MATT LAWTON IN LENS: After the photograph that was published earlier this week, the idea of Jamie Vardy taking one last drag on a fag, downing a cup of coffee and declaring himself ready for action to Roy Hodgson here did not seem that far-fetched. He does like to operate on a cocktail of caffeine and nicotine, albeit with Thunder pouches rather than cigarettes, and what the Leicester striker demonstrated during this tense encounter is that it works.
CHARLES SALE: The volatile talkSPORT partnership of Stan Collymore and Joey Barton survived their risky pairing as pundits for the first England game before hostilities broke out in a war of words on social media. Collymore and Barton, two of football's explosive characters, have a well-known dislike for each other. They hardly spoke to each other off air in Marseille but adopted a professional approach during the Euro 2016 programming from opposite sides of the radio booth.
MATT LAWTON - EXCLUSIVE: Lord Coe has been accused of misleading MPs about how much he knew about the drugs scandal that has shaken athletics.
BIG MATCH RATINGS: Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy were Roy Hodgson's super subs as their second-half goals rescued a 2-1 win for England over Wales at Euro 2016.
The sight of defending champion Jordan Spieth throwing a club, kicking his golf bag and generally behaving like an overgrown schoolboy summed up a frustrating, weather-plagued day one.
England are on the brink of qualifying for the knock-stages of Euro 2016 after victory over Wales. Sportsmail assesses the permutations in Group B heading into the final group matches.
MATT LAWTON: Evidence strongly suggests Sebastian Coe turned to Papa Diack, the disgraced former official at the centre of the corruption scandal, to help him win the IAAF presidential election.
ENGLAND 2-1 WALES - MARTIN SAMUEL AT STADE BOLLAERT-DELELIS: Roy Hodgson came staggering towards the roulette wheel like a Las Vegas patron with one last handful of chips. The game, the tournament, his future as England manager, it was all on the next spin. On came a striker. Then another striker. Then a third striker. By the end, Hodgson had four of his five forwards in the side - only the jaded starter, Harry Kane, was excluded. Then Hodgson watched the little white ball bounce and ricochet. He saw it come to rest. And his number came up.
UKRAINE 0-2 NORTHERN IRELAND - IAN LADYMAN IN LYON: In a historical context, this was the first victory for Northern Ireland in a major tournament since Gerry Armstrong's goal beat Spain in Valencia in 1982.
MATT BARLOW AT THE STADE DE FRANCE: This time, Joachim Low was left scratching his head as opposed to another part of his anatomy as Poland made his world champions appear mortal.
Northern Ireland secured their first win at Euro 2016 as they defied the pouring rain and hail to triumph 2-0 over Ukraine in Lyon. Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn scored the goals for Michael O'Neill's men.
Goalscorer Gareth McAuley hailed a Northern Ireland performance he felt was befitting of their underdog status as they secured their first win at a finals in 34 years on Thursday night.
SAMI MOKBEL IN LENS: Sturridge changed the game, setting up Jamie Vardy's leveller before scoring an injury-time winner but insisted Roy Hodgson's men shouldn't get carried away.
A Northern Ireland football fan has collapsed and died during the European Championship in Lyon, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. The man collapsed in the upper part of the ground.
Players were left wringing their shirts in the tunnel before the referee allowed them to return to the field moments later. Michael O'Neill's side had taken a lead through Gareth McAuley, who headed home from a whipped free-kick.
I think you have seen my passion for the game on ITV in recent days - but I will try not to stand on that table again, there could have been a nasty accident! I know it has caused a bit of a stir back in England and I was a bit embarrassed about that. I didn't know they were going to show it on TV. I wouldn't have done it if I had known that!
Since the hooligan dark ages when the English battalions laid waste to vast swathes of the continent of Europe as well as terrifying our own cities there was always someone else to blame.
GRAHAM POLL: Felix Brych refereed really well in a game which at times had a real British bite. Match officials are judged on the major incidents and flashpoints, and the German was superb.
England's half-time changes swung the thrilling encounter, with Jamie Vardy levelling from close range before Daniel Sturridge struck in stoppage time to seal a memorable 2-1 win.
With impeccable passes, great finishes and smart defending, Andres Iniesta remains in charge of Spain's midfield at the European Championship, the player everyone turns to in times of trouble. 'Thirty years from now I'll be able to say that I played with Iniesta,' Spain striker Manuel 'Nolito' Agudo said.
SAMI MOKBEL AT STADE BOLLAERT-DELELIS: Eventually, the gamble paid off as England saw off Wales thanks to Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, two strikers Hodgson introduced from the bench.
England captain Wayne Rooney saluted the character in his side after Daniel Sturridge's last-gasp goal clinched a dramatic Euro 2016 win against Wales in Lens.
Earlier this month the WWE announced that Wiese had accepted an invitation from Triple H to train at the company's performance centre, where they develop wrestlers to feature on their shows.
Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Benfica to sign their Argentina midfielder Nicolas Gaitan for €25million (£19.75million), the La Liga club said on Thursday.
Mendy has been a long-term target for Claudio Ranieri and will give them extra legs and discipline in midfield. Leicester anticipate offers for N'Golo Kante after the European Championship.
Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola has revealed his client is closing in on a move to Turkish outfit Besiktas. The Italian's future has been up in the air during the past few months.
The Cleveland Cavaliers took another step in their historic comeback attempt with a 115-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday to force a once-unthinkable decisive seventh game to the NBA Finals. The LeBron James-led Cavaliers, one victory away from becoming the first team to win an NBA championship after falling behind 3-1 in the Finals, will now head to Oakland for Sunday's deciding game riding a wave of momentum.
MIKE DICKSON AT QUEEN'S: The past and present of British men's tennis will meet the longer-term future today when Andy Murray takes on Kyle Edmund.
MIKE DICKSON: The BBC will not have a monopoly on broadcasting Wimbledon in the United Kingdom for the first time in nearly fifty years this summer, and will share the two singles finals.
Australia have taken the unprecedented step of choosing to gate-crash England's pre-match meeting with referee Craig Joubert on Friday ahead of the second Test this weekend.
CHRIS FOY IN MELBOURNE: England can climb to second in the World Rugby rankings if they beat Australia on Saturday to clinch series victory.
When you're watching your team in their opening match of a major tournament the last thing you want is for your TV to be on the blink. But for one Turkey fan, that's exactly what happened last weekend. Well, kind of.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon denied that Friday's opponents Sweden are a one-man team but says they are wary of 'superstar' forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Roy Keane has defended Manchester United 'scapegoat' Marouane Fellaini but has launched an attack on his Belgium team-mate Eden Hazard, insisting he would kick the Chelsea star in training.
Toni Kroos' brother, Felix, has claimed that Real Madrid's deep-lying playmaker is worth £95million (€120m) plus Juventus ace Paul Pogba, and is the world's best player in his position.
Juventus are worried they will not get to bring Juan Cuadrado back to Italy because Antonio Conte is prepared to hand him another chance in the Premier League.
CHRIS FOY IN MELBOURNE: Jack Nowell has been recalled to England's starting XV for the pivotal second Test against Australia here at AAMI Park on Saturday, along with George Ford - who reclaims the No 10 shirt. Exeter wing Nowell was left out of the first-choice team for the victory in Brisbane last weekend, with Marland Yarde preferred.
Barton and Collymore air their differences
CHARLES SALE: Hostilities broke out on social media in a spat involving Joey Barton and Stan Collymore
Bale gives Wales hope... and he can guide his side into the last 16
LAURIE WHITWELL: Wales came close, so close to progression, but there is still hope
SLAVEN BILIC: I didn't know they were going to show my jump on TV!
I didn't know they were going to show it on TV. I wouldn't have done it if I had known that!
Hail stops play!
Northern Ireland's game against Ukraine was briefly suspended in the 58th minute after a torrential hail storm passed over Lyon
Iniesta is the keystone keeping Spain together
With impeccable passes, great finishes and smart defending, Andres Iniesta remains in charge of the midfield
How far will England go in Euro 2016?
Now share your opinion
Liverpool celebrate Klopp's 49th birthday by handing boss a detailed life-like sculpted caricature cake
Jurgen Klopp received a tasty birthday treat
Liverpool release away kit for 2016-17 season in tribute to club's first European Cup featuring iconic Shankly quote
The kit is inspired by the 1977 European Cup win
Vardy cools off with his daughter ahead of England's heated battle of Britain clash with Wales at Euro 2016
The striker's wife Becky shared the image
McGregor enlists help of Ireland's Olympians to prepare for Diaz
Conor McGregor is preparing for his rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in August
Come on you boys in green! Irish fans hijack Hungarian reporter's broadcast on live telly
It's refreshing to see a set of supporters show good-natured mischief
Bilic goes crazy after Payet's late goal
Slaven Bilic could not contain his joy when West Ham player Dimitri Payet scored another late goal for France...
Benzema spotted at LAX airport as France qualify for Euro 2016 knockout stages with victory over Albania
The Real Madrid forward was suspended by FFF
Treadwell's Range Rover filled with 60,000 sweet packets
Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Rudolph gave their Vikings' team-mate a treat on his 21st birthday
St Pauli head coach can't make photoshoot to show off signing... so German club use a mask of boss instead!
St Pauli came up with an innovative idea...
Ronaldo tears into Iceland after stalemate
Cristiano Ronaldo launched an astonishing attack on Iceland after the tournament outsiders forced a draw
Changing faces of Italy's mighty Buffon
The veteran has progressed from precocious talent to wizened old head and he's far from done at 38
Iceland draw inspiration from 'Escape to Victory' style kit
Iceland turned heads in their tournament bow - and it wasn't just for their performance on the pitch
Kiraly's lucky tracksuit bottoms strike again
Hungary keeper Gabor Kiraly was not about to change. The 40-year-old once again donned his trademark trouser
Blind and De Jong cheer on Golden State Warriors in NBA Finals after missing out on Euro 2016 with Holland
With their partners at the game
'I am very excited': Koeman finally named as Everton boss after quitting Southampton for £6m-per-year deal
New era at Goodison Park can begin
City signing Gundogan will miss start of the season after arriving at club's academy on crutches
Existing knee injury when he signed
Eto'o gets married as former Barcelona team-mate Puyol attends stunning ceremony in Italy
Samuel Eto'o wed Georgette Tra Lou
Can't bear to be apart!
Pelle's model girlfriend posed with a blow-up doll of the Southampton striker after he scored Italy's second goal against Belgium
Brotherly love
England and Spurs duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier have put their friendship to the test in the FA's latest installment of 'roommates.'
Hamilton hangs out with NFL star Brady
The Mercedes star cut Nico Rosberg's lead down to nine points after racing to victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Wilshere leaves England team hotel to meet up with fiancee Andriani Michael during afternoon break
Pair met up and went to cafe in Chantilly
McGregor looks sharp and focused in preparation for Diaz rematch at UFC 202
But MMA star's coach unsure if he will ever return to featherweight
Klitschko prepares in -150C cryosauna ahead of his rematch with Fury and admits he's 'embarrassed' to have lost to British fighter
July rematch awaits
Simpson bumps into Morrison at Manchester music festival as he continues to celebrate shock title win
Former Manchester United youth team stars
Chelsea flop Falcao enjoys quick beach break in Miami as Colombian striker confirms pre-season return to Monaco
No Copa America for flop
'Romeo Beckham asked for a photo with me, I asked for a photo with his dad #legend.' Murray links up with father-son duo
Fun day out at Queen's
Belfast City airport temporarily renamed after Northern Ireland striker Lafferty
Northern Ireland fans flying to Nice were given a reminder of their star
Mourinho and his son opt for comfort seats to watch England draw
But did Rooney and Smalling impress the new Manchester United boss?
You've heard of a half-and-half scarf...
Elmaze Xhaka, mother of Granit and Taulant, showed support for Albania and Switzerland with a half-and-half shirt
Ali draws multitudes as he is laid to rest
JEFF POWELL: The Greatest transcended boxing, transcended sport, transcended all the oceans of this planet
Joshua shows off title defence preparations
Anthony Joshua is getting ready for Dominic Breazeale and showed off his impressive physique
Looking for a bargain, Jose? Mourinho goes shopping around Manchester United megastore
He's already snapped up Eric Bailly for £30m
Ramos gives Spain team-mate Morata a dramatic new haircut
There's a real buzz around the Spain squad after playful defender got out the trimmers
Meet 'grandpa' Hamilton! F1 world champion undergoes amazing transformation to leave him with grey hair and wrinkles
Stunning new ad
Ronaldo as you've never seen him before... Watch incredible new ad as he switches bodies with an English kid
Nike revealed ad ahead of Euro 2016
LAURIE WHITWELL AT STADE BOLLAERT-DELELIS: For the second time in as many games, Bale embarrassed an international goalkeeper. This time it was Joe Hart, with his dip and speed, and as long as he can pull such rabbits out of the hat, it is a trick Wales are right to rely on. Had Welsh resilience lasted 120 seconds longer it would have been a goal for the ages, one not only earning a rare draw against England - the enemy in Bale's eyes - but also effectively confirming their progress to the last 16 of the European Championship
Cristiano Ronaldo was back in training with Portugal today as the Iberian nation prepare to meet Austria in what is developing into a fascinating Group F at the European Championship.
SAMI MOKBEL IN LENS: Gareth Bale fired Wales ahead but Liverpool striker Sturridge came off the bench to help set up fellow substitute Jamie Vardy before scoring a brilliant winner in added time.
CHRIS WHEELER IN LYON: The 2-0 victory has given Northern Ireland a great chance of progressing from Group C, and Davis believes that Michael O'Neill's side have nothing to fear.
EDGE OF THE BOX: England versus Wales at Euro 2016, and on a school day! Not bad, eh?
Not only that. It's on at the same time as double maths. Does it really get any better than that?
Winger Niall McGinn struck deep into added time after Stuart Dallas's shot had been saved by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov to spark wild scenes of celebration at the Stade de Lyon.
Twelve months ago , Dimitri Payet was still a week away from signing for West Ham in a £10.7million move that would turn out to be a bargain by Christmas. Under Slaven Bilic, Payet became the jewel in West Ham's crown, and the 29-year-old is taking Euro 2016 by storm, too, as he proves to be the tournament's best player so far for France.
Sportsmail has put together your ultimate interactive guide to the biggest European Championship ever. With team, fixture and venue information and a quiz.
CRAIG HOPE: Ireland assistant Roy Keane has taken aim for Eden Hazard by insisting he would kick the Belgium star in training if he were a team-mate threatening to quit their club.
Antoine Griezmann has claimed that his late goal for France against Albania enacted some 'revenge' for his disappointing showing in the Euro 2016 opener against Romania.
Sanches was a second-half substitute in Portugal's clash against Iceland and became the youngest player to appear for his country in a European Championship or World Cup.
Belgium, who are second in FIFA's rankings after being knocked off top-spot by Argentina in April, suffered a 2-0 loss to Italy on Monday to slip to the bottom of Group E. But O'Neill fears a backlash.
The former Arsenal veteran believes his country should be positive after their narrow defeat to Spain but has called on his side's youngsters to step up on the big stage.
Croatia captain Darijo Srna says he is ready to play against the Czech Republic at Euro 2016 on Friday following the death of his father. Srna's father passed away during Croatia's opening game.
Everton have unveiled plans for a refurbishment of Goodison Park as they look improve the stadium ahead of the new Premier League season. The Toffees have sent documents to Liverpool City Council which propose a 'rebranding project' for the exterior and interior of the 40,221-capacity stadium.
Liverpool's away kit for the upcoming campaign has been inspired by the club's first European Cup victory.
He's been busy in the transfer market already and it doesn't appear Jose Mourinho's work is done by any means. The newly-appointed Manchester United boss took to Instagram on Thursday to remind fans that his focus was still firmly set on the job.
The former Napoli midfielder barely featured for the Foxes last season due to the form of N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater, and he could leave in order to get first-team football.
EXCLUSIVE: Poland centre-forward Robert Lewandowski is growing increasingly unsettled at Bayern Munich and would now consider a move to the Premier League.
The combative midfielder started his career with Boro and manager Aitor Karanka wants his Premier League knowhow to help guide his side through their return to the top flight.
Anderlecht have agreed to appoint Rene Weiler as their new head coach. Despite talks with Roberto Martinez, the Belgians were unable to meet his financial terms and have moved for Weiler.
Former QPR defender Clint Hill will arrive in Glasgow on Friday as he closes in on a move to Rangers. He will join the Ibrox club on a one-year contract.
The Belgian midfielder has been widely touted as a potential target for new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, but Spalletti says the 28-year-old, has promised him he is going nowhere.
Copa America Centenario favourites Argentina flexed their muscles once again, crushing Bolivia to reach the quarter-finals as the only team with a 100 per cent record. Lionel Messi started on the bench, playing the second half, but the damage was done before he arrived, thanks to goals from Erik Lamela, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Victor Cuesta. The Barcelona No 10 continues his recuperation from a back injury, having featured for 30 minutes against Panama, in which he scored a hat-trick, and then 45 minutes in this clash.
Clint Dempsey drove the United States of America to the Copa America semi-final for the first time since 1995 as they saw off Ecuador in a thrilling clash in Seattle, which saw both teams reduced to 10 men. The forward has been the tournament's best player and he shone on home soil, scoring the opening goal and setting up the second for Gyasi Zardes. Antonio Valencia and Jermaine Jones were sent off in the second half as the game grew increasingly heated, but the USA held their nerve after Michael Arroyo's strike pulled Ecuador back into it.
George Ford has declared England are 'desperate' to complete a maiden series triumph against Australia when they collide as the stars splashed around in the sea during a recovering session. Ford and Co, who are preparing for Saturday's clash at AAMI Park, braved the cold Australian temperature as they larked around in in the ocean near St Kilda Beach. Danny Care was among the players pictured making a splash as they prepare for the second Test of the series Down Under.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is preparing for 'p***** off' Wales to come at them with 'double spades' in Wellington after the tourists' humiliating midweek defeat by the Chiefs.
Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has handed 22-year-old winger Damien Hoyland his first international start as part of an experienced side that take on Japan in the first of the two Test series.
Joe Marler was handed yet another disciplinary warning on Thursday following the obscene Twitter message he directed at former Australia coach Bob Dwyer on Wednesday.
Irish fighter Conor McGregor has enlisted the help of some of his country's finest boxing talent to help prepare for his rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in August. The UFC featherweight champion's stunning seven-fight win streak in the promotion came to an abrupt end when he moved up two weight classes to take on Diaz in March.
JONATHAN McEVOY: If you thought putting on a morning coat and heading off to Berkshire meant escaping a prominent football tournament taking place in the bosom of the European Union, you should have tried walking out of the parade ring, marching past the bandstand and positioning yourself in Silks Bar.
Johanna Konta is through to the second round of the Aegon Classic after emerging from three days of rain delays to beat Misaki Doi in straight sets.
Masters champion Danny Willett led the chorus of disapproval after players were not allowed to warm up following the first weather delay on the opening day of the US Open.
With the world's best golfers set to tee off in the US Open at Oakmont on Thursday, Sportsmail has teamed up with Golfbidder to offer the chance of winning a TaylorMade golf set worth over £1,800.
Eddie Jordan has urged Lewis Hamilton to bury the hatchet with Mercedes top chiefs as well as team-mate Nico Rosberg heading into this weekend's European Grand Prix.
David Howman leaves the World Anti-Doping Agency in a fortnight and he sounds tired. He feels that the Russian doping culture will take time to change and that it must be sorted out from 'top to bottom'.
The 85-year-old believes the sport is in fine health as the European Grand Prix returns to the calendar after a four-year absence on Sunday.
Chris Woakes believes he has given the England selectors a pleasant headache ahead of next month's series with Pakistan following his eye-catching all-round displays against Sri Lanka.
Sportsmail racing expert Robin Goodfellow gives his hottest selections ahead of Friday's meetings at Royal Ascot, Market Rasen, Goodwood, Ayr, Redcar and Newmarket.
Hopes that the Queen could have a winner at Royal Ascot to fuel her 90th birthday celebrations ended in tragedy when her runner Guy Fawkes suffered fatal injuries in the King George V Stakes.
The Premier League fixtures for the 2016-17 season have been released and here is the full weekend-by-weekend rundown ahead of one of the most intriguing campaigns yet.
With Premier League clubs up and down the country hoping to strengthen their squad and offload dead wood, Sportsmail has every summer move covered with this handy guide.
Keep track of all the latest new Premier League strips released throughout the summer as Sportsmail brings you all the kits as they released and provides an overall rating too.
With each team now having played at least one game, there's been plenty of debate over who are the outstanding players at the Euros. Here is Sportsmail's best XI - based solely on the statistics from the first round of games...
THE DEBATE: Yes, the Russian thugs were responsible for scenes of extreme violence in Marseille. But are England fans able to take the moral high ground here? Hardly.
If you want a midfield magician, a player who can effortlessly dictate the tempo of a game and cast spells all over the pitch, the only place you need to look is France.
SAM CUNNINGHAM IN LILLE: They blamed the Russians, they blamed Marseille locals and they blamed French police. England fans have finally run out of people to blame.
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