Croatia 2-1 Spain: Ivan Perisic sends Croatia to the top of Group D and consigns Spain to

CROATIA 2-1 SPAIN - IAN LADYMAN AT STADE DE BORDEAUX: One break was all it took. One sprint the length of the field and a shot David de Gea should have kept out, but didn't, and Spain's Euro 2016 bid was pitched into chaos. Ivan Perisic's 89th-minute winner for Croatia meant the sides swapped positions at the top of Group D - Croatia first, Spain second. Now Spain go into the draw's bottom half, which is beginning to resemble a shark-infested pool.

Euro 2016 permutations: England face huge task after finishing second in Group B

England are facing a potential nightmare run to the Euro 2016 final, with the opposite top half of the draw opening up for Wales after Spain's defeat by Croatia. Finishing second in Group B has put Roy Hodgson's side in the bottom half along with Germany, Italy, France and Spain - and they could still be joined by Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. Wales, meanwhile, as group winners are in the same half as Switzerland, Poland and Croatia.

epaselect epa05380221 Gareth Bale of Wales celebrates scoring the 3-0 lead during the UEFA EURO 2016 group B preliminary round match between Russia and Wales at Stade Municipal in Toulouse, France, 20 June 2016.
(RESTRICTIONS APPLY: For editorial news reporting purposes only. Not used for commercial or marketing purposes without prior written approval of UEFA. Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage. Photographs published in online publications (whether via the Internet or otherwise) shall have an interval of at least 20 seconds between the posting.)  EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT   EDITORIAL USE ONLY

IAN LADYMAN: Gareth Bale will return to Spain after the European Championship to a 'contract for life' at Real Madrid.

MARTIN SAMUEL: Night fell to the giddy echoes of Will Grigg's On Fire, as it will forever be known. You'd think we'd be sick of the joke, but we are not. We need to hear it at least one more time.

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: (L to R) Jamie Vardy, manager Roy Hodgson and Dele Alli of England show their frustration after their scoreless draw in the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France.  (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)**BESTPIX**

English football has its Stuart Lancaster. Where is its Eddie Jones? Not a foreign coach, not even a superstar coach necessarily, but a coach for the tournaments.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against Venezuela during the second half of a Copa America Centenario quarterfinal soccer match on Saturday, June 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The first of this year's Copa America semi-finals sees tournament hosts USA face South American giants Argentina. Join LUKE AUGUSTUS and RIK SHARMA for the action.

SPT_GCK_200616_Uefa Euro 2016,England v Slovakia  groupB Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Eøtienne.Picture Graham Chadwick.
Wayne Rooney and Vardy

In those tight games, when you are looking for someone with experience of the biggest stage to step forward, which one of the 20 outfield players could transform England's fate?

File photo dated 20-06-2016 of England manager Roy Hodgson. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday June 21, 2016. Roy Hodgson watched England labour into the knockout rounds of Euro 2016 with a stalemate against Slovakia then warned possible opponents there is much more to come from his side. See PA story SOCCER England. Photo credit should read Nick Potts/PA Wire.

MATT LAWTON IN CHANTILLY: Three games into this tournament, with a possible match against Portugal to come and still Hodgson appears uncertain of the best way forward.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04:  Dani King of Great Britain celebrates winning the Gold medal and breaking the World Record in the Women's Team Pursuit Track Cycling Finals on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Velodrome on August 4, 2012 in London, England.  (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

MATT LAWTON: Mark Cavendish will be named as a member of British cycling's team for the Olympic Games but Dani King is the shock omission from the squad.

This boyo's a bit special... as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo struggle, Gareth

IAN LADYMAN IN BORDEAUX: There was a moment midway through the first half at Stade de Toulouse on Monday night when Gareth Bale set off upfield with Russian opponent Fedor Smolov in close pursuit. Russia's No 10 had an advantage in that he did not have the ball but after 20 yards he had given up, ceding the thankless responsibility of stopping Bale to somebody else. Bale was simply too quick, too powerful, too determined and purposeful. It was a telling moment. The game was less than half an hour old but the Wales forward had already broken his opponent.

Michael McGovern is 'up there with the greats', beams boss O'Neill after keeper's heroics

CHRIS WHEELER: Michael O'Neill saluted a 'phenomenal' display from his goalkeeper Michael McGovern as Northern Ireland avoided a heavier defeat against Germany to help reach the last 16.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 21: Michael O'Neill manager of Northern Ireland gestures during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group C match between Northern Ireland and Germany at Parc des Princes on June 21, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Michael O'Neill hopes to face Wales after Northern Ireland clinched a place in the last 16. Their 1-0 loss to Germany, coupled with Turkey's victory over the Czech Republic, was enough to progress.

Wales's Gareth Bale, center, smiles while celebrating with team mates after the Euro 2016 Group B soccer match between Russia and Wales at the Stadium municipal in Toulouse, France, Monday, June 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

LAURIE WHITWELL IN DINARD: Gareth Bale is Wales' star but they are progressing as Group B winners as there is quality elsewhere, a boss who knows his players, and cohesion throughout.

England's coach Roy Hodgson walks on the pitch following his team's 0-0 draw during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Slovakia and England at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne on June 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISPAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

CHARLES SALE: Struggling manager Roy Hodgson, whose hopes of an extended contract now rest on reaching the semi-final of Euro 2016, can at least take some comfort from the backing of England's supporters.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Action Press/REX/Shutterstock (4967276k)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, bvb,
Borussia Dortmund v Borussia Monchengladbach, Bundesliga football match, Germany - 15 Aug 2015

Dortmund have been resolute in their stance that the 27-year-old is not for sale despite having one year left on his contract. The Bundesliga club rejected United's proposal of £19.3m last week.

NICE, FRANCE - JUNE 17:  Manuel Agudo 'Nolito' of Spain looks on during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group D match between Spain and Turkey at Allianz Riviera Stadium on June 17, 2016 in Nice, France.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Spain international Nolito has agreed to join Manchester City on a three-year deal as soon as Euro 2016 ends giving Pep Guardiola his first big attacking signing of the summer.

Ukraine 0-1 Poland: Jakub Blaszczykowski nets screamer to secure Euro 2016 knockout clash

UKRAINE 0-1 POLAND: Poland reached the knockout stage of the European Championship for the first time when Jakub Blaszczykowski's second-half goal beat already-eliminated Ukraine 1-0 on Tuesday and secured second place in Group C and a last-16 meeting with Switzerland.

Czech Republic 0-2 Turkey: Ozan Tufan and Burak Yilmaz strike to keep Turkey's hopes of

CZECH REPUBLIC 0-2 TURKEY: Turkey's teenage star Emre Mor helped keep his country's last-16 hopes alive on Tuesday night - and also sent Northern Ireland into delirium. From this match a draw or a Turkey win by fewer than four goals were always going to be great news for Michael O'Neill's team. Willing Turkey on to win but not by too much must have made for an agonising evening, but the wait will have been worth it for the green and white hordes in Paris and at home.

epa05380284 Harry Kane of England heads the ball  during the UEFA EURO 2016 group B preliminary round match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France, 20 June 2016.  
(RESTRICTIONS APPLY: For editorial news reporting purposes only. Not used for commercial or marketing purposes without prior written approval of UEFA. Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage. Photographs published in online publications (whether via the Internet or otherwise) shall have an interval of at least 20 seconds between the posting.)  EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV   EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Kane was disappointed to be dropped for the draw against Slovakia and Hodgson is leaning towards reinstating a man he viewed as his No 1 striker before the tournament.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE - JUNE 21:  Vicente del Bosque head coach of Spain looks on during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group D match between Croatia and Spain at Stade Matmut Atlantique on June 21, 2016 in Bordeaux, France.  (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)

A late winner from Ivan Perisic sealed a 2-1 comeback victory for the Croatians, who usurped Spain to finish top and leave Del Bosque's side with a repeat of the Euro 2012 final against Italy.

Ronaldo

ROB DRAPER'S COLUMN: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has to accept that he is on his way to becoming the Michael Jackson of football.

The 34-year-old forward will end his 15-year international career in France and will retire as Sweden's all-time record goalscorer with 62 goals.

Editorial use only. No merchandising. For Football images FA and Premier League restrictions apply inc. no internet/mobile usage without FAPL license - for details contact Football Dataco
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joe Meredith/JMP/REX/Shutterstock (5734437n)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal scratches his head
Portugal v Austria, France - 18 Jun 2016

The Real Madrid star had a frustrating night on Saturday when he missed a second-half penalty and his side were held to a goalless draw by Austria in their second Group F fixture.

Italy manager Antonio Conte slates Lille pitch ahead of Republic of Ireland clash 

Italy boss Antonio Conte has slammed the playing surface in Lille and says it is not good enough to host Wednesday's Euro 2016 clash with Republic of Ireland. The surface at the Stade Pierre Mauroy cut up badly during France's goalless draw with Switzerland here on Sunday night and players such as Paul Pogba repeatedly lost their footing. And Conte said: 'The playing surface isn't suitable. It is not up to hosting a European Championships match.'

Martin O'Neill tells Ireland players to 'make history' as they take on Italy at Euro 2016 

They are a nation in need of new heroes on this premier international stage. Since that that famous day against Italy at the Giants Stadium in New Jersey in 1994, Republic of Ireland have won just once at a major tournament, and that was a 3-0 stroll against Saudi Arabia some 14 years ago. On Wednesday, here in Lille, a legend to rival Ray Houghton must emerge if Ireland are to make it to the knockout rounds of a European Championships for the first time in their history.

Full backs are on the rise. They are becoming more important to each team as a wide attacking outlet, additional weapons to open up a tight game - and England have the best.

The Will Grigg song may be delighting Northern Ireland fans in France - and providing royalties for the group Gala for their 1997 hit Freed from Desire - but it is annoying one Facebook user.

13 Dec 1995:  Juust Heddink the manager of Holland (left) stands next to Jack Charlton the manager of the Republic of Ireland before the start of the European championship play-off qualifier between the two countries at Anfield in Liverpool. Holland wentonto win the match by 2-0 and in doing so qualified for the championships which will be played in England next year. This  was to be Jack Charlton's last game in charge of Ireland soon after the match he announced his retirement. Mandatory Credit: CliveBrunskill/Allsport

Ten years was enough. I knew I didn't have it in me to do another World Cup campaign, even before the Euro 96 qualifiers started; it was always going to be difficult to get to France 98.

Liam Plunkett smashes six off the final ball as England claim thrilling tie against Sri

PAUL NEWMAN AT TRENT BRIDGE: Liam Plunkett secured an extraordinary tie for England in the first one-day international at Trent Bridge when he hit Nuwan Pradeep for six off the very last ball to bring the scores level when Sri Lanka had seemed sure of victory. An incredible finish to the opening 50-over match of the season saw Plunkett hit Pradeep, who had bowled so well in defending 14 off the final over, smash the very last ball long and high into the Trent Bridge pavilion. Unbelievable. It capped First Sri Lanka looked to have under-achieved in reaching just 286 for nine in front of a capacity 17,000 crowd but then they looked assured of an opening victory in this five-match series when England crashed to 82 for six in reply.

Andy Murray's EU referendum dilemma as world No 2 prepares for Wimbledon

MIKE DICKSON EXCLUSIVE: Andy Murray has found a new distraction away from the pressures of Wimbledon preparation this year - immersing himself in the EU Referendum debate. The 29 year-old Scot, who will be seeded second at The Championships, has been busy listening to the arguments on both sides and researching the matter for himself before the big vote on Thursday.

Match room Boxing Open Training at York Hall Bethnal Green
21/06/16: Picture; Kevin Quigley/Daily Mail

JEFF POWELL: Chris Eubank Jnr goes into his first fight since he sent Nick Blackwell into a coma warning the challenger for his British middleweight title 'no mercy.'

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 20:  Billy Vunipola faces the media during the England media session held at the Crowne Plaza hotel at Coogee Beach on June 20, 2016 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Respect is hard won in these parts, but Vunipola senses that England are now being taken seriously here. Their exploits so far in this Test series are altering ingrained local perceptions.

Athletes from Kenya and Russia will only be able to compete at the Rio Olympics if they have passed an 'individual evaluation' to prove they have not been doping.

Jo Konta's remarkable rise - her parents were dogged by money trouble but now she's Great

MIKE DICKSON: Parents who pushed themselves to the brink financially. A meticulous approach to life that extended to how she would brush her teeth. Globetrotting in search of a top-line tennis career. Delve into the story of Jo Konta, Britain's best female tennis player to emerge in 30 years, and a fascinating picture emerges of what it can take to make it in a fiercely competitive individual sport.

Anthony Joshua defends the selection of Dominic Breazeale for first IBF title defence: 'I

JEFF POWELL: There has been criticism of the quality of Joshua's opponent Dominic Breazeale for the IBF title fight at London's O2 Arena on Saturday. But Joshua argued: 'The United States is a big market which I want to develop. 'A fight like this is my chance to showcase myself to the American public as part of the build-up for a championship unification fight against WBC champion Deontay Wilder next spring.'

EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Johanna Konta of Great Britain her victory in her second round women's singles match against Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine on day three of the WTA Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 21, 2016 in Eastbourne, England.  (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for LTA)

The British No 1 beat Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko 7-6, 6-1 to earn a shot at the world No 11 - who ended her remarkable run to the fourth round at the US Open last summer - on Wednesday.

The ex-Premier League star was arrested yesterday and appeared before magistrates in Wimbledon, south London, where he admitted possession of a Class A drug.

Roberto Martinez, Everton manager.
FA Cup semi-final, Manchester United v Everton (2-1)

Roberto Martinez will stake his claim for more than £10million in compensation from Everton at an independent hearing in London on Wednesday.

Real Madrid have confirmed they will exercise their buy-back clause in Alvaro Morata's contract to sign him from Juventus.

Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City tackles Kieran Richardson of Aston Villa during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on April 25, 2015 in Manchester, England.  


MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 25:
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Inter Milan are in talks to sign Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta as the defender searches for first-team football. Sealing a switch to Inter would mean being reunited with former manager Roberto Mancini.

Germany's Mats Hummels reacts after the final whistle

Mats Hummels has revealed he would have considered joining Manchester United over Bayern Munich if the Old Trafford outfit qualified for next season's Champions League. 

Manchester City target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still wants to leave Dortmund this summer as Atletico Madrid entered the race for his signature.

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England players return to Chantilly dejected after disappointing Slovakia stalemate sees

A dejected England squad returned to their base in Chantilly following a laboured 0-0 draw with Slovakia on Monday night which saw them surrender top spot in Group B at Euro 2016. The Three Lions finished runners-up in the group with five points, while rivals Wales were first with six after beating Russia 3-0.  Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, pictured holding the team's cuddly toy mascot Leo, appeared to sum up the mood in the camp with his mournful frown. 

England's Euro 2016 stars Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane hit golf course

The forward duo were not on the football pitch, however, and instead chose to unwind after England's below-par display with a round of golf. Vardy impressed on his first start for Roy Hodgson's side at Euro 2016, although he did spurn one of the game's more gilt-edged opportunities.

Sportsmail have rated the Three Lions' 23-man squad after a disappointing group-stage campaign that saw them draw two of their three matches...

Iceland's midfielder and captain Aron Gunnarsson (C) gestures as he attends a training session on the eve of the Euro 2016 group F football match between Iceland and Austria in Paris on June 21, 2016.  / AFP PHOTO / TOBIAS SCHWARZTOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images

England's next opponents will emerge from Group F but, as of Tuesday night, only Iceland were prepared to admit they were giddy at the prospect of a date with Roy Hodgson.

As England laboured to a 0-0 draw with Slovakia on Monday night, Wales sealed top spot in Group B at Euro 2016 with an emphatic 3-0 win over Russia. Welsh fans have since taken to Twitter.

ITV Sport TV Panel

The Croatian thinks England will have opportunities against teams with greater attacking intentions. Bilic explained England's forwards need space that Slovakia didn't afford them.

As Joe Allen Appreciation Day spreads from Wales squad to social media, Liverpool

LAURIE WHITWELL: After yet another stellar performance in a Welsh shirt, a hashtag began trending on Twitter. Joe Allen Appreciation Day - to separate out for clarity - has been in full flow as social media pays tribute to a cult hero it is impossible not to like. Photoshops, GIFs, memes, the lot. Ashley Williams revealed to WalesOnline t hat the Welsh squad have long enjoyed honouring a player who is now moving from unsung to rightfully recognised, and following a fine personal start to Euro 2016 everybody else wants to get involved. 'We have a WhatsApp messaging group and at least once a week we have a Joe Allen Appreciation Day,' said Williams. 'Great beard, great haircut, great guy, he's the main man in the squad. Class player too.'

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Sportsmail has put together your ultimate interactive guide to the biggest European Championship ever. With team, fixture and venue information and a quiz.

Chris Coleman decided to bar WAGs from attending the team hotel in Dinard during the first phase of Euro 2016 so his squad were fully concentrated on perfuming to their maximum.

LILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 21:  In this handout image provided by UEFAEURO 2016, Republic of Ireland head coach, Martin O'Neill during a press conference on June 21, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, here in Lille, a legend to rival Ray Houghton must emerge if Ireland are to make it to the knockout rounds of a European Championships for the first time in their history.

ITV Sport TV Panel

EDGE OF THE BOX: When it comes to bringing a touch of the old bonhomie to proceedings, then I'd have to say that so far it has been ITV who have been hitting all the right buttons at the Euros.

Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jose Callejon and Roberto Soldado take a banana boat in Ibiza

Xabi Alonso does not appear to be regretting his decision to retire from international football after jetting out to Ibiza for a relaxing summer holiday with his family. The Bayern Munich midfielder, who made 114 appearances for Spain over an 11-year period, last represented his country in 2014 and is not part of the part of the Spain squad that are aiming to secure a third straight European Championship triumph in France.

Leicester City duo Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson reunite in the US

Leicester City pair Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson appear to be making the most of their summer break from football after being pictured partying together in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The Foxes duo both took to Instagram to post a picture of themselves, alongside Wales forward Tom Lawrence, enjoying a night out whilst on holiday in the US.

Paul Clement reunites with Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich

The former Derby County manager has previously worked with Ancelotti at Chelsea, Real Madrid, where the duo won the Champions League, and Paris Saint-Germain. Clement and Ancelotti are expected to begin their work at Bayern next month, with pre-season scheduled to begin in three weeks.

Watford's Troy Deeney celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match at Vicarage Road, Watford. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday April 30, 2016. Watford 3 Aston Villa 2.
See PA story SOCCER Watford. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Watford remain determined to keep Troy Deeney from joining Leicester and have reiterated the striker is not for sale after holding a meeting about their captain's future.

Burnley's Michael Keane and Sheffield Wednesday's Atdhe Nuhiu (left) battle for the ball

Burnley want to strengthen their squad regardless of what happens with Keane and see Lees as a player who can cope comfortably with the step up to the Premier League ahead of the new season.

Reading have announced the death of academy manager Eamonn Dolan, aged 48, after a long battle with cancer.

Leicester City have completed their second signing of the summer. Defender Luis Hernandez, 27, has signed a four-year deal after his contract with Sporting Gijon expired.

Football Championship - Leeds United 1 v Preston 0
Leeds manager Steve Evans celebrates the win over Preston
PIcture by Ian Hodgson/Daily Mail

Sportsmail understands Evans, who left Leeds United at the end of May, was set to take over at the League One club and had even contacted potential recruits before changing his mind.

Laurent Blanc will leave Paris Saint-Germain by the end of the week, despite signing a two-year contract extension in February. Blanc is going through the final discussions over his departure.

The 22-year-old was beset by injuries during his time at Old Trafford and was released by the Red Devils earlier this month. Blackburn have already signed Anthony Stokes and Stephen Hendrie.

Former footballer David Ginola from France speaks at a news conference where he announced his campaign to stand for the FIFA presidency in London.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, former FIFA official Jerome Champagne of France, former Portugal forward Luis Figo and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag have also said they are running.





, in this January 16, 2015 file photo. 

REUTERS/Neil Hall/Files (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Former France and Premier League star David Ginola has revealed he had a 90% chance of being left in a vegetative state after undergoing a six-hour quadruple bypass operation.

Rangers chairman Dave King has invited fans to choose a new title for the club's training ground, which was initially named after Sir David Murray.

Who I am: Maro Itoje, the England flanker on rugby, his love of Jay Jay Okacha and why he

Maro Itoje is the rising star of English rugby. Born in Camden to Nigerian parents, the Saracens lock is a Grand Slam winner, European champion and has been outstanding on England's tour of Australia. He is also the Land Rover Discovery of the Year - all by the age of 21. As part of an occasional series, he talks about his life to Sportsmail's James Restall.

Novak Djokovic enjoys Tube ride ahead of Wimbledon 2016

World No 1 Novak Djokovic, in his typically fun-loving style, is showing no signs of pressure with Wimbledon just one week away. The Serb has been so dominant over the past 12 months that he had time to assume the role of tourist as he made his way around London on Monday ahead of the summer showpiece.

President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Craig Reedie speaks at a Tackling Doping in Sport 2016 conference in London, England.
WADA's current president Craig Reedie urged the Russian Anti-doping Agency (RUSADA) to allow two independent experts to enter the country to help it sort out its anti-doping programme.

AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS        
(Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The hand-written note, penned by Reedie, seems to show that on August 1 last year he tipped off Sergey Bubka, the vice-president of the IAAF, about the TV documentary that rocked athletics.

The centre says the Lions may need 55 players to cope with a 10-match schedule. As well as three Tests, the Lions will play all five Kiwi franchises plus the New Zealand Maori and a Provincial Union XV.

MIKE DICKSON IN NOTTINGHAM: The 25 year-old defeated his Lithuanian opponent 2-6 7-6 6-2 and was left awaiting the winner of Pablo Cuevas and Steohane Robert.

Australia head coach Michael Cheika has accused his All Blacks counterpart, Steve Hansen, of being 'shallow' for claiming that he has allowed Eddie Jones to 'bully' him.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 21:  Heather Knight of England during the 1st Royal London ODI match between England Women and Pakistan Women at Grace Road Cricket Ground on June 21, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Having taken over the reins from Charlotte Edwards, who led the side for 10 years, Knight became the first ever player to take a five-wicket haul and score a half-century in women's ODI.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04:  Anthony Joshua and Dominic Breazeale face off during the Anthony Joshua and Dominic Breazeale Press Conference on May 4, 2016 in London, England.  (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

JEFF POWELL: This large American who will occupy the opposite corner to Joshua believes he can spring the knock-out surprise which will also ram Tyson Fury's insulting words down his throats.

Strictly Editorial Use Only - No Merchandising.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jack Phillips/JMP/REX/Shutterstock (5735536d)
Addicted to Luck ridden by Miss C. Robinson (2nd L) wins the 6.40 The Langham Ladies' Handicap Stakes
Leicester Races, UK - 21 Jun 2016

Sportsmail racing expert Robin Goodfellow gives his hottest selections ahead of Wednesday's meetings at Carlisle, Kempton, Bath, Worcester and Salisbury.

Tom Quealy on Frankel (R) races ahead of Olivier Peslier on Cirrus des Aigles to win The Champion Stakes during the British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse in southern England October 20, 2012. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT HORSE RACING)

The Beckhampton trainer is to keep his feet on the ground and adopt a patient approach with Qipco 1000 Guineas favourite Fair Eva despite her debut victory at Haydock.

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.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 08:  Manchester United's new signing Eric Bailly is unveiled at Old Trafford on June 8, 2016 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images)

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.

DSNB_LFC_COUTINHO_3634_rt_b-copy.jpg

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.

Jamie Lawrence, the only English footballer in Slovakia, warns England that their final

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CRAIG HOPE: He is the only English footballer in Slovakia - a decorated two-time double winner at that - and is a former team-mate of Harry Kane (pictured above, centre) who will be roaring on the Three Lions in the partisan surrounds of medieval Trencin. So perhaps Roy Hodgson should take note when Jamie Lawrence delivers his inside report on Monday's opponents, for the 23-year-old Ajax academy graduate with an international masters in sports management is the sort of young man the England boss would no doubt admire.

England head coach Eddie Jones (R) talks to Dylan Hartley at the end of the second international rugby union Test match between England and Australia in Melbourne on June 18, 2016.  / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

Securing a whitewash won't be easy but there is a ruthless mindset about this England team under Eddie Jones which I believe will see them through.

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: Nathaniel Clyne of England and Vladimir Weiss of Slovakia compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

THE OFFICIAL LINE: Nathaniel Clyne was put through and was tripped as he prepared to shoot. Clyne was too honest, kept his feet and saw his shot tipped away.

Russia is a rogue regime; a one-nation axis of evil, corrupting and subverting all it touches. The last week has demonstrated the many ways Russia poisons the well.