Boing, Boing, Kurious Oranj?
Who will join Spain in the final of Euro 2024, and who will join Argentina in the Copa America final?
EURO 2024 Round-up
Where to watch: all TV broadcasters around the globe from UEFA
SPAIN 2-1 FRANCE: Lamine Yamal became the youngest goal scorer in Euros history after his stunning strike drew Spain level four minutes after France had taken the lead through Kolo Muani in the ninth minute. The game threatened to explode on 25 minutes when Dani Olmo’s exquisite take and shot was deflected into the French net by Jules Kounde.
But the makeshift Spanish defense, with a 38-year-old Jesus Navas tasked with marking Kylian Mbappe, managed to control the game quite comfortably from then on. France had a few decent chances towards the end, Mbappe blasting one across the Austrian border.
You’d have to be dafter than Drake to bet against Spain to win the whole thing. [Highlights]
TODAY’S SEMI-FINAL: NETHERLANDS vs. ENGLAND
“I’ve never seen us outnumbered like this…” - England fans’ sentiment on what is essentially a home game for the Dutch.
In fact, it’s rumored there’ll be 75,000 Dutch fans doing their bouncing thing:
BVB Stadion, Dortmund, 3 pm Fox – England and the Netherlands will clash in the other semi-final (German police deploying 6,000 riot police in case they take it literally), each vying for a spot in the final. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, but also face challenges as they prepare for this crucial encounter. England have their excuses ready over the referee, Felix Zwayer, who Jude Bellingham has clashed with previously over a match-fixing scandal in 2005.
England: A Team on the Rise
England have somehow progressed through the tournament, showcasing a stingy defense that has conceded only three goals in five matches. Their possession-based style, averaging 58.6%, combined with a 90% passing accuracy, demonstrates a commitment to controlled play. However, England have not only struggled to convert possession into goals they’ve struggled to make any efforts on goal, scoring only five times so far - the pre-tournament’s most prolific frontline looking anything but, especially the labored Harry Kane.
Key players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, each with two goals, have been poor, but the England bench with the likes of Cole Palmer, Ivan Toney, and Anthony Gordon has enough firepower, trickery and pace to turn a game. Defensively, John Stones' passing prowess (412 completions) and Marc Guehi's ability to recover the ball (37 recoveries) have been instrumental in maintaining England's solid defensive record. Kobbie Mainoo has the best pass accuracy of the tournament with 96%.
Netherlands: Offensive Firepower
The Netherlands boasts a potent attack, led by Cody Gakpo, who is tied for the tournament's top scorer with three goals. They have found the back of the net nine times in total, demonstrating a clinical edge in front of goal. While their defense has been less resolute, conceding five goals, they make up for it with a dynamic offensive approach, averaging 55.2% possession and taking 74 shots on goal.
Xavi Simons and Nathan Ake have been creative forces, each providing two assists. Stefan De Vrij's leadership in defense, both in passing (320 completions) and ball recovery (28 recoveries), will be vital in containing England's attack.
Key Storylines
England's Resilience: England has shown
resiliencebored the living crap out of everyone, winning both knockout stage matches in extra time. But, while they’ve created little they are due a performance and have more than one or two players who can produce moments of magic.Dutch Momentum: The Netherlands faced a tough group stage losing 3-2 to Austria and finishing third, but have shown determination in the knockout rounds. Especially in their comeback 2-1 win over Turkey in the quarter-finals.
History Beckons: England seeks its first-ever European Championship title, while the Netherlands aims to recapture the glory of its 1988 victory.
Odds: Netherlands +211; Draw +178; England +167
COPA America Round-up
ARGENTINA 2-0 CANADA
Julián Álvarez's first-half goal and Lionel Messi's second-half tally propelled Argentina past Canada 2-0 on Tuesday night, securing their spot in the Copa América final.
Álvarez, who also scored in Argentina's tournament-opening win against Canada, found the net in the 22nd minute after a two-pass sequence from Cristian Romero to Rodrigo De Paul, and then to Álvarez, who beat goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
On his return from injury, Messi, relatively quiet in prior matches, doubled Argentina's lead in the 51st minute after a give-and-go with De Paul, Messi redirected an Enzo Fernandez shot into the net for his first goal of the tournament.
Despite an early scare from Canada, who showed attacking intent in the opening 22 minutes, Argentina controlled the game after Álvarez's opener. Messi nearly added another before halftime, and sealed the victory shortly after the break.
The win marks Argentina's third consecutive major tournament final, where they will face either Colombia or Uruguay. [Highlights]
TODAY’S SEMI-FINAL: URUGUAY vs. COLOMBIA
Bank of America Stadium, CHARLOTTE, NC 8 pm on FS1
Uruguay seeks a record-breaking 16th title, while Colombia aims to reach their first final since 2001. Uruguay progressed through their quarter-final with ten men on penalty kicks in a bruising encounter against Brazil, committing a tournament-high 26 fouls. Subsequently, they will be without the suspended Nahitan Nandez and the injured Ronald Araujo.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa emphasized their commitment to an attacking style, stating, "If we didn't try to impose what we do best, we would actually be undermining our own chances."
Colombia, riding high after a 5-0 rout of Panama, boasts a balanced attack with eight different goal scorers. Veteran James Rodriguez has shined, tying Lionel Messi's record for most assists in a single tournament.
Manager Nestor Lorenzo anticipates a thrilling match, saying, "They are not passive. They go out for a win. And I'm sure we're going to have a good show on Wednesday."
Odds: Uruguay +178, Draw +173, Colombia +206
In Other Soccer News
Transfers:
The Guardian’s interactive transfer thing.
Stat(s) of the Day
The most consistent sporting indicator is The Drake Curse: if the Canadian rapper supports or bets on a team it is guaranteed to lose; and so it went with a $300K stake on Canada to win $2.88M. Sizable props to Argentina for the Kendrick Lamar response:
Argentina have won more trophies (3) than they have suffered losses (2) in the last 5 years.
Kylian Mbappé at Euro 2024: 1st in shots (24) 1st in box touches (46) 0 non-penalty goals
France lost their first tournament game with N’Golo Kante in the side, the longest unbeaten streak of its kind: WWWWWWDWWWWWDDDWDDWDL
The Daily Soccer Quote of the Day
“Please continue to watch soccer everyday. Please continue to play soccer. Please continue to live soccer everyday.” - Giorgio Chiellini, the nicest man in football signing off.
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