The drama and action continued at Euro 2020 in the quarter-finals with Spain, Denmark, Italy and England qualifying for the final four. There were plenty of standout individual performances in the last 8 and here is our Man’s Life Euro 2020 Team of the Quarter-Finals.
GK: Yann Sommer (Switzerland)
Yann Sommer was a brick wall for Switzerland in their quarter-final versus Spain and made 10 saves in the match – the most amongst any keeper in a game at this tournament. Sommer’s heroics kept 10-man Switzerland in the match and the Borussia Monchengladbach keeper even made a great save off Rodri in the penalty shootout which Switzerland eventually lost.
RB: Joakim Maehle (Denmark)
The Atalanta wing-back has continued his fine form at the European Championships and was an integral part of Denmark’s victory against the Czech Republic in the last 8. Maehle assisted Denmark’s winning goal with a lovely cross with the outside of his boot for striker Kasper Dolberg.
CB: Harry Maguire (England)
Harry Maguire has hardly put a foot wrong for England since his arrival into the starting XI and put in another commanding performance in Rome. Maguire marshalled the defence with authority and scored the crucial second goal which put the game to bed.
CB: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
The old war-horse put in one more excellent display for the Azzurri at the European Championships and was instrumental in their 2-1 victory over Belgium. Chiellini made one outstanding headed block from a stinging de Bruyne shot and was the heartbeat for the Italian defence throughout the 90 minutes.
LB: Luke Shaw (England)
Luke Shaw has carried his club form for Manchester United into the tournament with England and produced a stunning performance against Ukraine. The left-back registered two assists in the quarter-final in Rome and was a constant threat down their left flank.
CM: Nicolo Barella (Italy)
Nicolo Barella put in another fantastic performance for Roberto Mancini’s Italy in the quarters, opening the scoring with a rocket of a striker into the bottom corner before providing the assist for Lorenzo Insigne’s winning goal.
CM: Jorginho (Italy)
The midfield metronome Jorginho had an outstanding display for Italy in their 2-1 victory over Belgium in Munich. The Chelsea midfielder dictated the tempo of Italy’s play and completed 71 of his 72 passes on the night and also made 9 recoveries.
CM: Thomas Delaney (Denmark)
Thomas Delaney put in a complete performance for Denmark in their landmark 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder scored the opening goal with a pinpoint header and made plenty of crucial interventions in the second half to send the Danes to the final four.
RW: Jeremy Doku (Belgium)
Despite ending up on the losing side, Jeremy Doku had a fantastic game for Belgium in the quarter-final. The young winger was preferred ahead of the likes of Mertens and Carrasco and repaid his managers faith, managing 8 take-ons against Italy and winning the penalty in the first half.
ST: Harry Kane (England)
After an indifferent start to the European Championships, Harry Kane has come to life in the knockout rounds and scored a clinical brace in England’s 4-0 victory over Ukraine in Rome. Kane opened the scoring inside the first four minutes before sealing the victory for the Three Lions with a textbook header in the second half.
LW: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)
Lorenzo Insigne scored the goal of the round for Italy against Belgium with a stunning curled shot from 25-yards that flew straight into the top corner. Insigne created 3 chances and had 3 shots in the game and his goal eventually proved to be the difference between the two sides.
[Image Credit: UEFA Euro 2020]
Shivaan Shah