UEFA Euro 2020 Quarter-Final Moment :Italy ,Spain Reaches Semi-Finals

Euro 2020 :Simon shines as Spain beat Switzerland on penalties to reach semi-finals Luis Enrique’s Spain went ahead after eight minutes when a Jordi Alba shot was deflected into his own goal by Denis Zakaria, who started in place of the injured Granit Xhaka. Against the run of play, Xherdan Shaqiri equalised on 68 minutes, after Remo Freuler pounced to capitalise on a rather slapstick defensive mix-up between Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres. Freuler was sent off 10 minutes later, leaving Switzerland to hold out for 40 minutes with just 10 men. They defended stoutly and benefitted from astonishing Spanish profligacy in front of goal to hold out for penalties, only to miss three of their spot-kicks and bow out of the competition. Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal struck the winning penalty after Switzerland's Ruben Vargas fired over the bar as Spain won 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw in their European Championship quarter-final in Saint Petersburg on Friday. Goalkeeper Unai Simon was the hero as Spain edged past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on penalties on Friday to reach Euro 2020 semi-finals. After a 1-1 draw in Saint Petersburg which saw the Swiss play for 43 minutes a man down, Simon made two saves in the shoot-out to help keep Spain's bid for a record fourth European crown alive. Shaqiri is now the all-time leading scorer for the Swiss at the UEFA EURO, with today's strike his fourth across two final tournaments. The Swiss players drop to the floor, with Vargas seemingly inconsolable. They defended heroically in extra time but were unable to repeat their shoot-out success against France. The Nati showed fine resilience against the wave of Spanish attacks. Luis Enrique's men will have a lot to ponder ahead of their semi-final tie. Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón has been named Star of the Match for his brilliant performance in match . Luis Enrique, Spain coach said , "That was the most tranquil penalty shoot-out I've ever been through because we'd done all our homework, all our practice and there was nothing left for the staff and me to do." Vladimir Petković, Switzerland coach: "I have mixed feelings. I have pride – we can all be so proud. We leave here with our heads held high. On the other hand, we were so close to the semi-final, and that doesn't happen often. I have more positive than negative feelings."he further added ,My players were the heroes of the night. We would have deserved to go to the semi-final." Roberto Mancini's Italy’s dream run continues to beat Belgium in Munich Goals from Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne paved Italy's way to the UEFA EURO 2020 semi-finals after Belgium came up just short in Munich.And Romelu Lokaku scored for Belgium.Lukaku scored his sixth EURO goal; no other Belgium player has scored more than two. Nicolò Barella scored his sixth international goal; Italy have won all six matches in which he has scored. The disappointment is big amongst Belgian fans because with this generation everyone in Belgium hoped to reach the final. But Italy were the better team today and had more ball possession. Belgium played very well, but the intensity and quality at the ball from Italy proved too strong for the Red Devils. Belgium: Both teams were worthy opponents and Belgium have shown character and strength. But Italy proved that individual quality in a team can be beaten by solid team work. Overall Belgium can be proud of what they have shown this tournament. They came close to scoring the equaliser a few times but it just wasn't to be. Italy: They needed to go beyond their limits to beat a team like Belgium and the Azzurri did just that. A great collective performance: from goalkeeper Donnarumma to veteran centre-backs Bonucci and Chiellini, from orchestra director Jorginho to goalscorers Barella and Insigne. Chapeau ‘mister’ Mancini. And it is! It's all over and Italy are into the semi-finals and a clash with Spain. That was an exhilarating game of football between two fine teams, and it's Italy who prevail thanks to two goals befitting of such a situation. Belgium pushed forward after the break but there was no way through despite the best efforts of Lukaku, De Bruyne and young Doku. They head home, beaten in the quarter-finals for the second EURO running, but Italy are Wembley bound for that date with Spain on Tuesday. Italy have not conceded more than once in any of their last 35 international matches. Italy’s Lorenzo Insigne awarded Star of the Match for his brilliant performance in the match. Roberto Mancini, Italy coach: "We scored two and we could have scored more. I think the victory is fully deserved. Spain are next but the more you go forward the most difficult it becomes. Tonight, however, we just want to think about our performance and our victory." #UEFAEuro2020 #Italy #Belgium #Spain #Switzerland #Football #Kolkatatoday