Euro 2024 news LIVE: Scotland THRASHED in opener, John Stones FIT for England, France sweating on Mbappe fitness

Sirens of strife

ITV’S coverage of Euro 2024 was interrupted by loud sirens, forcing their pundits to turn away from the camera.

Ian Wright, Graeme Souness and Roy Keane were all on duty for Friday’s clash between Germany and Scotland.

The hosts opened the tournament with a 5-1 win at the Allianz Arena.

And the Scots were left to lick their wounds as a dismal performance was analysed by ITV’s team of experts.

The TV channel decided to set up base for the tournament in the German capital of Berlin.

Breaking from tradition, ITV chiefs opted for an outdoor studio in the heart of the city.

The decision was always bound to come with certain risks that don’t arise with an indoor setting.

But on the very first night of the Euros, ITV’s coverage was disturbed as blaring sirens went off right by the outdoor studio.

As Wright, Souness and Keane delivered their thoughts on Scotland’s defeat, the sharp loud noise almost brought talk to a halt.

The flow of conversation started quickly again, but fans found it difficult to hear what was being said as several more sirens went past.

One said: “Can’t hear the pundits for the sirens on the Germany v Scotland end of match analysis.”

Another declared: “This open air studio for ITV isn’t really working with all the sirens.”

Apology for 4-letter world before 5-star thumping

A Sky News host was forced to apologise live on air after a child dropped the F-bomb during a Euros 2024 report ahead of Scotland's 5-1 loss against Germany, writes JAKE PENKETHMAN.

The air turned blue on the news channel when the child used the swear word as revellers in a Scottish pub geared up for the first match of the 2024 tournament

Sky's Scotland Correspondent was left visibly shocked after the child made the epic blunder in the pre-watershed moment.

Connor Gillies was tasked with speaking to excited fans in a pub in Dunfermline to gauge the reaction before the football match kicked off.

It saw him speak to various pubgoers as they shared their thoughts on the tournamemt.

As Connor was speaking to an adult accompanying a child at the pub, the man was remarking on how the child has "never seen" Scotland make it to such a high-profile game before.

Giroud happy to be father of French team

Olivier Giroud is embracing his role as the father, or even grandfather, of the French team, writes JACK ROSSER.

But that doesn't mean the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man, France's all-time top goalscorer, has his slippers and pipe out in Germany.

Giroud has confirmed that this will be his final major tournament with France before heading off into the twilight of his career with LAFC in Major League Soccer.

The suave talisman, 37, has won the World Cup, Champions League, Europa League, four FA Cups and titles in France and Italy across a stellar career in Europe.

Giroud, hailed as the father of the French by captain Kylian Mbappe, said via Betway: "I am happy he said father not grandfather.

"People look at me like a big brother or father figure for sure, I've been like that for a couple of years now.

"I am quite young in my head, I like laughing. I kind of like the music they listen to. We have a lot of things in common.

"I try and stay myself. I am there for the younger players if they need someone to talk to."

Keane 'obliterates' Scotland

Roy Keane tore into Scotland after their 5-1 thrashing against Germany.

Steve Clarke's men kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign in the worst way imaginable as they were thrashed by the hosts in Munich.

Scotland were 3-0 down and reduced to 10 men before half-time after Ryan Porteous saw red for a shocking challenge on Ilkay Gundogan.

And Keane did not mince his words following the Scots' horror evening.

Speaking on ITV, he said: "When you're playing football at this level you've got to hit people. Hit them properly, hit them aggressively, do it in the right way.

"It's no good talking after the game about 'We had a game plan' - rubbish.

"Andrew Robertson, it's all just rubbish coming out. You knew before the game what was at stake.

"After the game it's no good going 'We'll regroup, we'll be angry tomorrow', no, you should be angry for a long time.

"They spoke before the game about creating history. They're creating history alright by playing as bad as that, letting their manager and supporters down."

Reacting to the clip, one football fan replied: "Roy Keane just obliterated Scotland."

Arsenal tipped to consider Eze bid

Arsenal and Manchester City could weigh up bids for Crystal Palace’s £60million-rated Eberechi Eze.

The attacking midfielder is hoping to squeeze into England’s side for their Euros opener with Serbia on Sunday.

Chelsea , Manchester United and Newcastle have also been linked with the four-cap Londoner, 25.

But Palace are keen to keep hold of Eze and winger Michael Olise, who surprisingly missed out on a Euros spot with France.

Shear names his seven 'n hell for England's rivals

Alan Shearer has told the doubters there is no need to “panic” about England’s poor warm-up results, writes ROB MAUL.

But the former Three Lions captain wants boss Gareth Southgate to release the handbrake and let the flair players ATTACK - as we have SEVEN special talents in that area.

Shearer – scorer of 30 goals in 63 internationals – is in Germany with the BBC for the 17th Euros.

But despite defensive concerns following recent Wembley friendlies, the 53-year-old backs England's talented offensive players to shine abroad – provided they are given licence to do so.

Shearer said: “We have some unbelievable players. The talent we have got. Look at the season that Phil Foden has had.

“Harry Kane has been unbelievable. Bellingham. Cole Palmer is an opportunity. Bukayo Saka is an option. Anthony Gordon is an option.

“Declan Rice has had an unbelievable season with Arsenal. The talent is there, no doubt about it.

“This team and these players have got the right mentality and the ability to go all the way through this tournament. I think it is the best pool of players we have had for a long, long time. We can be optimistic.

Click below for Shearer's full verdict:

SHEAR UP

Shearer hails the seven England players set to be crucial for Euro 2024 glory

Ciao and wow from the Azzurri

Italy kick off the defence of the Euros crown against Albania, writes JON BOON.

But it won't be easy against the minnows from the Balkans, who have been tipped by many to be the dark horses of the tournament.

Supporting the Italians in their quest to reclaim their title will be their stunning Wags.

From a singer who appeared as a contestant on The Voice to an Armani model who was formerly engaged to Italian teammate Nicolo Zaniolo.

Click below for our full guide to the Azzurri Wags:

Ten Hag wants to pair Branthwaite with Lisandro

Erik ten Hag's dream central defensive partnership for next season has reportedly been revealed.

The Manchester United boss would love to recruit Everton's 6ft 5ins starlet Jarrad Branthwaite with his 5ft 9ins current ace Lisandro martinez.

Raphael Varane is heading out.

But the main problem for Ten Hag would be funding a deal for Everton's main man Branthwaite.

Red Devils ‘only offer £45m in all for Jarrad’

Manchester United’s initial bids to land Jarrad Branthwaite faces ridicule.

A sum of £35milion was mentioned earlier today and now it’s thought the figure would only reach £45m with add-ons.

That compares to Everton’s reported valuation of £70m-plus for the England centre-back.

United reportedly agreed personal terms with the 21-year-od yesterday.

But it’s thought the Toffees would reject the Red Devils’ approach once, as they hope, a club take-over is completed.

RESULT: Germany 5-1 Scotland

What's worst for 10-man Scotland is this was a fair scoreline.

But clinical Germany looked as if they could threaten Euro 2024 favourites England, France and Portugal.

Click HERE for our match blog.

GOAL! Germany 5-1 Scotland

Late call-up Emre Can measured a 94rd-minute fifth goal for the hosts.

Left with too much space, the midfielder picked his spot in to the bottom right corner.

Click HERE for our match blog.

GOAL! Germany 4-1 Scotland

Scott McKenna's header takes a huge deflection in off Antonio Rudiger after 87 minutes.

And a VAR replay confirms it stands.

The consolation goal is a big surprise but Scotland have battled throughout.

Click HERE for our match blog.

GOAL! Germany 4-0 Scotland

Niclas Fullkrug thumped the best of the lot so far midway through the second period.

The Borussia Dortmund cut into just inches of space on the edge of the box and cracked a right-footer into the top corner.

Click HERE for our match blog.

Latest: Germany 3-0 Scotland

The Scots had an early free-kick opportunity in what could be a forlorn second half.

But Steve Clarke's men will want to retain their pride in the scoreline - at the very least.

Click HERE for our match blog.

Sporting stick to £85m Viktor valuation

Viktor Gyokeres’ Premier League admirers have been hit by Sporting Lisbon standing rock solid behind their £85million valuation of the Sweden striker.

Arsenal are regarded as the 26-year-old’s main admirers.

And Mikel Arteta’s reported interest could well have been heightened by another strike target, Benjamin Sesko, agreeing to extend his RB Leipzig contract.

It’s claimed the Gunners were hoping Sporting might agree for a fee of around £50m-£60m.

But the Portuguese giants are said to be insisting on Gyokeres’ full release clause.

HT: Germany 3-0 Scotland

The tournament hosts have dominated so far, with a three-goal margin not undeserved.

And Porteous's 45th minute red card means the second period could feel even longer....

Click HERE for our match blog.

GOAL! Germany 3-0 Scotland

Scotland's Ryan Porteous saw red via VIA for a studs-first challenge to deny Kai Havertz a gaping chance.

And Arsenal attacker Havertz slid home the resulting penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Click HERE for our match blog.

Fans turn off Euros ceremony sound

What's better than an extravagant and inspiring opening ceremony to kick off the world's biggest sporting tournaments? writes KATHARINE WALSH.

Certainly not the one witnessed in Munich - as footie fans scrambled to MUTE their TVs after watching a rather bizarre Euro 2024 opening show as hosts Germany prepared to take on Scotland.

Euro 2024 organisers in Germany chose not to have any famous performers to kick off the hosts' campaign against Scotland.

Instead the hosts opted for a more low-key and pretty standard opening ceremony of flags, dancers and dry ice.

Compared to previous efforts witnessed at the African Cup of Nations or pretty much any Olympic Games it looked pretty mediocre. It was a school assembly vibe and then - let’s get on with the football.

But footie fans took no time to SLAM the bizarre opening routine.

One wrote: "Time for the standard bats*** mental opening ceremony." Another said: "If you want an insight into how I am, I'm watching the opening ceremony on mute... I don't even know why."

A third chimed in: "I’m afraid that opening ceremony has already ruined the tournament for me."

GOAL! Germany 2-0 Scotland

Jamal Musiala rifled a clinical right-footer into the top corner after the Germans toyed with the Scots around the box on 19 minutes.

And the scoreline is not flattering the hosts.

Click HERE for our match blog.