Euro 2020

BELGIUM hitman Romelu Lukaku taunted Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after slamming home a penalty in their quarter-final tie.Moments after going 2-0 down to a wonderful strike from Lorenzo Insigne, the Red Devils were awarded a spot-kick for a foul on Jeremy Doku.

In a bid to get into the head of the Inter forward, ex-AC Milan stopper Donnarumma patted him on the back of the head moments before he stepped up to take the pen.
Lukaku proved to have nerves of steel, cooly slotting the ball past the incoming PSG keeper.
And after picking up the ball to initiate a quick restart, the former Manchester United man put his index finger to his mouth to shush the 22-year-old.
Lukaku’s gesture didn’t go unnoticed, with one fan saying: “Lukaku rightly silences Donnarumma.”
Another said: “Lukaku really told Donnarumma to shush lmaoo.”
And another said: “Lukaku silencing Donnarumma ah.”
One asked: “Why did Lukaku shush Donnarumma? LOOOL ur losing bro.”
Belgium’s penalty proved to be the major talking point of the first half as Doku appeared to go down under very little contact from Italy right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

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Gianluigi Donnarumma tried to get into Romelu Lukaku’s head before the spot kickCredit: Getty
But Lukaku ended up having the last laugh by shushing the PSG stopperCredit: Reuters

Replays showed Di Lorenzo didn’t touch the legs of the 19-year-old, who clearly tripped himself up.
Italy players, like many others, expected the penalty to be overturned after a VAR review.
But they, along with fans watching the game around the world, were left baffled by the video assistant’s decision not to overturn the ref’s decision.
One fan wrote: “Never a penalty that! Game is gone if that’s a pen.”
Another wrote: “I’m actually fuming at that penalty.”
And another said: “That was never a penalty.”
One remarked: “Well, the referee happened not be a salamander. That’s why he awarded the penalty.”
The goal didn’t affect the result as Italy won the game 2-1 to meet Spain in the semi-finals

Romelu Lukaku dedicates goal to Inter Milan team-mate Christian Eriksen as he scores for Belgium against Russia More

THIS is the hilarious moment Ciro Immobile quickly recovered from an ‘injury’ to celebrate Italy’s opener against Belgium.The Lazio striker once again started in attack for Roberto Mancini’s side as they went booked their place in the Euro 2020 semi finals with a 2-1 win.

Ciro Immobile writhed in agony after a ‘foul’ before Italy’s first goalCredit: BBC
Nicolo Barella fired Italy ahead as Immobile stopped rolling about and sat upCredit: BBC
Immobile completed his miraculous recovery by charging off to celebrate with his palsCredit: BBC
After a number of close chances at either end, a high ball was played towards the Belgium box in the 31st minute as Immobile attempted to dart between their defence.
However, the Italy forward fell to the ground after a slight coming-together with Jan Vertonghen.
And Immobile began to writhe around on the floor in apparent agony from the clash.
However, Inter Milan’s quick-minded midfielder Nicolo Barella quickly darted onto the ball instead of waiting for the ref’s whistle to stop the game.
He made a fool of Belgium’s defence by knocking the ball clear on goal before firing a sumptuous strike past Thibaut Courtois, giving his side the lead.
Barella’s effort sparked scenes of jubilant Italian celebrations.
And Immobile was not to be left out of the party.
Instead of continuing to roll around, the hitman leapt back to his feet before sprinting after his team-mates celebrating on the other side of the box.

Immobile most have got cured by Doctor Strange to recover from an Injury that fast— NH⭐️⭐️🇩🇪🇩🇪 (@CFCNH21) July 2, 2021

The incident certainly amused viewers, who flocked to Twitter to express their opinion.
One said: “Immobile must have got cured by Doctor Strange to recover from an injury that fast.”
Another wrote: “Still laughing at Immobile’s ‘serious’ injury… goal scored then man legged it to join the pile up as if nothing happened.”
One tweeted: “Immobile had such a bad injury until his teammate scored then he fully recovered. It’s a miracle!”
Another added: “Immobile was so busy faking an injury he missed a great first goal by his team.”
But England legend Alan Shearer was not impressed.
The BBC pundit blasted: “I don’t even want to laugh at that because that’s pathetic!”
Italy found themselves two goals up in the 44th minute when Lorenzo Insigne fired a gorgeous long-range strike past Courtois.
But Belgium pulled themselves back in seconds before the break when Romelu Lukaku slotted home a penalty.
However, Roberto Martinez’s side were unable to find an equaliser in the second half, leaving Italy to celebrate a famous win.
still laughing at immobile’s ‘serious injury’ …goal scored then man legged it to join the pile up as if nothing happened, it’s jokes man😂😂 #BELITA— ᴀ♡ (@vinterhope) July 2, 2021

Immobile had such a bad injury until his team mate had scored and then he had fully recovered. Its a miracle!— Philip Moody (@Pmoody21) July 2, 2021

Ciro Immobile was so busy faking an injury he missed a great first goal by his team. #BELITA— bobby miyamoto (@bobbymiyamoto) July 2, 2021

Spain sneak past Switzerland in Euro 2020 quarter-finals in dramatic penalty shootout More

WHEN his matadors were staring an embarrassing Euro exit in the face after making a right cow of their opening two matches, Luis Enrique insisted all talk of an early elimination was a load of old bull.While the rest of his country drowned their sorrows after two uninspiring draws against Sweden and Poland, Spain boss Luis Enrique remained adamant his flops would still go all the way.
Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 after a penalty shootout win over 10-man SwitzerlandCredit: EPA
Cesar Azpilicueta shared this picture of Spain players celebrate their win in the dressing room after the matchCredit: Instagram / @cesarazpi
Unai Simon (No 23) was the hero in goal for the SpanishCredit: Getty
Swiss players hail their supporters after a heroic performanceCredit: Reuters
He described his under-performing squad as like a bottle of Cava ready to pop.
Most thought the stubborn senor – who comes across as though as the sort of fella who could start a fight in an empty room – had been on sauce himself.
Or that he had been struck down by Mad Cow Disease.
But now it seems he might be right after all as Spain’s form and, maybe more crucially, their luck seems to be improving game by game.
The team that had missed their last FIVE penalties booked their semi-final place with a shootout win over the 10-man Swiss despite missing their first one.
La Roja are in the last-four of a major tournament for the first time since 2012.
Every time they have reached this stage they have gone on to lift the trophy and on this evidence only a fool would back against them doing it again.
The only saving grace for their Euro 2020 rivals is, despite having hit 10 goals in their previous two matches, they do not have a clinical striker.

La Roja had taken an early lead following Denis Zakaria’s deflected own-goalCredit: AFP
Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri had pounced on a Spain howler to equaliseCredit: AP
The Swiss captain swept home from inside the box after a mix-up at the backCredit: EPA
The three-times winners created so many chances – but again they could not hit a cow’s backside with a pair of maracas.
They even needed a Swiss defender with Toblerone boots to give them an early lead as Denis Zakaria’s comical bid to clear Jordi Alba’s shot ended with him diverting the ball into his own net.
The Swiss levelled after the break through Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri.
But their hopes were when English ref Michael Oliver showed Freuler a straight red card for a late sliding challenge on Gerard Moreno.
The dramatic shootout victory means the coach who was booed and berated and branded the ‘Bore-bore of Seville’ by his fellow countrymen after his team’s opening two stalemates – is now the toast of his nation
Enrique made two changes from his side that started their epic 5-3 extra time win over Croata in the last 16.
And one of them, Alba coming back in at left-back for Jose Gaya, made an early impact.
Switzerland thought they had cleared an eighth minute corner, but the Barcelona boy returned it with interest by drilling in a shot from the edge of the box.
Remo Freuler was awarded a straight red card for a lunge on Gerard MorenoCredit: Reuters
Granit Xhaka gave a rousing speech ahead of extra-time as the Swiss forced a shootoutCredit: AFP
The TV replays seemed to suggest it was heading towards goal.
But Zakaria made sure it did as his clown feet attempt to clear the ball ended with it nestling in the net.
After initially awarding it to Alba, Uefa’s suits then officially put it down as an own goal – the 10th of these Finals.
Never mind Zakaria – his defending there was absolute diarrhoea.
The Borussia Monchengladbach man showed all the balance, grace and poise of Bambi on ice.
But he nearly redeemed himself with an equaliser but his 56th minute header was just wide.
Then with nervy Spain wobbling, Steven Zubler – aiming to record the most assists at a Euros having made four already – had a shot blocked at point-blank range by keeper Unai Simon after Ruben Vargas had nutmegged Cesar Azpilicueta.
A Swiss leveller was on the cards and it arrived in the 68th minute when Aymeric Laporte’s attempted pass to Spain team-mate Pau Torres failed to reach its intended destination.
Spain players react after their shootout winCredit: EPA
Dejected goalkeeper Yann Sommer enjoyed a memorable tournamentCredit: EPA
Freuler gleefully accepted the gift, squaring it for Xherdan Shaqiri to sweep home.
Having managed just one goal for Liverpool last season, this his was his third goal at these Finals and just reward for Swiss spirit and Spanish negativity
But Alpine ambition was dealt a blow when whistler Oliver dismissed Freuler.
The decision, despite Swiss protests, was rubber stamped by the ref’s Prem pal Chris Kavanagh, the VAR.
For all the praise the use of VAR at this tournament has received this was the SIXTH red card of the Finals – as many as 2016 and 2012 combined.
Swiss scorer Shaqiri looked far from impressed as was sacrificed by boss Vladimir Petkovic.
But it was Spain who, despite the extra man, were the happier to reach extra time as their plucky opponents refused to die.
Extra time was a different story as La Roja dominated.
Swiss players gave it their all in defeatCredit: Reuters

Such occasions always throw up heroes and villains and this was no different as Moreno had three good chances in the first period.
Moreno fluffed two gilt-edged chances and had another brilliantly saved by Yann Sommer.
The Swiss stopper also performed heroics to keep out efforts from Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo as the Armada turned into the Alamo.
Left-back Ricardo Rodriguez put his body on the line to help out his keeper as he produced a brilliant sliding block to deny Marcos Llorente a certain goal.
But Sommer was Switzerland’s real hero as he took the tie to penalties with another save from misfiring Moreno.
You felt he was going to be the matchwinner after saving two Sergio Ramos spot kicks against Spain in the Nations League in November.
Mikel Oyarzabal hit the winning penalty as Spain reached the final fourCredit: EPA

Spain’s spot kick curse looked set to continue when Sergio Busquets fired the opening one against a post and Mario Gavranovic slotted Switzerland 1-0 up.
Dani Olmo scored for Spain as Fabian Scharr’s effort was saved by Simon.
Rodri and Manuel Akanji then missed their respective pens as the nerves began to jangle – before Moreno finally managed to find the net to put Spain in front.
Ruben Vargas then smashed one over the bar as Oyarzabal converted to send the Spanish through.
Watch touching moment classy Thiago consoles Ruben Vargas after Switzerland ace missed penalty in Spain defeat More

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO has warned England’s rock solid defence: Nobody’s perfect.Zinchenko and his Ukraine side will attempt to become the first team to score against the Three Lions during Euro 2020 when they two sides meet in Rome on Saturday.
Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko admits Ukraine might need to play the ‘best game of their lives’ to KO EnglandCredit: Getty
Fit-again Harry Maguire has renewed his partnership with John Stones in central defence, with England yet to concede in four gamesCredit: Getty
The Manchester City wideman admits it will take the performance of their careers if they are to upset the odds and secure a semi-final place – but they are planning to do just that.
Zinchenko, 24, said: “Numbers speak for themselves, and the fact that England hasn’t conceded any goals so far shows they play very well in defence.
“But there are no perfect teams. Every team has weaknesses.
“Over the last couple of years I’ve been playing with Kyle Walker and John Stones, and they play to a very high level. And last season they played amazing.
“It will not be easy, we know. But at this stage of the tournament, everything is possible.
“The coaching team will tell us how score and we will do our best, we will try to surprise them.
“But we realise that to get through, all the players and the whole team, they will need to play probably the best game of their lives.”
Ukraine’s progress through to the last eight has even surprised many back home – and few have given them a realistic chance of beating England.

The energy-sapping extra-time win over Sweden, having scraped through to the last 16 in the final third-placed spot from the group stage, has marked them out as huge underdogs in the Olympic Stadium.
But manager Andriy Shevchenko believes it would be wrong to underestimate just how strong the collective character is within his squad.
Shevchenko said: “We totally understand the team we will be playing against. But we also know our strong side.
“We showed already our character at this tournament. We showed the principles of our game and we will never change them.
“I know how difficult this game will be for us, but I know that our players have character, and we will try to show it.”

Now the former Chelsea and AC Milan striker is calling on the 250,000-strong Ukrainian community in Italy to try to get to the stadium to support the team – and wants the Italian fans on his side too.
He added: “England is one of the best teams at this Euros, it is one of the most balanced teams.
“Gareth Southgate has gathered an amazing group, and the team that plays more than football.
“England is in one of the best moments in its history, English football is going up now.

“However, we do have a significant Ukrainian community here in Italy and we hope they’ll be at the stadium. In fact, I invite them to come to the Stadio Olimpico to get behind the team.
“And I also expect Italian fans to come to the stadium and I hope they can get behind Ukraine as well.
“Ukraine deserves the sympathy from the fans for how well we have played, how well they have tried at this tournament.”
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