Summary

  1. 'England deserve a world-class coach'published at 10:00 British Summer Time

    Finland 1-3 England

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter at Helsinki Olympic Stadium

    Lee CarsleyImage source, Getty Images

    Lee Carsley said England deserve "a world-class coach" as their next manager and conceded he "is still on the path to that".

    But the interim boss insisted it was "definitely" wrong to say he has ruled himself out of the running for the permanent job and he is still keeping an "open mind".

    Carsley was placed in interim charge of the England senior team after Gareth Southgate stepped down in July, two days after England's Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain.

    The 50-year-old took on the role before England's Nations League games "with a view to remaining in the position throughout autumn", while the Football Association continued its recruitment process for a new head coach.

    Carsley has not confirmed he is in line for the permanent position, but after Thursday's loss to Greece at Wembley said he would "hopefully be going back to the U21s" - where he was head coach before moving up to cover the senior team.

    After England's 3-1 win over Finland, Carsley again distanced himself from the suggestion he hopes to stay with the senior squad permanently.

    "I keep saying the same thing. My remit was six games and I'm happy with that," he said.

    Read the full piece.

  2. Premier League's Christmas fixture schedule duepublished at 09:52 British Summer Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    The Premier League missed their self-imposed deadline of yesterday to announce their December TV fixtures, which obviously include the Christmas programme.

    I am told the delay was only a short one and those fixtures will be released soon.

    With no programme for New Year's Day and a round of matches on Sunday, 29 December in addition to the Boxing Day games, I am expecting the spread to cover a number of days.

  3. Leweling strikes for Germanypublished at 09:45 British Summer Time

    Germany 1-0 Netherlands

    Germany celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Germany beat rivals the Netherlands to close in on a Nations League quarter-final.

    Jamie Leweling had a goal disallowed for offside by the video assistant referee after some awful defending from the Dutch, who were missing Virgil van Dijk through suspension.

    Stuttgart's Leweling went on to score the game's only goal, slamming a first-time effort into the top corner from a half-cleared corner.

    The Dutch created very few clear chances - although did hit the crossbar twice, through Cody Gakpo's cross and Xavi Simons' surging run and shot.

    Hungary won 2-0 in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the group's other game with captain Dominik Szoboszlai scoring twice.

    Germany top the group on 10 points, with the Dutch and Hungary level on points with five each.

    The team who finish second go into the quarter-finals, while the team who finish third face a relegation-promotion play-off.

  4. A family affairpublished at 09:38 British Summer Time

    Italy 4-1 Israel

    Daniel MaldiniImage source, Getty Images

    Daniel Maldini became the third generation of his family to play for Italy as he made his debut in their Nations League win over Israel.

    Father Paolo, who was in Udine watching the game, won 126 caps - and grandfather Cesare played 14 times for his country.

    The 23-year-old Monza attacking midfielder also played for Milan like his father and grandfather.

    He replaced Giacomo Raspadori with 16 minutes to go.

    It is the first time a grandfather, father and son have all played for the Italy national team.

    "It was a strong, positive feeling," said Maldini Jr.

    "I'm very happy that I came on and that the match went well. I'm glad my parents were here to watch. I will talk to them when I get home."

  5. Kolo Muani at the doublepublished at 09:31 British Summer Time

    Belgium 1-2 France

    Randal Kolo MuaniImage source, Getty Images

    Randal Kolo Muani scored twice as France beat Belgium in an incident-packed Uefa Nations League match in Brussels.

    Youri Tielemans skied a penalty for the hosts after William Saliba brought down Lois Openda, a decision given by the video assistant referee (VAR).

    France then won a penalty of their own when Wout Faes handled the ball on the ground. Kolo Muani sent goalkeeper Koen Casteels the wrong way from the spot for the 35th-minute opener.

    Openda equalised for Belgium in first-half added time with a header from Timothy Castagne's left-wing cross. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but given by the VAR.

    France thought they were back ahead through Manu Kone's strike - but it was disallowed for a handball in the build-up by Kolo Muani.

    But Paris St-Germain forward Kolo Muani scored what proved to be the winner in the 62nd minute when he headed in a Lucas Digne cross.

    However, Les Bleus played the final 14 minutes with 10 men when captain Aurelien Tchouameni was shown a second yellow card for clipping Tielemans just outside the box.

    Belgium pushed for an equaliser but could not find one.

  6. Who do Wales play next?published at 09:24 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Wales have two games left in 2024 and both are in the Nations League.

    They travel to Turkey on 16 November and host Iceland three days later.

  7. What has Bellamy learned?published at 09:17 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Dave Edwards
    Former Wales Midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    He’ll be really excited because he’s got a young, athletic team with bags of ability and they’ve got some good results and they’re in a good position. He’s gone four games unbeaten. The first Wales manager to do that in their opening four games and deserve a lot of credit.

    His biggest lesson will be the second half in games. Have kind of dropped off with significance in the second half. Last night in particular they were very resilient which is a big step forward compared to the Iceland game and the previous Montenegro game away.

    The intensity they start the first half with is always so high. Building up into the game, they’re fresh, coming out the blocks really quick.

    They weren’t able to the play at the back as much as the first half but as the grew into the latter stage of the last half they managed to wrestle back some control.

  8. What is Bellamy's Wales record so far?published at 09:10 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Craig Bellamy was appointed as Wales manager in July and since then has not lost a game with the national side.

    His tenure began with a 0-0 draw against Turkey and the boss backed up the result with a 2-1 win over Montenegro.

    The team then drew 2-2 with Iceland before last night's 1-0 win over Montenegro.

  9. 'Bellamy has shown that he’s willing to change it'published at 09:03 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Dave Edwards
    Former Wales Midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    We have seen it in the international break, they had a lot of changes in between the two games. But what he’s able to do is have a squad that are all ready to play.

    When you’re a player going into those international breaks sometimes it can be a bit disheartening because you know there’s going to be a starting 11 and that’s going to be it, you might get some minutes off the bench.

    With Craig Bellamy he shown that he’s willing to change it. Every single player needs to know the way he wants to play, that’s a big difference compared to Robert Page. They’ve all bought into it. It’s a great opportunity ahead of the world Cup qualifiers which are the important games, I think Craig Bellamy is having a really good look at every single player in his squad.

  10. get involved

    Get Involved: What do you make of your team's form?published at 08:56 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    England's form has been ok since Euro '24; easier on the eye (Greece game excepted). If Thomas Tuchel gets the England job there will be a lot of celebrating: by Scotland; Wales; France; Italy; Germany and any other nation that sees England as its rival. If it happens, watch England plummet down the world rankings.

    Martin

  11. Did you know?published at 08:49 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Harry Wilson clappingImage source, Getty Images

    Harry Wilson kept his cool from the penalty spot to give Wales a 1-0 win over Montenegro on Monday.

    Eight of Wales' last 13 goals have either been scored (5) or assisted (3) by Wilson and he has netted in three consecutive appearances for the Dragons for the very first time.

    Wilson has been directly involved in nine goals across his last 11 appearances for Wales (5 goals, 4 assists), as many as in his previous 41 games for his country.

    Want more Wales news? Read the team page here.

  12. 'He's so intelligent'published at 08:42 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Harry Wilson's penalty fired Wales to a win over Montenegro and it saw boss Craig Bellamy heap praise on the 27-year-old.

    "He's so good," Bellamy said. "You can use him in so many different areas because he is so intelligent."

    Watch his full reaction below:

    Media caption,

    Harry Wilson: Craig Bellamy praises "footballer's footballer" Wilson

  13. get involved

    Get Involved: What do you make of your team's form?published at 08:35 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Wales manager Craig Bellamy says this Nations League campaign will boost the team's chances of qualifying for the World Cup. The qualifying tournament begins in March but the experience from the current competition is helping his side, according to the boss.

    Wales have not lost under Bellamy yet, Wales fans are you happy with his tenure so far?

    And supporters beyond Wales, how are you feeling about your team's form?

    Get in touch using the information above and remember to leave your name with the message.

  14. 'It's good to be back'published at 08:28 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Joe Allen retired from international football two months after the last World Cup but was back in action for Wales in their 1-0 win over Montenegro.

    He was included in the October Nations League squad for Wales and says it's "good to be back".

    Allen added: "[It was] an incredible welcome here tonight from the supporters but also from my teammates and all the staff on camp."

    Watch his full reaction below:

    Media caption,

    Joe Allen says it was a great feeling to play again after coming out of Wales retirement

  15. 'There were loads of positives'published at 08:20 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

    Craig Bellamy and Joe Allen celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Wales head coach Craig Bellamy believes the way he has been able to use his squad in the Uefa Nations League will boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

    Monday's 1-0 victory over Montenegro made Bellamy the first Wales boss to avoid defeat in his first four games, winning two of them.

    He made seven changes to his team in Cardiff, some enforced by injury and suspension, others by his desire to experiment and assess his options before World Cup qualifying starts in March.

    "We need a big squad," said Bellamy. "The Nations League is brilliant, really competitive and it allows you to utilise the squad.

    "There were loads of positives from that. There were some players who did really well. Surely a squad really gives you a better chance of being able to qualify for a major tournament.

    "The games are so quick, you play Friday, you play Monday. It really suits the bigger nations with the bigger squads so we have to utilise our squad the best we can to give us the best chance to qualify for a major tournament."

    Read the full piece.

  16. Wilson wins itpublished at 08:13 British Summer Time

    Wales 1-0 Montenegro

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

    Harry Wilson kicking a penaltyImage source, Getty Images

    Harry Wilson inspired a much-changed Wales side to a home Nations League win over Montenegro to extend Craig Bellamy's unbeaten start as head coach.

    Wilson's penalty put Wales in front during a first half which the hosts dominated thanks largely to the Fulham playmaker's individual brilliance.

    Bellamy's side were less impressive after the break and given a fright when Montenegro substitute Andrija Radulovic hammered a 20-yard shot against the crossbar.

    However, Wales resisted their opponents' second-half improvement to earn a second win from four, making Bellamy the first Wales boss to avoid defeat in his first four matches.

    Turkey remain top of Group B4 – two points ahead of Wales – following their thrilling 4-2 comeback victory in Iceland.

    Read full report.

  17. 'Bellamy's boys have Wil to win'published at 08:08 British Summer Time

    Tuesday's back pages

    Daily Mirror

    Pep Guardiola may be the lead story for the Mirror but they also have Wales' win over Montenegro on their back page.

    Harry Wilson's penalty in the 36th minute was the difference at Cardiff City Stadium.

    MirrorImage source, Mirror
  18. Pep's Man City conundrumpublished at 08:01 British Summer Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    It was the middle of last season when the idea of Pep Guardiola becoming England manager was first floated to me by someone who knows the Manchester City boss really well.

    When Guardiola said, in the wake of a fourth successive league title, he was more likely than not to leave City when his contract expires at the end of the season, it seemed England was his potential destination.

    Three significant things have happened since.

    Firstly, speaking to the reporters who covered City during their pre-season tour of the United States in July, Guardiola pulled back from his stance in the spring by stating 'I never said I was leaving'.

    Then, after his side had drawn with Inter Milan in the Champions League last month, he ruled out a move to Italy, where he played but has never coached, partly because he said he preferred it in England.

    In addition, the main hearing into City's alleged breaches of Premier League rules has also begun.

    City officials have been quite relaxed about the situation. They have never ruled out the possibility of Guardiola staying.

    Guardiola's last two contract extensions have both been confirmed immediately after the November international break.

  19. Would you want Guardiola as England boss?published at 07:53 British Summer Time

    Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    The rumour mill is in overdrive about Pep Guardiola's links to the England job but is it an appointment fans would want to see if it came to fruition?

    Let us know using the thumb vote below if you would want the Manchester City boss in charge.

  20. 'A camp riddled with chaos & confusion'published at 07:47 British Summer Time

    Finland 1-3 England

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    England - and interim manager Lee Carsley - left Finland with a win to warm them against freezing temperatures but this has been an international camp riddled with chaos and confusion on and off the pitch.

    Carsley's side simply had to fly out of Helsinki victorious after the tactical debacle that brought defeat against Greece at Wembley on Thursday – and it was duly achieved, although in a far from convincing fashion.

    England's interim manager now has two more games, the tough trip to face Greece in Athens and a Wembley meeting with the Republic of Ireland in November, before the dizzying dance around whether he wants the job - or the Football Association actually want him to do it - must end.

    Read the full piece.