The UEFA Euro 2020 has two mouth-watering semi-finals lined-up as Italy lock horns with three-time champions Spain while England clash with underdogs Denmark. The two high-profile encounters will feature some of the world’s most talented footballers and here are four players who can make a telling difference for their team’s when it matters most.
Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)
The Italy national football team winger has been one of the standout players in the ongoing edition of the European Championship. Lorenzo Insigne scored a stunning goal in the Euro 2020 quarter-final as Italy defeated a star-studded Belgium side 2-1 to book their place in the semis.
⚽️ Your Goal of the Round?
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 3, 2021
🇮🇹 Lorenzo Insigne: Belgium v ITALY
🇩🇰 Kasper Dolberg: Czech Republic v DENMARK
🇮🇹 Nicolò Barella: Belgium v ITALY
🇨🇿 Patrik Schick: CZECH REPUBLIC v Denmark@GazpromFootball | #EUROGOTR | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/s4JIvvNdVr
His impressive performances in Euro 2020 have already attracted interest from FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur. The Napoli winger will look to put on another dazzling performance in the high-profile encounter against Spain and further extend the Azzurri’s impressive unbeaten run.
Sergio Busquets (Spain)
The 32-year-old midfield maestro has once again shown why he is such a vital cog in the Spain national football team. As Sergio Busquets missed the first two matches after testing COVID-19 positive, Spain struggled to control the tempo of games, registering lacklustre draws against Sweden and Poland. After his return in a must-win game against Slovakia, La Roja hammered their opponents 5-0 and followed it up with a 5-3 win after extra time over Croatia in a nail-biting round of 16 clash. The FC Barcelona midfielder won back-to-back man of the match awards showing his importance for the national side and Spain will bank on Busquets if they are to end Italy’s 32-match unbeaten run.
🇪🇸 Positioning and football intelligence masterclass ... Sergio Busquets 👏@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/71azqFunkx
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 23, 2021
Harry Kane (England)
While the England football team striker received massive criticism for not managing to open his goal-scoring account in the three group matches at Euro 2020, Harry Kane bounced back strongly in the knockout stages. The Tottenham Hotspur forward scored an important goal as England defeated Germany 2-0 to knock Die Mannschaft out of the tournament in the round of 16. The 27-year-old followed it up with a brace in England’s 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine in the quarter-finals.
🏴 Harry Kane = 1st England player to score twice in a EURO finals knockout game ⚽️⚽️#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/cgIsRZwFLV
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 3, 2021
The Three Lions will hope Kane can continue his impressive goal-scoring form as they look to claim their first silverware since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
Kasper Dolberg (Denmark)
Denmark forward Kasper Dolberg has been a revelation in the ongoing European Championship so far. The OGC Nice striker has bagged three goals in his country’s dream run at Euro 2020. After scoring two goals against a much-fancied Wales side in the round of 16, Dolberg added another goal to his tally as Denmark defeated Czech Republic 2-1 to advance to the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
The 23-year-old has already attracted interest from Premier League clubs including Everton and he will look to put on another brilliant performance against England in the Euro 2020 semi-finals on Wednesday.
Featured photo: ALBERTO LINGRIA / Olaf Kraak / POOL / AFP
