ITALY AND SPAIN REACH EURO SEMIFINALS

Italy ended Belgium's good run in Euro 2020 with a narrow 2-1 win at Allianz Arena. The clash between the two favourites can be regarded as an anti-climax because both sides have been showing entertaining performance throughout this campaign. It was very unfortunate as they had to meet in the quarterfinals.

As expected, the match started with a lot of qualities. However, Nicolo Barella managed to get the breakthrough for Italy with a goal in the 31st minute. Lorenzo Insigne doubled the lead for the Azzurri in the 44th minute. Romelu Lukaku brought Belgium back into the match with a goal right before the break.

3-5-2 FOOTBALL

Belgium went all out in the second half in search for an equaliser. However, Italy were rock solid and hard to break. The score remained until the final whistle and Italy are through into the semifinals.

In another Euro quarterfinals, Spain beat Switzerland in penalty shootouts to reach the next stage. Denis Zakaria own goal in the 8th minute gave Spain the lead. However, Xherdan Shaqiri equalised for the Swiss in the 68th minute.

Switzerland were reduced to 10-man in the 77th minute after Remo Frueler was shown red card by the referee. The score were tied until end of extra-time and the winner have to be decided through penalty shootouts.  Swiss substitute Ruben Vargas was in tears at full-time after he blasted his penalty over the bar, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to score the decider for Spain.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

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SPAIN BEAT CROATIA IN EXTRA TIME, SWITZERLAND BEAT FRANCE IN SHOOTOUTS

Spain overcame a late scare by Croatia to secure a place in the Euro quarterfinals. The three time Euro champions were already in a comfortable zone until the 85th minute when Croatia made a comeback attempt and dragged the match into extra-time.

Croatia took the lead in the 20th minute from Pedri's own goal. However Pablo Sarabia leveled the score 38th minute. Cesar Azpilicueta put Spain ahead in the 57th minute. In the 77th minute, Ferran Torres netted the third goal for Spain.

Croatia did not give up and increased the pressure in search for goal. Just five minutes before the final whistle, Mislav Orsic gave his team a fighting chance. As they pushed for a miracle, Mario Pasalic made it 3-3 in the added time.

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Both teams have to play another 30 minutes of extra-time. Alvaro Morata scored Spain's fourth goal in the 100th minute. Three minutes later, Mikel Oyarzabal added their fifth and sealed a place in the quarterfinals. 

Switzerland pulled-off a massive upset against world champions France as they won 5-4 on penalties to make the quarterfinals. France had turned on the style in the second half and looked on course for a big win. But Switzerland fought back and the match have to be decided through penalty shoot-outs. Kylian Mbappe missed the fifth French penalty to give Switzerland the win.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

3-5-2 FOOTBALL

DENMARK ELIMINATE WALES TO REACH EURO QUARTERFINALS

Denmark produced one of their best performance in Euro championship as they thrashed Wales 4-0 in the last 16. Kasper Dolberg became the hero in Amsterdam by scoring the first two goals for his team.

After having a poor start in this campaign, Denmark is improving in every match. Dolberg opened the scoring in the 27th minute and gave his team a 1-0 lead at half time. Just three minutes after the match resumed, Dolberg found the net again to double their lead.

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Joakim Mæhle scored the third goal in the 88th minute to shut any chance for a Welsh comeback. Martin Braithwaite ensured Denmark marched into the quarterfinals as a serious title challenger with another goal in the added time.

In another match, Italy edged Austria 2-1 to move into the last eight. After a goalless 90 minutes, Federico Chiesa broke the deadlock just five minutes into extra time. Matteo Pessina scored Italy's second in the 105th minute. In the 114th minute Saša Kalajdžić found the net for Austria, but Italy held on to secure the quarterfinals spot.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

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GERMANY STUN PORTUGAL, FRANCE HELD BY HUNGARY

Germany bounced back from their unimpressive starts in their Euro 2020 campaign with a 4-2 victory over defending champions Portugal. The Germans were more organized in the match at the Allianz Arena while Portugal struggled with chaotic moments in the defence.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a perfect start in the 15th minute. It is his 12th goal from five Euro competitions. However the Portugal's defenders could not play the same level as their captain. Two own goals by Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro put them behind at half time.

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Kai Havertz scored Germany's third, just six minutes after the match resumed. Robin Gosens made it four in the 60th minute to send Germany further ahead. Diogo Jota pulled one back for Portugal, but the score remained until the final whistle.

In another Group F match, World Champions France were held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary. Hungary took the lead right before the break through Attila Fiola. However, Antoine Griezmann equalised for France in the 66th minute. France could not find the winner as Hungary displayed a stronger performance than their opening match. 

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

LABUAN 10'S

DE BRUYNE INSPIRES BELGIUM COMEBACK WIN, RUSSIA BEAT FINLAND

Belgium tightened their grip at the top of Euro 2020 Group B after claiming their second win in two matches. The team did not look convincing in the first half after Denmark took the lead, and struggled in the defends set-up.

Despite the absence of Christian Eriksen, Denmark started the match impressively. Yussuf Poulsen scored the opener for Denmark just after two minutes into the match, and the score remained until the break. Then Kevin De Bruyne was introduced and Belgium looked more organise in the second half. Thorgan Hazard levelled the score in the 55th minute from a good play by Romelo Lukaku and De Bruyne. And in the 70th minute, De Bruyne beat Kasper Schmeichel to give Belgium the victory.

In another Group B match, Russia edged Finland 1-0 in St Petersburg. Aleksei Miranchuk late first half goal was enough to give Russia their first win in the campaign. Belgium are in good position to cruise into the next stage, but both Finland and Russia are tied with three points from two matches.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

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UAE DENY VIETNAM LATE COMEBACK, MALAYSIA BEAT THAILAND

United Arab Emirates toppled Vietnam from the top spot of Group G on the final day to reach the final round of the World Cup 2022 Asian Qualifiers. The Al-Abyad were leading 3-0 before a late scare by Vietnam to end the game with a 3-2 final score. Vietnam will also play in the final qualifying round for finishing second best in the group.

UAE to control of the match from the start. Ali Salmeen broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Five minutes before the break, UAE were awarded a penalty and Ali Mabkhout scored his 76th international goal. Early in the second half, Mahmoud Khamis found the net to give his team a comfortable 3 goals lead.

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The never-say-die Vietnam team played their hearts out until the final minutes. Nguyen Tien Linh gave his team a fighting chance in the 84th minute. And Tran Minh Vuong scored Vietnam's second after three minutes into the injury time.

In another group match, Malaysia edged Thailand 1-0 to finish third in the group. Safawi Rasid scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute. Both Malaysia and Thailand advance to the final round of the Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Photo: AFC

RONALDO BRACE GIVES PORTUGAL WINNING START, FRANCE BEAT GERMANY

Defending champions, Portugal kicked-off their Euro 2020 campaign with a solid performance by defeating Hungary 3-0 at Ferenc Puskás Stadium in Budapest. By playing in the match, Cristiano Ronaldo became the only player to have played in five Euro final tournaments.

It was a difficult task for Hungary as they have to face the reigning Champions in Euro opening match. They defended well through out the match until the final 10 minutes of the match when Raphael Guerreiro got the breakthrough for Portugal in the 84th minute.

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Three minutes later, Ronaldo doubled the lead from the penalty spot. And the Portuguese skipper netted his second in the added time, which is his 11th goal in Euro finals. Ronaldo has now scored the most Euro final goals in the tournament history, two clear of Michel Platini. 

In another Group F match, France edged Germany 1-0 at Allianz Arena in Munich. Mats Hummels 20th minute own goal gave the World Cup Champions a winning start in the tournament. Portugal took the top spot in Group F, followed by France with same points but lesser goal difference.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

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NETHERLANDS BEAT UKRAINE IN THRILLER, ENGLAND EDGE CROATIA

Netherlands claimed their first win at Euro 2020 after in a hard-fight match against Ukraine. The Netherlands looked set to win their opening match, but Ukraine staged a comeback before Denzel Dumfries netted the winner.

After a goalless first half, the Netherlands came on to the pitch with a stronger determination. Georginio Wijnaldum scored the opener in the 52nd minute, and Wouter Weghorst added the second six minutes later. Then Ukraine were back into the match with a goal from Andriy Yarmolenko in the 75th minute. Just four minutes later, Roman Yaremchuk stunned the crowd in Amsterdam with the equaliser. However, Dumfries turned hero for the home side with the winning goal in the 85th minute.

In another Euro 2020 match played yesterday, England passed their first test with a narrow 1-0 win over Croatia. It was a crucial match for England as they need a morale booster after losing to the same opponent at World Cup 2018. Raheem Sterling scored the winning goal in the 57th goal to give Gareth Southgate squad a good start in Euro 2020.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

THE MATCH

LUKAKU HELPS BELGIUM TO BEAT RUSSIA, DENMARK FALL TO FINLAND IN OPENER

Belgium tamed Russia with a 3-0 win in their opening match of Euro 2020. Romelu Lukaku struck twice to confirm their status as favourite to win the tournament. The victory lifted Belgium to the top of Group B.

Belgium started the match without key player Kevin De Bruyne. However, Roberto Martinez's team did not take long to impress. Lukaku found the net just after 10 minutes into the game. Then Thomas Meunier doubled their lead in the 34th minute. Lukaku scored his second goal in the 88th minute to seal their victory.

Finland had a debut to remember as they defeated Denmark 1-0 in Copehagen. However, the match was overshadowed by Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch. The 29 years-old Danish midfielder collapsed after 41 minutes and received CPR on the pitch. When the match resumed, Denmark could not play up to their actual potential. Finland got the winner through Joel Pohjanpalo header in the 59th minute.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

RUGBY ASIA

ITALY BEGIN WITH A BANG, WALES DRAW WITH SWITZERLAND

Italy recorded the first win at Euro 2020 after defeating Turkey 3-0 at the Olimpico in Rome. The Azzurri dominated the match as Turkey struggled to compete against the superior opponent.

In the 53rd minute Merih Demiral gave Italy the lead after he accidentally chested the ball into his own net. Ciro Immobile doubled the lead with a goal in the 66th minute. Lorenzo Insigne scored Italy's third in the 79th minute. The win sent the Azzurri to the top of Group A.

In another match, Wales were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland. Breel Embolo opened the scoring with a goal just four minutes into the second half. Wales reacted stronger and Kieffer Moore equalised in the 73th minute. The Swiss had the better share possessions in the match at Baku Olympic Stadium.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

THE MATCH