To turn Italy from a shambolic team that failed to qualify for the World Cup into the European champions, in the space of just three years, is a remarkable achievement and Sunday's win over England at Wembley showed just how key Mancini has been to the return of the Azzurri.

Southgate's side have sent the nation into a frenzy by reaching their first European Championship final, leaving them one win away from a first title since the 1966 World Cup.

Many nations have been forced to reimpose curbs as they battle outbreaks accelerated by the variant -- which was first detected in India -- while also trying to ramp up vaccinations to allow their economies to reopen.

The fight was officially ruled as a "doctor's stoppage" at the end of the first round after a bloodied McGregor swung and missed a punch then stumbled backwards, his lower leg grotesquely buckling under him near the edge of the octagon. 

A section of England fans booed when Denmark's national anthem was played before their semi-final meeting. Jeers were also heard when the German anthem was played at Wembley when England beat Joachim Loew's side in the round of 16.

But the six time Ballon d'Or winner had to suffer numerous disappointments, including losing four finals, before leading his country to a 1-0 victory over "eternal rivals" Brazil in the Copa America final at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium on Saturday.

"If you knew the way that he played in the Copa America you’d love him even more,” Scaloni told reporters after Argentina’s 1-0 win at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

A zoo keeper planted England and Italy flags in the ground and the meerkats' task was to knock one down. It took them about five minutes to choose England.

"We're still assessing the feasibility of the first lady attending, and our advance team arrives in Tokyo later this week," Psaki told a press conference, while reiterating President Joe Biden's stance of supporting Tokyo's plan to hold the event safely.

The regional Olympics were scheduled to be held in Hanoi and 11 other locations from November 21 to December 2.

England reached their first final in 55 years on Wednesday as Harry Kane settled a tense semi-final against Denmark with the extra-time strike that sealed a 2-1 win at raucous Wembley.

Former players and TV pundits were full of praise for Gareth Southgate's side, who have the chance to add another trophy to England's 1966 World Cup after beating the Danes in extra time.

A fraction of a second after pushing his spot kick too close to the outstretched Kasper Schmeichel, Harry Kane lifted the rebound into the net to propel England past Denmark 2-1 and into the final of Euro 2020.

England will play in their first major tournament final for 55 years after coming from behind to beat Denmark 2-1 after extra time in front of a delirious 65,000 crowd at Wembley in Wednesday's Euro 2020 semi-final.

The emergency measures -- less strict than a blanket lockdown -- will be in force until August 22, several Japanese media outlets reported, following a rise in cases less than three weeks before the Games begin.

Hiroshi Mikitani, chairman and CEO of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, said he feels "very regretful over discriminatory remarks by Barcelona players" Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann, in the videos recently leaked online.

Italy's transformation under Mancini in the last three years has been extraordinary, from a team that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup to one that has gone on a national record of 33 games unbeaten including their Wembley semi-final.

Medical experts have said for weeks that no spectators at the global sporting extravaganza would be the least risky option. Organisers have already banned overseas spectators and set a cap on domestic spectators at 50% of capacity, up to 10,000 people, to contain a lingering outbreak of infections.

Argentina stopper Martinez saved three penalties in the shoot-out after a bruising 1-1 draw in Brasilia. 

The video, recorded by Dembele during Barcelona's pre-season tour of Japan ahead of the 2019-20 season, was leaked on social media and showed both players laughing at a group of hotel staff who were working to fix a television.

The 62-year-old was appointed as Lazio coach last month, a year after being sacked by the Turin club, where five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo has played since 2018.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) representatives, foreign dignitaries, sponsors and others connected to the Games will be allowed into the National Stadium to watch the July 23 ceremony, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said late on Monday.

Manager Gareth Southgate has been able to regularly change his team, with a plethora of attacking talent at his disposal.

Trippier scored with an early free kick in the World Cup semi-final in Russia before Croatia struck twice to snatch an extra-time win.

Mbappe, who scored 42 goals in all competitions for PSG last season, has a contract at the French club until June 2022 but has been linked with a move to La Liga's Real Madrid.

Eriksen collapsed after a cardiac arrest just before halftime in the Danes' opening match of the tournament against Finland and was taken to hospital after receiving CPR on the pitch.

Two goals from Harry Kane and headers from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson saw England through to the last four of a Euros for the first time in 25 years, with Southgate hailing his side's collective attitude as the reason for their progression.

Belgium were among the favourites for the tournament, having spent more than 1,000 days at the head of the FIFA rankings. But after losing 2-1 to Italy in Friday's quarter-final in Munich, they admitted they were second-best on the night.

Lorenzo Insigne's brilliant strike proved to be the winner for Italy, who extended their national record unbeaten run to 32 matches.

"It's disappointing to receive this news and have to withdraw from the Rocket Mortgage Classic," the Japanese golfer said in a statement.