Matchday 4 was packed with drama as the round of 16 saw a number of big names sent packing from EURO 2020. None more so than favourites France, who were dumped out on penalties after letting a 3-1 lead slip in normal time against Switzerland. Most surprisingly it was forward Kylian Mbappe who was villain of the piece for Les Blues, missing the decisive penalty to conclude what has been a miserable tournament for the 22-year-old superstar, who failed to register a single goal for his country. Also exiting EURO 2020 in surprising circumstances were Netherlands, who fell apart following a straight red card for defender Matthijs de Ligt after a VAR adjudged handball that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity in the second half. Czech Republic were the ones to reap the rewards and went on to emerge 2-0 victors over the Dutch.
Like France, Spain also threw away a 3-1 advantage in normal time. However, Luis Enrique’s side came through in extra time to win 5-3 vs Croatia and seal their place in the quarter-finals. Denmark continued their incredible momentum with a 4-0 triumph over Wales, the second successive fixture that has seen the Danes rack up four goals. Italy needed extra time to overcome a brave Austrian side by two goals to one, whilst Belgium’s golden generation defeated Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal by a single goal, although victory came at a cost with key midfielders Kevin De Bruyne (€10.7m) and captain Eden Hazard (€10.1m) both forced off through injuries that may seem them miss out on Matchday 5.
England gave their fans reason to truly start believing after beating Germany 2-0 at Wembley and the Three Lions are now the only side remaining in the competition who are yet to concede a single goal. Meanwhile, Ukraine took full advantage of a Swedish red card, shocking their ten-man opposition with a winner in the final minute of extra time with penalties looming after the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. So, with our quarter-finals confirmed we break the fixtures down from a EURO fantasy perspective, highlighting potential key assets ahead of Matchday 5.
MATCHDAY 5 FIXTURES
Friday 2nd July
Switzerland v Spain (17:00)
Belgium v Italy (20:00)
Saturday 3rd July
Czech Republic v Denmark (17:00)
Belgium v Portugal (20:00)
SWITZERLAND OR SPAIN FIRST TO BID ADIOS!
The first quarter-final on Matchday 5 will see Switzerland and Spain do battle in Saint Petersburg with both coming off the back of dramatic round of 16 games against France and Croatia respectively. Both fixtures finished 3-3 after 90 minutes and whilst Spain went on to overpower their opponents and wind up 5-3 winners, Switzerland stunned the tournament favourites by triumphing via a penalty shootout. It would therefore, be no surprise if this match ends up as yet another high scoring encounter, with both sides full of confidence going forward.
From a EURO fantasy point of view, plenty of midfield options stand out as viable point outlets on Matchday 5. Midfielder Ferran Torres (€8.1m) was reinstated into the Spanish starting line-up vs Croatia and should keep his place after recording both a goal and an assist. Pablo Serabia (€6.7m) also found the net and represents a cheaper midfield option for those looking to save some cash. Whilst Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri (€7.4m) failed to register an attacking return against France, the Liverpool midfielder has proved his attacking credentials already in this tournament after bagging a brace on Matchday 3. One of the heroes for Switzerland in the round of 16 was forward Haris Seferovic (€8.7m), who scored twice against Les Blues. Seferovic now has three goals over the last two matchdays and 17 EURO fantasy points within that period and could add to that tally on Matchday 5.
THE REMATCH OF THE ROBERTOS!
The last time Roberto Mancini and Roberto Martinez did battle on the touchline was May 2013, when Mancini’s Man City were felled by Martinez’s Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final, one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history. Over eight years later and the two managers do battle once again as Italy take on Belgium in the EURO 2020 quarter-finals. Whilst goals aren’t expected to be in high supply here, this contest certainly won’t be low in quality with these two sides among the favourites of those remaining to go on and win the tournament.
Whilst Belgium triumphed over Portugal in the round of 16 they did so at a cost. Both Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were forced off through injury and neither are likely to feature on Matchday 5. With that in mind, those looking for Belgium attacking coverage are likely to look no further than forward Romelu Lukaku(€11.3m), the focal point of Belgium’s attacking play with three goals and 20 EURO fantasy points accrued so far. However, it may be better advised to lean upon Italian assets for points here, particularly in defence with such creative firepower potentially unavailable for the Red Devils. Both full-back Leonardo Spinazzola(€5.6m) and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (€5.7m) will no doubt be highly owned among EURO fantasy managers, whilst forward Ciro Immobile (€10.2m) remains heavily courted despite having not scored since Matchday 2. After an excellent cameo off the bench that saw him net the opening goal in extra time against Austria, midfielder Federico Chiesa (€7.0m) could be a brilliant differential option if he is given a starting role against Belgium.
GREAT DANES NOT READY TO CZECH OUT JUST YET!
Since losing their opening two matches of the group stage, Denmark have been nothing short of magnificent, winning their final group game 4-1 against Russia, before thrashing Wales 4-0 to book their place in the last eight. They face a Czech Republic side who surprised everyone by beating Netherlands 2-0, after the Dutch were reduced to ten men. More respect should be afforded to this Czech side, who have shown themselves to be a very strong outfit and they certainly won’t roll over for a Denmark team riding the crest of a wave.
The player expected to be most in demand asset from the perspective of the EURO Fantasy community will be Danish defender Joakim Maehle (€4.5m). The left-wing back has racked up 20 fantasy points across Denmark’s last two games after scoring late on in both matches, roaming forward on the counter attack. With the Danes also coming off the back of a clean sheet, Maehle provides multiple avenues from which to gain points. In order for Denmark’s defensive players to secure another shutout on Matchday 5, they will have to keep quiet Patrik Schick (€8.4m). The Czech Republic forward has netted four times already at EURO 2020 and is just one goal away from drawing level with top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Denmark however, have a goalscorer of their own in Kasper Dolberg (€7.0m) who netted twice on Matchday 4.
WILL SHEVCHENKO UKRAINE ON ENGLAND’S PARADE?
You can forgive England supporters for not starting to wonder whether it will finally be their summer after 55 years of hurt, following their victory in the round of 16. Beating a side with the quality of Germany will provided an incredible confidence boost to a young talented squad, with a solid defence which is currently laying the foundation for their EURO 2020 success thus far. However, they will leave Wembley for the first time on Matchday 5 as they travel to Rome where they will meet an unfancied but dangerous Ukraine. Andriy Shevchenko’s side are not a team to be taken lightly, having eliminated a Sweden outfit who had topped their group without defeat and head into this match with absolutely no pressure on their shoulders considering that they have already reached their highest ever placement at the European Championships.
It will come as no surprise if EURO fantasy managers are to bring numerous England players into their respective squads leading into Matchday 5 and Raheem Sterling (€9.7m) will surely top the shopping list of many managers. The attacking midfielder netted his third goal of the tournament and picked up a third eight-point haul across four matchdays vs Germany. Also expected to be a popular transfer in is forward Harry Kane (€11.5m) with the England captain having finally ended his EURO 2020 goalscoring hoodoo on Matchday 4. Momentum is always key for strikers and with the pressure having been taking off Kane following his round of 16 goal, he could be set to cash in come the quarter-finals.
From a defensive perspective, you could make a case for any member of England’s backline. John Stones (€5.7m) provides the most reliability, having started all of the Three Lions’ four games, recording six points in each fixture whilst full-back Luke Shaw (€6.1m) assisted England’s first goal against Germany and has accumulated 21 EURO fantasy over the course of his last three appearances. Let’s not forget Jordan Pickford (€5.7m) either, who is now the highest scoring goalkeeper within EURO fantasy after his three saves helped secure a fourth straight EURO 2020 shutout and take his overall score to 25 points.
