Euro 2020 : Quarter Final Round

Belgium vs Italy

This was hyped up to be an exhilarating match, and it truly lived up to the expectation. Italy started off by playing high up the pitch and created many chances. One chance was when Bonucci tapped in a cross from Di Lorenzo in the 13th minute only for it to be ruled offside. However, the Azzurri kept at it and Barella struck a rocket in the 31st minute to take Italy ahead. Insigne added on with his trademark curler which ended up in the top right corner. A minute later, Jeremy Doku was held during added time of the first half and Lukaku calmly fired in the penalty, which kept Belgium in the fight. An easy finish for Lukaku was blocked by Spinazzola. A key player was Doku who continuously made runs in but without any luck. The clock ticked on until the 90th minute. Italy deserved the victory, but it was heartbreak for the World No.1 team.

Denmark vs Czech

Delaney headered the Danes into the lead very early. However, Czech were attacking well too. Kasper Dolberg fired his time two goals ahead just before half time. Czech’s leading scorer Schick nutmegged a defender to inspire a comeback. Czech remained positive but got no further rewards. The Danes stormed into the semi finals for the first time since 1992 when they won the tournament.

Spain vs Switzerland

Although Spain were the favourites in this game, the Swiss were tough competition and were looking really strong after beating the reigning World Cup Champions. The first goal opportunity was created from a corner. A header was missed and Jordi Alba took advantage of the rebound and shot a powerful half-volley which deflected against a defender’s leg and zoomed past Yann Sommer. The second goal was scored by Xherdan Shaqiri. It was a great cross from inside the box which led to an open and easy goal for the Swiss Captain. Minutes later, Remo Freuler got very unlucky and missed the ball by an inch while attempting a slide tackle. Although Spain had many chances they could not score against a ten-man Switzerland for 50 minutes (including extra time). The penalties were nothing but excellence in keeping by Yann Sommer and Unai Simon. After 3 penalties each both teams had only scored one goal. In the Spainiards fourth penalty Gerard Moreno scored, but Ruben Vargas was in tears as he rocketed the ball over the bar and gave Mikel Oyarzabal the perfect chance to score the decider to put Spain through to the semi-finals. Although it was not an impressive game from Spain, they pulled through and set up a semi final berth.

England vs Ukraine

Everyone thought this was a one-sided game but after this Euros you really cannot predict anything. The first goal was super early in the fourth minute by World Cup former Golden Boot Winner, Harry Kane. It was a great through ball by Raheem Sterling and a second later Kane was one on one with the Ukrainian keeper, Heorhiy Bushchan. The second goal was awarded to Harry Maguire as Luke Shaw gave an amazing cross and it was converted by the English defender to double their lead. The next one was almost a duplicate of the second except this time the goal scorer was Harry Kane to add to his campaign. The Englishman scored another but this time the cross was from Chelsea’s Mason Mount and the header was from the unmarked Jordan Henderson. This goal sealed the end to a rampage by England to keep fans believing in “It’s coming home”.