PORTUGAL vs SWITZERLAND
This game was decided by one man - Cristiano Ronaldo, the second best player to ever grace the game. Both sides had chances to break the deadlock before Ronaldo decided to roll back the years and score a stunning free kick. However, Switzerland's equaliser could have it's own short film, it took that long. The Swiss had a penalty appeal turned down before Portugal went straight up the other end and Bernardo Silva was clearly taken out. But, after VAR intervened (correctly), Switzerland were awarded their penalty and Rodriguez scored from the spot. The game seemed to be heading for extra time but Ronaldo had other ideas, scoring his second after great play from Neves and Silva and then completing his hat trick to seal the win. Ronaldo is that extra bit of quality that Switzerland do not have.
NETHERLANDS vs ENGLAND
This game was so good but so bad at the same time. Both teams were equally sloppy playing out from the back and England were first to capitalise on this. An error from de Ligt saw him trip Rashford in the penalty area and the United striker calmly placed home. England's midfield struggled to control the game - Holland have better technical players and Southgate's selection was wrong. England continued to cause themselves problems from playing out from the back, putting Holland into the ascendancy after half time and their pressure was rewarded with a header from de Ligt, atoning from his earlier mistake. The Netherlands seemed like scoring and winning the game but a tactical switch from Southgate (4-3-3 to 4-4-2) and the introduction of Henderson put England back on top. And it seemed like England had won the game when substitute Lingard scored but VAR (correctly) ruled him offside. Extra time was needed but England, once again, crumbled in a semi-final. Individual errors from Stones and Barkley, both trying to play out from the back, gifted the Netherlands two goals and secured their passage to the final.
I don't really think Southgate did too much wrong. The starting midfield trio did not work but a formation switch did help England. Individual errors are not the fault of the manager but England have, for the second time in as many years, been knocked in a semi-final after scoring the first goal. This, obviously, has to change if England are to win the Euros next summer.
Holland, on the whole, deserved to go through so England are condemned to another 3rd place play-off.
This game was decided by one man - Cristiano Ronaldo, the second best player to ever grace the game. Both sides had chances to break the deadlock before Ronaldo decided to roll back the years and score a stunning free kick. However, Switzerland's equaliser could have it's own short film, it took that long. The Swiss had a penalty appeal turned down before Portugal went straight up the other end and Bernardo Silva was clearly taken out. But, after VAR intervened (correctly), Switzerland were awarded their penalty and Rodriguez scored from the spot. The game seemed to be heading for extra time but Ronaldo had other ideas, scoring his second after great play from Neves and Silva and then completing his hat trick to seal the win. Ronaldo is that extra bit of quality that Switzerland do not have.
NETHERLANDS vs ENGLAND
This game was so good but so bad at the same time. Both teams were equally sloppy playing out from the back and England were first to capitalise on this. An error from de Ligt saw him trip Rashford in the penalty area and the United striker calmly placed home. England's midfield struggled to control the game - Holland have better technical players and Southgate's selection was wrong. England continued to cause themselves problems from playing out from the back, putting Holland into the ascendancy after half time and their pressure was rewarded with a header from de Ligt, atoning from his earlier mistake. The Netherlands seemed like scoring and winning the game but a tactical switch from Southgate (4-3-3 to 4-4-2) and the introduction of Henderson put England back on top. And it seemed like England had won the game when substitute Lingard scored but VAR (correctly) ruled him offside. Extra time was needed but England, once again, crumbled in a semi-final. Individual errors from Stones and Barkley, both trying to play out from the back, gifted the Netherlands two goals and secured their passage to the final.
I don't really think Southgate did too much wrong. The starting midfield trio did not work but a formation switch did help England. Individual errors are not the fault of the manager but England have, for the second time in as many years, been knocked in a semi-final after scoring the first goal. This, obviously, has to change if England are to win the Euros next summer.
Holland, on the whole, deserved to go through so England are condemned to another 3rd place play-off.
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