Euro 2024 live - England prepare for Serbia as starting XI decision awaits

That's all for now

England's first match awaits.

Good night.

Three lions on a shirt!

Harry Kane's two England targets at Euro 2024

The Three Lions captain is fully focused on being a winner this summer.

"I know what I am capable of," he said. "I know what I have done year after year. There is no reason why I cannot be the top scorer at this tournament."

The forward had plenty more to say about his status now he is a Bayern player and what separates this England squad from the past.

(UEFA via Getty Images)

England fans in good voice

Starting XI decisions

It appears that Gareth Southgate is set to utilise Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield tomorrow. A bold decision that could come with plenty of attacking merit.

Full story

Gareth Southgate gives instructions to Trent Alexander-Arnold (Eddie Keogh - The FA)

Now to England?

There are two more games to come before the Three Lions play but the tournament will truly begin for England fans in the morning. Serbia will be no walkovers and have big attacking talent in Mitrovic and Vlahovic. A big first test for a new England defence.

Italy hold on

There will be a sense of relief for the cup-holders who were unable to extend their lead after controlling much of the match. Albania were able to create some tension as stoppage time arrived but could not return to the heights of the opening 23 seconds.

Marcus Rashford handed new challenge by Erik ten Hag to ensure Man Utd success

Last throw of the dice?

Goalscorer Bajrami is replaced by Ernest Muci.

17 minutes to go in Dortmund

The Albania supporters still believe they can claim something from this game and Italy have perhaps taken their foot off their gas just a little.

England expects

The party atmosphere was in full swing on Saturday night as thousands of excited Three Lions fans got ready to roar on their heroes.

They gathered across Germany as manager Gareth Southgate ’s team arrived in Gelsenkirchen. UEFA have given England supporters 10,000 tickets for Sunday night's 8pm clash with Serbia.

But police believe double that number will be in the Arena AufSchalke – with another 30,000 watching on big screens in the city. Most are staying in nearby cities, including Essen, Dortmund, Dusseldorf and Duisberg.

Full story

(Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

Second half underway

A goal behind but Albania will be pleased to still be in it with 45 minutes to go.

A big moment early in the tournament. Can they start this one as quickly?

2-1 Italy

It's relentless!

Barella with a classy strike from the edge of the box. It gets checked for a possible foul elsewhere however. A pause for the moment.

The champions can celebrate and they have the lead again.

Italy level

Bastoni heads in at back post.

Quite the pace to the opening 10 minutes or so in Germany and it will be impressive if it keeps to this pace. Italy now seeing more of the ball and applying more pressure but Albania generally keeping composed.

Atmosphere

It is loud in Dortmund. Cheers when Albania go forward, boos when Italy hold the ball. That goal will definitely have notched the noise up just a bit too.

Albania have started quickly. Can they sustain it?

Nedim Bajrami scored after 23 seconds (ALBERTO PIZZOLI)

Albania score!

The game is less than one minute old and Albania take the lead. Bajrami scores!

Kane's vow

England captain Harry Kane has vowed: “We are here to win it.”

And he said the team has earned the right to be classed as one of the Euro 2024 favourites. Speaking to the media before Sunday's clash with Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, Kane, 30, said: “I love playing for my country and I love playing for England and it means the world to me every time I step on the pitch wearing the shirt.

“Winning a tournament with England would be one of the pinnacles of anyone’s career.”

He added: “Every tournament poses different expectations and I think we have earned the right, I guess, to be classed as one of the favourites.

“In past tournaments we have done a lot of things well and we’ve made the country proud.

“But ultimately we are here to win it. There will be nothing better for us, and the nation itself, if we do that.”

He said the team’s immediate focus is the match against Serbia, followed by the group games with Denmark and Slovenia.

“We know how tough it was to get to the final a few years ago” he said.

“We want to achieve that (again) and hopefully go one step further.”

Flags from across England.

England supporters are showing their club allegiance in Germany.

Leeds fans showing their allegiance (Andy Lines)

Barely a moment to breath

Another match on the way:

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa, Scamacca.

Albania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi.

Full time

An easy win for Spain who claim three points to kick off their tournament. They face Italy next. The current European champions face Albania in an hour.

It's in the net but not given

Simon saves the penalty but Croatia eventually find the net. VAR ultimately rules out the goal for encroachment during the penalty.

Perisic deemed the figure responsible.

Penalty awarded for Croatia

Can they pull one back?

Police shoot man armed with a knife

Police have shot dead a man armed with a knife - who killed one man before stabbing three others at an event in east Germany. The male attacker, 27, launched his attack at a private party in the city of Magdeburg while watching a Euro 2024 game which saw Germany win 5-1 against Scotland.

Full story

Croatian subs

Kovacic and Modric make way with 25 minutes left on the clock. An eye on their next match perhaps?

Croatia should have a goal

Pinball in the Spain box as Marc Cucurella makes a crucial block. Croatia had a number of shots saved as they knocked the ball around the area but couldn't find a gap.

Back underway

Spain look like they'll be continuing their direct approach. They've had less possession against the Croatians than many will be accustomed to seeing them have with just 48 per cent.

45 minutes down

It's a long way back for Croatia at this point but they have talent on the pitch they will hope can make the difference after the break. Spain on the other hand will hope to press their advantage and rotate their stars if possible as they look to balance the physical demands of tournament football.

Not sure many saw quite as comprehensive a scoreline unfolding.

Alvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal celebrate (Eric Verhoeven)

It's three!

Dani Carvajal adds a third after ghosting towards the six yard line.

Elsewhere - England fans are having an interesting experience

A group of England fans claimed they found three asylum seekers hiding in their camper van in Calais as they drove to Germany. Ben Dolan, 24, Matthew Browne, 25, Tristan Dallison, 22, and Fin Mcgregor, 24, had travelled from Scarborough, North Yorks.

They said they found the trio in the van toilet after leaving the vehicle to go to a supermarket.

Mr McGregor said: “There were three lads in there. They laughed and smiled and poured out of the camper van.

“We checked the doors, they must have got through the roof. I understand their struggle but we were going the wrong direction.”

Chance

Gvardiol shows the attacking talents he's produced at Man City and puts across a teasing ball that's tight to the goal. Simon doesn't claim it in Spain's net and it's crying out for someone to finish it but a body does not arrive.

Spain take control

Croatia had just been coming back into the game before that double blow but Spain have shown clash. Two moves that have found their way through the opposition defence and the only team to retain a Euros title have put themselves in a very positive position against experienced foes.

Fabian Ruiz celebrates after scoring his team's second goal (CHRISTOPHE SIMON)

It's two!

Fabio Ruiz has added a second!