XVI EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP (ENGLAND 2020)
FINAL STAGE — GAME DETAILS
(From 11-06-2021 to 11-07-2021)
STADIUM: Stadio Olimpico (Roma) DATE: 11-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 12.916 REFEREE: Danny Makkelie (NED) GOALS: 0-1 (Merih [o.g.] 53’); 0-2 (Immobile 66’); 0-3 (Insigne 79’) BOOKED: Çağlar (88’), Halil (90’) [Incidents: Opening game of the European Championship, preceded by an inaugural ceremony.] |
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Turkey - Italy |
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0-3 (0-0) |
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TURKEY Uğurcan Zeki, Merih, Çağlar, Umut Kenan (Halil 76’), Okay (İrfan 65’), Ozan Tufan (Kaan 64’), Hakan Burak (c), Yusuf (Cengiz 46’) COACH: Şenol Güneş |
ITALY Donnarumma Florenzi (Di Lorenzo 46’), Bonucci, Chiellini (c), Spinazzola Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli (Cristante 74’) Berardi (Bernardeschi 85’), Immobile (Belotti 81’), Insigne (Chiesa 81’) COACH: Roberto Mancini |
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GAME SUMMARY Italy got off to a flying start in the Final Stage of Euro 2020 (which was delayed one year due to the world pandemic) with an impressive 3-0 win over Turkey in the opening game of the tournament, which set two new records in the European Championship: the largest winning margin in an opening game in Euro history and the first time Italy has scored three goal in a Final Stage. After an own-goal from Turkey defender Merih Demiral had given Italy the lead early in the second half, Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne both scored to secure Italy’s first win and a confident start to their Euro 2020 campaign. After humiliatingly failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup (for the first time in 60 years), Italy is back on track and extended their perfect qualifying campaign of 10 wins in 10 matches and their unbeaten run to 28 matches, thus boosting the Azzurri's status as a title contender. Roberto Mancini is to be credited for working the miracle of removing the word “catenaccio” in the Italian football dictionary and introducing instead a new style of “jogo bonito.”
Due to coronavirus measures, the Stadio Olimpico in Rome was only 25% full and fans sat in small groups safely distanced from one another. Still, the crowd of about 16,000 was the largest gathering in Italy since the pandemic took hold. Italy dominated from the start, but was denied in the first half by a superb save from Turkey goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır and several decisions by the Dutch referee Danny Makkelie not to award penalties for apparent handballs in the Turkish area (which would have easily been adjudged as VAR penalties in European club competitions). Mancini’s squad appeared energized from the start and dominated possession, while Turkey sat back and waited for rare counterattacks. In the first half alone, Italy produced 13 attempts and Turkey none. Midway through the period, Uğurcan made an acrobatic save to deny Giorgio Chiellini. The Italian captain was left unmarked on a corner and directed a header towards the target before the Turkish keeper leaped up to push the ball over the bar with his fingertips. In minute 53, Italy opened the scoring when Merih chested a cross from Domenico Berardi into his own net after attempting to intercept the pass. The Azzurri smelled blood, and midway the second half Immobile poked in a rebound of a shot from Leonardo Spinazzola on another play that began with Berardi. In minute 79, Insigne closed the count with a curling shot after a failed clearance by Uğurcan. |
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STADIUM: Olimpiya Stadionu (Baku) DATE: 12-06-2021 (17:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 8.782 REFEREE: Clément Turpin (FRA) GOALS: 0-1 (Embolo 49’); 1-1 (Moore 74’) BOOKED: Moore (47’) / Schär (30’), Mbabu (63’) |
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Wales - Switzerland |
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1-1 (0-0) |
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WALES Ward C. Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies Bale (c), Morrell, Allen, Ramsey (Ampadu 90+’), James (Brooks 75’) Moore COACH: Rob Page |
SWITZERLAND Sommer Elvedi, Schär, Akanji Mbabu, Freuler, Xhaka (c), Rodríguez Shaqiri (Zakaria 66’), Seferović (Gavranović 84’), Embolo COACH: Vladimir Petković |
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GAME SUMMARY Wales held Switzerland to a 1-1 draw in their opening Euro 2020 game in Baku. In a rare Welsh offensive effort, attacker Kieffer Moore equalized Breel Embolo’s opener and punished a profligate Swiss team, who dominated possession and had several chances to put the game beyond contention. The pacy Borussia Mönchengladbach attacker terrorized the Welsh defense and put Switzerland ahead four minutes after the break when he showed impressive strength to outmuscle defender Connor Roberts from a corner. A resilient Welsh team braved the storm and made the most of an isolate chance in minute 74, when Moore guided the ball into the net from a Joe Morrell delivery as he ghosted into space left by the static Swiss defense. Although a late goal by Mario Gavranović was correctly ruled out for offside, the Swiss have only themselves to blame for not killing off the game earlier, having squandered several golden chances through Haris Seferović in the first half and Embolo after the break.
Defender Fabian Schär had tried to beat keeper Danny Ward with a cheeky flick before Seferović's 27th minute curled shot sailed just over the bar. The Benfica attacker squandered two more chances before halftime as the Swiss notched 11 attempts to Wales' two in the first half. What his teammates failed to achieve with finesse in the first half, Embolo did with sheer power and speed in the 49th minute, heading in from a corner for a deserved lead after his powerful run and shot was saved by Ward seconds earlier. Two more, almost identical, Embolo bursts saw him come close to scoring again, including a 65th-minute curled shot before the Welsh hit back. With captain Gareth Bale well marked throughout, they gradually upped the pressure in search of an equalizer as the Swiss eased off and conceded some ground, and Moore found the space to beat Sommer with a glancing header and snatch an unexpected 1-1 draw for Wales. |
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STADIUM: Parken (København) DATE: 12-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 15.200 REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (ENG) GOALS: 0-1 (Pohjanpalo 60’) BOOKED: Lod (4’), Sparv (51’) [Incidents: Game suspended in minute 43 when Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collaped due to a heart attack. After he was taken to hospital and stabilized, the remaining time was resumed at 20:30 h. Højbjerg missed a penalty shot (min. 74), saved by Hrádecký.] |
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Denmark - Finland |
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0-1 (0-0) |
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DENMARK Schmeichel Wass (S. Larsen 76’), Kjær (c) (Vestergaard 63’), Christensen, Mæhle Eriksen (Jensen 43’), Højbjerg, Delaney (Cornelius 76’) Yurary Poulsen, Wind (Olsen 63’), Braithwaite COACH: Kasper Hjulmand |
FINLAND Hrádecký Raitala (Väisänen 90’), Toivio, O'Shaughnessy, Uronen Lod, Arajuuri, Sparv (c)(Schüller 76’), Kamara Pohjanpalo (Forss 84’), Pukki (Kauko 76’) COACH: Markku Kanerva |
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GAME SUMMARY Finland claimed a surprising 1-0 victory over Denmark in their first major tournament appearance, in a game overshadowed by the emergency health situation of Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, who required medical treatment on the pitch. Drama flew over Parken in minute 43 when Eriksen collapsed near the sideline and paramedics rushed onto the field. The Denmark midfielder was given CPRs as his teammates stood around him in a shielding wall for privacy. After ten endless minutes, he was carried off on a stretcher while UEFA announced that the game had been suspended “due to a medical emergency,” although at the same time asked fans to stay in their seats until further information could be provided. As the relieving news arrived from the hospital confirming that Eriksen had been stabilized and was able to breathe and talk, both teams and the referee agreed to resume the game.
As for football itself, Euro debutant Finland produced the first major surprise of the tournament by beating Denmark 1-0 thanks to a second half goal from Joel Pohjanpalo, despite the fact that the Danes dominated possession before and after the traumatic Eriksen incident. The hosts had 22 efforts but could not make them count, including a tame penalty from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg that was saved by Lukáš Hrádecký with 16 minutes remaining. Finland, in their only attempt of the game, made the most of it when Pohjanpalo headed home the winner at the hour mark. Although Denmark piled players into the Finnish box with crosses coming from both flanks, Finland remained resolute and claimed a famous victory. |
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STADIUM: Stadion Krestovskij (Sankt-Peterburg) DATE: 12-06-2021 (22:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 26.264 REFEREE: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (SPA) GOALS: 1-0 (Lukaku 10’); 2-0 (Meunier 34’); 3-0 (Lukaku 88’) BOOKED: - |
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Belgium - Russia |
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3-0 (2-0) |
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BELGIUM Courtois Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen (c) (Vermaelen 76’) Castagne (Meunier 27’), Dendoncker, Tielemans, Th. Hazard Mertens (E. Hazard 72’), Lukaku, Carrasco (Praet 77’) COACH: Roberto Martínez |
RUSSIA Shunin Mário Fernandes, Semjonov, Jikia, Zhirkov (Karavaev 43’) Zobnin (Mukhin 63’), Barinov (Diveev 46’), Golovin, Ozdoev Dzjuba (c), Kuzjaev (Cheryshev 29’ (Miranchuk 63’)) COACH: Stanislav Cherchesov |
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GAME SUMMARY Belgium eased to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Russia in their Euro 2020 opening game with two goals from Romelu Lukaku and one from Thomas Meunier to confirm their status among the European Championship favourites. The Red Devils, who were without Kevin de Bruyne (injured) and had only a cameo substitute appearance from captain Eden Hazard, went ahead after only 10 minutes through Lukaku (who dedicated the goal to his teammate and friend Christian Eriksen, who was hospitalized after collapsing in the other group game played earlier on in Copenhaguen), then doubled the score before the break courtesy of Meunier. Lukaku scored his second of the night two minutes from the end, extending his record tally with the Belgian national team to 62 goals.
Russia started the better on home soil, but flagged badly after falling behind and failed to use veteran forward Artjom Dzjuba’s height to their advantage, as they failed to test Thibaut Courtois throughout the game. Lukaku opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a well-taken finish after being played through by Dries Mertens. There were claims that the goal should not have stood, but the VAR officials ruled that, although Lukaku was offside as Mertens passed, Andrej Semjonov attempted to play the ball and thus Lukaku was no longer in an illegal position. In minute 24, a terrible head clash between Timothy Castagne and Daler Kuzjaev ended with both players being stretched out, although the worst part was for the Belgian defender, who suffered a double fracture in his eye socket and will miss the rest of the tournament. Meunier, on as a substitute for Castagne, doubled Belgium’s lead in the 34th minute, calmly slotting the ball past Anton Shunin after the Russian goalkeeper had parried a cross. With Russia not offering much to threaten Belgium, Lukaku grabbed his second in the 88th minute to cap off an emphatic (almost routine) win for Belgium and claim top position in group B. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 13-06-2021 (14:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 18.497 REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Sterling 57’) BOOKED: Foden (64’) / Ćaleta-Car (42’), Kovačić (48’), Brozović (66’) |
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England - Croatia |
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1-0 (0-0) |
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ENGLAND Pickford Walker, Stones, Mings, Trippier Foden (Rashford 71’), Phillips, Rice, Mount Kane (c)(Bellingham 82’), Sterling (Calvert-Lewin 90+’) COACH: Gareth Southgate |
CROATIA Livaković Vrsaljko, Vida, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol Modrić (c), Brozović (Vlašić 70’), Kovačić (Pašalić 85’) Kramarić (Brekalo 70’), Rebić (Petković 78’), Perišić COACH: Zlatko Dalić |
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GAME SUMMARY In a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semifinal lost to Croatia, a 57th-minute Raheem Sterling’s right-footed finish handed England a first-ever win at the start of a European Championship. Fed by Kalvin Phillips from the heart of midfield, the Manchester City forward, who had never scored in a major tournament before, slotted the ball past a hapless Dominik Livaković and silenced the critics who questioned Gareth Southgate’s decision to select him instead of Aston Villa’s playmaker Jack Grealish. Until then, England was struggling to break down Croatia.
Southgate's surprise decision to select Kalvin Phillips attracted most of the pre-match attention, but it proved an inspired move as, along with Sterling, the Leeds United midfielder was England's most accomplished performer. The Three Lions threatened right from the start, and within five minutes Phil Foden (who had bleached his hair blonde, just like England legend Paul Gascoigne in Euro 96) collected Sterling's pass on the edge of the area, worked himself into space and curled a left-footed shot off the far post. Phillips was quickly into his stride and forced Livaković to make a scrambling save with a strike from the edge of the area. On the other hand, Croatia lacked sharpness in the final third and failed to mount any pressure on England. After their early flurry failed to yield a goal, Southgate’s men showed signs of running out of ideas midway the first half and Croatia started to threat. Twelve minutes into the second half, just when the English fans began chanting for the introduction of Grealish to unhinge the Croatian defense, Sterling quelled the mounting anxiety at Wembley. Phillips, the best man on the pitch, was the catalyst as he burst forward past two men and slipped a deft pass behind the defensive line. Sterling arrived just ahead of his lunging marker and slotted a low shot past Livaković from close range. Kane was then denied in painful fashion when he crashed into the post after Duje Ćaleta-Car made a superb block to keep out his effort. Mount fired a free-kick narrowly over, but England went on the defensive in the closing stages. |
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STADIUM: Arena Națională (Bucureşti) DATE: 13-06-2021 (19:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.082 REFEREE: Andreas Ekberg (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Lainer 18’); 1-1 (Pandev 28’); 2-1 (Gregoritsch 78’); 3-1 (Arnautović 89’) BOOKED: Lainer (85’) / Trajkovski (42’), Alioski (52’) |
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Austria - North Macedonia |
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3-1 (1-1) |
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AUSTRIA Bachmann Lainer, Dragović (Lienhart 46’), Alaba (c), Hinteregger, Ulmer Laimer (Baumgartlinger 90+’), Schlager (Ilsanker 90+’), Sabitzer Kalajdžić (Arnautović 59’), Baumgartner (Gregoritsch 58’) COACH: Franco Foda |
NORTH MACEDONIA Dimitrievski S. Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu (M. Ristovski 86’), Alioski Nikolov (Bejtulai 63’), Ademi, Bardhi (Tričkovski 82’), Elmas Pandev (c), Trajkovski (Kostadinov 63’) COACH: Igor Angelovski |
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GAME SUMMARY Late goals from substitutes Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautović gave Austria a convincing 3-1 victory over European Championship debutants North Macedonia in an entertaining opening Group C clash in Bucharest. It was also the Burschen’s first win in a major tournament since the 1990 World Cup. Stefan Lainer put Austria ahead with an acrobatic effort in the 18th minute when he latched onto Marcel Sabitzer's cross-field pass at the back post, leaping into the air to beat keeper Stole Dimitrievski from a tight angle. North Macedonia captain Goran Pandev equalized ten minutes later to bag his team's first-ever goal at a major tournament after capitalising on a mix-up in the Austrian defense. The constant pressure exerted by Franco Foda’s side finally paid off in the 78th minute, when Gregoritsch prodded home a David Alaba's cross. Arnautović secured Austria’s victory in the 89th minute with a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner, after being assisted by Konrad Laimer. |
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STADIUM: Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam) DATE: 13-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 15.837 REFEREE: Felix Brych (GER) GOALS: 1-0 (Wijnaldum 52’); 2-0 (Weghorst 59’); 2-1 (Yarmolenko 75’); 2-2 (Yaremchuk 79’); 3-2 (Dumfries 85’) BOOKED: Sydorchuk (90+’) |
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Netherlands - Ukraine |
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3-2 (0-0) |
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NETHERLANDS Stekelenburg Dumfries, Timber (Veltman 88’), De Vrij, Blind (Aké 64’) De Roon, Wijnaldum (c), F. de Jong, Van Aanholt (Wijndal 64’) Weghorst (L. de Jong 88’), Depay (Malen 90+’) COACH: Frank de Boer |
UKRAINE Bushchan Karavaev, Zabarnyj, Matvienko, Mykolenko Sydorchuk, Zinchenko, Malinovs’kyj Yarmolenko (c), Yaremchuk, Zubkov (Marlos 13’ (Shaparenko 64’)) COACH: Andrij Shevchenko |
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GAME SUMMARY In the best Euro 2020 match so far into the competition, Netherlands edged out Ukraine in a five-goal thriller. Defender Denzel Dumfries headed the winner in the 85th minute after Ukraine had clawed its way back into the game thanks to goals by Andrij Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk, which cancelled off a Dutch two-goal lead courtesy of Georginio Wijnaldum and Wout Weghorst.
The Oranje dominated large parts of a frantic match in Amsterdam and deservedly went in front in the 52nd minute when the Dutch captain Wijnaldum smashed a loose ball high into the net. Soon after, Weghorst doubled the advantage with a scrappy finish. However, Ukraine showed no signs of giving up and pulled level with two goals within four minutes: a Yarmolenko's stunning curled shot was followed by a Yaremchuk's header from a free kick. Just when Ukraine looked to have earned a point, Dumfries, who had wasted a glaring chance to score the opening goal late in the first half when he missed the target with a glancing header, made amends with his late strike, helped by an erratic clearance and a soft hand by Ukraine goalkeeper Georgij Bushchan. |
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STADIUM: Hampden Park (Glasgow) DATE: 14-06-2021 (14:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.847 REFEREE: Daniel Siebert (GER) GOALS: 0-1 (Schick 42’); 0-2 (Schick 52’) BOOKED: - |
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Scotland - Czech Republic |
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0-2 (0-1) |
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SCOTLAND Marshall Hendry (McGregor 67’), Hanley, Cooper, Robertson (c) O’Donnell (Forrest 79’), McGinn, McTominay, Armstrong (Fraser 67’) Dykes (Nisbet 79’), Christie (Adams 46’) COACH: Steve Clarke |
CZECH REPUBLIC Vaclík Coufal, Čelůstka, Kalas, Bořil Masopust (Vydra 72’), Král (Holeš 67’), Darida (c) (Ševčík 87’), Souček Schick (Krmenčík 87’), Jankto (Hložek 72’) COACH: Jaroslav Šilhavý |
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GAME SUMMARY The Czech Republic claimed top position in group D after beating Scotland 2-0 at Hampden Park thanks to a brace by Bayer Leverkusen attacker Patrik Schick. His second goal, a long-range stunner from midfield, will be a serious contender to best goal of the tournament. Schick put the Czechs in front three minutes before halftime as he towered above two defenders to power home a header. Then, seven minutes into the second half, he was on target again with one of the most remarkable goals in European Championship history, picking a deflected ball just inside the midfield line and sending a curling, looping effort after having spotted the Scottish keeper David Marshall far off his line. At 45.4 meters from the goal line, this was officially the furthest distance from which a goal had been scored in the recorded history of the European Championship.
Scotland, on its return to top international competitions after a 23-year absence in a final stage, began the game at full throttle—fuelled by a vociferous home crowd who seemed to defy the fact that there were less than 10,000 of them in the stands of Hampden Park—and Lyndon Dykes spurned two glorious chances to score. Yet the Czechs weathered the early pressure and grew into the game, taking the sting out of the Scottish attacks before moving further up the pitch. Schick had a snap shot palmed away by Marshall after 15 minutes, but he made his mark decisively just before halftime. The Czech Republic, who scored more than half of its goals in qualifying from set-pieces, earned a string of corners just before the break and finally took advantage in the 42nd minute, when Vladimír Coufal curled a cross into the danger area and Schick rose brilliantly to beat his marker and angle a header into the far corner away from Marshall's despairing dive.
The second half began with a flurry of activity, through which the Czechs could have extended their lead and the Scots could have levelled the score: first Schick and then Vladimír Darida drew fine saves from Marshall, then Scotland almost equalized at the other end when Jack Hendry hit the bar. Yet Schick's astonishing finish in the 52nd minute crushed Scotland’s hopes of revival. There appeared to be little danger when the Bayer Leverkusen forward latched onto the ball just inside the Scottish half, but his instant finish curled past Marshall, who was scampering to get back into his goal and dipped just beneath the bar. Steve Clarke’s men tried to react, but Czech keeper Tomáš Vaclík saved twice from Dykes to quench their hopes of getting back into the match. |
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STADIUM: Stadion Krestovskij (Sankt-Peterburg) DATE: 14-06-2021 (19:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 12.862 REFEREE: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROM) GOALS: 0-1 (Szczęsny [o.g.] 18’); 1-1 (Linetty 46’); 1-2 (Škriniar 69’) BOOKED: Krychowiak (22’), Krychowiak (62’ > RC) / Hubočan (20’) [Incidents: Krychowiak was sent off (min. 62).] |
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Poland - Slovakia |
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1-2 (0-1) |
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POLAND Szczęsny Bereszyński, Glik, Bednarek Jóźwiak, Klich (Moder 85’), Krychowiak, Rybus (Puchacz 74’) Zieliński (Świderski 85’), Lewandowski (c), Linetty (Frankowski 74’) COACH: Paulo Sousa |
SLOVAKIA Dúbravka Pekarík (Koscelník 79’), Šatka, Škriniar, Hubočan Haraslín (Ďuriš 87’), Kucka, Hromada (Hrošovský 79’), Mak (Suslov 87’) Hamšík (c), Duda (Greguš 90+’) COACH: Štefan Tarkovič |
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GAME SUMMARY Slovakia defender Milan Škriniar capped a memorable afternoon as he complemented a superb all-round display with the winner in his side’s 2-1 win over 10-man Poland in the opening Euro 2020 group E clash. The 26-year-old center back netted a superb 69th-minute shot into the bottom-right corner after Poland had midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak sent off in the 62nd for a second yellow card. Slovakia had taken an 18th-minute lead out of the blue through an own goal by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny before Karol Linetty equalized just one minute into the second half.
Poland was on the front foot in the opening stages but, much against the run of play, fell behind as Róbert Mak beat two defenders on the left flank with neat footwork and cut inside before his shot hit the post and rebounded off Szczęsny into the net. Slovakia continued to soak up pressure but always looked dangerous on the break, and central midfielder Juraj Kucka curled a long-range effort over the bar in the 27th minute. Krychowiak came up with Poland’s first meaningful effort when his shot from 25 metres sailed over, with Slovakia’s compact defense cutting out the supply routes to striker Robert Lewandowski. Poland’s top scorer and captain failed to make any impact in the first half and scuffed an attempt from inside the penalty area woefully wide in the 42nd minute.
Poland levelled 30 seconds after the break as Mateusz Klich released Maciej Rybus and the left-back squared the ball back for Linetty to scramble a close-range shot into the far corner. The Poles were left with 10 men after Krychowiak received his marching orders for a clumsy challenge on an opponent. Soon after, Škriniar, who man-marked Lewandowski out of the game, struck with some aplomb at the other end when the Poles failed to clear a corner and the Internazionale central defender gave Szczęsny no chance with his fierce low shot from 14 metres. Lewandowski glanced a close-range header wide in the 87th minute as Poland pressed in the closing stages and Jan Bednarek missed the final chance in stoppage time when he fired wide from inside the penalty area. |
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STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico de La Cartuja (Sevilla) DATE: 14-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 10.559 REFEREE: Slavko Vinčič (SVN) GOALS: - BOOKED: Lustig (55’) |
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Spain - Sweden |
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0-0 (0-0) |
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SPAIN U. Simón M. Llorente, Laporte, P. Torres, J. Alba (c) Koke (Fabián 87’), Rodri (Thiago 66’), Pedri F. Torres (Oyarzabal 74’), Morata (Sarabia 66’), D. Olmo (Gerard 74’) COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez |
SWEDEN Olsen Lustig (Krafth 75’), Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson S. Larsson (c), Olsson (Cajuste 84’), Ekdal, Forsberg (Bengtsson 84’) Berg (Quaison 69’), Isak (Claesson 69’) COACH: Janne Andersson |
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GAME SUMMARY Spain was held to a goalless draw by a rugged Sweden team in their opening group E game in Seville, which meant the international debut of 18-year-old Pedri, the youngest Spanish player to have been handed a start for the national side in the European Championship. In another “classic” display over the last years, Spain dominated possession—as much as 91% within the first 20 minutes!!!—but were toothless upfront against a rival who defended orderly and stifled the quite predictable and slow interpassing game of Luis Enrique’s men (the poor condition of La Cartuja’s pitch meant an extra handicap for the locals). For all the Spanish dominance, it was Sweden who came closer to scoring in rare counterattacks, showing how vulnerable La Roja is in both areas. In minute 37, Álvaro Morata added to his frustration by firing a great chance just wide, but it was the visitors who came closest to scoring three minutes later as Alexander Isak’s shot was deflected onto a post by Marcos Llorente.
The second-half had even less in the way of creative attacking football, as the Swedes did their best to run the clock down with all the time wasting they could, while making occasional breaks, and Spain could not find a way through the massed yellow ranks of defenders. In minute 48, Mikael Lustig made a mess of a golden opportunity when he found himself unmarked at the back post and incredibly stumbled under no opposition. In minute 50, Morata’s right-footed shot went wide again, earning him the crowd’s whistling. Just over the hour mark, Isak somehow managed to get past four Spanish defenders who crowded him in the box and sent a pass to Berg, who misfired in front of an open goal. The ultra-defensive intentions of Janne Andersson were made clear in minute 69, when he replaced the threatening Isak for Viktor Claesson. In minute 90, Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen came to the rescue of his team once more as he produced an instant handball save to deny substitute Gerard Moreno’s header in the mouth of goal. |
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STADIUM: Puskás Aréna (Budapest) DATE: 15-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 55.662 REFEREE: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR) GOALS: 0-1 (Raphaël Guerreiro 84’); 0-2 (Cristiano Ronaldo [p.] 87’); 0-3 (Cristiano Ronaldo 90+’) BOOKED: Négo (80’), Orbán (86’) / Rúben Dias (38’) |
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Hungary - Portugal |
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0-3 (0-0) |
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HUNGARY Gulácsi Lovrencsics, Botka, Orbán, Attila Szalai, Fiola (K. Varga 88’) Kleinheisler (Sigér 78’), Nagy (R. Varga 88’), Schäfer (Négo 65’) Sallai (Schön 77’), Ádám Szalai (c) COACH: Marco Rossi |
PORTUGAL R. Patrício N. Semedo, Pepe, R. Dias, R. Guerreiro Danilo P., B. Fernandes (J. Moutinho 89’), W. Carvalho (R. Sanches 81’) B. Silva (Rafa 71’), C. Ronaldo (c), D. Jota (A. Silva 81’) COACH: Fernando Santos |
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GAME SUMMARY In a fully packed Puskás Aréna in Budapest, where nearly 60,000 unmasked fans defied COVID-19 restrictions and brought about memories of pre-pandemic football, Cristiano Ronaldo struck a late brace to become the leading goalscorer in the history of the European Championship (11 goals) and the player with more victories (12), as Portugal beat Hungary 3-0 to get its Euro 2020 campaign off to a winning start. Hungary rode a wave of early pressure from Portugal and even had a goal ruled out for offside shortly before Raphaël Guerreiro broke the deadlock at the other end with a deflected effort in the 84th minute. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the Portuguese victory from the penalty spot in the 87th to move ahead of Michel Platini as the all-time top scorer at the finals on 10 goals, which he quickly turned into 11 by dribbling the ball into the net in added time.
The action on the pitch mirrored the fervor in the stands as Portugal played with real intensity, hitting its front three with quick, long passes. Diogo Jota had the first clear sight of goal in minute 4 when he thumped a shot which was parried by keeper Péter Gulácsi, incurring the wrath of a furious Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in a better place to shoot. In minute 43, however, the Juventus star had only himself to blame when he uncharacteristically missed the target from close range after an incisive cross from Bruno Fernandes. Hungary did little attacking, but pressed energetically to limit Portugal’s space. Striker Ádám Szalai was their danger man, heading a free-kick into the arms of Rui Patricio shortly before halftime, then testing the keeper again early in the second half with an attempt from outside the box.
Portugal’s veteran defender Pepe nearly scored at the start of the second half, his header from a Bruno Fernandes corner tipped away by the ever-alert Gulácsi, who later turned away a strike from Bruno Fernandes. Hungary substitute Szabolcs Schön set the stadium alight in the 80th minute when his shot squirmed past Rui Patrício, but the linesman’s flag was quickly raised for offside to deflate the celebrations. Raphaël Guerreiro soon brought the host more pain as his scuffed shot trickled into the far bottom corner off the foot of Hungary defender Willi Orbán, who moments later fouled Rafa Silva to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to compensate for his earlier miss and score from the penalty spot. In injury time, Cristiano Ronaldo combined with Rafa to calmly dance past Gulácsi and round off a day of records after becoming the only player to feature in five European Championships and to play the most games in the tournament. |
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STADIUM: Allianz Arena (München) DATE: 15-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 13.000 REFEREE: Carlos del Cerro Grande (SPA) GOALS: 1-0 (Hummels [o.g.] 20’) BOOKED: Kimmich (7’) |
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France - Germany |
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1-0 (1-0) |
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FRANCE Lloris (c) Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Lucas Pogba, Kanté, Rabiot (Dembélé 90+’) Griezmann, Benzema (Tolisso 89’), Mbappé COACH: Didier Deschamps |
GERMANY Neuer (c) Ginter (Can 88’), Hummels, Rüdiger Kimmich, Gündoğan, Kroos, Gosens (Volland 88’) Havertz (Sané 74’), Gnabry (Werner 74’), Müller COACH: Joachim Löw |
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GAME SUMMARY France got its Euro 2020 campaign off to a winning start as it rode on Mats Hummels’ own goal to earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Germany in their group F opening match. The world champion took the lead in the 20th minute when midfielder Paul Pogba’s superb raking pass was fired back across the goal by Lucas Hernández and defender Mats Hummels shanked the ball into his own net as he tried to clear. It was a deserved win for France, who dominated the game both physically and tactically, while Germany, who lost its opening fixture at the European Championship for the first time, will be under pressure in its next game against Portugal, who earlier on the day had claimed top position in group F with a 3-0 victory over Hungary.
Germany’s record 50th Euro match got off to a tentative start before a couple of French chances fell to Pogba and Kylian Mbappé. The visitor’s gradual pressure, deploying its speed down the wings, paid off when Pogba picked out Lucas with an outstanding cross-field pass. The Bayern München’s left-back charged through and drilled the ball into the box where Hummels, feeling Mbappé snapping at his heels, tried to clear the danger but instead turned the ball into his own net past a hapless Manuel Neuer. The Mannschaft, desperate to impress in front of a home crowd to make amends for their shock 2018 World Cup first-round exit, rarely broke through the French rearguard, and when they did it was usually with Robin Gosens from the left. In minute 38, one of his crosses found İlkay Gündoğan, whose mis-hit effort veered wide of the post.
It was France who almost scored again in the 52nd minute when another quick break saw Adrien Rabiot cut in from the left and hit the post with Neuer already moving in the opposite direction. That looked to shake the hosts into action and they carved out two consecutive chances, both missed by Serge Gnabry. France gradually conceded possession but remained lethal on the break, with Mbappé and Karim Benzema both putting the ball in the net but having their efforts ruled offside. Mbappé was also denied what looked like a certain penalty after out-sprinting Hummels to chase down a long ball in the 78th minute. France, now unbeaten in its last 17 competitive outings, kept its cool until the end to launch its title quest with a morale-boosting win. |
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STADIUM: Stadion Krestovskij (Sankt-Peterburg) DATE: 16-06-2021 (16:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 24.540 REFEREE: Danny Makkelie (NED) GOALS: 0-1 (Miranchuk 45+’) BOOKED: Kamara (22’), O'Shaughnessy (90’) / Barinov (27’), Ozdoev (34’), Jikia (88’) |
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Finland - Russia |
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0-1 (0-1) |
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FINLAND Hrádecký Raitala (Soiri 75’), Toivio (Jensen 85’), O'Shaughnessy, Uronen Lod, Arajuuri (c), Schüller (Kauko 67’), Kamara Pukki (Lappalainen 75’), Pohjanpalo COACH: Markku Kanerva |
RUSSIA Safonov Mário Fernandes (Karavaev 26’), Barinov, Diveev, Jikia Ozdoev (Zhemaletdinov 61’), Zobnin, Kuzjaev Miranchuk (Mukhin 85’), Dzjuba (c) (Sobolev 85’), Golovin COACH: Stanislav Cherchesov |
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GAME SUMMARY Russia opened its tally at the European Championship with a 1-0 win over Finland thanks to a slick one-two and a beautiful curling shot by Aleksej Miranchuk in injury time of the first half. A loss would have left Russia with an extremely difficult task to qualify for the knock-out stage, given its last match is a trip to Denmark on Monday. Now Russia is tied on points with the Finns, who missed the chance to reach the last 16 with a game to spare with a second straight victory in their first major football tournament. Their first victory was 1-0 over Denmark in a match marked by Christian Eriksen’s collapse.
It came as no surprise that Artjom Dzjuba was involved in Miranchuk’s superbly taken goal, which wasn’t in keeping with the overall standard of the game. The big center forward was the focal point of all Russia’s attacks, though this one involved him using good footwork instead of his renowned aerial prowess. Miranchuk collected the ball on the edge of the area and slipped a short ball forward to Dzjuba, who laid it off deftly back to the playmaker. Miranchuk took one touch to cut inside Finland defender Daniel O’Shaughnessy and, with barely any back-lift, floated his shot beyond goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký and into the top corner. Finland, cheered on by about 4,000 fans who made the 200-kilometer journey from the Finnish border to St. Petersburg, was the better team in the early stages and had a headed goal by Joel Pohjanpalo ruled out by video review in the third minute (literally, on a hair tip). The only bad news for Russia was the loss of right-back Mário Fernandes, who was taken to the hospital with a suspected spinal injury after landing on his back in a nasty fall midway the first half. |
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STADIUM: Olimpiya Stadionu (Baku) DATE: 16-06-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 19.762 REFEREE: Artur Soares Dias (POR) GOALS: 0-1 (Ramsey 42’); 0-2 (C. Roberts 90+’) BOOKED: Burak (90+’), Hakan (90+’) / Mepham (90+’), B. Davies (90+’) [Incidents: Bale missed a penalty shot (min. 61).] |
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Turkey - Wales |
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0-2 (0-1) |
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TURKEY Uğurcan Zeki, Kaan, Çağlar, Umut (Mert Müldür 72’) Kenan (Halil 75’), Hakan, Okay (Merih 46’), Ozan Tufan (Yusuf 46’) Burak (c), Cengiz (İrfan 83’) COACH: Şenol Güneş |
WALES Ward C. Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies Bale (c), Morrell, Ramsey (Wilson 85’), Allen (Ampadu 73’) Moore, James (N. Williams 90+’) COACH: Rob Page |
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GAME SUMMARY Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts gave Gareth Bale-led Wales outfit a 2-0 victory over Turkey at Baku’s Olympic Stadium, allowing the British team to take a big step closer to qualifying for the knock-out stages of the European Championship. Ramsey failed to convert two chances early in the first half, but scored just before halftime when he made a run through the middle to chest down Bale’s perfect ball over the defense and slip it past the Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır. Wales could have doubled the lead at the hour mark when Bale was tripped by Zeki Çelik at the edge of the box and awarded a penalty, but the Welsh captain skied his effort after a stuttering run up. Wales scored right at the death in injury time when a corner was played short and Connor Roberts was on hand to divert a Bale pass past Uğurcan to seal the victory. |
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STADIUM: Stadio Olimpico (Roma) DATE: 16-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 12.445 REFEREE: Sergej Karasjov (RUS) GOALS: 1-0 (Locatelli 26’); 2-0 (Locatelli 52’); 3-0 (Immobile 89’) BOOKED: Gavranović (49’), Embolo (79’) |
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Italy - Switzerland |
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3-0 (1-0) |
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ITALY Donnarumma Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini (c) (Acerbi 24’), Spinazzola Barella (Cristante 86’), Jorginho, Locatelli (Pessina 86’) Berardi (Rafael Tolói 70’), Immobile, Insigne (Chiesa 69’) COACH: Roberto Mancini |
SWITZERLAND Sommer Elvedi, Schär (Zuber 57’), Akanji Mbabu (Widmer 58’), Freuler (Sow 84’), Xhaka (c), Rodríguez Shaqiri (Vargas 76’), Seferović (Gavranović 46’), Embolo COACH: Vladimir Petković |
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GAME SUMMARY Manuel Locatelli bagged a brace of goals for the first time in his career as imperious Italy defeated Switzerland 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to become the first side into the last-16 of Euro 2020. The Azzurri outclassed their opponents and delighted the home crowd with another display of the new Italian offensive football introduced by Roberto Mancini. Captain Giorgio Chiellini thought he had scored the opener when he powered past two defenders to fire in from close range, only for his effort to be ruled out for handball. After the skipper’s injury, Italy was not to be denied. Locatelli started and finished the move from which he opened the scoring, netting from close range following Sassuolo teammate Domenico Berardi’s excellent run down the right wing. The Swiss pressed high after the break in search of an equalizer, but it was Italy who scored again with Locatelli rifling in from the edge of the box for his second goal of the evening. Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma stopped a double effort from Steven Zuber in the 64th minute to protect his flawless record over the last ten games, before Immobile twice fired narrowly wide. The Lazio striker did get onto the scoresheet in the 89th, however, thumping in his shot from 20 metres to beat keeper Yann Sommer. |
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STADIUM: Arena Națională (Bucureşti) DATE: 17-06-2021 (16:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 10.001 REFEREE: Fernando Rapallini (ARG) GOALS: 1-0 (Yarmolenko 29’); 2-0 (Yaremchuk 34’); 2-1 (Alioski 57’) BOOKED: Shaparenko (43’) / Velkovski (59’), Avramovski (83’) [Incidents: Alioski missed a penalty shot (min. 57), saved by Bushchan, but the North Macedonian midfielder picked up the deflected ball and scored on second attempt. Malinovs’kyj missed a penalty shot (min. 84), saved by Dimitrievski.] |
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Ukraine - North Macedonia |
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2-1 (2-0) |
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UKRAINE Bushchan Karavaev, Zabarnyj, Matvienko, Mykolenko Shaparenko (Sydorchuk 78’), Stepanenko, Zinchenko, Malinovs’kyj (Sobol’ 90+’) Yarmolenko (c) (Tsygankov 70’), Yaremchuk (Besedin 70’) COACH: Andrij Shevchenko |
NORTH MACEDONIA Dimitrievski S. Ristovski, Velkovski (Tričkovski 85’), Musliu Nikolov (Trajkovski 46’), Ademi (Ristevski 85’), Spirovski (Čurlinov 46’), Bardhi (Avramovski 77’), Alioski Pandev (c), Elmas COACH: Igor Angelovski |
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GAME SUMMARY Andrij Yarmolenko grabbed a goal and an assist as Ukraine edged out North Macedonia 2-1 in Bucharest to boost its chances of reaching the European Championship knock-out stages, leaving its opponents' hopes hanging by a thread. Yarmolenko put Ukraine ahead from a corner in the 29th minute, popping up at the back post to beat Stole Dimitrievski with a side-footed finish after latching on to Oleksandr Karavaev’s flick-on. Ukraine's captain helped double the lead five minutes later, receiving the ball wide on the right and finding Roman Yaremchuk, who raced into the penalty area and bent a low shot past Dimitrievski at the near post.
Dimitrievski produced a fine save early in the second half to deny Ruslan Malinovs’kyj when the midfielder curled a free-kick destined for the top corner, sticking a palm out and deflecting it onto the crossbar. Goran Pandev raised North Macedonia’s hopes when he got in behind the defense and calmly chipped the ball over the keeper to score, but its joy was short-lived when the linesman’s offside flag went up. Ezđan Alioski dragged North Macedonia back into the match from a 57th-minute penalty after Karavaev fouled Goran Pandev. Georgij Bushchan saved the spot-kick, but the ball rebounded straight back to Alioski, who fired home his second attempt. Ukraine had numerous opportunities to restore its two-goal cushion, but Dimitrievski stood strong to deny them as his defense floundered. Ukraine was awarded a late penalty after Daniel Avramovski was adjudged to have handled the ball following a video assistant referee intervention, but Dimitrievski batted away Ruslan Malinovs’kyj’s effort from the spot. |
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STADIUM: Parken (København) DATE: 17-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 23.395 REFEREE: Björn Kuipers (NED) GOALS: 1-0 (Yurary Poulsen 2’); 1-1 (Th. Hazard 55’); 1-2 (De Bruyne 70’) BOOKED: Wass (59’), Damsgaard (69’), Jensen (81’) / Th. Hazard (90’) [Incidents: In minute 10, the game was stopped to show support for Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, recovering at a Copenhagen hospital from a heart attack suffered during the previous game Denmark-Finland.] |
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Denmark - Belgium |
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1-2 (1-0) |
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DENMARK Schmeichel Christensen, Kjær (c), Vestergaard (Olsen 84’), Mæhle Wass (Stryger Larsen 61’), Højbjerg, Delaney (Jensen 72’) Braithwaite, Y. Poulsen (Nørgaard 61’), Damsgaard (Cornelius 72’) COACH: Kasper Hjulmand |
BELGIUM Courtois Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen (c) Meunier, Dendoncker (Witsel 59’), Tielemans, Th. Hazard (Verm. 90+’) Mertens (De Bruyne 46’), Lukaku, Carrasco (E. Hazard 59’) COACH: Roberto Martínez |
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GAME SUMMARY Kevin de Bruyne notched a goal and an assist to push Belgium towards a comeback and a ticket to the knock-out stages, after going behind from an early goal scored by Yurary Poulsen. Both sides’ fans and players participated in a tribute to Christian Eriksen before kick-off as a giant Denmark shirt with the player’s name and number 10 was displayed on the pitch. The two teams then stopped for a moment’s applause in the 10th minute and the Danish crowd unfurled a banner saying: “All of Denmark is with you, Christian.”
Denmark had the perfect start when midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg intercepted the ball to feed an unmarked Yurary Poulsen, who arrowed a right-footed shot into the bottom corner with only 99 seconds on the clock, the second-fastest goal in the recorded history of the European Championship. Belgium was poor in the first half but equalized nine minutes into the second from a counterattack when Romelu Lukaku used his power to drive the ball forward and find De Bruyne, who squared the ball for Thorgan Hazard to score with a tap-in. De Bruyne then broke Danish hearts when he gave Belgium the lead in the 70th minute, receiving the ball at the edge of the box from a slick passing move and firing a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Denmark never gave up and had numerous attempts to equalize, with FC Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite hitting the bar with a header and narrowly failing to connect with a cross. Belgium leads group B with six points and became the second side in the tournament (after Italy) to clinch its place in the last 16. Denmark has yet to earn a point and will need to win its final game against Russia and hope it is enough to get the team through. |
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STADIUM: Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam) DATE: 17-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 15.243 REFEREE: Orel Grinfeld (ISR) GOALS: 1-0 (Depay [p.] 11’); 2-0 (Dumfries 67’) BOOKED: De Roon (14’) / Alaba (10’), Bachmann (67’) |
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Netherlands - Austria |
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2-0 (1-0) |
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NETHERLANDS Stekelenburg Dumfries, De Vrij, De Ligt, Blind (Aké 64’), Van Aanholt (Wijndal 64’) De Roon (Gravenberch 74’), Wijnaldum (c), F. de Jong Weghorst (Malen 64’), Depay (L. de Jong 82’) COACH: Frank de Boer |
AUSTRIA Bachmann Dragović (Lienhart 84’), Alaba (c), Hinteregger Lainer, Laimer (Grillitsch 61’), Schlager (Onisiwo 84’), Sabitzer, Ulmer Baumgartner (Lazaro 70’), Gregoritsch (Kalajdžić 61’) COACH: Franco Foda |
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GAME SUMMARY Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries scored as the Netherlands beat Austria 2-0 to emerge as the group C winner and book a berth in the last 16. The Dutch cannot be overtaken at the head of the standings after a second win, while Austria’s hopes rest on the result of its last match against Ukraine. An 11th-minute penalty committed by Austrian captain David Alaba on Dumfries in the corner of the area was netted by Depay to provide an early platform for the home side, and flying right-back Dumfries proved a popular scorer at the Johan Cruyff Arena as he doubled the tally in the 67th minute with his second goal in as many matches. Dumfries had scored the dramatic late winner as the Dutch edged Ukraine 3-2 in the opening game, but there was less of a frenetic feel this time for the PSV defender, as he coasted at ease through the match. Depay had two more first-half chances to add to his tally, hitting the side netting with a snap effort after another Alaba mistake and conjuring up a horror miss five minutes before the break. Attack partner Wout Weghorst played a square ball in for the unmarked Depay at the back post, but he rushed the effort and skied his side-footed shot wide. The second goal came after Donyell Malen beat the offside trap and unselfishly played in the charging Dumfries, whose finish was enthusiastically celebrated by his teammates and the 16,000-strong crowd. Austria’s first effort on goal came as late as the 84th minute, when substitute Karim Onisiwo headed straight at home goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Without the suspended “bad boy” Marko Arnautović, Austria lacked a cutting edge in attack which will be much needed against Ukraine if they want to qualify. |
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STADIUM: Stadion Krestovskij (Sankt-Peterburg) DATE: 18-06-2021 (16:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.525 REFEREE: Daniel Siebert (GER) GOALS: 1-0 (Forsberg [p.] 77’) BOOKED: Olsson (23’) / Dúbravka (76’), Duda (80’), Weiss (87’) |
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Sweden - Slovakia |
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1-0 (0-0) |
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SWEDEN Olsen Lustig, Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson (Bengtsson 88’) S. Larsson (c), Olsson (Claesson 64’), Ekdal (Svensson 88’), Forsberg (Krafth 90+’) Isak, Berg (Quaison 64’) COACH: Janne Andersson |
SLOVAKIA Dúbravka Pekarík (Haraslín 64’), Šatka, Škriniar, Hubočan (Hancko 84’) Koscelník, Kucka, Hamšík (c) (Bénes 77’), Hrošovský (Ďuriš 84’), Mak (Weiss 77’) Duda COACH: Štefan Tarkovič |
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GAME SUMMARY After an ultra-defensive game against Spain, Sweden activated its front duo, Alexander Isak and Marcus Berg, and produced a convincing attacking display which earned it a deserved victory against Slovakia, thus boosting the Swedish chances of qualifying for the knock-out stage. Following an insipid first half short of clear-cut chances, Sweden stepped up its intensity in the second half and scored the winner thanks to a 77th-minute penalty converted by Emil Forsberg, after Martin Dúbravka had tripped up Robin Quaison.
Both teams threatened to score from set pieces early in the first half, but Slovakia’s Juraj Kucka and Sweden’s Mikael Lustig saw their headers sail over the bar. Sweden was compact at the back, as it was against Spain in its goalless opener, and it was center back Victor Lindelöf who was initiating the team’s attacks with his distribution from a high defensive line, which was at times camped in the rival’s half. Slovakia switched to a five-man defense when it was out of possession, frustrating the Swedes, who were unable to string passes in the final third while the Slovak defense easily won the aerial duels. Slovakia eventually made inroads into the final third towards the end of the first half as Sweden retreated, but it lacked the creativity to make the final pass count, and the first 45 minutes ended with neither goalkeeper tested.
Sweden started the second half on the front foot, with Isak and Forsberg having shots blocked in the first two minutes. At the other end, Ondrej Duda found space to pull the trigger at the edge of the box, but saw his shot fly centimeters over the crossbar. Sweden’s Ludwig Augustinsson brought the crowd to life at the hour mark when he directed a powerful header on target, but he was denied by a fine reflex save from Dúbravka, who tipped it over the bar. Isak turned things up a notch, leaping high to win a header which drifted agonizingly over before his nifty footwork allowed him to make a solo run from his own half past three defenders to curl an effort that was parried away by Dúbravka. The young Real Sociedad attacker then turned provider when he released substitute Quaison, who drew a foul from Dúbravka in the box, giving Forsberg the chance to convert from the penalty spot and seal three important points for Sweden. |
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STADIUM: Hampden Park (Glasgow) DATE: 18-06-2021 (17:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 5.607 REFEREE: Carlos del Cerro Grande (SPA) GOALS: 0-1 (Schick [p.] 37’); 1-1 (Perišić 47’) BOOKED: Lovren (35’) / Masopust (50’), Bořil (82’), Hložek (90+’) |
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Croatia - Czech Republic |
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1-1 (0-1) |
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CROATIA Livaković Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Gvardiol Perišić, Modrić (c), Kramarić (Vlašić 62’), Kovačić (Brozović 87’), Brekalo (Ivanušec 46’) Rebić (Petković 46’) COACH: Zlatko Dalić |
CZECH REPUBLIC Vaclík Coufal, Čelůstka, Kalas, Bořil Masopust (Hložek 63’), Holeš (Král 63’), Darida (c) (Barák 87’), Souček, Jankto (Ševčík 74’) Schick (Krmenčík 74’) COACH: Jaroslav Šilhavý |
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GAME SUMMARY In the wake of his fantastic performance against Scotland, Patrik Schick scored his third goal of the European Championship, making him the top scorer of Euro 2020, as the Czech Republic got closer to a berth in the knock-out stages after playing out a 1-1 draw with Croatia, whose own qualification hopes will go down to the wire. The 2018 World Cup semi-finalists were well off the pace in the early stages and Schick should have scored the opener after 17 minutes, but the Bayer Leverkusen attacker failed to connect properly with Vladimír Coufal’s cross from the right. In minute 34, the Croats were dealt a huge blow when the Czechs were awarded a penalty after Dejan Lovren’s flailing elbow clattered into Schick’s face. Schick, with a bloody nose from the challenge, picked himself off the pitch and wiped blood from his nose before burying the spot kick. That was not enough to secure victory, however, as Ivan Perišić equalized two minutes into the second half after receiving the ball on the left channel, cutting inside and firing a thunderous shot into the top corner. Both teams had chances to score the winner, but no more goals were added. The result left the Czechs with four points from their two games and a giant step closer to booking their spot in the last 16. They face England in their final game at Wembley on Tuesday, knowing victory would see them top the group while defeat would probably not be fatal. For Croatia, which has one point, the situation is more pressing, as they will face Scotland at Hampden Park in its final outing knowing defeat would end its campaign, while victory would put it in a good position to reach the knock-outs. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 18-06-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 20.306 REFEREE: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (SPA) GOALS: - BOOKED: McGinn (15’), O’Donnell (87’) |
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England - Scotland |
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0-0 (0-0) |
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ENGLAND Pickford James, Stones, Mings, Shaw Foden (Grealish 63’), Phillips, Rice, Mount Kane (c) (Rashford 74’), Sterling COACH: Gareth Southgate |
SCOTLAND Marshall O’Donnell, McTominay, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson (c) Gilmour (Armstrong 76’), McGinn, McGregor Dykes, Adams (Nisbet 86’) COACH: Steve Clarke |
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GAME SUMMARY The oldest rivalry in the history of football ended in a stalemate as England was given a cold dose of reality by a gutsy Scotland side in a Euro 2020 edition of the “Battle of Britain” at a rain-swept Wembley Stadium. Knowing victory would have sealed a place in the last 16, Gareth Southgate’s side produced a nervous performance against the Tartan Army, who kept their own hopes alive. Scotland rode its luck at times, with John Stones heading against the woodwork early on for England, but almost scored themselves with Stephen O’Donnell, Lyndon Dykes and Ché Adams going close.
When the heavens opened shortly before kick-off, it felt like the perfect stage for Scotland’s Bravehearts to upset the odds on the Auld Enemy’s turf, and Steve Clarke’s men rose to the occasion. Ché Adams, one of four changes from the side that started in the 2-0 home defeat by the Czech Republic, almost drew first blood for the Scots in the fourth minute when his goalbound shot from O’Donnell’s cut-back struck Stones. England responded with Stones left completely unmarked from a Mason Mount corner to thump a header against the upright, with goalkeeper David Marshall a bystander. The host cranked up the pressure and Mount wasted a glorious chance after good work by Raheem Sterling. England lacked control, however, and back came Scotland with the impressive O’Donnell forcing England keeper Jordan Pickford into the game’s first meaningful save with a back-post volley. For all of England’s territorial superiority, the Three Lions failed to land a shot on target in the first half and were crying out for the dribbling skills of Jack Grealish. Scotland, on the other hand, reached the interval growing in the belief that something special was brewing.
Southgate resisted the temptation to play his cards at halftime and England began the second period positively, with Mount’s fiercely-hit shot forcing Marshall into his first save of the night. Reece James, one of two changes to the England side that beat Croatia, lifted a shot over after a patient spell of England possession. It was all too frantic for the host though, and England suffered another scare when James headed a Dykes effort off the line. Shortly afterwards, the much anticipated Grealish entered the fray replacing Phil Foden. Captain Harry Kane again lacked sharpness and was replaced by Marcus Rashford with 16 minutes remaining. England piled on some late pressure, but Scotland clung on for a deserved share of the spoils. |
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STADIUM: Puskás Aréna (Budapest) DATE: 19-06-2021 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 55.998 REFEREE: Michael Oliver (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Fiola 45+’); 1-1 (Griezmann 66’) BOOKED: Botka (52’) / Pavard (10’) |
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Hungary - France |
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1-1 (1-0) |
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HUNGARY Gulácsi Négo, Botka, Orbán, Attila Szalai, Fiola Kleinheisler (Lovrencsics 84’), Nagy, Schäfer (Cseri 75’) Ádám Szalai (c) (Nikolić 26’), Sallai COACH: Marco Rossi |
FRANCE Lloris (c) Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Digne Pogba (Tolisso 76’), Kanté, Rabiot (Dembélé 57’ (Lemar 87’)) Griezmann, Benzema (Giroud 76’), Mbappé COACH: Didier Deschamps |
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GAME SUMMARY Under a scorching sun in Budapest, a determined Hungary team held France to a 1-1 draw. Antoine Greizmann rescued a point for the world champions and prevented a massive upset in front of a full house at the Puskás Aréna. Attila Fiola had given the hosts a dream halftime lead after France missed three gilt-edged chances. Péter Gulácsi made a double save from Karim Benzema and Griezmann inside the opening quarter-hour and then watched in relief as Kylian Mbappé headed over the top from metres out after Benzema had teed him up in the 17th minute. It looked a matter of time before Les Bleus would break the deadlock, but when Mbappé returned the favor to Benzema just after the half-hour mark, the Real Madrid attacker sliced wide after the ball bobbled off his shin. Little had gone for Hungary up to that point, losing captain Ádám Szalai to injury in minute 26. France’s profligacy was then punished at the end of the half as left-back Fiola collected a cross-field pass from Ádám Nagy, played a one-two with Roland Sallai and outpaced the French defense to coolly side-foot home a goal met with a rapturous response from the ecstatic crowd. For all of France’s pressure in the second half, it took until the 66th minute for the equalizer, at the end of an uncharacteristic move from Les Bleus, which didn’t involve their usual midfield guile and panache, but a Route One kick upfield from their goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris’ punt was let bounce by the Hungarian defense and Mbappé reached the ball with his frightening pace. His square ball was barely intercepted by Willi Orbán, whose effort to clear only contrived to tee up a close-in finish for Griezmann. |
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STADIUM: Allianz Arena (München) DATE: 19-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 12.926 REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Cristiano Ronaldo 15’); 1-1 (Rúben Dias [o.g.] 35’); 1-2 (Raphaël Guerreiro [o.g.] 39’); 1-3 (Havertz 51’); 1-4 (Gosens 60’); 2-4 (Diogo Jota 67’) BOOKED: Havertz (66’), Ginter (77’) |
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Portugal - Germany |
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2-4 (1-2) |
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PORTUGAL R. Patrício N. Semedo, Pepe, R. Dias, R. Guerreiro B.Silva (R.S. 46’), B. Fernandes (J. M. 64’), Danilo P., W. Carvalho (Rafa58’) C. Ronaldo (c), D. Jota (A. Silva 83’) COACH: Fernando Santos |
GERMANY Neuer (c) Ginter, Hummels (Can 63’), Rüdiger Kimmich, Gündoğan (Süle 73’), Kroos, Gosens (Halstenberg 63’) Havertz (Goretzka 73’), Gnabry (Sané 87’), Müller COACH: Joachim Löw |
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GAME SUMMARY Germany completed an incredible comeback to beat Portugal 4-2 and keep their qualification hopes alive, after one of the best games so far in Euro 2020. Two first half own goals and another two second half strikes from Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens heralded the arrival of the Mannschaft as a serious contender to the championship. Cristiano Ronaldo had given the title holders a 15th minute lead, but Germany went in at the break 2-1 up thanks to own goals from Rúben Dias and Raphaël Guerreiro. The Germans turned on the style in the second half with goals from Havertz and the impressive Gosens, making it 4-1 before Diogo Jota pulled a goal back for Portugal.
Germany, smarting from its opening defeat to the French, started with purpose and confidence. Joachim Löw’s men thought they had grabbed the lead in the fifth minute through Gosens, but VAR ruled that Serge Gnabry was in an offside position. Against the run of play, Portugal took an early lead, hitting the Germans on the break with Bernardo Silva picking out Diogo Jota on the left of the box, whose low cross was tapped in from close range by Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite this shock, Germany kept their cool and continued to play positive football before eventually getting their reward in the 35th minute when Joshua Kimmich’s cross from the right was volleyed at the back post by Gosens and flew into the net off the outstretched foot of Portugal defender Rúben Dias, as he looked to stop Havertz from converting. It was another own goal that gave Germany the lead, four minutes later, when Kimmich drove in a low ball from the right and Raphaël Guerreiro’s attempted clearance flew past his goalkeeper Rui Patrício.
Portugal replaced Bernardo Silva with Renato Sanches at the break, but Germany took a firm grip on the game with a third goal six minutes after the restart, when a well-worked passing move ended with Havertz turning in a low ball from the left delivered by the influential Gosens. Germany was buzzing now and it was no surprise when it made it 4-1 on the hour with Gosens finishing off another well constructed attack, heading home a Kimmich cross at the far post. Portugal struck back quickly though when a deep free-kick from Raphaël Guerreiro looked to be heading out, but Cristiano Ronaldo acrobatically hooked the ball inside to Diogo Jota, who slotted home. Renato Sanches fired a warning of a potential comeback when he thundered a long distance drive against the woodwork, but Germany’s victory was never really in doubt. |
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STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico de La Cartuja (Sevilla) DATE: 19-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.742 REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Morata 25’); 1-1 (Lewandowski 54’) BOOKED: Pau Torres (81’), Rodri (90+’) / Klich (36’), Moder (57’), Jóźwiak (59’), Lewandowski (90+’) [Incidents: Gerard missed a penalty shot (min. 58).] |
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Spain - Poland |
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1-1 (1-0) |
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SPAIN U. Simón M. Llorente, Laporte, P. Torres, J. Alba (c) Koke (Sarabia 68’), Rodri, Pedri Gerard (Fabián 68’), Morata (Oyarzabal 87’), D. Olmo (F. Torres 61’) COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez |
POLAND Szczęsny Bereszyński, Glik, Bednarek (Dawidowicz 85’) Jóźwiak, Klich (Kozłowski 55’), Zieliński, Moder (Linetty 85’), Puchacz Świderski (Frankowski 68’), Lewandowski (c) COACH: Paulo Sousa |
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GAME SUMMARY Spain was again haunted by its inability to finish off chances as it drew 1-1 with Poland and left its hopes of advancing to the knock-out stage hanging in the balance. Álvaro Morata gave Spain the lead in the 25th minute but Poland, who had hit the woodwork twice in the first half, deservedly drew level with a towering header from Robert Lewandowski in the 54th. Spain was given a penalty soon after, but Gerard Moreno blasted his shot against the post and Morata scuffed the rebound wide, leaving Luis Enrique’s side cursing its profligacy just as in its goalless opening draw with Sweden.
Spain played less fluid football than against Sweden but was more direct, while Poland showed far more ambition than the Swedes had and came close to taking an early lead when Mateusz Klich let fly from long range and struck the top of the bar. But it was Spain who went in front when Gerard cut in from the right wing to cross with his stronger left foot and Morata diverted the ball into the net. The striker was initially flagged offside, but a VAR review gave him the goal and he ran to the sideline to embrace coach Luis Enrique, who has shown so much faith in him in the last two weeks after the Juventus striker was booed twice by Spain’s supporters. La Roja nearly doubled its lead when Gerard flashed a free-kick wide, but Poland came within centimeters of equalizing when Karol Świderski’s shot skidded off the post and into the path of Lewandowski, who was thwarted by a fine save from Unai Simón. Spain should have struck again at the end of the first half when Gerard hit the side netting from close range.
Poland kept testing the Spanish defense in the second half and deservedly found a way through when Lewandowski towered over central defender Aymeric Laporte to head Kamil Jóźwiak’s cross into the bottom corner. Spain got an unexpected chance to restore its lead when Gerard was caught by Jakub Moder and the Villarreal attacker, who scored all 13 penalties he took last season with his club, hammered his spot-kick against the post. To add insult to injury, Morata could not keep his composure either when the ball bounced towards him and he shot wide in front of an open goal with the goalkeeper on the ground. Luis Enrique’s side kept looking for a winner, but had none of its customary cool and resorted to long balls into the box. It was not far from finding another goal though when substitute Ferran Torres headed wide and Poland keeper Wojciech Szczęsny made two brave saves to thwart Ferran Torres and Morata from point-blank range. |
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STADIUM: Stadio Olimpico (Roma) DATE: 20-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.541 REFEREE: Ovidiu Haţegan (ROM) GOALS: 1-0 (Pessina 39’) BOOKED: Pessina (79’) / Allen (51’), Ampadu (RC 55’), Gunter (79’) [Incidents: Ampadu was sent off (min. 55).] |
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Italy - Wales |
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1-0 (1-0) |
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ITALY Donnarumma (Sirigu 89’) Rafael Tolói, Bonucci (c) (Acerbi 46’), Bastoni, Emerson Palmieri Pessina (Castrovilli 87’), Jorginho (Cristante 75’), Verratti Bernardeschi (Raspadori 75’), Belotti, Chiesa COACH: Roberto Mancini |
WALES Ward Rodon, Ampadu, Gunter C.Roberts, Morrell (Moore 60’), Allen (Levitt 86’), N.Williams (B.Davies 86’) Bale (c) (Brooks 86’), Ramsey, James (Wilson 74’) COACH: Rob Page |
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GAME SUMMARY Italy completed a perfect group stage at Euro 2020 with a 1-0 win over 10-man Wales thanks to Matteo Pessina’s goal in the 39th minute. Despite this defeat, the Welsh will also advance to the knock-out rounds on goal difference over Switzerland, who won 3-1 over Turkey. Italy, already qualified ahead of its last game, made as many as eight changes in its starting line-up. Forwards Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne were on the bench but didn't play, while defender Giorgio Chiellini was left out of the squad due to a muscular problem.
The Italian side got the first chance of a match that had a slow start. Alessandro Bastoni sent the ball toward Andrea Belotti, but it was too high for him to head it in as he would have wanted to. Wales had a frustrating start as they struggled to retain possession and watched the game being mostly played in their own half. Whenever the Welsh team managed to get close to the box, the Italian defenders were efficient to clear the danger. Italy converted its dominance into an advantage on the scoreboard in the 39th minute. Verratti was fouled but picked himself up to take a free-kick to the near post, where Pessina deflected it into the far corner.
Back after the break, Federico Bernardeschi hit the post after a free-kick and missed the chance to make it 2-0. Wales tried to show a reaction when Aaron Ramsey had the ball in the box, but he was smothered by the several blue jerseys in front of him. Their hopes of clinching a point were crushed when Ampadu was sent off after he fouled Bernardeschi without the ball and Gareth Bale’s volley went over the top in their best chance of the match. Italy were pushing until the end, but were stopped by a good performance of Wales keeper Danny Ward. |
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STADIUM: Olimpiya Stadionu (Baku) DATE: 20-06-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 17.138 REFEREE: Slavko Vinčič (SVN) GOALS: 1-0 (Seferović 6’); 2-0 (Shaqiri 26’); 2-1 (İrfan 62’); 3-1 (Shaqiri 68’) BOOKED: Xhaka (78’) / Hakan (70’), Zeki (75’), Çağlar (76’) |
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Switzerland - Turkey |
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3-1 (2-0) |
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SWITZERLAND Sommer Elvedi, Akanji, Rodríguez Widmer (Mbabu 90+’), Freuler, Xhaka (c), Zuber (Benito 85’) Embolo (Mehmedi 85’), Shaqiri (Vargas 75’), Seferović (Gavranović 75’) COACH: Vladimir Petković |
TURKEY Uğurcan Zeki, Merih, Çağlar, Mert Müldür OzanT.(Yusuf 63’), Kaan(Okay 63’), İrfan(Orkun 80’), Hakan(Dorukhan 86’) Cengiz (Kenan 80’), Burak (c) COACH: Şenol Güneş |
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GAME SUMMARY Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice to lead Switzerland to a 3-1 win against Turkey that kept their qualification hopes alive as one of the best third-placed teams to advance to the last 16, while Turkey exit the competition after a third straight defeat. Haris Seferović opened the scoring for Switzerland in the sixth minute when he took a pass from Steven Zuber before pivoting and driving a left-footed shot into the net from just outside the penalty area. The Swiss doubled their lead in the 26th minute after Zuber picked up a blocked shot and slipped it to Shaqiri, who took a touch and then unleashed a vicious long-range shot that gave the sprawling keeper no chance. Shaqiri doubled his tally in the 68th minute when he swept home a cross on the counter, minutes after İrfan Can Kahveci had pulled a goal back for Turkey. |
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STADIUM: Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam) DATE: 21-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 15.227 REFEREE: István Kovács (ROM) GOALS: 0-1 (Depay 24’); 0-2 (Wijnaldum 51’); 0-3 (Wijnaldum 58’) BOOKED: S. Ristovski (18’), Musliu (48’), Alioski (65’), Kostadinov (84’) |
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North Macedonia - Netherlands |
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0-3 (0-1) |
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NORTH MACEDONIA Dimitrievski S. Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu, Alioski Tričkovski (Čurlinov 56’), Ademi (Nikolov 78’), Elmas, Bardhi (Stojanovski 78’), Trajkovski (Hasani 68’) Pandev (c) (Kostadinov 68’) COACH: Igor Angelovski |
NETHERLANDS Stekelenburg De Vrij (Timber 46’), De Ligt, Blind Dumfries (Berghuis 46’), F. de Jong (Gakpo 78’), Wijnaldum (c), Gravenberch, Van Aanholt Depay (Weghorst 66’), Malen (Promes 66’) COACH: Frank de Boer |
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GAME SUMMARY Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice and Memphis Depay added to his goal haul in a 3-0 Netherlands win over North Macedonia to keep the Dutch perfect record at Euro 2020. The Oranje, who also won in the group against Ukraine and Austria, have now scored at least two goals in their last 10 international games in a run stretching back to November. Depay opened the scoring in the first half and Wijnaldum added two in the space of seven minutes to go ahead of Marco van Basten on the list of his country’s scorers, with 25 goals.
North Macedonia offered plucky intent at creating an upset and had the ball in the Dutch net early, only for Ivan Tričkovski to be ruled offside. Aleksandar Trajkovski then smashed in a powerful shot that had Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg beaten but thundered back off the post. However, it was the home side who took the lead in the 24th minute, albeit amid some controversy, as a tackle from Daley Blind on Goran Pandev set up a Dutch counterattack, swiftly executed with Donyell Malen and Depay combining before the latter tucked away the ball. The ensuing VAR check found Blind’s tackle was legal, much to the disgust of the Macedonians.
Straight after halftime, Matthijs de Ligt had a powerful header cleared off the line by Tričkovski as the Dutch served notice of a more determined approach. Wijnaldum then doubled the score six minutes into the half as Depay set him up to finish from close range. More of their confident passing allowed Wijnaldum another goal in the 58th minute, with Depay once more the provider. The Dutch captain might have completed a hat-trick four minutes thereafter, but he shot wide. Substitute Wout Weghorst crashed the ball against the bar with his first touch after coming on, but North Macedonia managed to pull down the shutters for the last 20 minutes. North Macedonia’s captain Goran Pandev received a guard of honor from his teammates when he was substituted off in minute 68, in what he has said would be his final appearance for his country. |
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STADIUM: Arena Națională (Bucureşti) DATE: 21-06-2021 (19:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 10.472 REFEREE: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR) GOALS: 0-1 (Baumgartner 21’) BOOKED: - |
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Ukraine - Austria |
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0-1 (0-1) |
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UKRAINE Bushchan Karavaev, Zabarnyj, Matvienko, Mykolenko (Besedin 85’) Zinchenko, Sydorchuk, Shaparenko (Marlos 68’) Yarmolenko (c), Yaremchuk, Malinovs’kyj (Tsygankov 46’) COACH: Andrij Shevchenko |
AUSTRIA Bachmann Lainer, Dragović, Hinteregger, Alaba (c) Schlager, Grillitsch, Sabitzer, Baumgartner (Schöpf 32’) Laimer (Ilsanker 72’), Arnautović (Kalajdžić 90’) COACH: Franco Foda |
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GAME SUMMARY Austria advanced to the Euro 2020 knock-out stages for the first time after beating Ukraine 1-0 in its final group C match to finish second and set up a last 16 clash with Italy. Christoph Baumgartner, who looked shaken after a clash of heads with Illja Zabarnyj minutes earlier, scored in the 21st minute from a corner when he beat the Ukrainian defender to prod home from a teasing David Alaba delivery. The groggy Austrian midfielder was substituted ten minutes later and his replacement Alessandro Schöpf nearly set up a second goal when he found Marko Arnautović on a counterattack. but the forward’s side-footed attempt was well off target. Ukraine, who was sloppy in possession and rarely threatened in the final third, couldn’t turn the tables and now they must wait to see if its three points will let them advance as one of the four best third-placed teams. |
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STADIUM: Parken (København) DATE: 21-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 23.644 REFEREE: Clément Turpin (FRA) GOALS: 0-1 (Damsgaard 38’); 0-2 (Yurary Poulsen 59’); 1-2 (Dzjuba [p.] 70’); 1-3 (Christensen 79’); 1-4 (Mæhle 82’) BOOKED: Kudrjashov (28’), Diveev (75’) / Delaney (57’) [Incidents: Danish winger Mikkel Damsgaard became the first player born in 2000 to score at a final stage of the European Championship. Denmark were the first team in Euro’s history to reach the knock-out stage after losing their first two games.] |
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Russia - Denmark |
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1-4 (0-1) |
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RUSSIA Safonov Jikia, Diveev, Kudrjashov (Karavaev 67’) M. Fernandes, Ozdoev (Zhemaletdinov 61’), Zobnin, Kuzjaev (Mukhin 67’) Miranchuk (Sobolev 61’), Dzjuba (c), Golovin COACH: Stanislav Cherchesov |
DENMARK Schmeichel Christensen, Kjær (c), Vestergaard Wass (Stryger Larsen 60’), Højbjerg, Delaney (Jensen 85’), Mæhle Braithwaite (Cor. 85’), Y. Poulsen (Dolberg 60’), Damsgaard (Nør. 72’) COACH: Kasper Hjulmand |
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GAME SUMMARY Denmark pulled off an emphatic 4-1 win over Russia at Parken to qualify for the knock-out stages of Euro 2020 as group B runner-up on goal difference, following the defeat of Finland to Belgium and a triple tie among Denmark, Finland and Russia on three points. Only nine days after tragedy unfurled for Denmark, with Eriksen’s collapse and a painful defeat against Finland, despair turned to exhilaration for the local fans. The Danish players duly delivered on their promise to “do it for Christian.”
Other than a Pierre-Emile Højbjerg shot that fizzed wide early on, Denmark were struggling to make much headway against a disciplined Russia side, for whom Aleksandr Golovin could have opened the scoring after a weaving run. It was Eriksen’s replacement, young winger Mikkel Damsgaard, who fired the Danes in front with a stunning curling shot in the 38th minute, after receiving a pass from Højbjerg. At the hour mark, Yurary Poulsen pounced on a dreadful back pass from Roman Zobnin to score the second. Denmark were rampant, but everything went flat as Russia were awarded a more than dubious penalty after Jannik Vestergaard apparently fouled Aleksandr Sobolev, and giant striker Artjom Dzjuba thumped the ball past Kasper Schmeichel to revive the Russian hopes. The mood in the stadium became jubilant as news filtered through that Belgium had taken the lead against Finland in St. Petersburg, and Denmark rode the red wave in the stands of Parken to finish with a flourish. Andreas Christensen latched onto a clearance to smash an unstoppable shot past Safonov from 25 metres before Joakim Maehle completed the rout. |
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STADIUM: Stadion Krestovskij (Sankt-Peterburg) DATE: 21-06-2021 (22:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 18.545 REFEREE: Felix Brych (GER) GOALS: 0-1 (Hrádecký [o.g.] 74’); 0-2 (Lukaku 81’) BOOKED: - |
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Finland - Belgium |
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0-2 (0-0) |
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FINLAND Hrádecký Raitala, Toivio, Arajuuri, O'Shaughnessy, Uronen (Alho 70’) Lod (Forss 90+’), Sparv (c) (Schüller 59’), Kamara Pohjanpalo (Kauko 70’), Pukki (Jensen 90+’) COACH: Markku Kanerva |
BELGIUM Courtois Denayer, Boyata, Vermaelen Trossard (Meunier 75’), Witsel, De Bruyne (Vanaken 90+’), Chadli Doku (Batshuayi 75’), Lukaku (Benteke 84’), E. Hazard (c) COACH: Roberto Martínez |
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GAME SUMMARY Belgium beat Finland 2-0 to finish top of Euro 2020 group B and leave the Finns third in the standings, with only a slim chance of making the last 16. A 74th minute own goal by Finland goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký, who fumbled a Thomas Vermaelen header over the line after it had crashed off the woodwork, and a powerful strike by Romelu Lukaku, after having another effort disallowed having been judged offside, secured Belgium’s third successive win.
Belgium coach Roberto Martínez made changes from the side that beat Denmark 2-1, but his was still a line-up bursting with world-class talent as Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne made their first starts of the tournament. Teenager Jérémy Doku was their liveliest threat and created the only real moment of danger before halftime, when he drifted in from the left wing and aimed a shot towards the bottom corner, but Hrádecký made a fine save. Finland defended resolutely but did not have a real chance of their own until after the hour mark, when Glen Kamara fired straight at Thibaut Courtois. Eden Hazard was denied by a big save from Hrádecký and Belgium thought they had taken the lead when Lukaku controlled a threaded pass from De Bruyne and celebrated the goal before a lengthy VAR review ruled him fractionally offside. Finland finally cracked under the pressure when Hrádecký turned the ball over the line after Vermaelen’s thumping header from a corner struck the post. Lukaku then used a combination of skill and power to seal the Belgian victory and continue his prolific start to the tournament, joining Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick and the Netherlands’ Georginio Wijnaldum on three goals. |
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STADIUM: Hampden Park (Glasgow) DATE: 22-06-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.896 REFEREE: Fernando Rapallini (ARG) GOALS: 1-0 (Vlašić 17’); 1-1 (McGregor 42’); 2-1 (Modrić 62’); 3-1 (Perišić 77’) BOOKED: Lovren (26’) / McKenna (34’) |
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Croatia - Scotland |
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3-1 (1-1) |
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CROATIA Livaković Juranović, Lovren, Vida, Gvardiol (Barišić 70’) Modrić (c), Brozović, Kovačić Vlašić (Ivanušec 76’), Petković (Kramarić 70’), Perišić (Rebić 81’) COACH: Zlatko Dalić |
SCOTLAND Marshall O’Donnell (Patterson 84’), McTominay, Hanley (McKenna 33’), Tierney McGinn, McGregor, Armstrong (Fraser 70’), Robertson (c) Dykes, Adams (Nisbet 84’) COACH: Steve Clarke |
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GAME SUMMARY Luka Modrić’s majestic goal in the 62nd minute helped Croatia beat Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow and give the team a spot in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 by finishing second in group D, ahead of the Czech Republic on goal difference. The Real Madrid midfielder, who had been questioned during the tournament, was instrumental during the game and shaped a delightful finish into the corner of the net with the outside of his foot in the second half to make it 2-1. Croatia’s two other goals came from winger Nikola Vlašić’s low shot from close range in the 17th minute and Ivan Perišić’s flicked header in the 77th from a corner taken by Modrić. Callum McGregor had equalized for Scotland just before halftime, drilling the ball from outside the penalty area into the left corner.
Deprived of Billy Gilmour, who failed a COVID-19 test, Scotland seemed lacking in midfield and Croatia bossed the ball in the opening stages, before deservedly taking the lead after 17 minutes. There seemed little danger when a cross floated towards the far post, but Perišić towered above his marker to head down for Vlašić to swivel and finish low into the bottom corner. The goal drained the life out of Hampden Park and Scotland’s fortunes did not look like improving as Croatia stroked passes around, but just as the World Cup finalists seemed likely to turn the screw further, Steve Clarke’s side struck back. As the clock ticked towards halftime, Croatia failed to clear a cross and it fell at the feet of McGregor just outside the box, who took a touch and drilled the ball low into the bottom corner to score his first goal for his country, and Scotland’s first in any major tournament for 23 years, breathing life back into the home crowd.
Scotland almost fell behind again at the start of the second half, but Joško Gvardiol let his first touch get away from him when set one-on-one with keeper David Marshall. The reprieve did not last long as Modrić produced his moment of inspiration. Croatia worked the ball nicely around the box before teeing up Modrić from 20 metres, who curled the ball delicately with the outside of his foot into the far corner to restore Croatia’s lead after 62 minutes. Perišić applied the coup de grace in the 77th minute, sending a glancing header from a corner into the net, ensuring that Scotland’s dreadful run of never making the knock-outs at a major tournament in 11 attempts continued. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 22-06-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 19.104 REFEREE: Artur Soares Dias (POR) GOALS: 0-1 (Sterling 12’) BOOKED: Bořil (61’) |
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Czech Republic - England |
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0-1 (0-1) |
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CZECH REPUBLIC Vaclík Coufal, Čelůstka, Kalas, Bořil Masopust (Hložek 64’), Holeš (Vydra 84’), Darida (c) (Král 64’), Souček, Jankto (Ševčík 46’) Schick (Pekhart 75’) COACH: Jaroslav Šilhavý |
ENGLAND Pickford Walker, Stones (Mings 79’), Maguire, Shaw Saka (Sancho 84’), Phillips, Grealish (Bellingham 67’), Rice (J. Henderson 46’), Sterling (Rashford 67’) Kane (c) COACH: Gareth Southgate |
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GAME SUMMARY A solitary goal from Raheem Sterling was enough for England to defeat the Czech Republic 1-0 at the end of an efficient but hardly scintillating display and top group D of Euro 2020, thus securing a return to Wembley in the round of 16 to face the runner-up from “death group” F—likely to be France, Germany or Portugal—while the Czechs are also through as one of the best third-placed teams. Sterling scored his and England’s second goal of the competition in the 12th minute, but the initial injection of pace, intensity and crowd-pleasing excitement brought by Jack Grealish and teenager Bukayo Saka gradually dissipated as the game petered out into an utterly forgettable second half.
With both teams already assured of progress and with the nagging question of whether second place was a better option than winning the group hanging over the game, it hardly added up to a white knuckle, winner-takes-all occasion. That changed quickly, however, as, for the third successive game, England struck a post early on, this time it was Sterling who lifted the ball past advancing goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík with two minutes on the clock. Ten minutes later, Sterling hit the target with a close-range header from a delicious floated cross by Grealish after a driving run by Saka had splintered the Czech rearguard. Making his first appearance of the tournament, the 19-year-old Arsenal winger showed a willingness to run with the ball that was painfully absent from England’s first two performances and, with Grealish also a constant threat, the hosts looked much more threatening. Harry Kane looked sharper too and had a shot well saved late in the first half by Vaclík, but that early promise was gradually replaced by the all-too-familiar caution, and England barely mustered another meaningful attempt. The Czechs were neat and tidy without carrying a huge amount of penalty box threat, though Tomáš Holeš had a shot palmed clear by Jordan Pickford and Tomáš Souček fired just wide in the first half. Substitute Jordan Henderson thought he had scored his first goal for England five minutes from time after a scramble, only to see it ruled out for offside. Overall, though, it was desperately thin gruel for most of the second half, with the loudest cheers reserved for the big screen announcements of Croatia’s goals that eliminated Scotland. |
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STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico de La Cartuja (Sevilla) DATE: 23-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.204 REFEREE: Björn Kuipers (NED) GOALS: 0-1 (Dúbravka [o.g.] 30’); 0-2 (Laporte 45+’); 0-3 (Sarabia 56’); 0-4 (Ferran Torres 67’); 0-5 (Kucka [o.g.] 71’) BOOKED: Duda (12’), Škriniar (90+’) / Busquets (40’), Jordi Alba (60’) [Incidents: Morata missed a penalty shot (min. 12).] |
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Slovakia - Spain |
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0-5 (0-2) |
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SLOVAKIA Dúbravka Pekarík, Šatka, Škriniar, Hubočan Haraslín (Suslov 69’), Kucka, Hromada (Lobotka 46’), Mak (Weiss 69’) Duda (Ďuriš 46’), Hamšík (c) (Bénes 90’) COACH: Štefan Tarkovič |
SPAIN U. Simón Azpilicueta (Oyarzabal 77’), E. García (P. Torres 71’), Laporte, J. Alba Koke, Busquets (c) (Thiago 71’), Pedri Sarabia, Morata (F. Torres 66’), Gerard (Adama 77’) COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez |
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GAME SUMMARY Spain claimed the biggest win of the tournament with a 5-0 thrashing of Slovakia in its final group E match to finish second and set up a last-16 clash with Croatia in Copenhagen. Goals from Aymeric Laporte, Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres and two own goals from Martin Dúbravka and Juraj Kucka sealed Spain’s progress to the knock-out stages. Slovak goalkeeper Dúbravka turned from hero to villain as, after saving an early penalty from Álvaro Morata, gifted Spain the opener in a ludicrous fashion when he attempted to punch a rebound off Sarabia’s shot over the bar, only to palm it into his own net, as in a missed volleyball smash. Laporte doubled the lead before halftime with a lobbing header. Sarabia was then rewarded with a goal when left-back Jordi Alba swung a cross into the box and the Paris Saint-Germain winger found space to take a first-time shot that went in off the post. Sarabia turned provider when he set up substitute Ferran Torres, who scored within a minute of coming on, flicking a low cross past Dúbravka for the fourth. Spain forced another own goal minutes later when Kucka failed to clear off the line. Happiness was not complete for the Spaniards, though, as a late goal by Sweden against Poland in St. Petersburg relegated Luis Enrique’s side to the second place in group E. |
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STADIUM: Stadion Krestovskij (Sankt-Peterburg) DATE: 23-06-2021 (19:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 14.252 REFEREE: Michael Oliver (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Forsberg 2’); 2-0 (Forsberg 59’); 2-1 (Lewandowski 61’); 2-2 (Lewandowski 84’); 3-2 (Claesson 90+’) BOOKED: Danielson (10’) / Krychowiak (74’), Glik (83’) |
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Sweden - Poland |
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3-2 (1-0) |
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SWEDEN Olsen Lustig (Krafth 68’), Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson S. Larsson (c), Olsson, Ekdal, Forsberg (Claesson 78’) Isak (Berg 68’), Quaison (Kulusevski 55’) COACH: Janne Andersson |
POLAND Szczęsny Bereszyński, Glik, Bednarek, Puchacz (Frankowski 46’) Jóźwiak (Świerczok 61’), Krychowiak (Płacheta 78’), Klich (Kozłowski 73’) Świderski, Lewandowski (c), Zieliński COACH: Paulo Sousa |
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GAME SUMMARY Sweden winger Emil Forsberg scored a double before Viktor Claesson’s stoppage-time goal helped their side seal a 3-2 win over Poland to top group E heading into the last-16. It was a heartbreaking end to Poland’s campaign, after the team drew level through talismanic captain Robert Lewandowski, whose 84th minute equalizer for 2-2 gave his side a glimmer of hope.
Sweden’s previous two matches were built on robust defensive displays, which had cast doubts on whether Janne Andersson’s side could get its attack firing, but the team made a blistering start through the lively Forsberg. After Robin Quaison controlled the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Forsberg collected a pass and took advantage of some poor defending to fire past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny with only 82 seconds on the clock. Forsberg again doubled the Swedish lead with a powerful drive for his third goal of the tournament after substitute Dejan Kulusevski weaved his way into the box to lay it on a platter in the 59th minute. Lewandowski pulled a goal back two minutes later with a curling shot before Jakub Świerczok’s tap-in from substitute Przemysław Frankowski’s pass was ruled out for offside after the Video Assistant Referee’s intervention. Lewandowski, who missed chances to make it 1-1 in the first half after rising above Sweden’s defense only to thunder two headers onto the crossbar, fired in the equalizer from close range after a pass from Frankowski. But Sweden was not done yet, as Kulusevski slipped the ball to Claesson, who slotted past Szczęsny to secure top place for Sweden deep into injury time. |
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STADIUM: Puskás Aréna (Budapest) DATE: 23-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 54.886 REFEREE: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (SPA) GOALS: 1-0 (Cristiano Ronaldo [p.] 31’); 1-1 (Benzema [p.] 45+’); 1-2 (Benzema 47’); 2-2 (Cristiano Ronaldo [p.] 60’) BOOKED: Lloris (27’), Lucas (36’), Griezmann (40’), Kimpembe (83’) |
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Portugal - France |
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2-2 (1-1) |
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PORTUGAL R. Patrício N. Semedo (D. Dalot 79’), Pepe, R. Dias, R. Guerreiro J. Moutinho (R. N. 72’), Danilo P. (J. Palh. 46’), R. Sanches (S. Oli. 88’) B. Silva (B. Fernandes 72’), C. Ronaldo (c), D. Jota COACH: Fernando Santos |
FRANCE Lloris (c) Koundé, Varane, Kimpembe, Lucas (Digne 46’ (Rabiot 52’)) Tolisso (Coman 66’), Pogba, Kanté Griezmann (Sissoko 87’), Benzema, Mbappé COACH: Didier Deschamps |
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GAME SUMMARY Cristiano Ronaldo came to Portugal’s rescue with two penalties to cancel out a brace from France’s Karim Benzema in an enthralling 2-2 draw that sent both sides into the Euro 2020 last 16. The reigning European champions were tested after an emotional roller-coaster of a game that saw them occupy every position in the so-called “group of death” at various junctures, but the 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, so often his country’s savior, stepped up to reach another career milestone. He had already become the highest-ever scorer in Euro finals with his double against Hungary in the opening game, and his two spot-kick conversions against France took him to 109 international goals, level with the record number scored by Iran’s Ali Daei. Benzema’s first was also from the spot (his first France goal in almost six years). Two minutes after the interval, Benzema put France ahead and, with Hungary leading Germany at that point in the other game, Portugal were bottom of group F and staring at the exit. But Cristiano Ronaldo coolly beat Hugo Lloris again and Portugal held on for the draw which means they finished on four points in third place and can now prepare for a last-16 clash against Belgium in Seville.
Portugal was awarded a penalty in the 27th minute after Hugo Lloris’s attempted punched clearance wiped out Danilo Pereira. Lloris was shown a yellow card before Cristiano Ronaldo smashed the penalty into the corner. Portugal began to swagger but they were pegged back when Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz deemed that Nélson Semedo had bundled over Kylian Mbappé on the stroke of halftime as he tried to latch onto Paul Pogba’s pass. Benzema buried the penalty and two minutes after the break he was picked out by the influential Pogba again and the Real Madrid striker slotted the ball past Rui Patrício. But the game’s third penalty, awarded for a handball by Jules Koundé, gave Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to beat Lloris again from the spot to register his fifth goal of the tournament, and he was never going to miss. Rui Patrício turned a spectacular Pogba effort against the woodwork seven minutes later, but Portugal held on and got the added bonus of a late Germany equalizer that means they also avoided a last-16 meeting with England. |
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STADIUM: Allianz Arena (München) DATE: 23-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 12.413 REFEREE: Sergej Karasjov (RUS) GOALS: 0-1 (Ádám Szalai 11’); 1-1 (Havertz 66’); 1-2 (Schäfer 68’); 2-2 (Goretzka 84’) BOOKED: Gündoğan (29’), Sané (61’) / Botka (28’), Ádám Szalai (64’), Fiola (66’) |
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Germany - Hungary |
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2-2 (0-1) |
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GERMANY Neuer (c) Ginter (Volland 82’), Hummels, Rüdiger Kimmich, Gündoğan (Goretzka 58’), Kroos, Gosens (Musiala 82’) Havertz (Werner 67’), Gnabry (Müller 67’), Sané COACH: Joachim Löw |
HUNGARY Gulácsi Négo, Botka, Orbán, Attila Szalai, Fiola (Nikolić 88’) Kleinheisler (Lovrencsics 88’), Nagy, Schäfer Ádám Szalai (c) (K. Varga 82’), Sallai (Schön 75’) COACH: Marco Rossi |
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GAME SUMMARY A late Leon Goretzka goal salvaged a 2-2 draw for Germany against Hungary in a whip-saw contest that sets the Germans up for a last 16 match against England at Wembley. The Germans were teetering on the brink of another shock tournament exit after Ádám Szalai’s diving header in the 11th minute had put Hungary in front. Kai Havertz eventually drew Germany level in the 66th minute, only for Hungary to retake the lead seconds later as András Schäfer ran onto a pass and headed in. Goretzka bagged the crucial equalizer in the 84th minute to send Germany through in second place behind France in “death group” F on four points.
It was all business for the hosts once the whistle was blown, as they were desperate to avoid a repeat of their 2018 World Cup debacle, with Joshua Kimmich testing keeper Péter Gulácsi after three minutes. But it was the Hungarians who then stunned the home crowd with Ádám Szalai’s diving header. In spite of their 70% possession in the first half and Mats Hummels hitting the crossbar with a powerful header, the Germans showed little of the attacking spark they demonstrated in their 4-2 win over Portugal. Germany, who had never gone out at the group stage of consecutive major tournaments, showed nerves as their game gradually became scrappier. It was also a scrappy goal that brought them level, with Gulácsi failing to connect with a Kimmich free-kick, Hummels heading the ball on and Havertz nodding in. But as the German fans celebrated in the stands, Hungary scored straight after the restart, with Ádám Szalai lofting the ball into the German half and Schäfer lunging forward and heading it past keeper Manuel Neuer. With Hungary defending desperately to protect their spot in the knock-out stages, Toni Kroos tried his luck from a tight angle, but his effort flashed wide. The German pressure finally paid off in the 84th when substitute Jamal Musiala cut the ball in the box and fellow substitute Goretzka drilled it home to avoid another tournament fiasco for the Germans and set up a mouth-watering round of 16 match against England at Wembley. |
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STADIUM: Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam) DATE: 26-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 14.645 REFEREE: Daniel Siebert (GER) GOALS: 0-1 (Dolberg 27’); 0-2 (Dolberg 48’); 0-3 (Mæhle 88’); 0-4 (Braithwaite 90+’) BOOKED: Rodon (26’), Moore (40’), Brooks (80’), Wilson (RC 90+’), Bale (90+’) [Incidents: Wilson was sent off (min. 90+).] |
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Wales - Denmark |
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0-4 (0-1) |
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WALES Ward C. Roberts (N. Williams 40’), Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies Morrell (Wilson 59’), Ramsey, Allen Bale (c), Moore (T. Roberts 78’), James (Brooks 78’) COACH: Rob Page |
DENMARK Schmeichel Christensen, Kjær (c) (Andersen 77’), Vestergaard Stryger Larsen (Boilesen 77’), Højbjerg, Delaney (Jensen 60’), Mæhle Braithwaite, Dolberg (Cornelius 69’), Damsgaard (Nørgaard 60’) COACH: Kasper Hjulmand |
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GAME SUMMARY A double for Kasper Dolberg and two late goals from Joakim Mæhle and Martin Braithwaite guided Denmark to a dominant 4-0 win over Wales in the Euro 2020 round of 16. After a difficult start to the competition, with two losses in their first two games, the emotional shock of teammate Christian Eriksen’s collapse and the absence through injury of hot striker Yussuf Yurary Poulsen, the Danes showed a true team spirit and reached the quarter finals of the European Championship in style, bringing back memories of 1992.
Wales had a flurry of early attacks and talismanic captain Gareth Bale nearly gave his team an early lead when he went for goal from range and narrowly missed the target. Dolberg, making his first start of the tournament, had better fortune and opened the scoring for Denmark with a fine individual goal in the 27th minute, curling into the top corner from outside the area. Denmark hardly looked back from then on, dominating possession and chances. Three minutes after the interval, Dolberg again doubled Denmark’s advantage by ruthlessly pouncing on a loose ball after Wales failed to clear a cross following a galloping run down the right wing by Braithwaite. The FC Barcelona attacker missed a glaring opportunity to add to Denmark’s lead, but Mæhle sealed the win in the 88th minute after dribbling past an opposition defender and slotting the ball home with ease. Wales’ frustrations spilled over when Harry Wilson was sent off for a wild tackle on Mæhle in added time. Braithwaite finally got the goal he had craved by netting at the death, though he had to wait for the goal to be awarded following a lengthy VAR review. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 26-06-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 18.910 REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Chiesa 95’); 2-0 (Pessina 105’); 2-1 (Kalajdžić 114’) BOOKED: Di Lorenzo (50’), Barella (51’) / Arnautović (2’), Hinteregger (103’), Dragović (120+’) |
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Italy - Austria |
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2-1 (0-0;0-0) |
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ITALY Donnarumma Di Lorenzo, Bonucci (c), Acerbi, Spinazzola Barella (Pessina 67’), Jorginho, Verratti (Locatelli 67’), Insigne (Cristante 108’) Berardi (Chiesa 84’), Immobile (Belotti 84’) COACH: Roberto Mancini |
AUSTRIA Bachmann Lainer (Trimmel 114’), Dragović, Hinteregger, Alaba (c) Laimer (Ilsanker 114’), Schlager (Gregoritsch 106’), Grillitsch (Schaub 106’), Sabitzer, Baumgartner (Schöpf 90’) Arnautović (Kalajdžić 97’) COACH: Franco Foda |
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GAME SUMMARY Italy survived a huge scare as it scrambled past outsider Austria into the quarterfinals of Euro 2020, with substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina scoring extra-time goals to earn it a 2-1 win at Wembley. The Azzurri had looked like the one of the most in-form teams during an impressive group stage, but Roberto Mancini’s side misfired badly as they left their Roman fortress for the first time in the tournament and looked in danger of a shock exit. Italy’s 31st match without defeat—a new national record—sent it into a quarterfinal clash against either Belgium or Portugal, when it will need to play much better. Austria, in its maiden participation in the knock-out phase of the European Championship, knocked the Italians out of their stride in the second half and had a goal by Marko Arnautović chalked off by a marginal offside. Mancini sent on four attacking substitutes late in the second half and Italy’s depth proved decisive in extra-time, as Juventus winger Chiesa and Atalanta midfielder Pessina spared their blushes with superb finishes. Chiesa drove a shot past Daniel Bachmann in the 95th minute and Pessina looked to have sealed the Italian victory ten minutes later with another clinical strike. But a courageous Austria got a late lifeline when substitute Saša Kalajdžić halved the deficit with six minutes left by heading home a corner kick from a tight angle, and Italy’s nerves were frazzled by the time referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle.
With powerhouse wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola marauding down the left flank at every opportunity, Austria manager Franco Foda’s pre-match assertion that his side had a 10 percent chance of stopping the Azzurri machine looked about right. Spinazzola lashed one shot wide before cutting a dangerous ball back for Nicolò Barella, whose sweet strike was saved by the outstretched foot of Bachmann. Ciro Immobile, back after being rested along with the rest of Mancini’s first-choice attack for the final group game against Wales, then sent a dipping right-foot effort thudding against the post from 25 metres. But it was not all one-way traffic, as Austria exploited space in behind Italy’s defense and on one such occasion Arnautović blazed a shot over the crossbar.
Austria grew in confidence after the break as Italy’s strangely oozed away. Captain David Alaba curled a free-kick just over the bar and it all began to get a little fraught for Italy when Xaver Schlager and Arnautović both went close. The Austrian attacker then thought he had broken the deadlock with a close-range header from a tight angle in the 65th minute, but a VAR check ruled he had been fractionally offside. Mancini looked stone-faced in the technical area and acted immediately, hauling off Marco Verratti and Barella and replacing them with Manuel Locatelli and Pessina. He then threw on Chiesa and Andrea Belotti as extra-time loomed. The changes eventually paid off as Italy’s squad depth proved sufficient to get the job done, but only just. |
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STADIUM: Puskás Aréna (Budapest) DATE: 27-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 52.834 REFEREE: Sergej Karasjov (RUS) GOALS: 0-1 (Holeš 68’); 0-2 (Schick 80’) BOOKED: Dumfries (46’), De Ligt (RC 52’), F. de Jong (84’) / Coufal (56’) [Incidents: De Ligt was sent off (min. 52).] |
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Netherlands - Czech Republic |
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0-2 (0-1) |
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NETHERLANDS Stekelenburg De Vrij, De Ligt, Blind (Timber 81’) Dumfries, De Roon (Weghorst 73’), Wijnaldum (c), F. de Jong, Van Aanholt (Berghuis 81’) Depay, Malen (Promes 57’) COACH: Frank de Boer |
CZECH REPUBLIC Vaclík Coufal, Čelůstka, Kalas, Kadeřábek Masopust (Jankto 79’), Souček (c), Holeš (Král 85’), Barák (Sadílek 90+’), Ševčík (Hložek 85’) Schick (Krmenčík 90+’) COACH: Jaroslav Šilhavý |
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GAME SUMMARY Goals from Tomáš Holeš and Patrik Schick guided the Czech Republic to a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, who were reduced to ten men after a Matthijs de Ligt red card early in the second half. In front of a capacity crowd that provided a deafening wall of noise at the Puskás Aréna, Holeš powered home a 68th-minute opener after being set up by Tomáš Kalas, as the Dutch defenders watched on hopelessly in its own penalty area. Schick made sure of the Czechs’ surprise success with a close-range finish ten minutes from full time. After a brilliant group phase, this early exit was a calamitous outcome for the Dutch, who imploded after Matthijs de Ligt was sent off for a cynical handball seven minutes into the second half. Before that pivotal moment, Frank de Boer’s side had looked to get on top of its opponents with its overlapping runs and passing ability, but a moment of madness from its 21-year-old center back swung the balance of the contest towards the Czechs, who needed no second invitation to grab the initiative.
Before being reduced to ten men, the Dutch could have gone ahead, with fullbacks Denzel Dumfries and Patrick van Aanholt creating several chances with their overlapping runs. Yet striker Memphis Depay looked out of sorts and Donyell Malen hesitated with several opportunities. There was an opportunity for the Czechs when stand-in captain Tomáš Souček glanced a difficult header wide in the 22nd minute and Antonín Barák blasted past the target from a tight angle 16 minutes later. Once de Ligt was dismissed, the Czechs assumed control and the goal came as the Dutch defense was caught static by a set piece that saw Kalas climb above the defense to head back for Holeš to score, with veteran Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg caught in no man’s land. The Dutch then sought to throw on some attacking artillery, but quickly wilted in the searing heat as Schick made it 2-0 with Holeš pulling the ball back for the striker to net his fourth goal of the tournament. |
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STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico de La Cartuja (Sevilla) DATE: 27-06-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.504 REFEREE: Felix Brych (GER) GOALS: 1-0 (Th. Hazard 42’) BOOKED: Vermaelen (72’), Alderweireld (81’) / João Palhinha (45’), Diogo Dalot (51’), Pepe (77’) |
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Belgium - Portugal |
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1-0 (1-0) |
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BELGIUM Courtois Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Th. Hazard (Dendoncker 90+’) De Bruyne (Mertens 48’), Lukaku, E. Hazard (c) (Carrasco 87’) COACH: Roberto Martínez |
PORTUGAL R. Patrício D. Dalot, Pepe, R. Dias, R. Guerreiro J. Moutinho (J.F. 55’), J. Palhinha (D.P. 78’), R. Sanches (S.O. 78’) B. Silva (B. Fernandes 55’), C. Ronaldo (c), D. Jota (A. Silva 70’) COACH: Fernando Santos |
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GAME SUMMARY Belgium defeated defending champion Portugal 1-0 in Seville to advance to the quarterfinals of the European Championship. Thorgan Hazard scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute with a swerving shot from outside the area that left Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patrício wrong-footed and late to swat the ball away. Frustration for Cristiano Ronaldo was double, as he stayed one goal away from becoming the all-time men’s top scorer in international football competitions and had to remain tied with former Iran striker Ali Daei at 109 goals. Belgium played most of the second half without Kevin de Bruyne, who had to be substituted after being tackled from behind. Portugal had several good chances to equalize late in the match, including a header by Rúben Dias saved by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and a shot by Raphaël Guerreiro that hit the post.
Portugal began brightly and Diogo Jota wasted a great chance in the sixth minute, dragging his shot wide after Renato Sanches had broken from midfield and found him in a promising position on the left. Cristiano Ronaldo then tested Courtois with a low-struck free-kick as Fernando Santos’s team continued to apply pressure. But Belgium grew into the game with De Bruyne increasingly influential and they grabbed the lead three minutes before the interval when a smart passing move ended with Thomas Meunier feeding Thorgan Hazard, whose wickedly swerving shot flew past the wrong-footed Portugal keeper Rui Patrício, who stepped to the right in anticipation of a near post shot but was unable to get back across and was beaten by an effort that flew in centrally.
Belgium suffered a blow when De Bruyne limped off with an injury three minutes after the break and Fernando Santos sought to breathe life into his side’s attack by introducing Bruno Fernandes and João Félix from the bench. Cristiano Ronaldo, cutting in from the right, did well to find Diogo Jota in the box, but again the forward’s effort was off target as Belgium struggled to contain their opponents. Portugal turned up the heat in the final ten minutes as they searched desperately for an equalizer. Courtois punched away a thundering Rúben Dias header from a corner and then Raphaël Guerreiro struck the post with a sweet first-time shot from the edge of the box. Eden Hazard, who has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, went off with what looked like a hamstring strain three minutes from the end. Deep into added time, Portugal created one final opportunity, but João Félix’ drive flashed just wide of Courtois’s right-hand post. |
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STADIUM: Parken (København) DATE: 28-06-2021 (18:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 22.771 REFEREE: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR) GOALS: 1-0 (Pedri [o.g.] 20’); 1-1 (Sarabia 38’); 1-2 (Azpilicueta 57’); 1-3 (Ferran Torres 77’); 2-3 (Oršić 85’); 3-3 (Pašalić 90+’); 3-4 (Morata 100’); 3-5 (Oyarzabal 103’) BOOKED: Brozović (73’), Ćaleta-Car (84’) [Incidents: Pedri scored the longest own-goal in the history of the European Championship (from 45 meters) and the first one from outside the box.] |
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Croatia - Spain |
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3-5 (1-1;3-3) |
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CROATIA Livaković Juranović (Brekalo 73’), Vida, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol Modrić (c) (Ivanušec 114’), Brozović, Kovačić (Budimir 79’) Vlašić (Pašalić 79’), Petković (Kramarić 46’), Rebić (Oršić 67’) COACH: Zlatko Dalić |
SPAIN U. Simón Azpilicueta, E. García (P. Torres 71’), Laporte, Gayà (J. Alba 77’) Koke (Fabián 77’), Busquets (c) (Rodri 101’), Pedri F. Torres (Oyarzabal 88’), Morata, Sarabia (D. Olmo 71’) COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez |
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GAME SUMMARY In an enthralling match laced with drama and storylines, Spain beat Croatia 5-3 and will take on Switzerland in the quarterfinals of Euro 2020. The much criticized striker Álvaro Morata enjoyed sweet redemption with a very active display, topped with a decisive goal in extra-time. Spain fell behind in the first half to a Pedri own goal from near the halfway line after an incredible error from keeper Unai Simón, but it looked on its way to a comfortable victory with goals from Pablo Sarabia, César Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres. Yet Croatia staged an unthinkable comeback with goals from Mislav Oršić in the 85th minute and a Mario Pašalić header in added time to force the extra period. Spain showed tremendous character though and prevailed thanks to Morata’s superb strike in the 100th minute and a goal from Mikel Oyarzabal in the 103rd.
Spain offered its best opening to a game in the tournament, not only with possession (as in previous games) but also with speed and danger up front. Profligacy had cost Spain in its first two group games and that looked like being the case again in Copenhagen after Koke was denied by Dominik Livaković from a one-on-one and Morata headed into Domagoj Vida from close range. Ironically, after the best 20 minutes of the Spanish team in Euro 2020, Luis Enrique’s side fell behind from a bizarre own goal, as Pedri sent a backpass to Unai Simón from near the halfway line after the Athletic goalkeeper, who had lost visual contact with the ball trying to figure his next pass, let it bobble past him into the net. Croatia, taking advantage of the Spanish shell-shock over the next minutes, had several chances to double their lead. But the three-times European champions recovered their poise as halftime approached and equalized in minute 38 when Sarabia fired home after an elaborate Spanish attack and a superb Livaković save.
In the second half, Azpilicueta put Spain in front with his first international goal by getting in front of Joško Gvardiol and guiding Ferran Torres’ cross past Livaković from inside the six-yard box. Spain gave themselves breathing space in minute 77 as Ferran Torres cut inside and clinically finished off a swift move. With five minutes to go, though, Oršić followed up after a scramble in the box to help the ball over the line—the goal allowed to stand following a VAR check for handball inside the box. Then came the dramatic leveller in added time, with Pašalić left in space inside the box to head in Oršić’s cross and pave the way for an additional 30 minutes. Croatia started the extra-time on top and would have taken the lead if not for an incredible Unai Simón stop to keep out Andrej Kramarić, but Morata took down Dani Olmo’s cross at the back post and thumped past Livaković four minutes later. Dani Olmo then provided the cross for fellow replacement Oyarzabal, who also hit the post in the final seconds, to tuck home the eighth goal of a sensational European Championship tie and confirm Spain’s place in the last eight. |
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STADIUM: Arena Națională (Bucureşti) DATE: 28-06-2021 (22:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 22.642 REFEREE: Fernando Rapallini (ARG) GOALS: 0-1 (Seferović 15’); 1-1 (Benzema 57’); 2-1 (Benzema 59’); 3-1 (Pogba 75’); 3-2 (Seferović 81’); 3-3 (Gavranović 90’) BOOKED: Varane (30’), Coman (88’), Pavard (91’) / Elvedi (32’), Rodríguez (61’), Xhaka (76’), Akanji (108’) PK: 0-1 (Gavranović); 1-1 (Pogba) / 1-2 (Schär); 2-2 (Giroud) / 2-3 (Akanji); 3-3 (Thuram) / 3-4 (Vargas); 4-4 (Kimpembe) / 4-5 (Mehmedi); 4-5 (Mbappé [saved]) [Incidents: Rodríguez missed a penalty shot (min. 55), saved by Lloris.] |
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France - Switzerland |
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3-3 (0-1;3-3) (pk: 4-5) |
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FRANCE Lloris (c) Varane, Lenglet (Coman 46’ (Thuram 111’)), Kimpembe Pavard, Pogba, Kanté, Rabiot Griezmann (Sissoko 88’), Benzema (Giroud 94’), Mbappé COACH: Didier Deschamps |
SWITZERLAND Sommer Elvedi, Akanji, Rodríguez (Mehmedi 87’) Widmer (Mbabu 73’), Freuler, Xhaka (c), Zuber (Fassnacht 79’) Shaqiri (Gavranović 73’), Seferović (Schär 97’), Embolo (Vargas 79’) COACH: Vladimir Petković |
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GAME SUMMARY Switzerland defeated France 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out to advance into the Euro 2020 quarterfinals, after the teams were level 3-3 at the end of 120 minutes. Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved Kylian Mbappé’s spot kick to produce one of the biggest surprises in the tournament, as the world champion and top favorite to win Euro 2020 suffered an early exit. Frustration was double for French star Mbappé, who failed to score a single goal in the competition, including the decisive penalty kick.
The French looked to be cruising to victory when Karim Benzema struck twice in two minutes early in the second half. The Real Madrid striker latched on to Mbappé’s through ball in the 57th minute to cancel out Switzerland’s first half lead through Haris Seferović’s header. Benzema then headed home from near the goalline two minutes later to take his tournament tally to four as France took control of the game, following a lacklustre first half, minutes after the Swiss had missed a 55th minute penalty, in what looked like a turning point in the match. By the time Paul Pogba scored with a sensational curled shot into the top corner in the 75th minute to make it 3-1 for France, few believed the momentum could shift once more. But Seferović headed in his second goal with five minutes to play and substitute Mario Gavranović beat Lloris to snatch a 90th-minute equalizer and force the extra period after France substitute Kingsley Coman thundered a drive off the bar. Olivier Giroud twice came close for France having come off the bench, but the game was to be resolved on penalties, where Sommer swatted Mbappé’s spot kick away after five Swiss players had scored to earn their first ever tournament shoot-out win. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 29-06-2021 (17:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 41.973 REFEREE: Danny Makkelie (NED) GOALS: 1-0 (Sterling 75’); 2-0 (Kane 86’) BOOKED: Rice (8’), Phillips (45’), Maguire (77’) / Ginter (25’), Gosens (72’) |
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England - Germany |
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2-0 (0-0) |
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ENGLAND Pickford Walker, Stones, Maguire Trippier, Phillips, Rice (J. Henderson 87’), Shaw Saka (Grealish 69’), Kane (c), Sterling COACH: Gareth Southgate |
GERMANY Neuer (c) Ginter (Can 87’), Hummels, Rüdiger Kimmich, Goretzka, Kroos, Gosens (Sané 87’) Havertz, Werner (Gnabry 69’), Müller (Musiala 90+’) COACH: Joachim Löw |
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GAME SUMMARY Goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane helped England to beat their personal “black beast,” Germany, and qualify for the quarterfinals. It was the first knock-out victory over the old German rivals since the 1966 World Cup final. Sterling, the only player to have scored for England in the tournament, broke the tense deadlock in the 75th minute in a move he started and completed. Near the end, Kane could shed the pressure on his shoulders by finally scoring for England, with an instant header to a Jack Grealish’s cross. The German defeat marked the end of Joachim Löw’s time as national coach after 15 years in charge, during which he guided the Mannschaft to the 2014 World Cup title in Brazil.
Southgate’s decision to play a five-man defense and two holding midfielders was a cautious one, but England did start the game brightly. Sterling tested Neuer in the 16th minute, cutting in from the left flank and finding room to unleash a drive towards the far corner which the Germany keeper did well to get across to. Much of England’s probing was coming from Kieran Trippier down the right. In one of his runs upfield, the Atlético defender found Harry Maguire in a promising position with a lofted ball to the back post, but the center half’s header went over the bar. Germany were enjoying plenty of possession in midfield with England sitting deep, but they provided a warning of their threat when Kai Havertz slipped through Timo Werner, although Pickford was out quickly to smother. Just before the break Mats Hummels had to intervene quickly to clear as Kane looked to pounce after Sterling’s burst into the box had caused chaos.
After the interval, Germany sensed England had lost their way and went close when Havertz’s powerful drive was superbly tipped over by Pickford. Meanwhile, the clamor to introduce Grealish was growing in the Wembley stands. The Aston Villa winger finally entered with 20 minutes to go and played a role in the opening goal. Sterling first took on the defenders, going past Antonio Rüdiger before passing to Kane, whose layoff to Grealish then went to Luke Shaw, and it was the left-back’s cross that Sterling connected with, shooting past Neuer with his right boot. For all the experience in Germany’s side compared to the youth of England, it was World Cup winner Thomas Müller who squandered a chance to equalize in the 81st minute. Clean through with only Pickford to beat, Müller put the ball wide to leave him still without a goal at his three European Championships. After that reprieve, and with the crowd roaring England on, Grealish was the direct provider for the second goal, crossing from the left for captain Kane to beat keeper Manuel Neuer with a stooping header. |
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STADIUM: Hampden Park (Glasgow) DATE: 29-06-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.221 REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA) GOALS: 0-1 (Zinchenko 27’); 1-1 (Forsberg 43’); 1-2 (Dovbyk 120+’) BOOKED: Kulusevski (69’), Forsberg (85’), Danielson (RC 98’) / Yarmolenko (79’), Dovbyk (120+’) [Incidents: Danielson was sent off (min. 98).] |
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Sweden - Ukraine |
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1-2 (1-1;1-1) |
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SWEDEN Olsen Lustig (Krafth 83’), Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson (Bengtsson 83’) S. Larsson (c) (Claesson 97’), Olsson (Helander 101’), Ekdal, Forsberg Kulusevski (Quaison 97’), Isak (Berg 97’) COACH: Janne Andersson |
UKRAINE Bushchan Zabarnyj, Kryvtsov, Matvienko Karavaev, Sydorchuk (Bezus 118’), Stepanenko (Maka. 95’), Zinchenko Yarmolenko (c) (Dovbyk 105’), Yaremchuk (Besedin 91’ (Tsygankov 101’)), Shaparenko (Malinovs’kyj 61’) COACH: Andrij Shevchenko |
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GAME SUMMARY Substitute Artem Dovbyk netted a dramatic winner in stoppage time at the end of extra-time as Ukraine squeezed past 10-man Sweden 2-1 at Hampden Park to book a Euro 2020 quarterfinal clash with England. The two sides were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, following goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Sweden’s in-form Emil Forsberg, but the tide of the game changed when Sweden had defender Marcus Danielson sent off eight minutes into extra-time. Just when a penalty shoot-out was looming on the horizon of Glasgow, Dovbyk scored the winning goal by meeting Zinchenko’s cross in the 121st minute.
A small contingent of Ukraine supporters were at Hampden Park to witness their side’s first-ever appearance in a European Championship knock-out round, and the team nearly got off to a dream start, but Roman Yaremchuk was denied by a smart Robin Olsen save. Sweden was causing problems in an entertaining opening too, but it was Ukraine who edged in front, with Zinchenko hammering home after 27 minutes having been picked out by a sumptuous Andrij Yarmolenko pass with the outside of his boot. Having fallen behind in the tournament for the first time, Sweden looked short of ideas and needed a slice of luck to get itself back into the game, with Forsberg’s speculative strike taking a huge deflection before finding the net just before halftime. Forsberg—who has four goals in the tournament so far, one behind leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo—then followed Ukraine’s Sergij Sydorchuk in hitting the woodwork after the break, not once but twice. With neither side able to find a winner, extra-time followed. Eight minutes into the additional period, Sweden’s task was made all the more difficult as Danielson, following a VAR review, was sent off for a high and dangerous tackle on Artem Besedin. Both teams tired and another last-16 penalty shoot-out seemed inevitable, but Ukraine had one final attack in them, with Dovbyk stealing the headlines with a perfect header. |
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STADIUM: Stadion Krestovskij (Sankt-Peterburg) DATE: 2-07-2021 (19:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 24.764 REFEREE: Michael Oliver (ENG) GOALS: 0-1 (Zakaria [o.g.] 8’); 1-1 (Shaqiri 68’) BOOKED: Widmer (67’), Freuler (RC 77’), Gavranović (120+’) / Laporte (90+’) PK: 0-0 (Busquets [out]); 1-0 (Gavranović) / 1-1 (Dani Olmo); 1-1 (Schär [saved]) / 1-1 (Rodri [saved]); 1-1 (Akanji [saved]) / 1-2 (Gerard); 1-2 (Vargas [out]) / 1-3 (Oyarzabal) [Incidents: Freuler was sent off (min. 77).] |
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Switzerland - Spain |
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1-1 (0-1;1-1) (pk: 1-3) |
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SWITZERLAND Sommer Widmer (Mbabu 100’), Elvedi, Akanji, Rodríguez Embolo (Vargas 23’), Zakaria (Schär 100’), Freuler, Zuber (Fass. 90+’) Shaqiri (c) (Sow 81’), Seferović (Gavranović 81’) COACH: Vladimir Petković |
SPAIN U. Simón Azpilicueta, Laporte, P. Torres (Thiago 113’), J. Alba Koke (M. Llorente 90’), Busquets (c), Pedri (Rodri 119’) F. Torres (Oyarzabal 91’), Morata (Gerard 54’), Sarabia (D. Olmo 46’) COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez |
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GAME SUMMARY Spain reached the Euro 2020 semifinals after prevailing 3-1 in a nervy penalty shoot-out against dogged Switzerland, who was reduced to ten men by a sending off but still clung to a 1-1 draw after extra-time. Mikel Oyarzabal struck the decisive spot-kick after Gerard Moreno and Dani Olmo had converted for Spain and Sergio Busquets and Rodri squandered their kicks. Spanish keeper Unai Simón saved from Switzerland's Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schär while Rubén Vargas hammered his shot over the bar. Although Spain prevailed, this was an extraordinary effort from Switzerland, who ended the game without its three best midfielders, as Granit Xhaka was suspended, Remo Freuler was sent off and Xherdan Shaqiri hobbled off injured. Swiss keeper Yann Sommer produced several heroics, making save after save as Spain overwhelmed its opponent in extra-time but failed to score.
In normal time, Spain took an eighth-minute lead when a Jordi Alba strike took a heavy deflection off Denis Zakaria and went into the net. It was the 10th own goal of the tournament—more than at all the other Euros combined. Hoping to win its first of four quarterfinal appearances in major tournaments, Switzerland deservedly levelled in the 68th minute when Shaqiri cashed in on a mix-up in the Spain defense. The Swiss cause was complicated by Freuler being shown a straight red card in the 77th minute, yet it held on to force the extra period and somehow survived a Spain onslaught to make it to the spot-kicks. Despite beating France 5-4 on penalties in the last 16 by scoring all its kicks, only Mario Gavranović could beat Simón and Switzerland was left heartbroken, still waiting to win a European Championships quarterfinal. |
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STADIUM: Allianz Arena (München) DATE: 2-07-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 12.984 REFEREE: Slavko Vinčič (SVN) GOALS: 0-1 (Barella 31’); 0-2 (Insigne 44’); 1-2 (Lukaku [p.] 45+’) BOOKED: Verratti (20’), Berardi (90’) / Tielemans (21’) |
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Belgium - Italy |
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1-2 (1-2) |
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BELGIUM Courtois Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen (c) Meunier (Chadli 69’ (Praet 73’)), Tielemans (Mertens 69’), Witsel, Th. Hazard De Bruyne, Lukaku, Doku COACH: Roberto Martínez |
ITALY Donnarumma Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini (c), Spinazzola (Emerson Palmieri 79’) Barella, Jorginho, Verratti (Cristante 74’) Chiesa (Rafael Tolói 90+’), Immobile (Belotti 74’), Insigne (Berardi 79’) COACH: Roberto Mancini |
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GAME SUMMARY Goals from Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne guided Italy to a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the second quarterfinal of Euro 2020 at the Allianz Arena and a ticket to a semifinal in Wembley against Spain. The Azzurri opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Barella picked up the ball, forced his way past two defenders in the area and fired home. Insigne doubled the lead in the 44th minute after collecting the ball on the left and skipping beyond a defender before unleashing a long-range curling shot that flew past Thibaut Courtois. Romelu Lukaku clawed a goal back for Belgium from the penalty spot just before the break after Giovanni di Lorenzo put an arm on Jérémy Doku and pushed him to the ground. In the second half, neither side could find another goal and Roberto Mancini’s exciting side held on for a 15th straight win, extending their record unbeaten run to 32 games. On the other side, it was another disappointment for a talented Belgium squad lauded as a “golden generation” and ranked number 1 in the world by FIFA, but who have failed to win any trophies or reach a final at a major tournament.
Italy started strongly when Leonardo Bonucci bundled the ball into the net after 13 minutes from a free-kick, but his celebrations were cut short when it was ruled out for offside. Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma then produced a superb one-handed save to deny Kevin de Bruyne, who was fit enough to start after picking up an injury in Belgium’s last game, before the goalkeeper tipped a Lukaku effort wide. The Azzurri went in front when Barella lashed a shot into the bottom corner of the net after holding off two defenders in the box. It was Italy’s 10th goal of the tournament, their most at a European Championship. Italy looked set to end the half on a high when Insigne’s outstanding curler from the edge of the area doubled their lead, but Belgium cut the deficit three minutes later when Di Lorenzo barged over Doku in the box and the referee pointed to the spot, much to the dismay of the Italians, and Lukaku converted from 9 meters. Leonardo Spinazzola performed a superb goal-line clearance to deny Lukaku an equalizer after the break, but the impressive Italy left-back’s night ended in tears when he was carried off on a stretcher. The lively Doku caused problems for the Azzurri defense all night and threatened a late equalizer when he cut in from the wing to lash a shot at goal, but it flew centimeters over the bar, leaving the Italians to celebrate a famous victory. |
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STADIUM: Olimpiya Stadionu (Baku) DATE: 3-07-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 16.306 REFEREE: Björn Kuipers (NED) GOALS: 0-1 (Delaney 5’); 0-2 (Dolberg 42’); 1-2 (Schick 49’) BOOKED: Krmenčík (84’), Kalas (86’) |
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Czech Republic - Denmark |
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1-2 (0-2) |
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CZECH REPUBLIC Vaclík Coufal, Čelůstka (Brabec 65’), Kalas, Bořil Souček (c), Holeš (Jankto 46’), Barák, Ševčík (Darida 79’) Masopust (Krmenčík 46’), Schick (Vydra 79’) COACH: Jaroslav Šilhavý |
DENMARK Schmeichel Christensen (Andersen 81’), Kjær (c), Vestergaard Stryger Larsen (Wass 70’), Højbjerg, Delaney (Jensen 81’), Mæhle Damsgaard (Nørgaard 59’), Dolberg (Yurary Poulsen 59’), Braithwaite COACH: Kasper Hjulmand |
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GAME SUMMARY Memories of 1992 are back in many Danish fans as their team moved into the semifinals of Euro 2020 with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. First half goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg helped the Danes progress into the semis in London, something that a couple of weeks ago would seem simply chimeric for Kasper Hjulmand’s side, on the verge of elimination after its second group defeat against Belgium and with key midfielder Christian Eriksen in hospital recovering from a cardiac arrest on the field. After that critical moment, it was all straight wins for the Danes against Russia, Wales and now the Czech Republic.
Following the usual tributes to Eriksen from UEFA and fans—a giant No. 10 shirt laid out on the field and a “For Christ10an” banner in the stands—Denmark quickly took control against the Czechs on a hot and humid night in Baku. Jens Stryger Larsen sent an outswinging corner in the fifth minute to Delaney, standing in space by the penalty spot, and the Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s bouncing header went in past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík. The Czechs tried to react, but the Danish defense was very solid and adaptable. Just before halftime, Denmark doubled its lead when Joakim Mæhle hit a fantastic cross from the left into the heart of the Czech area using the outside of his right foot. Although the ball eluded Martin Braithwaite’s attempt at a header, Kasper Dolberg got past his marker and beat Vaclík.
Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick scored his fifth goal at the beginning of the second half—putting him even with Cristiano Ronaldo as the tournament’s leading scorers—when he was given plenty of space by defender Jannik Vestergaard to hit a first-touch shot off Vladimír Coufal’s curled pass. The Czechs pushed hard to level the score in a very physical game, which finished with Tomáš Souček and Jan Bořil both with their heads wrapped in bandages after collisions with Danish players. Although Jaroslav Šilhavý’s side was in the ascendancy in the second half, Denmark held on for a famous victory and a semifinal date at Wembley with either Ukraine or England. |
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STADIUM: Stadio Olimpico (Roma) DATE: 3-07-2021 (21:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 11.880 REFEREE: Felix Brych (GER) GOALS: 0-1 (Kane 4’); 0-2 (Maguire 46’); 0-3 (Kane 50’); 0-4 (J. Henderson 63’) BOOKED: - |
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Ukraine - England |
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0-4 (0-1) |
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UKRAINE Bushchan Zabarnyj, Kryvtsov (Tsygankov 35’), Matvienko Karavaev, Shaparenko, Sydorchuk (Makarenko 64’), Zinchenko, Mykolenko Yarmolenko (c), Yaremchuk COACH: Andrij Shevchenko |
ENGLAND Pickford Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw (Trippier 65’) Sancho, Rice (J. Henderson 57’), Phillips (Bellingham 65’), Mount, Sterling (Rashford 65’) Kane (c) (Calvert-Lewin 73’) COACH: Gareth Southgate |
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GAME SUMMARY Harry Kane scored twice and Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson added two more goals as England overwhelmed Ukraine 4-0 to reach the Euro 2020 semifinals. In their only game played outside London, the Three Lions showed their most dominant performance of the tournament. The only thing that didn’t change was the English deadlock: Gareth Southgate’s men kept a clean sheet for the fifth straight match.
Things couldn’t start any better for England as Kane scored on the first opportunity in the fourth minute, using one touch to redirect a through ball from Raheem Sterling for his second goal in as many matches. The ball went in off the shoulder of goalkeeper Georgij Bushchan inside the near post. Not even one goal down did Ukraine change its defensive display, waiting for a chance on the counterattack, while England sat comfortably on their lead keeping possession of the ball. The second half started in a similar fashion to the first one, with another early English goal. Only ten seconds after the interval, Kane was fouled, and the free-kick from Luke Shaw set up an easy header from Maguire. Four minutes later, Kane got his second by heading in another cross from Shaw on a play that included a backheel pass from Sterling. As England dazzled, Jordan Henderson scored the fourth goal—his first for the national team after a decade—with a header, as Ukraine’s defenders had no answers to England’s aerial prowess. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 6-07-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 57.811 REFEREE: Felix Brych (GER) GOALS: 1-0 (Chiesa 60’); 1-1 (Morata 80’) BOOKED: Rafael Tolói (97’), Bonucci (118’) / Busquets (51’) PK: 0-0 (Locatelli [saved]); 0-0 (Dani Olmo [out]) / 1-0 (Belotti); 1-1 (Gerard) / 2-1 (Bonucci); 2-2 (Thiago) / 3-2 (Bernardeschi); 3-2 (Morata [saved]) / 4-2 (Jorginho) |
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Italy - Spain |
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1-1 (0-0;1-1) (pk: 4-2) |
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ITALY Donnarumma Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini (c), Emerson Palmieri (Rafael Tolói 73’) Barella (Locatelli 85’), Jorginho, Verratti (Pessina 73’) Chiesa (Bernardeschi 107’), Immobile (Berardi 61’), Insigne (Belotti 85’) COACH: Roberto Mancini |
SPAIN U. Simón Azpilicueta (M. Llorente 85’), E. García (P. Torres 109’), Laporte, J. Alba Koke (Rodri 70’), Busquets (c) (Thiago 106’), Pedri Oyarzabal (Gerard 70’), D. Olmo, F. Torres (Morata 61’) COACH: Luis Enrique Martínez |
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GAME SUMMARY Italy reached the Euro 2020 final after keeping its nerve from the penalty spot to edge Spain 4-2 in a shoot-out following a compelling 1-1 draw after extra-time in Wembley, thus completing a remarkable revival into the international scene after failing to qualify for the last World Cup. Jorginho coolly rolled the decisive kick past Spain keeper Unai Simón after Álvaro Morata had been thwarted by Gianluigi Donnarumma and Dani Olmo had blasted his effort over the bar. Spain’s twin misses bailed out Manuel Locatelli, who had his strike saved by Unai Simón with the first kick of the shoot-out, and Italy’s substitutes and coaching staff poured on to the pitch to celebrate in front of their jubilant supporters behind the goal. Although Spain dominated possession during regulation and extra-time, it was Roberto Mancini’s side who took the lead on the hour through a sensational curler from Federico Chiesa to complete a sweeping counterattack which began with keeper Donnarumma catching a Spain cross and rolling the ball out. Morata, who had been dropped from the starting line-up after beginning all Spain’s previous games, levelled with ten minutes left, calmly slotting into the bottom corner after bursting forward and exchanging a one-two with Dani Olmo. Spain looked more likely to find a winner in the remaining minutes and in extra-time, but could not manage a second shoot-out victory after prevailing against Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
Luis Enrique made three changes to the team that defeated Switzerland, handing Eric García his third start of the tournament in central defense, swapping in Mikel Oyarzabal for injured winger Pablo Sarabia (abductor) and opting for Dani Olmo in place of Morata. Mancini made only one adjustment from the squad that bounced top-ranked Belgium, starting Emerson Palmieri at left-back after Leonardo Spinazzola suffered a ruptured Achilles’ tendon in the quarterfinal. Italy made an intense start, but Spain went on to dominate the first half (65 percent of ball possession and 5-1 in goal shooting), with FC Barcelona youth sensation Pedri pulling the strings. Still, the opening goal proved elusive. Pedri’s incisive through ball freed Oyarzabal in the box, but his first touch evaded him. On Spain’s best chance of the half, Donnarumma got down quickly to deny Dani Olmo from close range. Amid the lack of possession, Italy countered by repeatedly threatening to expose Spain’s high defensive line. Emerson Palmieri beat Unai Simón to a long ball down the flank on one golden opportunity, but Spain’s back line scrambled to keep Italy from launching a shot at the empty net. The Italians nearly went ahead seconds before halftime, when Emerson Palmieri struck woodwork with an angled blast.
The second half was even more intense as gaps opened up at either side and both teams traded chances. Only a late intervention from Giovanni di Lorenzo stopped Spain winger Ferran Torres from tapping in Dani Olmo’s teasing cross. Oyarzabal carved out space down the right flank and teed up Busquets, whose curling effort sailed centimeters high. At the other end, Unai Simón did well to corral Chiesa’s low bid. Italy opened the scoring when Donnarumma sparked a counterattack by rolling the ball into the path of Marco Verratti, who found Lorenzo Insigne on the left flank. Although a subsequent service for Insigne was broken up by defender Aymeric Laporte, Chiesa pounced on the loose ball and picked out the far corner with a bending strike. Italy could have put the game to bed, but Unai Simón saved twice from Domenico Berardi. Bringing on Morata in search of the equalizer, Spain nearly found it in the 65th minute when Koke’s clipped ball into the box just missed the head of Oyarzabal. Spain pulled even with ten minutes left in regulation. Collecting the ball near midfield, Morata burst forward, executed a textbook “give-and-go” with Dani Olmo to pull apart the defense and calmly beat Donnarumma from close range for his team-leading third goal of the tournament. The Spaniards pushed for a winner before the end of regulation, nearly earning a penalty when Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini inadvertently touched the ball with his arm, but German referee Felix Brych waved off their appeals as the Juventus defender was merely leaning on the ground with his hand.
Spain looked more likely to find a winner in the remaining minutes and in extra-time. Italy survived a dangerous 98th-minute sequence to maintain the 1-1 draw. Dani Olmo whipped a clever, low ball to the far post on a free-kick that threatened goalkeeper Donnarumma but couldn’t find the back of the net, and Morata’s follow-up shot from the right side of the box was blocked. Domenico Berardi seemingly gave Italy a lead when he received a through ball from Chiellini in the 110th minute, but the Sassuolo attacker was whistled offside after he slid his shot past Unai Simón. In the penalty shoot-out, destiny was cruel with Spain, as two of his best men during the game, Dani Olmo and Morata, missed their kicks. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 7-07-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 64.950 REFEREE: Danny Makkelie (NED) GOALS: 0-1 (Damsgaard 30’); 1-1 (Kjær [o.g.] 39’); 2-1 (Kane 104’) BOOKED: Maguire (49’) / Wass (72’) [Incidents: Jordan Pickford broke Gordon Banks’s milestone goalkeeping record of 720 minutes without conceding a goal, stretching back to 1966, with a new run of 726 minutes since March 2021. Kane missed a penalty shot (min. 104), saved by Schmeichel, but the English attacker picked up the deflected ball and scored on second attempt.] |
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England - Denmark |
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2-1 (1-1;1-1) |
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ENGLAND Pickford Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw Phillips, Mount (Foden 95’), Rice (J. Henderson 95’) Saka (Grealish 69’ (Trippier 106’)), Kane (c), Sterling COACH: Gareth Southgate |
DENMARK Schmeichel Christensen (Andersen 79’), Kjær (c), Vestergaard (Wind 105’) Stryger Larsen (Wass 67’), Højbjerg, Delaney (Jensen 88’), Mæhle Braithwaite, Dolberg (Nørgaard 67’), Damsgaard (Yurary Poulsen 67’) COACH: Kasper Hjulmand |
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GAME SUMMARY England won its first semifinal since the 1966 World Cup when Harry Kane’s extra-time goal, following up after his penalty had been saved, earned a 2-1 victory over Denmark that sent the Three Lions into the Euro 2020 final against Italy. The Danes had taken a 30th-minute lead when Mikkel Damsgaard stunned the home crowd with a brilliant “folha seca” free-kick from 25 metres out which flew into the net. Near halftime, England equalized when Denmark captain Simon Kjær scored yet another own goal in the tournament (for a record 11 own goals, more than in all previous Euro editions combined). England was on top throughout the second half and the first half of extra-time, but struggled to break down the battling Danish defense until it was awarded a very controversial penalty in the 103rd-minute when Raheem Sterling went down (or rather plunged) with minimum contact to allow captain Kane to decide it. To add insult to injury, a second ball was on the pitch in the build-up to the penalty and the VAR review didn’t contradict what seemed to be a hasty referee’s decision. It was a tough way for Denmark to end its emotional ride from the fear and distress of Christian Eriksen’s opening game collapse to their first semifinal since its shock Euro 92 win. Its exhausted players left Wembley with socks rolled down but heads held high.
England started the game riding on their momentum and the energy coming from its fans in Wembley, but it was soon clear that they would be needing something special to pierce the Danish rearguard. The English clean sheet during the tournament was broken on the half-hour mark when Damsgaard fired a powerful, dipping free-kick over the wall and beyond the diving Jordan Pickford—the tournament’s first goal direct from a free-kick. The crowd was stunned, that had not been in the script, and the question of how England would respond to its first real taste of adversity would now be addressed. The answer was calmly and patiently, as it passed its way back into the ascendancy. Raheem Sterling was denied at point-blank range by Kasper Schmeichel before the 39th-minute equalizer, when Bukayo Saka hit the byline and fizzed over a low cross that Kjær bundled over his own line in his attempt to stop the ball from reaching Sterling. Schmeichel was on hand again with an excellent diving save to palm away a Harry Maguire header as England began to turn the screw. However, despite all the pressure and relentless passing and probing around the box, England struggled to carve out a clear opening and the match rolled into extra-time. The additional period became a virtual “attack vs. defense” exercise, as Schmeichel saved again from Kane and Jack Grealish. In one of his several drives into the box, Sterling felt the presence of Joakim Mæhle and plunged ahead even before the slightest of contacts from the Danish full-back. The Dutch referee Danny Makkelie immediately pointed to the penalty spot, and the routine VAR review confirmed his decision. Kane, in his best game of the tournament, struck poorly and Schmeichel blocked his kick, only for the captain to tuck home the rebound. England then had to negotiate the last 15 minutes and simply held back in defense the last attacking rattles of an exhausted Danish team. |
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STADIUM: Wembley (London) DATE: 11-07-2021 (20:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 67.173 REFEREE: Björn Kuipers (NED) GOALS: 0-1 (Shaw 2’); 1-1 (Bonucci 67’) BOOKED: Barella (47’), Bonucci (55’), Insigne (84’), Chiellini (90+’), Jorginho (114’) / Maguire (106’) PK: 1-0 (Berardi); 1-1 (Kane) / 1-1 (Belotti [saved]); 1-2 (Maguire) / 2-2 (Bonucci); 2-2 (Rashford [out]) / 3-2 (Bernardeschi); 3-2 (Sancho [saved]) / 3-2 (Jorginho [saved]); 3-2 (Saka [saved]) |
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Italy - England |
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1-1 (0-1;1-1) (pk: 3-2) |
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ITALY Donnarumma Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini (c), Emerson Palmieri (Florenzi 118’) Barella (Cristante 54’), Jorginho, Verratti (Locatelli 96’) Chiesa (Bernardeschi 86’), Immobile (Berardi 54’), Insigne (Belotti 91’) COACH: Roberto Mancini |
ENGLAND Pickford Walker (Sancho 120’), Stones, Maguire Trippier (Saka 70’), Phillips, Rice (J. Henderson 74’ (Rashford 120’)), Shaw Sterling, Kane (c), Mount (Grealish 99’) COACH: Gareth Southgate |
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GAME SUMMARY Italy is the new European champion after a penalty shoot-out win over England at Wembley. It was the first final decided from the 9-meter spot since Czechoslovakia beat West Germany in 1976. For England coach Gareth Southgate, who missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 96 semifinal against Germany also in English soil, it was another shoot-out horror show. Gianluigi Donnarumma was the Italian hero after saving twice from Jadon Sancho and, decisively, Bukayo Saka. Earlier in the shoot-out, England thought they had taken the upper hand when Jordan Pickford saved Andrea Belotti’s shot, but then late substitutes Marcus Rashford and Saka—who were brought in by Gareth Southgate in minute 120 specifically for the shoot-out—also squandered their kicks and broke England’s heart. Luke Shaw had given the Three Lions a dream start with a superb goal only 116 seconds after kick-off, but then surrendered the initiative to Italy despite the support from most of the 67,000 crowd. Although the Azzurri offered almost nothing in response in the first half, gradually took command and deservedly levelled through Leonardo Bonucci after 67 minutes. The match statistics told the story, as Italy had 66 percent possession and 19 shots to England’s six and, until the shoot-out, Donnarumma barely touched the ball. Italy is now unbeaten in 34 matches, underlining the stunning turnaround fashioned by coach Roberto Mancini, who took over after the country’s humiliating failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
It had all started so well for England when Harry Kane spread the ball wide to Kieran Trippier and he instantly repaid coach Southgate’s faith in recalling him by sending over a curling deep cross that Shaw met on the half volley to hammer inside the post for his first international goal. For a while, England stayed on top with their new interpassing style, while the Italians argued to each other and ran to Mancini for instructions as they struggled for a foothold. England’s well-drilled defense, which had conceded only one goal in its six previous tournament games (and it was a distant free-kick from Denmark), looked safe enough, but the players in front gradually began to concede more and more territory. Jordan Pickford had to save from Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa as Italy cranked up the pressure, and midway the second half it paid dividends when Bonucci pounced from close range after the keeper had turned Andrea Belotti’s header onto a post. England could have no complaints after inviting its opponents on and offering almost nothing in attack.
It was a similar story in extra-time, though England did briefly force its way back into the game, but without creating much to reward the crowd for their waves of noise. England briefly sensed glory in the shoot-out when Pickford saved from Belotti and Kane and Harry Maguire put it 2-1 ahead. The Everton keeper kept the host in it again when he saved from Jorginho, only for Donnarumma to have the final word when he blocked Saka’s weakly-struck shot. |
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