After watching Italy’s performance against Switzerland on June 16 I was sold. The Azzuri were going to win Euro 2020. This team was firing on all cylinders and looked one step ahead of all the other 23 teams in the tournament. Three weeks later this team is in the final.
Álvaro Morata’s Euro 2020 campaign then: Spain draws 0-0 with Sweden. Villain. Morata scores early against Poland. Hero. Morata misses a sitter against Poland and Spain draws again. Villain. Morata scores the extra-time winner against Croatia. Hero. Morata only lasts 54 minutes against Switzerland and is benched against Italy. Villain. Morata comes off the bench and scores the equalizer against Italy. Hero. Morata misses the decisive penalty kick in the shootout. Villain.
PARIS - A French woman arrested at the weekend for abducting a baby is also suspected to be the person who threw corrosive liquid in the eyes of FC Lorient's Congolese forward Yoane Wissa, media reported.
Investigators think the 32-year-old woman from the town of Vannes, near Lorient in western France, approached the footballer at his home on Thursday under pretense of seeking an autograph, the news site Le Telegramme reported late on Monday.
COPENHAGEN - European football governing body UEFA has invited Denmark international Christian Eriksen and the paramedics who helped save his life during an on-field cardiac arrest to attend the Euro 2020 final at Wembley on Sunday.
The brilliant Danish midfielder was resuscitated in front of shocked fans and a massive global TV audience during his nation's first match of the tournament.
France and Barcelona stars Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé are facing hefty criticism after videos were leaked of the two players mocking Japanese workers and making a racist remark. The first Griezmann Dembele video shows the duo laughing at electricians who were trying to fix the soccer players’ Pro Evolution Soccer video game.
MANCHESTER, England - Four teams head to London for the final week of Euro 2020 and as well as promising close battles, the two semifinals present a fascinating clash of football styles and tactical approaches.
While football has its ideologues, who insist that a particular approach is the right way to play the game, the “final four” are proof that there really is no single formula to success.
MANCHESTER - England have the chance to reach a first major final since their 1966 World Cup triumph when they take on Denmark at Wembley in Wednesday's Euro 2020 semifinal, but they will need to banish a history of stumbling at this stage.
Gareth Southgate's side were impressive in their 4-0 dismantling of Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, heralding a wave of euphoria in the country as media showered the team in praise.
LONDON - Spain coach Luis Enrique has coped with personal tragedy and the impact of negative public opinion to rally his young squad and lead them to the Euro 2020 semifinals.
Tuesday's game against Italy at Wembley is Spain's biggest match since they won the Euro 2012 final and victory would complete an eventful few weeks for the coach, who has been in the eye of the storm since before the tournament began.
Hasta ayer, Inglaterra había convertido cuatro goles en sus cuatro partidos en esta Euro 2020: uno a Croacia, cero a Escocia, uno a República Checa y dos a Alemania. Para muchos una cifra mezquina para un plantel lleno de talento ofensivo y candidato al título. Ante Ucrania, sin embargo, esa austeridad frente al arco rival se olvidó por completo. Inglaterra ganó 4-0 y terminó jugando con un estilo avasallador.
El jogo bonito o beautiful game de los ingleses se propició en gran parte por la tempranera apertura de la cuenta.
England is lucky there’s no selection committee for the Euro 2020 knockout rounds. If there were, the Three Lions would never make the final four based on strength of schedule. But England won’t mind after crushing Ukraine 4-0 to advance to the semifinals on Saturday in Rome.