There were wins for Switzerland and Wales, while Russia snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw against England as Euro 2016 got into full swing across France.

But there was also plenty going on away from the field, from charm offensives to downright offensive. 

ALBANIANS BRING THE HOUSE DOWN

Albania s debut on a big international stage didn t quite go as they had hoped, but one thing s for sure they re here to celebrate.

Traffic was held up heading into Lens town centre as fans clambered out of windows to wave flags, or even stopped their cars completely so they could grab a flare or blow an air horn.

The carnival atmosphere continued into the city as dozens of fans, decked out in traditional dress and football tops, danced in front of music stations s…

Luton Town survived more than an hour with 10 men as they drew 0-0 with newly promoted Portsmouth to claim their first points of the campaign on Saturday.

Thomas Kaminski was given his marching orders in the 31st minute following two missed-timed challenges on Paddy Lane and Connor Ogilvie in quick succession.

But Pompey failed to make their man advantage count, with only six of their 15 attempts on target as well as having 66.5% possession.

Rob Edwards side did have their opportunities, however, missing four big chances, with the best of those falling to Elijah Adebayo, registering an xG of 0.51 from his three shots.

The points are shared by the seaside!

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown)

Meanwhile, at the Hawthorns, Leeds United remain…

Wilfried Nancy commended his Columbus Crew players for their commitment to the cause after a hectic schedule since their Leagues Cup victory, continuing with the visit of the Seattle Sounders in the MLS this weekend.

Since beating Los Angeles FC in the final at the end of last month, the Crew returned to league action with back-to-back wins, the latest of which came in dramatic fashion against New York City FC.

Derrick Jones and Jacen Russell-Rowe struck twice in injury time to seal a 4-2 win on home soil, keeping them within touching distance of FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference table.

And while head coach Nancy was not overly satisfied with his side’s most recent display, he acknowledged the physical impact has taken its toll …

Motherwell supporters are set to be given some major decisions to make following several proposals to invest in the fan-owned club.

Outgoing chairman Jim McMahon revealed at Motherwell’s annual general meeting on Wednesday night that they had received “four or five serious approaches” following a recent announcement that the club were open to investment.

Talks with two of those interested parties – one American and one multi-national – have “progressed rapidly” but both would result in significant dilution of the Well Society’s 71 per cent stake.

With the interested parties keen to push forward, Well Society members are set to be consulted given at least one of the proposals would reduce their shareholding below 50 per cent, while members have bee…

Edin Terzic believes Borussia Dortmund can break Real Madrid s winning run in Champions League finals when they meet in the showcase at Wembley on Saturday.

Madrid have won all eight finals they have played in since the Champions League replaced the European Cup in 1992, while they have also won five Champions League titles in the past 10 seasons for a total of 14 European crowns.

Terzic said records were there to be broken, but Dortmund would need to perform at the highest level.

We have to have the belief that we can achieve big things, Terzic told a press conference. We have to invest everything to bring the trophy back to Dortmund. It has been a long time.

Dortmund won the competition in 1997 and reached the final again in 2013, though they lost to …

Mohamed Salah has been named among the 100 most influential people on the planet in 2019 by the Time magazine. They also made a short video where the Liverpool forward talks about his life and the journey to get where he is, as well as some human values his own culture needs to improve on.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he will remain the Red Devils boss  until 2015.

Since 1986, Fergie has been in charge of Manchester United. He has had a tremendous run, establishing himself as arguably the best football manager of all-time.

But the Scottish manager still insists that he is going nowhere any time soon and will remain at Old Trafford for three to four more years.

 “I’ve got three or four years left,” Ferguson said. “I feel good. But when I do leave, I will leave in place a strong young team that will continue to succeed for my successor.”

In the last few years, Fergie has made it his goal to accumulate a lot of young talent. He has brought in the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and David de Gea…

Luke Shaw does not understand criticism of England manager Gareth Southgate, who is looking to lead the Three Lions to successive European Championship finals.

Having lost the final of the delayed 2020 edition on penalties to Italy, England are just one game away from the Euro 2024 showpiece game after beating Switzerland on spot-kicks on Saturday.

They face the Netherlands in the last four on Wednesday, with Southgate looking to become the first Three Lions manager to lead the team to a tournament final on foreign soil.

Saturday s quarter-final was Southgate s 100th game in charge of England. He has led the team to three semi-finals in four tournaments at the helm, after they reached two semi-finals in their previous 17 competitions before his appointment.

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Arsene Wenger is keen for Arsenal to show how far they have come since a New Year s Day nightmare when they return to Southampton.

Arsenal slumped to a dispiriting 2-0 loss at St Mary s on the first day of 2015 a defeat that still rankles with their long-serving boss.

However, almost 12 months on as they prepare for a Boxing Day assignment on the south coast, Arsenal have collected 78 points during the calendar year 10 more than any other Premier League team and are primed for a tilt at the title after Monday s stirring 2-1 win over Manchester City closed them to within two points of leaders Leicester City.

Every loss hurts and that one has not gone out of my mind,  Wenger told Arsenal Player. It was a bad moment for us but also a turning point because we res…

Influential midfielder Vince Grella has returned but the Australian squad will be without Brett Emerton and probably Harry Kewell for next week s key 2010 World Cup Asian qualifier to face Japan in Yokohama.

Grella, the Blackburn Rovers holding midfielder, was named in a 22-man squad by coach Pim Verbeek on Tuesday for the February 11 showdown with Australia s chief regional rivals.

Grella missed Australia s last three qualifying wins over Uzbekistan, Qatar and Bahrain through injury.

But Verbeek will be without Grella s Blackburn teammate Emerton, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the English Premier League season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The Socceroos will also likely be without Harry Kewell, who is recovering from an abdominal h…