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Tag: Euro 2020

  • Ronaldo should go for imposter Felix – Roy Keane

    Ronaldo should go for imposter Felix – Roy Keane

    Manchester United great Roy Keane slammed Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix after Portugal’s Euros defeat to Belgium.

    Thorgan Hazard’s 42nd minute goal was enough to send Belgium through to the quarter finals, despite Portugal creating several good chances throughout the game.

    One of those chances fell to substitute Felix who scuffed his shot wide in stoppage time after Cristiano Ronaldo neatly laid the ball off for him.

    Talking about Portugal’s misses, Keane said on ITV: “I get really annoyed when they’re quality players.

    “There’s no excuse to be leaning back and just missing the target, just test the goalkeeper because these are top players there’s no getting around it.

    “Felix when he came on, that guy is an imposter. He comes on and the country needs you, just hit the target, he’s what, £100million?

    “If I was Ronaldo you’d certainly be going for him in the dressing room.”

  • Germany will beat England again on penalty kicks – Moeller

    Germany will beat England again on penalty kicks – Moeller

    Andreas Moeller, who scored the winning penalty kick against England in the semi-finals of Euro 96, says Germany will beat England on Tuesday in their Euro 2020 last 16 clash.

    “It will again go to penalty kicks. And, we will win again,” the 53-year-old said on Monday.

    Moeller scored the sudden death shoot-out winner after current England coach Gareth Southgate had his effort saved by current Germany goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke.

    Germany went on to lift the trophy in 1996 and Moeller’s then-teammate, Markus Babbel, also thinks history will repeat itself.

    Alan Shearer gave England an early lead that day with Stefan Kuntz equalising.

    Babbel said: “My bet is 1-1 after extra-time, and then we triumph on penalty kicks.”

    Tuesday’s game is again at Wembley, although the stadium has been completely rebuilt since.

    The last game at the old Wembley in 2000 saw Germany beat England 1-0 in their last competitive visit to London in a World Cup qualifier.

  • Netherlands out of Euros because of me – De Ligt

    Netherlands out of Euros because of me – De Ligt

    Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt blames himself for Netherlands elimination from Euro 2020.

    De Ligt was sent off as Holland lost to the Czech Republic on Sunday night.

    “Obviously, it hurts,” De Ligt said live on NOS TV after the final whistle.

    “Fundamentally, we lost the game because of what I did. With hindsight, I shouldn’t have let the ball bounce. I felt like we had the game under control and had a few chances, especially in the first half.

    “I didn’t even have the sensation that the Czechs were creating many scoring opportunities, but obviously the red card made the difference.”

  • Euro 2020: Portugal out as Belgium set up quarter final tie with Italy

    Euro 2020: Portugal out as Belgium set up quarter final tie with Italy

    A moment of class from Thorgan Hazard proved enough to knock out holders Portugal as Belgium continued their pursuit of a first major title by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

    The Borussia Dortmund winger’s swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey first-half and carried Roberto Martinez’s side into a mouth-watering meeting with Italy on Friday.

    Portugal – who again only introduced Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes from the bench – will look back on key Diogo Jota chances, a Ruben Dias header that was saved and a late Raphael Guerreiro drive that struck the post.

    Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness may dominate headlines in the build-up to the Italy showdown in Munich after he limped off moments after half-time, and Belgium also lost Eden Hazard to a complaint late on.

    The world’s highest-ranked side may have key holes to fill but again they have showed they possess the grit to complement their undoubted quality.

  • Czech Republic beat Netherlands to advance into Euro 2020 quarter-finals

    Czech Republic beat Netherlands to advance into Euro 2020 quarter-finals

    A brave Czech Republic beat The Netherlands 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 on Sunday in Budapest.

    The Czechs will face Denmark on Saturday in Baku.

    This is so far the best campaign for the Czechs at the tournament since 2012, when they also reached the quarter-finals.

    Tomas Holes broke the deadlock after a free-kick was headed back across goal by Tomas Kalas.

    Top goalscorer Patrik Schick added a second, scoring his fourth goal in the tournament.

    The Dutch side had Matthijs de Ligt dismissed for a handball after video review before the opening goal.

    The Netherlands are out in the first match of the knock-out stages after not qualifying for the Euros in 2016 and also missing the 2018 World Cup.(

  • Euro 2020: Belgium target first win against Portugal in 32 years ahead round of 16 clash

    Euro 2020: Belgium target first win against Portugal in 32 years ahead round of 16 clash

    One of the standout ties in the last-16 stage of Euro 2020 will take place in Seville on Sunday evening, with Belgium, who have a 100% record at this summer’s competition, facing champions Portugal.

    Belgium breezed into the knockout round by winning all three of their Group B fixtures to top the section, while Portugal ultimately qualified from Group F in third behind France and Germany.

    Belgium might have topped their section with three wins from three matches, but Roberto Martinez’s side face a Portuguese side they have not beaten for over 30 years.

    The last time Belgium defeated Portugal was in 1989 during qualifiers for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

    Playing at home, Belgium triumphed 3-0 in the second-leg of the qualifiers after the first-leg ended 1-1.

    Since the victory 32 years ago, Belgium are winless in their last five fixtures against Portugal, losing three and drawing two.

    Both teams last met in a friendly in June 2018 which ended in a goalless draw.

    Martinez’s team selection for this match is going to be fascinating, but it is expected to be Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard alongside Lukaku in the final third of the field, leaving Dries Mertens on the bench.

    Dedryck Boyata should get the nod over Jason Denayer to start in the back three, while Thorgan Hazard is likely to keep out Yannick Carrasco to feature as the left-sided wing-back for the Red Devils.

    Youri Tielemans was an unused substitute against Finland but will be back in the side for this match, with Witsel also potentially featuring in the middle of the park, which would allow De Bruyne to form part of the front three.

    As for Portugal, Nelson Semedo had been expected to miss out with the problem that he picked up against France in the latter stages of Wednesday’s contest, but the defender has trained ahead of his match and should get the nod once again, with Diogo Dalot on standby.

    Danilo Pereira is also a doubt with the blow to the face that he suffered against the world champions, but the midfielder is being tipped to overcome the issue to feature as part of a midfield three.

    As a result, Bruno Fernandes could again be named on the bench, with Santos likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation that worked well on Wednesday.

    William Carvalho and Ruben Neves are options to replace Danilo – who trained on Friday – but a switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation could also be in the mind of the manager, which would allow Fernandes to return to the starting side but potentially make the holders more open against a dangerous Belgium outfit.

  • Euro 2020: I don’t fear anyone – Bukayo Saka

    Euro 2020: I don’t fear anyone – Bukayo Saka

    Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka insists there’s no England nerves facing Germany.

    England will meet the Germans in the Euro 2020 round of 16.

    Saka told BBC Sport: “If I do play against Germany it will be the biggest game of my career.

    “I don’t know how I’ll feel on the day but right now I’m not scared of anyone.

    Despite his undoubted talent, it isn’t guaranteed that Saka will retain his place in the starting lineup against Germany, with Phil Foden in contention to return, while Jack Grealish will also be looking to return to the side.

  • Euro 2020 returns with last 16 games

    Euro 2020 returns with last 16 games

    The European Championship resumes on Saturday with the first set of last 16 clashes seeing Denmark against Wales in Amsterdam and Italy take on Austria in London.

    A coronavirus travel ban means few Wales fans will be in the stadium but 4,000 Danes are expected at least.

    It thus makes it almost like another home game for Kasper Hjulmand’s side after their three emotional group stage matches in Copenhagen.

    The shock which followed Christian Eriksen’s collapse in Denmark’s first match turned into a wave of emotional support from their fans.

    Wales will therefore need all the cunning of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to compete.

    Italy took maximum points in the group stage and are big favourites against Austria, who are playing in the knockout stages of a Euros for the first time.

    Neither side expects many fans at Wembley due to coronavirus quarantine rules for supporters when entering Britain.

    Following is the full list of round of 16 fixtures (all times GMT):

    Saturday

    Wales vs Denmark —- Amsterdam, 17:00

    Italy vs Austria —- Wembley, 20:00

    Sunday

    Netherlands vs Czech Republic —— Budapest, 17:00

    Belgium vs Portugal —— Seville, 20:00

    Monday

    Croatia vs Spain —— Copenhagen, 17:00

    France vs Switzerland —— Bucharest, 20:00

    Tuesday

    England vs Germany —- Wembley, 17:00

    Sweden vs Ukraine —— Glasgow, 20:00

  • Euro 2020: We’re used to being called underdogs, Bale says as Wales clash with Denmark today

    Euro 2020: We’re used to being called underdogs, Bale says as Wales clash with Denmark today

    Gareth Bale has embraced Wales’ underdogs tag, with Euro 2020 rivals Denmark counting on support from all over Europe following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest.

    Inter Milan midfielder Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s tournament opening goal against Finland in Copenhagen on June 12 and is currently recovering at home.

    Denmark qualified for the knockout stage on a wave of emotion and have become a lot of people’s “second team” after what happened to Eriksen.

    But skipper Bale, speaking ahead of Saturday’s round-of-16 clash in Amsterdam, said Wales were familiar with being underdogs.

    “That’s normal anyway,” said the Real Madrid forward.

    “We’re always the underdogs and (are) used to that tag. It doesn’t make a difference to us.

    “Obviously we understand the situation that happened with them and we’ve sent all our best wishes to Christian.

    “What a great job the Denmark team did with that. But it won’t have any bearing on the game.

    “The players have been in situations before, where teams are favourites and supported more.

    “Against Turkey they had 18,000 fans in the stadium (when Wales won their group game in Baku 2-0). So, it makes no difference.

    “When it comes to kick-off, it will be just us players on the pitch focusing on the game.”

    Eriksen was the star performer in both games when Denmark completed a UEFA Nations League double over Wales in 2018.

    The Danes triumphed 2-0 in Aarhus and 2-1 in Cardiff and have won six of the 10 games between the two countries.

    “The last time we played them we were in more of a transition and younger players were coming in,” Bale said.

    “With the time that’s passed, we’ve got better and improved as a team.

    “We’ve got more players now and we’re more comfortable with each other.

    “Hopefully, we can prove on the pitch that we’re a much better team.”

    Wales must attempt to claim a first-ever win in the Netherlands without any of their fans present in a 16,000-strong crowd at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

    Supporters coming from Wales are banned because the United Kingdom is not on the safe list of countries.

    Denmark, as a country in the European Union, are able to have their citizens avoid quarantine in Holland by spending less than 12 hours in the country.

    Around 4,400 Denmark fans are expected in Amsterdam.

    “We don’t have our fans in the stadium, which is disappointing,” said Bale, who confirmed that Wales had practised penalty kicks in the event of a shootout contest after extra-time.

    “But, as players, that’s something we’re a little bit used to.

    “We know the occasion we’re in, at a big tournament, and every game we play we feel it’s a big game.

    “We just have to play the game and not think of the occasion.”

  • Winning Euros will be my biggest achievement – Sterling

    Winning Euros will be my biggest achievement – Sterling

    Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling thinks winning Euro 2020 would be the biggest achievement in his career.

    Sterling has won three Premier League titles with City, but an international triumph would trump his domestic success.

    “I think winning something with the national team, England, would definitely be the greatest achievement that I can possibly do,” Sterling said.

    “I mean, not me but the team can possibly achieve.

    “I feel like you win stuff with your clubs and you know it’s a great achievement, but this is on a bigger scale.

    “You’re representing a nation, a country, so to achieve something with England it would be the biggest thing to happen in my footballing career.”