The last gasp Artem Dovbyk strike saw Ukraine defeat Sweden 2-1 after extra time to progress into their first-ever European Championship quarter-final. That joy could be short-lived though, as in Rome they meet a nation they’ve beaten just once in seven H2Hs (D2, L4), including a 1-0 loss to England at Euro 2012 in what was their only previous meeting at a major tournament.
Scoring two goals in three of their four Euro 2020 matches, Ukraine’s attack could again be heavily relied upon here as after conceding against Sweden, Andriy Shevchenko’s side have kept just three clean sheets across their last 19 internationals (W6, D5, L8). More positively though, since late 2018, Ukraine boasts a solid record against sides currently ranked in FIFA’s top ten (W2, D3, L2).
England booked a third quarter-final spot from their last four Euro appearances courtesy of a 2-0 win over Germany at Wembley, in what was their first knock-out victory over the Germans since the 1966 World Cup final. That result gave Gareth Southgate’s men a fourth clean sheet in a row at Euro 2020, making England only the second side in Euro history to not concede in any of their opening four games.
That victory further extended the Three Lions’ unbeaten run to ten internationals (W9, D1), whilst they’ve lost just twice to opposition currently ranked worse than Ukraine (#24) since a head-to-head defeat back in October 2009. The concern here will instead come from a lack of goalscoring, as England’s four goals netted at Euro 2020 is the lowest return from any side left in the competition.
More than happy today, Southgate was brave and went back to 4-2-3-1 so good.
Dare I ay it, but even Sterling was less annoying last night – see what happens when he actually decides to pass the ball every now and again!
I see your point, but I dont thing Germany are average. Nor Croatia really.
Denmark are beatable, but Spain/Italy will be a test – if Southgate does his usual shutting up of the shop on a 5-3-2 they are both beatable though.
*other nations
perhaps they are quietly satisfied that a so called team of professionals have finally managed to produce a level of performance for 90mins, a level of performance that is perhaps the base line given the time they have dedicated to fine tuning their professional skills over the years.
yep. The Illusion on YT can explain it to the doubters and they can see for themselves if they want. But they don’t
It’s a joke. People have gone potty. I heard somebody say yesterday Declan Rice is the 2nd coming of Bobby Moore?!!?
I suppose the others just do as they’re told.
We’re 4th in the world rankings behind Brazil, France & Belgium who are first. I’d say we’ve performed accordingly. You can only beat what is in front of you, however that is allocated.
Whilst ysterday’s performance was more encouraging from England’s point of view I think a little perspective is required here.Our opponents to date have been extremely average and we have laboured to look good against them.However yesterday was hopeful.
The whole structure of the tournament has been very suspicious.The top teams would probably be England,Italy,Spain,Belgium,France,Portugal,Germany and the Nederlands.So eight groups of three.not a group of death containing 3 of those countries.
Then there is the travelling,with England at home for all their games until yesterday and the others covering thousands of miles with no base.Plus the fact that all the top sides remaining in the knockout stage are in one group with England alone in the other with our next games[if we progress] at Wembley again.I can’t believe there wasn’t an outcry from the other nations.
Perhaps Gazza has a point.
England 4-0 on a Southgates 40th match. You couldn’t make it up….well, you could. I think back to the epic tussles England sides had to endure in tournament football against real mighty opposition. Even the 90 Cameroon match was an ordeal. This side are not world beaters , yet Germany were eased out the way with little fuss, which has never happened before in a tournament, and the Ukraine for a Euro quarter final were extraordinary. I said at the start it’s been set up for England to at least get to the final. Surely it’s gotta be made to look a bit more competetive though?? A this stage it’s a bit of a farce. Back to Wembley then for the semi final and final after their one small jaunt away. Lift em up before winter….
Too busy partying I guess, sore heads morning after 😉
Funny how people are quick to moan about England, even when they’re winning albeit 1-0, but go very silent when things go really well. Sad.