Preview

Once there were 24, but now there are two. England play Spain in the European Championships final in Berlin, a match between two teams who have taken wildly different routes through the tournament to reach this final showdown.

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By Ian King

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Spain have already set a tournament record by becoming the first nation ever to win six games out of six while receiving widespread plaudits for their progressive expansive football. Their star player only turned 17 yesterday, and is already being hailed as a generational talent. 

England, on the other hand, have scrambled there, requiring a stoppage-time equaliser and a penalty shootout to get through their quarter-final and a last minute winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final, all set to a deafening din of criticism at their style of football.

In truth, Spain aren’t quite as good as they’ve been hyped up to be and England aren’t as bad. Spain needed a goal a minute from the end of their quarter-final to beat the host nation Germany, while the way in which they took their foot off the gas during the second half of their semi-final suggests that they could also be suffering some degree of the same fatigue that has been so evident in England’s performances in previous matches. 

There has been an inherent contradiction throughout this tournament, regarding Gareth Southgate’s team this summer, in that cautious play has come about while they have something of a patchwork defence. This, it seems, is the most likely way in which they lose, with wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal tormenting their defence.

Yamal already has more assists to his name than anyone else. Williams has been helping out in both attacking and defensive positions. Rodri has been one of the players of the tournament in the heart of midfield, controlling the tempo of games and demonstrating a boundless passing range. 

Is there any hope for England? They start as underdogs, but this is a team of talent and it is reasonable to say that they have incrementally improved as they have progressed. The first half of their semi-final demonstrated a sharp upward step in their improvement trajectory, and if the psychological benefits of late goals and shootout wins are worth anything, then the mood of the players themselves should be buoyant.

This is a daunting challenge for a team that has lost five and won just two of their last eight meetings. England may take some heart from the fact that they won 3-2 in Sevilla, but they may take a little less from the fact that this was almost six years ago. 

If the match is tight, then England definitely have a shout. They have plenty of players who’ve already demonstrated that they can do this, but whether they’ll get another opportunity to do so this time around is a different matter altogether.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The second Copa América semi-final pits arguably the two most rousing teams at this tournament against each other.

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By James Nalton

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Uruguay scored nine goals in the group stage, and Colombia scored five in their quarter-final against Panama alone. We’ll gloss over Uruguay’s quarter-final against Brazil and hope the… let’s say different kind of entertainment in that game, was an aberration.

Uruguay are coached by Marcelo Bielsa and have Darwin Núñez leading the line. This can lead to some entertaining unpredictability and bursts of all-out attacking play, and they’re not afraid to go long to the bustling striker.

The directness of Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri has also stood out in this regard.

At the same time, Bielsa’s side have one of the best defensive records in the tournament so far. The one goal they did concede was a 95th-minute consolation strike scored by Panama’s Michael Amir Murillo. 

Watch this Uruguay team and wonder why midfielder Nicolás de la Cruz has never played in Europe, then see his collection of trophies won with River Plate and consider he might not have needed to.

The impressive Venezuelans were the highest-rated team at this tournament, but Uruguay aren’t far behind them.

Colombia aren’t bad, either.

If you hadn’t watched any of the Copa América so far and were reading a preview of a Colombia knockout game exclaiming James Rodríguez the star of the show, you might think the article is from ten years ago. But this is happening here and now, and it is to be savoured.

This isn’t just some nostalgia trip, or a manager playing a player in their thirties because they feel they have to. 

Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo is utilising James in such a way that it has led to the most productive tournament from the attacking playmaker since he starred in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

James leads the way for assists in this tournament with five, goals plus assists combined (6), chances created (15), and has the highest FotMob rating of any player at this Copa so far.

Only Lionel Messi has a higher expected assists score, both in total and per 90 minutes, and if James’s stats were attached to Messi, the Argentine would be receiving tremendous plaudits.

There’s a focus from James to go with his world-class technique which is especially apparent at set pieces. This, combined with the quicker, direct, tricky players such as winger Luis Díaz and midfielder Richard Ríos, has formed an attacking unit for Colombia that can be unstoppable.

Both Díaz and Ríos are among the top dribblers at this tournament, while in defence, right back Daniel Muñoz of Crystal Palace has also stood out.

Both these teams have been well supported at this tournament, so on and off the pitch this promises to be a passionate semifinal match in Charlotte.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The second semi-final at EURO 2024 takes place on Wednesday evening in Dortmund as the Netherlands and England do battle to see who will have the privilege of facing Spain in Berlin for Sunday’s final.

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By Nathan Evans

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Both nations have faced similar frustrations during their respective campaigns, with Ronald Koeman’s side finishing third in Group C, while the Three Lions have been rather lacklustre from an attacking perspective – in contrast to how they looked on paper before the competition began. 

But that all now goes out of the window as Signal Iduna Park hosts the latest clash between two footballing nations who have shared some notable past meetings. From Koeman’s antics during the pair’s famous 1994 World Cup qualification match to the Netherlands’ 3-1 extra time victory in their last head-to-head fixture during the UEFA Nations League finals, a new chapter will be written this midweek. 

To say this semi-final is an intriguing affair would be an understatement. England would have been considered heavy favourites for this match from a pre-tournament perspective but given Gareth Southgate’s sides lack of cutting edge and in-game energy so far, the Dutch seem the side to beat on Wednesday. 

But despite their limitations at this tournament in Germany, England have really built a resilience that has not been seen from them in a long, long time. A 95^th minute Jude Bellingham equaliser against Slovakia in the Round of 16 highlighted that first, before Bukayo Saka managed the same feat versus Switzerland in last Saturday’s quarter-final. 

The Three Lions even looked incredibly comfortable during the ensuing penalty shootout, dispatching all five of their spot kicks with absolute conviction, a far cry from prior competitions that have cost them so dearly. 

Even despite that outcome, it’s clear to see that Southgate’s side will simply have to perform better during the 90 minutes to keep this talented Dutch outfit at bay. Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has looked excellent on the left wing at EURO 2024 to date, netting a joint competition-leading three goals, whilst his national and club teammate Virgil Van Dijk remains a rock in the backline. 

Additionally, Xavi Simons remains more than capable of producing magic at the drop of a hat in midfield and in Denzel Dumfries, the Netherlands still possess one of Europe’s most potent attacking full backs. 

As a result, expect England to remain in their back three shape, as seen against the Swiss in their quarter final victory, as they’ll try to suffocate the Dutch attack where possible. Then England fans will be hoping that their side can finally click and reach their full potential in order to qualify for a second successive final at the UEFA European Championships. 

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Having met in the opening game of the 2024 Copa America, Argentina and Canada face each other for a second time in the tournament in this semi-final clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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By James Nalton

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Canada are perhaps the unexpected presence at this stage and are the one remaining Concacaf representative, but for Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina, this was always their likely route to what they hope will be an appearance in the final in Miami on Sunday.

The draw seemed favourable to Argentina’s progress to a final in which Messi, if available, will play near the current home of his club side, Inter Miami, who play in Fort Lauderdale. It will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, but to presume the presence of Argentina and Messi is guaranteed would be disrespectful to Canada.

Canada’s progress was assisted somewhat by poor performances in the group stage by Peru and Chile whose draw with each other meant neither took the upper hand.

But Canada’s quarter-final meeting with Venezuela turned out to be one of the games of the tournament so far. Two teams who have punched above their weight battled it out, eventually settling a breathless duel on penalty kicks.

Jesse Marsch will need to take the positives from the fact his side should have been well ahead at half-time but only led 1-0. If they get similar chances against Argentina, they’ll need to take them.

Only one team has created more big chances than Canada in this tournament — Argentina.

Lautaro Martínez tops the scoring charts having scored in each group game, including a brace against Peru. 

He managed this despite only playing the final 15 minutes or so in the opener against Canada and the second game against Chile in which his goal off the bench was the only one of the game.

It’s no surprise, then, that Martínez also leads the way for goals per 90 at this tournament, but it is a surprise, and maybe a demonstration of his knack for getting into good positions for shots, that he also leads the way for total xG accumulated despite his limited minutes.

It will be difficult for Lionel Scaloni to leave him out as he did in those first two games but against Canada, Martínez will be facing one of the standout goalkeepers of the tournament so far in Maxime Crepeau.

Crepeau, who plays his club football in MLS for Portland Timbers, was out of position for the goal scored by Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon in the quarter-final (see here), but in terms of stopping shots, he is third in the tournament for ‘goals prevented’ and third for saves per 90 with an average of four.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The first Euro 2024 semi-final awaits as Spain and France prepare to go head-to-head at the Allianz Arena. The two teams are battling for a place in the final, where they will face the victors from Wednesday’s game between the Netherlands and England.

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By Matthew Smith

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Spain have won every single game of the tournament so far, coming through the group stage with nine points before beating Georgia and Germany in the Round of 16 and quarter-final respectively. 

Luis Enrique’s side have been free-flowing in attack, with no team scoring more goals per game (2.2) than the Spaniards. With 21 chances created throughout the tournament, France will need to be at their best defensively to keep them out. 

The threat of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal on each wing has caused plenty of problems for the teams Spain have faced so far at the finals. The duo from LaLiga have created a whopping 6.4 chances per 90 minutes between them.

Fabián Ruiz has been a standout for Enrique’s men in the middle of the park, averaging a FotMob match rating of 8.60, the highest we have seen for any player in the competition. With four goals and assists combined, the PSG midfielder should be in the running for UEFA’s official player of the tournament award. 

France have found the back of the net just once in the tournament with Kylian Mbappé dispatching a single penalty, with the rest of their strikes coming via own goals. Didier Deschamps’ side haven’t been at their best in attack, but their resolute defence has helped them reach this stage of Euro 2024.

With just 0.2 goals conceded per match, France have been difficult to break down, heavily relying on their defensive structure to see out games. William Saliba has been a key contributor to their success at the back, despite not being a regular for his country ahead of the tournament.

The Arsenal defender has averaged 4.5 clearances per 90 minutes and a 7.13 match rating at Euro 2024, regularly partnering Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano. They will need the defensive duo to be at their best to nullify the threat of Williams and Yamal.

The French have been far from convincing at this year’s tournament, but Deschamps won’t mind how they reach the final. They’ll be desperate to start converting in the final third, though, considering they’ve created 8.1 expected goals, missing 11 big chances.

It’s set to be an exciting match-up in Munich with plenty of attacking talent on show in this semi-final tie.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The Netherlands and Türkiye both kept their best performances of Euro 2024 for the round of 16 when they secured impressive wins to boost their chances of a deep run at the tournament.

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By Graham Ruthven

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While Romania posed little threat to Ronald Koeman’s side, the Dutch still managed to impose their own game and play a brand of dynamic, attacking football Oranje supporters had been calling for. The Netherlands will now be aiming to carry that forward into the upcoming round.

Meanwhile, Türkiye saw off tournament dark horses Austria in a pulsating round of 16 encounter which saw Merih Demiral – who will be suspended for Saturday’s match – score two goals from corner kicks. Set pieces will be an area Turkey look to make the most of again in the quarter-finals.

Cody Gakpo is the joint-top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals in four games. The 25-year-old has a tendency to find his best form at major tournaments and has underlined his importance to the Netherlands with a series of impressive performances, most recently against Romania in the last round.

Xavi Simons has also flourished at Euro 2024 with the 21-year-old operating in between the lines. His natural creativity and willingness to drift has given the Netherlands a different dimension in the attacking third. Simons could have a big influence on the quarter-final.

Arda Güler is another attacking difference-maker who could make his mark on Saturday with the Real Madrid teenager already Türkiye’s creator in-chief and greatest goal threat. Vincenzo Montella has been willing to give Güler a free role in his team and that freedom has brought the best out of the 19-year-old.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu will return from suspension for Türkiye after missing the victory over Austria. This could give them more control in the centre of the pitch with the Inter midfielder one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the game right now. Çalhanoğlu might also have license to push higher up the pitch where his long-range shooting could be a threat.

Both teams have performed at their best at Euro 2024 when the handbrake has been let off and they can embrace their chaotic side. If Koeman and Montella are willing to set up their respective sides to play on the front foot, Saturday’s quarter-final in Berlin has the potential to be the most entertaining of the ties in the last eight.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

England have been unconvincing in their run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with many questioning Gareth Southgate’s team selections and tactics.

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By Graham Ruthven

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Had it not been for a stoppage time Jude Bellingham equaliser The Three Lions wouldn’t have made it past Slovakia in the round of 16. Recent reports, however, suggest Southgate will make changes for Saturday’s clash against Switzerland.

Southgate could match up against Switzerland’s back three with a similar formation of his own. This could see Cole Palmer brought into the lineup after a series of eye-catching cameos off the bench in the tournament. Luke Shaw’s fitness remains a talking point ahead of the quarter-final.

Harry Kane and Bellingham both found the net in the comeback victory over Slovakia, but neither have been able to find their top form in Germany this summer. This, of course, is something that could be said of several English superstars including Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.

Switzerland, on the other hand, have been the surprise package of Euro 2024 so far with Murat Yakin making smart changes from game-to-game to get the most out of his squad. He has more than proved his tactical ability at the tournament.

Granit Xhaka has been a controlling influence in the centre of the pitch for the Swiss with the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder currently at the peak of his powers. England must find a way to stop him from dictating play. That could involve putting someone like Kobbie Mainoo on Xhaka to close up any space in the midfield.

In attack, Switzerland have nowhere near the level of top-end talent that England have, but they make good use of late runs from the likes of Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas – both of whom scored in the last 16 victory over Italy – to create scoring opportunities. Any space between the English defensive and midfield lines will be exploited.

Defensively, Switzerland have genuine quality. Yann Sommer has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournament with Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schär also proven at the elite level. England have struggled to break down low defensive blocks at Euro 2024 and could suffer once again here.

On talent alone, England are clearly firm favourites to win and make the semi-finals of a third major tournament in the last four. However, Southgate’s team are much less than the sum of their parts and that could open the door for Switzerland to extend their unexpected run to the semi-finals.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

A Copa América title contender will see their tournament come to an end on Saturday in the quarter-final as pre-tournament favourites Uruguay and Brazil meet in Las Vegas

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By Jon Arnold

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Uruguay won Group C with victories in all three games, and only truly looked in danger of dropping points in the group finale against the United States. Even then, they was able to grind out a 1-0 win, scoring from a set piece and relying on a staunch defence to keep a second consecutive clean sheet after having conceded to Panama in the opening group contest.

Uruguay winger Maxi Araújo had to leave the contest against the U.S. after a rough fall that appeared to affect his neck and head. But the Toluca attacker has been cleared to participate in the quarter-final, and manager Marcelo Bielsa may use an unchanged starting lineup. He may be quicker to go to his bench for modifications should Uruguay not be in control of the match, though. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Betancur, often starting centre-back Sebastián Cáceres and legendary forward Luis Suárez all made only cameos against the U.S. – with the starters carrying out the job more than well enough through three games.

Bielsa’s Brazil counterpart Dorival Junior will be forced into at least one modification, and it’s a significant one. After seeing a yellow card in a 1-1 draw with Colombia that closed out group play and secured the second spot in the group for Brazil, Vinícius Júnior is suspended from this contest.

How to replace him isn’t immediately clear. Savio could slot in as a direct replacement, or 17-year-old forward Endrick could start up top and push Rodrygo to the wing. Fans have been begging to see more of Endrick, both wanting to see the young wunderkind and hoping a fixed forward would allow this Brazil to look more like Brazil sides of old, flowing freely in attack instead of being flustered by teams like Costa Rica in the group stage.

Thus far, goalkeeper Alisson Becker and the centre-back pairing of Éder Militão and Marquinhos have provided stability to the team, but Uruguay forward Darwin Núñez and the wingers will look to make life uncomfortable with Uruguay’s trademark press.

Uruguay will be buoyed not only by their form in the group stage but also having dominated Brazil in a 2-0 World Cup qualification win just nine months ago in Montevideo. Will they be able to repeat the feat or will it be Brazil slipping into the semi-final against the winner of Colombia vs. Panama earlier in the day?

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

The hottest national team in the world puts that title on the line against the surprise team of the Copa América when Colombia and Panama meet Saturday in the quarter-finals.

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By Jon Arnold

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With a 1-1 draw against Brazil to close out the group stage, Colombia not only clinched the first place in Group D but also extended their undefeated run to 26 matches. That stretches all the way back to the 2022 World Cup qualification cycle, as the Cafeteros missed out on qualifying for the finals in Qatar. A return to the sport’s biggest stage is the aim of manager Nestor Lorenzo, but first the focus is on trying to lift the Copa América for the first time since their 2001 title won on home soil.

James Rodríguez throwing it back to the glory days of 2014 undoubtedly has been one of the biggest keys to making this Colombia team feel unbeatable. He had three assists in the group stage, and is creating for a rotating cast of forwards and wingers, many of whom also are comfortable connecting passes in their attacking third. 

Panama beat the United States and Bolivia to finish second in Group C and get to this point, but they had to weather some absences to do so. That will continue Saturday, as Panama are missing lynchpin midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla after an additional game was added to his red-card suspension stemming from a sending off in the second group match.

The Central Americans went into the tournament without veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy and saw injuries to Andrés Andrade and Fidel Escobar dent their depth at centre- back – though it has allowed for a breakout tournament by Edgardo Fariña. 

During the tournament, winger Jose Luis “Puma” Rodriguez was lost to injury as well. Édgar Bárcenas now shoulders an even heavier load when it comes to creating, though a pair of goals from forward José Fajardo has made his life easier.

Despite being neighbours, coming from different confederations means meetings between Panama and Colombia have been relatively infrequent, with the majority of their contests coming in the Bolivarian Games of the 1950s and 1960s. The teams did clash twice in official action in the 2005 Gold Cup, with Panama getting two of its four wins in the series on the way to the final, though that was an alternative Colombia side.

This time, both teams will put the best on the field possible, looking to book their spot in a semi-final against the winner of Brazil and Uruguay. A Panama win would be a shock from a team that keeps shocking. A Colombia win would be a victory from a team that keeps winning. Something has to give.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

A ticket to the semi-final of the Copa América is on the line when Group B winner Venezuela clashes with Group A runner-up Canada at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday night. The team that punches that ticket will, at least, match their best-ever finish at the competition.

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By Jon Arnold

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It’s the first time Canada has participated, with the Reds qualifying for one of six Concacaf spots in the 2024 tournament thanks to a play-off victory over Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela have been in 19 editions before but only once have they made it to the semi-finals: The 2011 tournament in Argentina when they fell to Paraguay on a penalty shootout in the final four and lost to Peru in the third-place play-off game.

Both teams have undoubtedly been on the rise in the international game in the last few years. Canada are currently ranked 48th in the world by FIFA, down from their all-time high of 33rd back in 2022, while Venezuela sit 54th having peaked in the top 25 just four years ago.

Canada have hit something of a speed bump, with their 2022 World Cup preparation disrupted by issues around friendly matches and a dispute between the players and the federation. Now, not only is new leadership in place at Canada Soccer, but American manager Jesse Marsch has arrived. After a trial by fire to start life in Canada – playing friendly matches on the road against the Netherlands and France, then opening the Copa América against defending champion Argentina. Canada got out of the group thanks to a 1-0 win over Peru and a scoreless draw with Chile – both contests in which Canada’s opponents picked up a red card. In the quarter-final, there is no doubt they will need more from their star-studded offence.

The North Americans will already be down one weapon in attack. Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan suffered a fractured tibia in training earlier in the week in Texas, with the squad calling an end to the session because of the frustration felt after losing a key player. He had surgery and will miss time not only with his country but also when the club season resumes as his recovery is expected to take four to five months. That may lead Marsch to evaluate where he utilises Alphonso Davies, who has played full-back, wingback and winger with the national team – and sometimes in the same game.

Venezuela entered the tournament knowing they had an in-form Salomón Rondón, and the forward has delivered with two goals in three group victories. Yet, he’s getting help up front as well, as Eduard Bello has matched his two goals, and both Darwin Machís and Yeferson Soteldo have been able to add a creative element to Venezuela’s front line that has been lacking.

Critically, goalkeeper Rafael Romo has been one of the best shot-stoppers of the tournament, starring against Mexico as Venezuela secured a win despite conceding 2.88 in xG, including a penalty.

Both teams want to make history and return to their nations with their best-ever Copa América finish. One of them will head home this weekend, the dream of a semi-final in 2024 unfulfilled.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.