Stat: Italy have been involved in 7 matches at the Euros which have gone to extra time. In all 7 they failed to score. The only goal from an opponent was Trezeguet’s golden goal in the final of Euro 2000.— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 26, 2021
So tough to call at this point. Question is I suppose is whether the changes made offensively by Mancini will make the difference and find the breakthrough in ET. Austria can hold their heads high though. And sure enough, Italy open the score, thanks to Chiesa. Can Austria respond? Plenty of time left but do they have any energy left.
The guy is just good: provides the guile (along with finishing ability) Italy needed. Very nice Plan B to have at one's disposal tbh. That should be game over now. Italy got a scare but they survived: this game where they had to scratch, claw and survive should serve them in good stead going forward (where the games will only get tougher).
The size of the hole that ball had to go in for that goal is insane. I wonder what the odds of that scoring are. Have to be insane.
Dolberg is a guy I completely forgot about. At one point he was widely considered to be the next big thing. I wonder if his growth just stalled or if he's had injury problems.
A lot of people calling for Chieas to start but it could be argued that he is the perfect weapon to have come off the bench.
Rate Chiesa pretty highly as well and there definitely is an argument for him to start but Insigne and Berardi have worked pretty good on the flanks so far. And I can see Mancini would stick with them for the time being: if it ain't broke, no reason to fix anything. He has worked very well as a sub so far also, so that only justifies his usage at this stage.
A blow for Croatia. Ivan Perisic has tested positive for COVID-19 and must self-isolate for 10 days, the Croatian Football Federation announced.He will not be available for Croatia's round-of-16 matchup against Spain on Monday. pic.twitter.com/inThYvM8Ey— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 26, 2021
Malen is keeping his place in Holland's starting XI today ahead of Weghorst. Did look pretty good last time out, especially combining well with Memphis up top.
It's a Dutch party in Budapest! This looks like a blast 🇳🇱 🍺 🤪 (via @DutchOrangebus) pic.twitter.com/y1B971NdHX— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 27, 2021
Could be a huge turning point to the game, especially with Malen fluffing his lines at the other end just before. And it's 1-0 eventually for the Czech... What can de Boer and Holland do to respond to this? That has to be game now with Schick scoring the 2nd in this game.
Portugal: Rui Patricio, Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro, Palhinha, Moutinho, Renato Sanches, Jota, B. Silva, CRon Dalot and Palhinha both starting for Portugal today. Interesting changes from Santos there. Palhinha did look good in his cameo appearance last time out vs France. 1st senior start for Diogo and his 2nd appearance. Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, T. Hazard, KdB, E. Hazard, Lukaku Aldeweireld, Vermaelen and Vertonghen the back 3 for Belgium: a combo that really can easily go either way.
I'm really happy for Palhinha getting the start, had a great season for Sporting and he really deserves to be in there infront of Danilo or Carvalho
He really impressed me vs France. To the point that I was thinking that if it was his usual level, United could do with someone like him.
Thorgan!!!! 1-0. The game needed this pretty bad. THE HAMMER OF THORGAN 👊The dip on this shot 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yuRIKkSCLM— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 27, 2021 Laser beam.
Beautiful strike wasn't it. Yellow card for the challenge on kdb but the ref missed the one on lukaku.