
Sunday's briefing: Just another game for Greenwood while Gyokeres faces sanction
Andy Carroll has completed a surprise move to join Dagenham and Redbridge, while Sweden finished top of Group C at the Euros with a resounding 4-1 defeat of Germany.
Greenwood not fazed by Wales test
🗣️ "What do we have to fear?"
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is 'excited' for their clash with England at the Euros 🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/KGpu7NRStu
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 12, 2025
Alex Greenwood admitted the big rivalry billing for England's final Euro 2025 group-stage encounter might hold more weight for their Welsh opponents than it does for her.
A win against Wales – the lowest-ranked team in the tournament – would be enough to book England a place in the quarter-finals. Wales need a victory of four goals or more, as well as France beating the Netherlands, to progress.
Wales captain Angharad James, who was asked if she wanted to knock England out, said: 'Of course you do. It's in our blood. It's in our DNA.'
But quizzed as to whether or not she felt the same sense of rivalry, Greenwood conceded: 'Maybe not as much. I think, for me personally, it's another game.'
Sporting sanction Gyokeres amid Arsenal interest
Arsenal's bid to sign Viktor Gyokeres has taken a fresh twist after Sporting Lisbon confirmed he is facing disciplinary action for failing to turn up to pre-season training.
Gyokeres, who scored 39 league goals to fire Sporting to the Portuguese title last season, is understood to be at the top of Arsenal's wish list. However, the two clubs are yet to agree a transfer fee.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas told Portuguese news agency LUSA: 'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.
'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave. No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.'
Carroll completes surprise Dagenham move
It's not every day… ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/wkgK9q1QGG
— Dagenham & Redbridge (@Dag_RedFC) July 12, 2025
Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has agreed a deal to join Dagenham and Redbridge.
The 36-year-old, who played nine times for England, has made the switch to the National League South side on a three-year deal. Dagenham announced earlier on Saturday that they had been taken over by a Qatari consortium.
Carroll left Bordeaux last month following one season in the fourth tier of French football.
Sweden humble Germany with four-star triumph
Sweden secured an emphatic 4-1 win over 10-woman Germany to finish top of Group C – and line up a possible quarter-final against England.
Jule Brand fired Germany ahead after just seven minutes before Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius hauled Sweden back on level terms.
Smilla Holmberg then gave Sweden the lead with Carlotta Wamser dismissed for handball and Fridolina Rolfo scoring the resulting penalty.
Lina Hurtig completed the rout with 10 minutes remaining as Sweden claimed their first-ever victory against the eight-time champions at the Euros. It also marked Germany's biggest ever loss in the competition.
Poland beat Denmark 3-2 in the other game in the group.
What's on today?
Defending European champions England will look to avoid an early exit in their clash with Wales.
England know a win will secure their place in the quarter-finals while Wales need a big victory and help from France. The Group D fixtures kick off at 8pm BST.
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