his idols. He was trying to take the Scudetto from the Juventus forward but there was a deep-rooted appreciation for him, to the point where he would argue his case when debating Messi vs Ronaldo among friends.

Lukaku is no different to the other strikers at the top of Europe's goalscoring charts, preoccupied with who the real deal is. One phrase that pops up is a "stat-padder", borrowed from American sport, where a player boosts his statistics with goals that have little meaning in games.

Ronaldo is no stat-padder. The big performances, the important goals on the highest stage. Consolation penalties mean little to him.

It is this standard that Lukaku wants to be measured by in a career where questions have been asked about whether he belongs in the top bracket of strikers. His confidence has fluctuated but he heads into today's Euro last-16 clash against Portugal and Ronaldo as a player with a healthy arrogance about where his game is.

Ronaldo will start the tie at La Cartuja in Seville needing one goal to overtake Ali Daei and become the leading international goalscorer of all time, with Lukaku among the few players with any chance of eventually catching him.

In fact, Lukaku's record compares favourably with 63 goals from 96 caps. Ronaldo had netted 36 after the same number of internationals, although his goalscoring rate since has been superhuman.

Despite being Belgium's record scorer, Lukaku has endured an uneasy relationship with supporters. He has been jeered for bad misses and articulated his frustration before the last World Cup, when asked about his brother's comments about the country's most prolific player not receiving the credit he deserves. "Maybe he is right," said Lukaku.

"When things were going well, I was reading newspaper articles and they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker," he wrote in the Players' Tribune. "When things weren't going well, they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker of Congolese descent."

By Mike McGrath