The Euro 2020 quarterfinal stage is in the books. Below, we examine the biggest takeaways from another enthralling round of matches, and look ahead to the semifinals on tap next week.
Good day for the goalkeepers’ union
Yann Sommer. Unai Simon. Gianluigi Donnarumma. Take your pick. All three goalkeepers delivered outstanding performances for their respective teams in the quarterfinals under very different circumstances: Sommer made nine saves against Spain, standing tall despite being bombarded; Simon turned aside two penalties, recovering from his shocking error in the previous round against Croatia; and Donnarumma produced a dazzling stop on Kevin De Bruyne, thrusting out a right hand to make a full-stretch save that he dubbed the most important of his career after Italy’s victory over Belgium.
Goalkeeping errors – always more glaring than mistakes in other areas of the pitch – have gotten a lot of attention at Euro 2020, but this was an opportunity to celebrate the oft-scrutinized position.
“(Simon) had already demonstrated in the last game what he’s made of, but I am so delighted for him,” Spain manager Luis Enrique said of his shot-stopper, who was named Man of the Match against Switzerland. “And I imagine his family and friends enjoyed him being the hero of the game.”
The four remaining keepers – Simon, Donnarumma, Jordan Pickford, and Kasper Schmeichel – now get another chance to be protagonists.
Switzerland leaves with pride
Switzerland may never get a better chance to reach the semifinals of a major international tournament, but the disappointment of a shootout loss to Spain shouldn’t take away from the fact that the Swiss earned plenty of respect at Euro 2020 and changed the perception of the team. After being an unassertive outfit for so long – decent enough, but never invoking any real inspiration – Switzerland was genuinely exciting at these Euros. The stunning fightback against France, in particular, will be remembered for years to come.
Unless you were Spanish, it was hard not to root for Switzerland as extra time, and then penalties, rolled around on Friday.
Yes, Xherdan Shaqiri’s second-half equalizer was the team’s last shot on target before the penalty shootout, but that’s not entirely surprising considering the Swiss played with 10 men after Remo Freuler was harshly sent off in the 77th minute. You often earn more praise playing shorthanded than you ever could at full strength, but this wasn’t just some patronizing pat on the head from those watching an underdog cling on. Without their captain through suspension, having lost their most explosive attacking threat early due to injury, and aggrieved by the sending off, the Swiss dug in and made Spain work. The penalties were shocking, in fairness, but all things considered, getting to that point was an accomplishment that should make supporters proud.
Questions remain about Spain
Despite having an abundance of talent, excellent underlying numbers, and smooth structured passing, Spain continues to give off the impression that something isn’t quite right at Euro 2020. There’s a brittleness to this side that keeps rearing its head – the eventual 5-3 victory masked the late implosion against Croatia and boneheaded defensive blunders like the one that gifted Switzerland its goal on Friday are never that far away. What gives?
It’s not unusual for eventual tournament-winning teams to have hiccups along the way. Spain knows that better than most, actually. La Roja have been able to overcome those aforementioned issues thus far, but against Italy – which has been the most adventurous attacking unit in the competition – Luis Enrique’s men will need to be as close to flawless as possible.
The flip side of all this, of course, is that the Spaniards have still made it this far. Tournament football is fickle, and everything could yet click into place. The strikers may get hot, the defenders could wipe out their mistakes, and Spain absolutely could end up hoisting the trophy for a record fourth time.
Is Belgium’s window closed?
Belgium’s latest exit from a major tournament is being framed as another missed opportunity, and yet another disappointment, for the nation’s golden generation of talent. In reality, though, the Red Devils’ defeat to Italy serves as an important reminder of how the stars need to align for any team to win an international title, regardless of how much talent you have. One way or another, something always seems to be ever so slightly off for Belgium. At the 2014 World Cup, the Belgians fell in the quarterfinals despite conceding just two shots on target against Argentina. Marc Wilmots – a wholly incapable manager – was a clear weakness at the Euros in 2016, and Belgium lost to eventual champion France at the World Cup three years ago.
This time around, Romelu Lukaku was at his absolute peak, but Eden Hazard was woefully out of rhythm, and De Bruyne battled injuries at both the beginning and end of the tournament. Perhaps a unit of such quality should be able to dig deep and overcome its issues at least once – the mark of a champion and whatnot – but it only takes one thing going sideways in knockout football to end your run. Belgium is the perfect example. Maybe everything will come together next year when this suddenly aging group gets another chance at glory in the 2022 World Cup.
Can Italy overcome Spinazzola’s absence?
The cruel late injury to star Leonardo Spinazzola somewhat soured Italy’s breathless win over Belgium, with the left-back – after being an irrepressible force all tournament long – tearing his Achilles while sprinting down the wing and trying, again, to push the Azzurri forward.
It was a brutal blow for the 28-year-old, a late bloomer who was finally given the consistent opportunity to thrive at club level with Roma after dealing with a variety of injuries in his career. Spinazzola’s translated that into a dominant performance at the Euros. With the Italian defender expected to be sidelined for several months, his long-term health is the most pressing concern.
It also creates a significant issue for Italy boss Roberto Mancini, of course. Spinazzola’s tireless drive, his ability to beat defenders, and his collaboration with Lorenzo Insigne and Marco Verratti are all foundational elements of the Azzurri attack. Pushing Spinazzola high up the pitch and pinning the opposing full-back creates space for Insigne, and when Verratti slides over to the left side of midfield, the three can exchange triangular passes, interchange positions, and make their way into the penalty area at will.
Spinazzola’s two-footedness is crucial, too, and his likely replacement Emerson Palmieri doesn’t offer that same versatility or explosiveness. Mancini will need to figure out a way to keep Italy’s attack purring despite the enforced absence.
Anything’s possible for Denmark
After the round of 16, we noted that Denmark is more than just a feel-good team riding an emotional wave. That’s undoubtedly a factor – after what happened with Christian Eriksen, how could it not be?
But it’s not the only thing driving the Danes forward.
Saturday’s 2-1 win over a stubborn Czech Republic side was the latest example proving Denmark has every chance of matching its stunning triumph at Euro ’92. Joakim Maehle was once again a standout performer, delivering a gorgeous outside-of-the-foot assist that would make Ricardo Quaresma, the king of the Trivela, blush. The two-footed Atalanta full-back has forged an excellent understanding with fellow Serie A peer Mikkel Damsgaard, often figuring out ways to create overloads out wide before finding space to deliver balls into the area or cutting inside to attempt a shot himself.
Those combinations on the pitch, combined with the bonds built off it, are powering an unlikely Danish run.
“It was just unbelievable to see this team, how the reaction was, how much compassion and love they gave each other, but also the Danish population,” coach Kasper Hjulmand said after the quarterfinal victory. “We are just happy and proud we can maybe just remind ourselves why we love football and what football can do in the world.”
Now two wins away from the title, anything is possible for Denmark.
Southgate strikes perfect balance
Gareth Southgate can do no wrong right now.
Defensive setup to stifle Germany and break an enduring curse? Bingo. Bring Jadon Sancho into the starting lineup, revert to a back-four, and crush Ukraine with a (slightly) more adventurous setup? You bet. And now, with the semifinals and a potential final being played in front of an exuberant, partisan crowd at Wembley, England – yes, England – has every chance of being crowned European champion for the first time in history.
Southgate’s primary tactic of using a low defensive block to remain stout and then relying on the squad’s collection of forwards – whichever ones he picks to support Harry Kane – to use their inventiveness on the break has worked almost perfectly so far. England hasn’t conceded a goal in the tournament, making them the only team with an unblemished mark, and there’s a clear pathway where those same tactics could derail Denmark and then either Italy or Spain.
The Danes want to push the envelope with their wing-backs but could leave space behind, while Italy and Spain are susceptible to counters with their possession-based styles. The Three Lions’ proficiency from set pieces can’t be ignored, either.
Any way you slice it, Southgate and England should feel confident.
Breaking down thrilling EPL title race with 10 games left
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One of the most intoxicating title races in Premier League history is, mercifully, ready to resume.
The quirks of the calendar – an FA Cup weekend succeeded by an agonizing international window – means the titanic tussle between Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City will have been on hiatus for a full three weeks before it gets back underway on Sunday.
But there are no more impending interruptions. With 10 matches remaining for each title contender, we’re barreling toward a resolution to the type of three-way battle that’s exceedingly rare in England’s top flight. There’s never been a season in the Premier League era where three teams went into the final day with a chance to hoist the trophy. This could be it. The last time it happened was the 1971-72 campaign, when Derby County won an incredible four-team fight, narrowly beating Leeds United and, ominously, Liverpool and Man City to the crown. We’re overdue for that kind of drama.
That three sides have converged this way at all is, frankly, remarkable.
These are the three best teams in the country by an enormous margin. They’re the only ones with an expected goal difference per game of plus-1.0 or greater this season. The next best mark, surprisingly, belongs to Mauricio Pochettino’s erratic Chelsea team at plus-0.36. So, yeah, it’s not close.
The three of them are also on a tear and show no signs of slowing down. Arsenal have won all eight of their league games in 2024, scoring 33 goals in the process; Liverpool have collected 22 of a possible 27 points in that time; reigning champions Manchester City have racked up 23 of 27 points. They’ve combined for just one loss since the calendar flipped – Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in early February.
The only sides that look capable of halting their progress are each other, which makes this weekend’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad all the more significant.
Euro 2024 playoffs: Miraculous Ukraine comeback, big result for Wales
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Wales, Greece, and Poland registered statement wins Thursday, joining three other teams in next Tuesday’s playoff finals for the three remaining places at Euro 2024.
Ukraine staged an incredible late comeback against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its semifinal to keep its Euro dream alive.
The highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings that’s no longer in contention to reach the tournament in Germany is 60th-placed Finland.
Here’s how the playoff semifinals across Path A, B, and C played out.
Path A
Mateusz Slodkowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Poland 5-1 Estonia
Estonia barely stood a chance. Down to 10 men as early as the 27th minute, the northern Europeans could only muster a consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Poland. The Polish achieved the rout without Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet and remain unbeaten in 21 Euro qualifiers at home, a magnificent run dating back to September 2006. Poland is trying to make up for a poor qualifying campaign in which it finished third in Group E, four points behind the Czech Republic and Albania. The country hasn’t missed the Euros since 2004.
Wales 4-1 Finland
The Red Wall might descend on Germany this summer. Wales’ raucous supporters have legitimate hopes of traveling to another major tournament after the Dragons scorched Finland without the retired Gareth Bale and with Aaron Ramsey, 33, on the bench after more injury problems. Teemu Pukki gave the visiting team some hope just before halftime following well-taken finishes from David Brooks and Neco Williams. But Wales needed just 73 seconds of the second period to restore its two-goal cushion via Brennan Johnson’s tap-in. Daniel James took advantage of a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper in the 86th minute to give the host a resounding victory.
Playoff final: Wales vs. Poland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path B
David Balogh – UEFA / UEFA / Getty
Israel 1-4 Iceland
Iceland’s Albert Gudmundsson stole the show with an emphatic hat-trick against Israel on Thursday. His stunning free-kick into the top right corner canceled out Eran Zahavi’s opening goal for Israel, and he created a nice cushion for his country with a pair of markers in the final 10 minutes. Just before that, Zahavi blew an incredible opportunity to equalize the match at 2-2, missing a penalty awarded for handball against Iceland’s Gudmundur Thorarinsson. A red card to Israel’s Haim Revivo didn’t help the trailing side. Iceland is now a game away from making only its second-ever appearance at the Euros following its quarterfinal run in 2016.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine
Ukraine scored twice with just minutes remaining in regulation to snatch what seemed to be a sure victory from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Bosnia controlled play for most of the match and took the lead in the 56th minute when Mykola Matviyenko turned in Amar Dedic’s shot into his own net. But a colossal defensive lapse cost the Bosnians a chance to make it a record four countries from the former Yugoslavia at Euro 2024. Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to equalize in the 85th minute and teed up Artem Dovbyk’s sensational winning header three minutes later to turn the playoff semifinal on its head. Ukraine now faces Iceland with a third consecutive Euro appearance at stake.
Playoff final: Ukraine vs. Iceland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path C
GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE / AFP / Getty
Georgia 2-0 Luxembourg
Two clever finishes from Budu Zivzivadze in Tbilisi assured Georgia of a place in Path C’s final – and all without the help of suspended talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But it wasn’t that simple for the host. Luxembourg thought it equalized during the second half, only for the goal to be eventually snatched away due to Maxime Chanot’s apparent foul 45 seconds earlier. Luxembourg’s Chanot was controversially sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Zivzivadze effectively ended the match six minutes later with his second strike. Kvaratskhelia is available for the final.
Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan
Anastasios Bakasetas lashed home a penalty, Dimitrios Pelkas headed into the net’s roof, Fotis Ioannidis tapped in from close range, and Dimitrios Kourbelis added another header. And that was all before halftime. Kazakhstan’s impressive 2022-23 Nations League campaign and notable Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Denmark, Northern Ireland (twice), and Finland suddenly seemed ages ago, as Greece recorded its biggest halftime lead since October 1978 (5-0 against Finland). Aleksandr Marochkin’s embarrassing own goal in the 85th minute made Kazakhstan’s day even worse.
Playoff final: Georgia vs. Greece, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. ET
Look: Nike unveils beautiful kit selection for Euro 2024, Copa America
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Nike released a stunning batch of threads ahead of Euro 2024 and Copa America on Monday.
Days after Adidas launched its lineup for the summer’s top two tournaments, Nike followed suit with an array of colorful designs.
The U.S. manufacturer also announced redesigns for Canada and Poland, even though they’ve yet to qualify for their respective tournaments. The Canucks face Trinidad and Tobago in a one-off Copa America qualifier on Saturday, while Poland must navigate a four-team playoff to reach Euro 2024.
(All images courtesy of Nike)
Euro 2024
Croatia
Home
The square-shaped design that gives Croatia its unique look gets a slight upgrade. The home shirt features larger squares than ever before.
Away
Croatia’s away shirt plays on the national flag, with the traditional checkered pattern now on a slant.
England
Home
Influenced by England’s 1966 training gear, the home shirt has a classic feel with a rich blue collar and gorgeous trim along the cuffs.
Away
England embraces a deep purple hue for its away selection. The crest stands out with a contrasting off-white tint that makes the three lions pop.
France
Home
France’s home shirt may have the biggest crest of all of Nike’s offerings. The oversized rooster defines this shirt as much as the royal blue that’s made France’s kits a crowd-pleaser.
Away
The pinstripes mirror the colors of France’s national flag and span the width of the shirt in a simple, yet elegant design.
Netherlands
Home
Nike could’ve offered anything orange here, and it would’ve been perfect. But the Netherlands has something bolder and better to wear. The zig-zag pattern adds edge.
Away
The orange collar and cuffs pop alongside the three shades of blue Nike has chosen to create the abstract design on this work of art.
Poland
Home
Poland dedicates premium real estate on the country’s home shirt to its imposing crest.
Away
Poland’s away shirt is a daring choice. The graphic treatment adds texture, giving it a rugged feel while separating from the red tones of years past.
Portugal
Home
With possibly the best home shirt in Nike’s collection, Portugal leans heavily into its traditional red-and-green motif with a polo collar and thick cuffs. The logo sits prominently as well. A smash hit.
Away
Here’s another winner. Portugal’s away strip has a stunning textile imprint that gives off a cool summer vibe.
Turkey
Home
This is a menacing look. Turkey will look like a whirring red army with these imposing shirts.
Away
The classic red band returns to Turkey’s away uniform. Like the others, it features an oversized crest in the middle of the shirt.
Copa America
Brazil
Home
Nike goes big with Brazil’s crest and adds an intricate design to the same yellow hue the Selecao have used for decades.
Away
Brazil’s secondary strip feels like the beach. A horizontal wavy pattern covering the entire shirt mimics the country’s picturesque coastline.
Canada
Home
The only blemish in Nike’s lineup. Why is there a circle around the swoosh? And why are the shoulders so much darker than the body? None of it makes sense.
Away
The 13 pinstripes are supposed to represent the 10 provinces and three territories that make up Canada. Unfortunately, the rest of the shirt looks incomplete.
United States
Home
The United States men’s national team gets a classic home shirt with patriotic detailing along the color and sleeves.
Away
The gradient works perfectly with the red shorts the U.S. will wear at the Copa America.