Belgium vs Italy LIVE: Euro 2020 team news, line-ups and more tonight
Belgium are taking on Italy in Munich tonight in the second Euro 2020 quarter-final of the day. With the two sides perhaps the strongest remaining teams left in their side of the draw, the winner will become the favourite to reach the final at Wembley while the other will see their run at the tournament end earlier than expected.
Both teams were faultless in the group stages, winning all three of their matches, but were pushed to their limit in the round of 16. Belgium prevailed 1-0 against Portugal in Seville thanks to Thomas Hazard’s stunning goal, but paid the price after losing stars Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard to injury. Both players are doubts for Roberto Martinez’s side, but the manager is hopeful they could return for the semi-finals if Belgium make it through. Romelu Lukaku will have even more pressure on his shoulders if De Bruyne and Hazard are ruled out, but the striker is a feared opponent for the Italians after two outstanding seasons in Serie A.
Italy under boss Roberto Mancini were the great entertainers of the group stages but were made to earn their place in the last eight following a tight 2-1 extra-time win over Austria at Wembley. Federico Chiesa scored the breakthrough goal for the Azzurri after coming off the bench, and could be rewarded with a start here, while the experienced defender Giorgio Chiellini could return from injury.
Follow all the latest updates from the Euro 2020 quarter-final below at the concluson of Switzerland vs Spain.
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RED CARD! Switzerland (Freuler)
76 mins: Remo Freuler has been sent off for Switzerland!
Euro 2020: Switzerland 1 – 1 Spain
72 mins: I think the momentum of this game has suddenly swung to Switzerland. They aren’t getting much possession but Spain haven’t created a chance on goal in ages. Azpilicueta gets forward on the overlap and sends a low ball into the six-yard box but no-one follows it in for Spain.
GOAL! Switzerland 1 – 1 Spain (Shaqiri, 68’)⚽️
68 mins: What a mistake! Xherdan Shaqiri levels the game for Switzerland. All tournament Spain’s central pairings have been their weak link. Pau Torres and Aymeric Laporte run into each other as the ball is passed back to Torres. It comes loose and Remo Freuler can’t believe his luck. He takes the ball and squares it into the middle of the box for Shaqiri who coolly guides the ball into the bottom left corner. Game on!
Euro 2020: Switzerland 0 – 1 Spain
66 mins: Widmer arrives late when challenging Sergio Busquets to the ball and leaves too much on the Spain midfielder who goes to ground. referee Michael Oliver has a good view of the tackle and pulls out a yellow card.
Euro 2020: SAVE! Simon keeps Spain in front!
63 mins: Koke sends the corner in towards the near post but Akanji wins the ball and heads it clear. Shaqiri collects the loose ball and sweeps it out to Zuber. He fends off a tackle from Ferran Torres and drives towards the box. Vargas provides an option on the left and Zuber passes to him before continuing into the box. Vargas slots a neat ball into Zuber who pokes it towards the near post and forces Unai Simon into a diving save to his right. Good work from Spanish goalkeeper!
Euro 2020: Switzerland 0 – 1 Spain
60 mins: An hour played in St Petersburg. This has been a reserved performance from Spain. They aren’t throwing men up the pitch as they have done in previous games. Jordi Alba and Cesar Azpilicueta have been more defensive minded over the course of this game.
Olmo wins a corner off Vargas who’s dropped back to defend for Switzerland.
Euro 2020: CHANCE! Zakaria inches away from an equaliser!
56 mins: Switzerland win a corner and Rodriguez is on set piece duties this time. He whips an outswinger to the far side of the box. Zakaria jumps above Ferran Torres to win the header and sends his effort back across goal. It’s a good attempt, leaving the goalkeeper in no-man’s land but the ball bounces inches wide of the far post.
Euro 2020: Switzerland 0 – 1 Spain
54 mins: Spain are focusing on maintainting possession, working their way up the pitch with sharp, one touch passes. They attempt to find a way down the right side but Zakaria takes the ball off Ferran Torres and the attack breaks down.
Gerard Moreno comes on for Spain replacing Alvaro Morata.
Euro 2020: Switzerland 0 – 1 Spain
51 mins: Half-chance for Koke! Aymeric Laporte delivers a beautiful cross field pass up to Dani Olmo on the Spanish left side. He brings the ball under control and runs at Silvan Widmer before firing a head high cross into the box. Koke is free but the ball is a little behind him. Still, he gets a head to the pass but can’t keep it down and the ball loops over the crossbar.
Euro 2020: Switzerland 0 – 1 Spain
48 mins: Olmo into the action immediately! Ferran Torres drives through midfield and slots the ball into Morata on the rigth side of the box. He sends a cross to the opposite side and picks out Olmo who drills a volley straight at Sommer.
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