Euro 2020 Semi-Finals: Thrilling Encounters and Path to the Final
The Euro 2020 semi-finals provided football fans with unforgettable drama and excitement, as Italy and England emerged victorious to secure their places in the final. The semi-final fixtures, “Euro 2020 Yarı Final Eşleşmeleri”, pitted Italy against Spain in a classic encounter, and England against Denmark in a highly anticipated home match at Wembley Stadium.
In the first Euro 2020 semi-final, Italy and Spain delivered a tactical masterclass and a showcase of resilience. Federico Chiesa’s stunning curler in the 60th minute gave Italy the lead, igniting the passionate Italian supporters. Spain, known for their possession-based game, responded with Alvaro Morata finding the net in the 80th minute, forcing the game into extra time. Despite both teams creating chances, neither could find a winner in extra time, leading to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Italy showcased their composure, converting their penalties and ultimately defeating Spain to become the first finalists of Euro 2020.
The second Euro 2020 semi-final saw England facing Denmark at a packed Wembley Stadium, with the home crowd roaring for the Three Lions. However, it was Denmark who struck first, with Mikkel Damsgaard scoring a sensational free-kick in the 30th minute, leaving England stunned. England, spurred on by the home support, quickly fought back. An own goal by Simon Kjaer in the 39th minute leveled the score, bringing relief to the English fans. The match remained tightly contested, going into extra time. In the 104th minute, Raheem Sterling was controversially awarded a penalty. Harry Kane stepped up, his penalty was initially saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but the England captain reacted quickest to slot home the rebound. This decisive goal secured England’s 2-1 victory, and a historic place in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, setting up a mouth-watering clash for the championship.
Journey to the Semi-Finals: Key Moments from Earlier Rounds
The quarter-finals of Euro 2020 were equally filled with drama and high stakes. Spain showcased their penalty shootout prowess once again, overcoming Switzerland after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes. Italy continued their impressive tournament run by defeating the highly-rated Belgium 2-1 in a tightly fought contest. Denmark, riding a wave of emotion and momentum, defeated Czech Republic 2-1, demonstrating their attacking flair. England, displaying their growing confidence, delivered a dominant 4-0 victory against Ukraine, underlining their credentials as serious contenders.
Earlier in the Round of 16, Denmark had announced their resurgence with a resounding 4-0 win over Wales. Italy had a tougher challenge, needing extra time to overcome Austria 2-1. One of the biggest upsets of the tournament saw the Netherlands surprisingly lose 2-0 to Czech Republic. Belgium edged out the reigning European champions Portugal 1-0 in a tactical battle. Spain were involved in another thrilling encounter, defeating Croatia 5-3 after extra time. Switzerland produced a major shock, eliminating World Champions France on penalties after a 3-3 draw. England began to build momentum with a 2-0 victory over Germany, a significant result for the Three Lions. Ukraine progressed to the quarter-finals by defeating Sweden 2-1 in extra time, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Euro 2020.
Euro 2020 Semi-Final Results: A Summary of the Decisive Matches
Italy 1-1 Spain (Italy won 4-2 on penalties)
England 2-1 Denmark