This week was the much-awaited semi-finals between 4 teams who have had very mixed tournaments. Spain has been playing some great football and surprised many people with their performances. France have looked poor all Euros yet have somehow managed to force their way to the penultimate round. England are the same in which their performances have been poor and questions have been asked of the manager yet they are still somehow in the semi-finals. Then finally there is the Netherlands, who have looked great in spells but have also looked dire at times. It was a very close round of fairly even matches with a bizarre VAR call, a late winner and a young star shining bright.
Spain v France: (2-1)
My Man of the Match – Lamine Yamal
The first half of this game was one of the best halves of football in the tournament so far as both teams showcased their talents. France took the lead with Mbappe and Kolo Muani linking well and scoring Frances's first open-play goal of the tournament. Mbappe did well to take on Navas and eventually make space to put an excellent ball into the box, where
Kolo Muani leapt like a salmon to get onto the end of it. However, Spain answered back quickly and they did so in style. 16-year-old Lamine Yamal has enjoyed a great tournament as the youngest-ever player at the Euros and the goal he scored in this game will be etched in history. He picked up the ball around 30 yards from goal, took on the defender with a Mahrez-like cut inside and put it superbly into the top left corner from 20 yards with a finish which couldn’t be placed any better. Then it was Dani Olmo's turn to score a belter as he hopped, skipped and flicked it onto his right inside the box whilst taking a defender out of the game and whacking it bottom left. Kounde tried his best to stop it going in but couldn’t really do much more than put it into his own net. Both teams played well in the first half but Spain's usage of the wings and their ability to make the pitch wide put them on top. The Spanish looked sharper, faster and all around just better. Olmo and Yamal had a strong half whilst Ruiz and Rodri put on performances which will go under the radar but were equally as impressive.
The second half was the polar opposite of the first as Spain went into lead conservation mode and made sure to see out the win. They dominated the ball with 61% possession in the second half whilst only having 1 shot. The actual passes were negative and safe as no player wanted to make a mistake or put their team under unneeded pressure. France looked ok in the second half but a similar pattern to their tournament was in play in which they struggled to break down the opposition and create any concrete chances. They were only able to create 0.4xG with the Spanish keeper having very little to do. Questions will be asked of both the manager and the players but getting to the semis the way they have been playing is still impressive.
Yamal has looked the real deal throughout the tournament but came into his own during this
game. Alongside getting himself a wonder goal, he also made 2 key passes (joint highest on
the pitch), created 1 big chance (highest in the Spain team) and made 5 progressive passes (2nd highest in the Spain team). He is not only a demon going forward but his defensive work during this game cannot be understated and demonstrated maturity passed his years. He made 3 tackles (highest in the Spain team), won 5 ground duels and could constantly be seen tracking back. As seen on his heatmap, he covered all of the right-hand side of the pitch and was vital in helping the Spanish defence deal with the threat of Mbappe. The young lad is destined for the very top and his ceiling just keeps on getting higher.
England vs Netherlands: (2-1)
My Man of the Match – Declan Rice
There is little to speak about with this game and it is hard to write about as I watched the game at the pub, but I will try to offer my best insight. I have been extremely harsh on England throughout this tournament and I feel rightly so, but during this game, it was the best they have looked even if not playing exceptionally well. During the first half, they passed the ball around well and dominated possession. Although they struggled to create big chances, they did well to limit the opportunities for the Dutch and if not for Xavi Simons's wonder goal, would have kept an easy first-half clean sheet. With 70% possession in the first half, England looked comfortable and stable, especially in midfield. England equalised
shortly after going behind thanks to a penalty given by VAR. Personally, I don’t believe that it should have been given and feel it is making a mockery of the sport to give such a weak foul. The defender was attempting the clear the ball and only made the slightest of contact with Kane who went down like he had been shot. There was no intent to bring the player down and if these start being given as penalties, the rules of football need to be changed to “non-contact”. However, England did show great offensive intent even before the penalty was given and I have no doubt that a goal was coming anyway. Although Rice made a slight mistake for the goal, he made up for it very quickly with just how composed and safe he looked. The Netherlands on the other hand weren’t impressive in the first half as they struggled to get shots off as well as sitting deep and playing for the counterattack. Simons was the pick of the bunch for the Dutch in the first half as he looked to win the ball back and trigger a Holland counter although a lot of it would eventually come to nothing.
The second half wasn’t great for England as they struggled to get a hold of the game and struggled to create any big chances. Although they were once again on top with possession, it was all sideways passes with no one willing to make that riskier ball forward. Netherlands on the other hand looked a lot better as they started to push up the field and put balls into the box. With Weghorst now on the pitch, they had a lot more aerial threat as they pressured the English backline with players willing to get forward and actually attack. In the 45 minutes Weghorst was on the pitch, he won 4 aerial duels, took on the defenders twice (more than any other Dutch players) and made sure to put his body about whilst putting pressure on the English centre-backs. If not for Pickford in goal for England, the Dutch could have very easily won the game and they will look back on this game with despair at their chances wasted. A piece of individual skill by Ollie Watkins won the game for the English with a finish which was put perfectly in the bottom corner from a tight angle late in the game.
One player on the pitch who can hold his head high is English midfielder Declan Rice. He
was composed, and calm and dominated the midfield with his strength and passing ability. He has looked a shadow of himself throughout these Euros but put on a great display in this game. He made 2 tackles, and 4 ball recoveries as well as winning 4 ground duels. But his defensive work was not his only attribute as his passing was also precise and effective. With 7 passes into the final third (most for England) and 88 total passes completed (most on the pitch), he controlled the midfield whilst playing a vital role in this victory for England. It is a great ask for England to beat Spain in the final, but if they want to have any chance, Rice needs to be the man to step up and showcase his ability.
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