Scotland

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Proximity to the Euro 2024 finals has added an "extra edge" in training as Scotland prepare for Friday's friendly against the Netherlands, head coach Steve Clarke has revealed.

Clarke says that the Euros still feel "a little distant" to him, but he acknowledges that the competition for places in his squad is hotting up.

He stressed that there are still decisions to be made about the final make-up of the party that will head to Germany, citing the amount of injuries before this game in Amsterdam.

"Training has been really intense, but it's normally very intense," Clarke said. "We have a good camaraderie within the squad, something we have built over the last four and a half years - and everyone understands I can only pick 23 players.

"They're all trying to show how good they are in training, which is fantastic. It drives standards up. Everybody wants to be part of the squad that goes to Germany in the summer."

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Marcus Alves
BBC Sport

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It was late February 2022 when Tite revealed he would be stepping down as Brazil head coach at the end of the Qatar World Cup.

That, in theory, gave the Brazilian FA (CBF) plenty of time to work on his replacement. As it turned out, though, it wasn't enough.

Since then, the Selecao have had two caretaker managers - Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz - and another manager they assumed had been hired and publicly announced but wasn't was - Carlo Ancelotti.

Only now, when they take on England this Saturday at Wembley, will Brazil finally have in Dorival Jr a permanent manager in charge, putting an end to what was largely perceived back home as "a lost year".

"That was the result of much disorganisation and also some arrogance to believe that any coach would just come running [to take the job] because it's the Brazilian national team," former Brazil international Walter Casagrande, now a popular football pundit, told BBC Sport.

In 2023, the Selecao finished a year with more defeats than wins for the first time since 1963 - in total, they lost five times, drew once and won just three times in nine games, breaking several negative records along the way, including losing a home World Cup qualifier - versus Argentina - and three consecutive qualifiers - versus Colombia, Uruguay and Argentina - for the first time.

In six qualifying matches, they have conceded more goals (seven) than in the entire previous campaign (five in 17 games).

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A little lunchtime teaser...

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England

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A reminder not to include Bukayo Saka in your team to face Brazil. Yesterday, he was withdrawn from the England squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium because of injury.

The Arsenal winger, 22, has not been able to take part in training since reporting for international duty.

The Football Association said Saka had reported to St George's Park earlier in the week with an injury.

Saka has returned to Arsenal, who play at title rivals Manchester City on 31 March, for "continued rehabilitation", according to an FA statement.

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Bruno Fernandes' performance in Portugal's 5-2 win over Sweden on Thursday evening was trending on social media earlier

The clips we've watched show the Manchester United midfielder simply keeping possession with simple passes...it is amazing what people get excited about these days.

In fairness he did also get on the scoresheet for the hosts, who rested top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo and several other first-team players for this friendly and have qualified for Euro 2024.

A very short report on that one here.

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England Under 21s are currently two goals up against Azerbaijan's Under 21s in their Group F Under-21 European Championship qualifier.

Harvey Elliott and Noni Madueke have both been on the scoresheet for Lee Carsley's side during the first period.

Ukraine currently top the group having won all five of their matches so far, while England could move level on points with them albeit having played a game more if they see out a victory in Baku.

No Bukayo Saka for England at Wembley against Brazil tomorrow and possibly no Harry Kane nor Jordan Henderson either.

So how will Gareth Southgate's side line up and will Kobbie Mainoo make his international bow for the Three Lions?

You'd expect the Manchester United teenager to get a run out at some stage wouldn't you? But who would you select in your starting XI?

Let us know your team in the normal fashion and please remember to put your name and where you come from on texts and WhatsApp messages.

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Albert Gudmundsson scored a hat-trick as Iceland came back to beat Israel 4-1 in the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Eran Zahavi gave them the lead with a penalty but Gudmundsson's fine free-kick and Arnor Traustason's strike turned the match around before half-time.

Zahavi then missed a penalty, before Genoa forward Gudmundsson scored two late goals to complete his hat-trick.

Bosnia looked set to be their opponents in the final following Mykola Matviyenko's own goal for Ukraine, as he turned Amar Dedic's cross into his own net.

But Roman Yaremchuk swept home an 85th-minute equaliser and Girona striker Artem Dovbyk headed in a dramatic winner two minutes from time to seal a 2-1 victory.

The final will be held in the Polish city of Wroclaw with Ukraine unable to host it because of the continuing invasion by Russia.

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Please remember to put your name and where you come from on texts and WhatsApp messages.

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Georgia beat Luxembourg 2-0 last night to seal a meeting with Greece in the Euro 2024 play-offs.

Georgia's victory ended the dream of Luxembourg, who have been trying to qualify for a major tournament since 1934, thanks to Budu Zivzivadze's double.

The underdogs thought they were level at 1-1 in the 53rd minute when Gerson Rodrigues fired home.

But the goal was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and instead team-mate Maxime Chanot was sent off for a professional foul that had happened at the other end 45 seconds earlier.

Gus Poyet's Greece had a more comfortable night during a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan - thanks to four different goalscorers in the first 40 minutes and a late own goal.

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Fancy a bit more reaction to Wales' 4-1 win over Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off semi-final?

Or maybe you want to hear from Scotland boss Steve Clarke and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford prior to their international fixtures against the Netherlands and Brazil

Have a listen to the Football Daily.

England

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Harry Maguire has thanked England boss Gareth Southgate for his support as "there's loads of people who probably don't think I should be in the squad".

Maguire continues to be selected for his country despite struggling to nail down a regular starting place in Manchester United's team this season.

"I think I've been in every single squad I've been available for, I've played every competitive game that I've been available for," said the defender.

"It gives me great confidence."

Read the full story here...

England

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Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson are doubts for England's glamour friendly against Brazil after missing group training on the eve of the game.

Gareth Southgate's men step up their preparations for this summer's shot at Euro 2024 glory with Wembley friendlies against the Selecao and Belgium.

Kane and Henderson's availability to face Brazil on Saturday evening is in doubt after the pair trained away from the main group at St George's Park on Friday morning.

England skipper Kane has been dealing with an ankle injury suffered in Bayern Munich's 5-2 Bundesliga win over Darmstadt last Sunday.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has already returned to Arsenal, who play at title rivals Manchester City on 31 March, for "continued rehabilitation" after reporting for international duty with an injury.

RobertCub: Re Tom at 11:46. Wales have mostly Premier League players and some that could very well be in the top flight next season. The Polish team has some players from weaker leagues (two starters in the MLS, one in Bulgaria), so I'm not sure it's stronger personally.

Robert Earnshaw
Former Wales and Cardiff striker on BBC radio 5 Live

I know the last few years we were in the Nations League with Poland and they beat Wales twice so it’s going to be difficult. The number one player Robert Lewandowski, as a forward player, is somebody I admire. He’s so good, it’s ridiculous. He’s an absolute assassin in front of the goal. But to potentially win this game at home, it’s the perfect scenario.

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the design of the St George's Cross on the English football team kit should not be "messed with".

Earlier, the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer had also joined the chorus of prominent voices taking issue with design.

The new shirt design features the cross of St George in navy, light blue and purple on the back of the collar.

BBC News understands there are no plans to change or recall the shirt.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Sunak said he "prefers the original" and the national flag is a "source of pride" and identity.

"When it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them because they're a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are," he said.

On social media, the culture secretary said: "Fans should always come first, and it's clear that this is not what fans want."

Read more here...

Robert Earnshaw
Former Wales and Cardiff striker on BBC radio 5 Live

Did I see that result coming? Absolutely not. To be honest I was wondering which Wales performance I was going to see. Earlier in the qualifiers I was thinking it doesn’t look right, it doesn’t feel in rhythm. But everything was great. The execution, the way they got the goals, they were composed.

They conceded some chances so it wasn’t completely comfortable but it was clinical in the moments they needed to be. It set up the game really nicely and the manner they got the goals, the free kick from Nico Williams, I was clapping.