From the Back Pages, June 16: Cesc Fabregas reveals Arsene Wenger told him he wasn’t needed

Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed he spoke with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger before joining Chelsea and was told his position was already covered by Mesut Ozil. (Daily Mail)
From the back pagesFrom the back pages
From the back pages

RICKIE LAMBERT will be saving any introductions to his new Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez until Thursday – hopefully following victory against Uruguay. (The Express)

England have been to too many tournaments and been lifeless, fearful and gone home early. England may be thrown out of this magnificent World Cup party prematurely but at least they are having a go, playing with a zest not seen in more sterile recent tournaments. England lost a game but gained some friends. (The Telegraph)

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Roy Hodgson insists that England can still qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup despite their energy-sapping 2-1 defeat by Italy in Manaus. (The Times)

Rafa Benitez World Cup 2014 column: Italy won because they had a good tactical plan and players of the quality to carry it out, but England can beat Uruguay. (The Independent)

France 3-0 Honduras: Well, after all that, it was quite good fun. But we can only say that because none of the France players lost a leg which, at one stage, looked pretty likely. They did pretty well to keep their cool and not get one of their own sent off, although Paul Pogba had a damn good go. They managed to play some decent football among all the violence mind, with the front three of Griezmann, Valbuena and Benzema particularly impressive. Hats off to them, and hats off to you for sticking with this one. Cheers, and goodnight. (The Guardian)

Switzerland snatched a 93rd minute winner through substitute Haris Seferovic to claim a 2-1 win over Ecuador in their World Cup opener. (The Mirror)