Euro 2020
Man City star makes huge impact in comeback victory – Denmark 1-2 Belgium Player Ratings
Belgium came from behind to defeat Denmark in a thrilling Group B match at Euro 2020 on Thursday. It was the perfect start by Denmark, who took the lead after just two minutes. Jason Denayer’s pass was cut out by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who slipped the ball through to Yussuf Poulsen. The RB Leipzig man coolly rolled the ball into the bottom left corner to open the scoring. Both sides had chances within the next five minutes to add to the scoresheet. Belgium came close when Youri Tielemans’ cross was glanced towards goal by Dries Mertens, but straight at Kasper Schmeichel. Meanwhile, Denmark had three chances in quick succession to double their advantage. Joakim Maehle almost forced his way through but was smothered by Thibaut Courtois, and Martin Braithwaite also came close. Maehle was infl...
‘Different player’, ‘Sign him’: Some West Ham fans react to attacker’s display at Euros
A selection of West Ham United fans reacted to Andriy Yarmolenko’s performance during Ukraine’s 2-1 win over North Macedonia at Euro 2020 on Thursday. The 31-year-old had a difficult 2020/21 campaign with the Hammers, ending up with just 362 minutes of Premier League action across 15 appearances. However, he has looked a completely different player with his return to international duty, registering two goals and one assist in his last two matches. Yarmolenko came up with a stunner against the Netherlands last week, but the game ended in disappointment as the Dutch secured a 3-2 triumph. He carried over the form to the North Macedonia game, registering a goal and an assist in a rampant first-half display for Andriy Shevchenko’s side. Yarmolenko has had an excellent record with his national ...
Barcelona man shines, full-back has another excellent game – Netherlands 2-0 Austria Player Ratings
Netherlands sealed top spot in their group after comfortably seeing off Austria in their second game of Euro 2020. The Oranje had the better of the first half, and were awarded an early penalty after a VAR check. Replays showed that David Alaba stepped on the foot of Denzel Dumfries, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Memphis Depay stepped up and slammed it into the bottom left corner. Alaba’s difficult start continued later on when he miscontrolled a throw in which allowed Depay to get into the box, but the former Manchester United man could only hit the side netting. Just before half time, Depay got another chance, and it was one that he really should have taken. Patrick van Aanholt floated a wonderful ball over the top to Wout Weghorst, who squared to his strike partner. But fr...
‘Absolutely balling’, ‘So versatile’: Some Man City fans react to 24-year-old’s international display
A section of Manchester City fans reacted to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s performance during Ukraine’s 2-1 win over North Macedonia at Euro 2020 on Thursday. The 24-year-old has regularly played at left-back for the Cityzens, with just two of his 32 appearances came in the centre of the park last season. However, it has been a different story when it comes to the national team, and he has generally operated as the advanced player in a midfield three. Zinchenko only had a pass success rate of 77 percent but impressed with quality long passes from deep while creating three key chances. The midfielder was also solid with his defensive duties with two interceptions and four tackles, more than any other Ukrainian player. Some City fans were impressed with his showing and believe he deserves the chance...
Andriy Yarmolenko and Ezgjan Alioski go head-to-head in Euro 2020 survival battle
Seeking redemption for a slow start to their Euro 2020 campaign, Ukraine will take on North Macedonia at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest on Thursday. A potential failure against the former state of Yugoslavia might well end the Ukrainians’ European Championship adventure already in round two of the group stage. The same goes for the North Macedonians, who could be packing their bags already on Thursday if the results do not go their way. Note: You can watch all Euro 2020 games via live streaming. Ukraine Preview Ukraine’s hopes of making it out of the European Championship group stage for the first time as a sovereign state are on the line as they aim to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat to the Netherlands on Matchday 1. Despite coming back from a two-goal deficit, the Ukrainians failed ...
De Bruyne returns to the fold as Belgium meet devastated Denmark
Belgium will be looking to become the second team after Italy to qualify for the Euro 2020 knock-out stages when they meet Denmark at the Parken Stadium on Thursday. The teams experienced contrasting fortunes on Matchday 1, with Denmark losing to Finland and Belgium dismantling Stanislav Cherchesov’s Russia. Danish Dynamite will have to pick themselves up from one of the most disturbing moments in the history of the European Championships if they want to avoid early elimination. Note: You can watch all Euro 2020 games via live streaming. Denmark Preview Despite shockingly losing to the tournament debutant Finland in their Group B opener, Denmark showed great mental fortitude to see out the encounter following Christian Eriksen’s on-field collapse. Kasper Hjumland’s men decided to retu...
Arsenal-linked midfielder MOTM, Chelse and Inter men also shine – Italy 3-0 Switzerland Player Ratings
Italy continued their near-perfect start to Euro 2020 with a wonderful performance and win against Switzerland. The hosts dominated the first half, and thought they’d made a breakthrough when Giorgio Chiellini bundled home from Lorenzo Insigne’s corner. However, VAR ruled the goal out after replays showed that the ball struck Chiellini’s hand. This was his last contribution of the game, as he was substituted with an injury shortly afterwards. But it was not long before Italy took the lead with a wonderful goal. Manuel Locatelli played an excellent pass out to Domenico Berardi, who drove into the box and squared back to Locatelli for a tap in. Roberto Mancini’s men continued to control the first half, and they almost got a second when Leonardo Spinazzola was played through by Insigne, but t...
Gareth Bale: Wales in ‘great position’ for Euro 2020 last 16
Captain Gareth Bale said Wednesday’s win over Turkey in Baku puts Wales in a “great position” to reach the Euro 2020 last 16. Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored to send Wales top of Group A on four points before Italy host Switzerland later on. “The victory puts us in a great position,” Bale told the BBC. “If you’d have offered us four points at the start we would’ve bitten your hand off,” he added. A hostile crowd whistled every touch from Bale and his team-mate with the locals supporting the Crescent Stars due to historical links between Turkey and Azerbaijan. “It helped, playing in front of no fans it’s difficult to get the adrenaline going,” Bale said. “The fans were fantastic, I know most of them were Turkish but the Wales fans were incredible. “We want to thanks the fans at home ...
Euro 2020: Wales set for hostile crowd as Italy eye knockouts
Wales are bracing for a hostile reception when they face Turkey in Baku at Euro 2020 on Wednesday while rejuvenated Italy can seal their place in the last-16 with victory against Switzerland. After drawing 1-1 with the Swiss in their opening Group A game, Wales play in the capital of Azerbaijan, with locals expected to get behind their Turkish neighbours, who will also have several thousand travelling fans on their side. Wales captain Gareth Bale, who experienced a dizzying run to the semi-finals at Euro 2016, said he was unfazed by the prospect of an aggressive atmosphere. “Hostility is no problem,” said the Real Madrid forward. “This is what we do for a living. We’re used to playing in away games and being in front of hostile crowds.” Turkey are desperate to shake off the disappointment ...
Arsenal legend set for fiery clash with Red Devils nemesis
Two of the continent’s big hitters were in action at the European Championships yesterday, with France taking on Germany in Munich. Tournament favourites France were undoubtedly the better team in the first half, but the Germans threatened more after the break. Mats Hummels’ own goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, putting France in pole position to reach the knockout stage. There were plenty of talking points elsewhere, with an on-screen meeting between two Premier League legends providing an interesting sideshow. Keane and Vieira rematch The BBC had been winning the Euro 2020 television battle, but ITV stepped things up in style for the clash between France and Germany. Clive Tyldesley and Ally McCoist returned to the commentary box after impressing during the Netherla...
Ronaldo hits double, Liverpool man wasteful – Hungary 0-3 Portugal Player Ratings
A late flurry from Portugal saw them defeat Hungary 3-0 in their opening group stage game of Euro 2020 on Tuesday. The holders had numerous chances to take the lead in the first half but were wasteful in front of goal. Liverpool winger Diogo Jota was particularly dangerous, although his decision making came into question. Jota’s first chance came five minutes in, striking a shot from the edge of the box that was well saved. If he had got his head up, he could have played in Cristiano Ronaldo to his left. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man again had a lovely chance to open the scoring when he found himself free from Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick, but he put his effort way over the crossbar. Portugal continued to threaten and almost made an opening when Ronaldo slipped in Bernardo Silva. Ho...
Pogba impresses, Real Madrid man MOTM – France 1-0 Germany Player Ratings
France won their opening game of Euro 2020, defeating Germany 1-0 thanks to a Mats Hummels own goal. It was a strong start by the world champions, who twice came close to taking the lead in the first 20 minutes. Paul Pogba headed over from Antoine Griezmann’s corner, and Kylian Mbappe had a shot well saved by Manuel Neuer. And it wasn’t long before Les Bleus took the lead. Pogba was once again involved, floating a lovely ball over to Lucas Hernandez. The Bayern Munich man drilled a low cross into the box, and Mats Hummels sliced into his own net. Germany responded with a couple of efforts of their own. Thomas Muller flicked a header wide from Robin Gosens’ cross, and Ilkay Gundogan scuffed his effort after being set up by Serge Gnabry. But they weren’t able to clinch an equaliser before ha...
