football
Euro2020 semi-finalists have been determined
The semi-finalists of the UEFA Euro 2020 have been determined. The final matches of the quarter-finals were held on Saturday.
In the quarterfinals, Italy beat Belgium in Munich (2:1), the Spanish national team defeated the Swiss team in St. Petersburg (1:1, 3:1 - on penalties), Denmark in Baku beat Czech Republic (2:1), and England defeated Ukraine in Rome (4:0).
Also read: Denmark beats Czechs 2-1 to reach Euro 2020 semifinals
The semi-finals will have the matches between Italy - Spain on July 6 and England vs. Denmark on July 7. Both meetings will take place in London at Wembley Stadium. The final will take place in the same arena on July 11.
The current European champion is the Portuguese national team, which in 2016 beat the hosts of the tournament, France (1:0).
Also read: Italy advances to semifinals at Euro 2020
Denmark beats Czechs 2-1 to reach Euro 2020 semifinals
Denmark’s journey at the European Championship is headed to London.
The Danes, who have developed into a surprise contender after their tournament began with midfielder Christian Eriksen suffering cardiac arrest on the field, advanced to the Euro 2020 semifinals on Saturday by beating the Czech Republic 2-1.
They didn’t need long to take control against the Czechs on a hot and humid night in Azerbaijan.
Also read: Brazil beats Chile at Copa America despite 2nd-half red card
Jens Stryger sent an outswinging corner in the fifth minute to Thomas Delaney, standing in space by the penalty spot. Delaney’s bouncing header went in past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík.
Denmark doubled the lead just before halftime. Joakim Maehle hit a cross from the left using the outside of his right foot. The ball eluded Martin Braithwaite’s attempt at a header but Kasper Dolberg got past his marker and beat Vaclík in the 42nd.
Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick scored his fifth goal at the beginning of the second half, putting him even with Cristiano Ronaldo as the tournament’s leading scorers. Schick was given plenty of space by defender Jannik Vestergaard to hit a first-touch shot off Vladimir Coufal’s curled pass.
Also read: Copa America 2021: Teams Qualified For Quarter Finals, Fixtures
The Czechs pushed hard to level the score in a physical game which finished with Tomas Soucek and Jan Boril both with their heads wrapped in bandages after collisions with Danish players.
Denmark lost its first two games at Euro 2020 and was on the verge of elimination before beating Russia, Wales and the Czechs in succession. This is farthest Denmark has gotten at a major tournament since winning the European title in 1992.
Brazil beats Chile at Copa America despite 2nd-half red card
Defending Copa America champions Brazil defended strongly with 10 men to advance to the semifinals with a 1-0 win on Friday against Chile. Substitute Lucas Paquetá scored the only goal of the match only seconds before Gabriel Jesus was sent off early in the second half.
Paquetá’s winner to the left corner of Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo in the 46th minute gave Brazil fans some hope that the Selecao would ease into the next stage. But only two minutes later Jesus was sent off after hitting Chile’s Eugenio Mena with a flying kick.
Neymar and Brazil coach Tite said after the match that Jesus didn’t see Mena and accidentally kicked him as he tried to recover possession in the midfield.
Brazil worked so hard defensively that Chile had fewer shots on goal after Jesus was sent off than during the time he played; two against three.
“Defending well is a characteristic of ours,” Brazil’s Thiago Silva said. “Regardless of what we did today we concede few goals. Ever down to 10 we created clear opportunities. I am very proud of this team, for its fighting spirit.”
Also read: Copa America 2021: Quarter Finals Preview
Paquetá came onto the pitch after a tense first half with few opportunities for both sides. He replaced Roberto Firmino.
Brazil didn’t stop threatening Chile with Neymar’s dribbles and quick counter-attacks. But Chile was much closer to the equalizer; it had an Eduardo Vargas goal disallowed for offside and English-Chilean Ben Brereton hit the bar with a header in the 68th minute.
An exhausted Neymar said after the match that playing with 10 men was a great test for Brazil. He was not close to scoring as in other Copa America matches, but he was key by holding possession.
“Every match we need to get some tests to make us stronger, show we can do it in every circumstance,” Neymar said. “We had to stand together. It was very hard to do it.”
Chile’s Arturo Vidal said his team will leave the tournament with some pride.
“We lost to a great team, a favorite which is playing at home,” he said. “If we play like we played today, with some more time to work, this team will clearly have its intensity back. We hope to qualify to the World Cup. It will be hard, but we can.”
Also read: Copa America 2021: Teams Qualified For Quarter Finals, Fixtures
Peru advanced to the semifinal after beating Paraguay on penalties 4-3 after a 3-3 score in regular time, in the most thrilling Copa America match yet.
Brazil and Peru played the latest Copa America final in 2019, with the hosts winning 3-1. Jesus was also sent off in that match at Rio’s Maracana Stadium. Monday’s encounter will be at the same Nilton Santos Stadium where Brazil beat Chile.
Brazil coach Tite, who was recently fined by South American soccer body CONMEBOL for criticizing the tournament’s organization, once more criticized the quality of the Nilton Santos pitch, despite minor improvements made recently.
“If I were watching from home I would say this could have been a good match, and look what it is... Ederson had difficulties to take goal kicks,” Tite said. “Please, be responsible. I recognize people are trying to improve the pitch, but find a better pitch for us to play.”
The Copa America final will be played at the Maracana Stadium on July 10.
Italy advances to semifinals at Euro 2020
Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne scored a goal each to give Italy a 2-1 win over Belgium and a spot in the European Championship semifinals.
Romelu Lukaku pulled one back with a penalty right before halftime but the Belgians missed further chances to equalize in the second half.
Read: Spain beats Switzerland in penalty shootout
Barella scored in the 31st minute after eluding two Belgium defenders and sending the ball in off the far post. Insigne got the second in the 44th when he put a curling shot inside the far top corner.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo conceded the penalty by pushing Jeremy Doku. Lukaku scored with a shot down the middle.
It was only the second goal Italy conceded at the tournament.
Italy will next play Spain in the semifinals on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium in London.
Spain beats Switzerland in penalty shootout
Unai Simon made two saves and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the decisive penalty to give Spain a spot in the European Championship semifinals by beating Switzerland 3-1 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw.
The match headed to a penalty shootout in the European Championship quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw through extra time.
Read: Swiss beat France on penalties at Euro 2020
The Swiss got through the extra period of 30 minutes despite playing with 10 men following a red card for midfielder Remo Freuler in the 78th minute.
An own-goal by Switzerland midfielder Denis Zakaria gave Spain the lead in the eighth minute. The Swiss equalized when Xherdan Shaqiri took advantage of a defensive mix-up in the 68th.
Read: UEFA EURO 2020: Quarter Finals Preview
Remo Freuler was shown a straight red card in the 78th for a studs-up challenge on Spain substitute Gerard Moreno.
BPL, BCL Football matches postponed
All the matches of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2020-21 have been postponed.
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) took the decision to postpone leagues Friday due to continuous rainfall in the capital and unplayable condition of the field. The BFF also considered the weather forecast while making the decision.
Also read: BPL Football: Abahani, Mohammedan play out 1-1 draw
The fresh date and fixture for the remaining league matches will be announced later, said the federation.
Earlier, the BFF postponed the Women's Football League, and the 3rd Division Football League matches up to July 7 due to inclement weather and countrywide strict lockdown.
Also read: BPL Football: Bashundhara continue unbeaten run beating Rahmatganj 2-1
BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani earn 2-0 victory over Ctg Abahani
Six-time champions Dhaka Abahani earned a 2-0 victory over Chittagong Abahani in the second phase match of the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football Thursday.
The first phase match between two teams ended in a 1-1 draw on February 1 this year.
Dhaka Abahani dominated the first half 1-0 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.
Also read: BPL Football: Abahani, Mohammedan play out 1-1 draw
Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba put Dhaka Abahani ahead in the 34th minute (1-0); midfielder Mamunul Islam sealed the fate of the match, scoring the second goal for them in the 52nd minute (2-0).
Despite Thursday's win, Dhaka Abahani remained at the second spot in the league table, securing 36 points from 17 matches, 13 points behind table-toppers Bashundhara Kings.
Chittagong Abahani remained at the fifth slot with 29 points from 17 matches.
Also read: BPL Football: Bashundhara continue unbeaten run beating Rahmatganj 2-1
The Kings stayed at the top of the table with 49 points from 17 matches.
Muktijoddha Sangshad KC will play Sheikh Russel KC Friday at 5pm at the same venue.
Copa America 2021: Quarter Finals Preview
Eight teams have qualified for the Copa America 2021 quarterfinals, with the competition's first knockout round set to begin on July 2nd. Two of the tournament's favorites, Argentina and Brazil finished top in their respective groups. Messi’s Argentina will face Ecuador, while Neymar’s Brazil will face Chili in the quarterfinals. With a relatively easy quarter-final opponent, they will most certainly proceed to the semi-finals. The matchups between Uruguay and Colombia, as well as Peru and Paraguay, are expected to be the most exciting in the quarter-finals. In this article, we discussed who can qualify for the Copa America 2021 semi-finals?
Read:UEFA Euro 2020: Meet the Quarter-Finalists
Who are the Front-Runners in the Race to the Semifinals?
1st Quarter-Final (Peru vs. Paraguay)
Venue: Goiania | Date: July 3 | Time (BST): 3 am
Verdict: Paraguay 2-1 Peru
Paraguay finished third in Group A with 6 points. The Paraguayan national team has shown a lot of promise in this tournament. They overcame Bolivia and Chili but lost to Argentina and Uruguay by a solitary goal in both matches. On the other hand, Peru placed second in Group B with 7 points. They were thrashed 4-0 by Brazil but came out on top 2-1 against Colombia. Based on the present form, Paraguay will start the match as a favorite.
Paraguay’s probable starting XI
Antony Silva (GK), Robert Rojas, Júnior Alonso, Alberto Espinola, Omar Alderete, BraianSamudio, GastónGiménez, Mathias Villasanti, Gabriel Ávalos, Ángel Romero, and Alejandro Romero.
Peru’s probable starting XI
Pedro Gallese (GK), Aldo Corzo, Miguel Araujo, Miguel Trauco, Renato Tapia, Luis Abram, YoshimarYotún, André Carrillo, Christian Cueva, Sergio Peña, Luis Iberico.
Read:England beats Germany 2-0 to reach Euro 2020 quarterfinals
2nd Quarter-Final (Brazil vs. Chili)
Venue: Rio de Janerio | Date: July 3 | Time (BST): 6 am
Verdict: Brazil 3-1 Chili
The defending Copa America champion Brazil are the clear favorite in this year's competition. In the quarterfinals, they'll face Chili, who haven't quite found their groove yet. So, Brazil will start the contest as the favorite.
Brazil’s probable starting XI
EdersonMoraes (GK), Thiago Silva, Danilo, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro, Everton, Casemiro, Richarlison, Fred, Gabriel Jesús and Neymar.
Chili’s probable starting XI
Claudio Bravo (GK), Mauricio Isla, Francisco Sierralta, Gary Medel, Eugenio Mena, Arturo Vidal, TomásAlarcón, Charles Aránguiz, Ben Brereton Díaz, César Pinares, Eduardo Vargas.
Read:Copa America 2021: Teams Qualified For Quarter Finals, Fixtures
3rd Quarter-Final (Uruguay vs. Colombia)
Venue: Brasilia | Date: July 4 | Time (BST): 4 am
Verdict:Uruguay 3-2 Colombia (Extra Time)
Uruguay have rediscovered their rhythm in their last two group stage matches, finishing second in Group A. They will face Colombia in the quarterfinal. Colombia finished the third spot in Group B and will go all-out against Uruguay. We can expect an exciting battle between these two teams.
Uruguay’s probable starting XI
Muoz (GK), Diego Godin, Caceres, Ronald Araujo, Damian Suarez, Lucas Torreira, Stuani, Nandez, Bentancur, Cavani, Suarez
Colombia’s probable starting XI
Ospina (GK), Tesillo, Mina, Medina, D Sanchez, Cuadrado, James, Uribe, Falcao, James Rodriguez, Martinez
Read:Messi breaks Argentina’s record for caps at Copa America win
4th Quarter-Final (Argentina vs. Ecuador)
Venue: Goiania | Date: July 4 | Time (BST): 7 am
Verdict: Argentina 2-0 Ecuador
Argentina played well in their final group stage match against Bolivia, winning by a large margin. So, we can expect a much more confident Argentine team to face Ecuador in the quarterfinal. Ecuador drew their final group stage encounter against Brazil, though Argentina will be the favorite to win this contest.
Argentina’s probable starting XI
Martinez (GK), Tagilafico, Romero, Molina, Pezzella, Rodríguez, Di María, Paredes, Lionel Messi, Gómez, Lautaro Martinez
Ecuador’s probable starting XI
Galindez (GK), Estupinan, E. Preciado, Hincapie, Arboleda, Palacios, Caicedo, Franco, Méndez, A. Preciado, Mena
Read:Swiss beat France on penalties at Euro 2020
Verdict
After assessing the strengths of the teams, it is apparent that Brazil and Argentina are the two clear favorites to advance to the next knockout phase of the Copa America 2021. Meanwhile, Uruguay and Paraguay will have a little advantage over their opponents in the quarter-finals. Overall, we expect the top teams to advance to the semi-finals.
BPL Football: Bashundhara beat Mohammedan 1-0; maintain 100% unbeaten run
Title aspirant Bashundhara Kings extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football after beating Dhaka Mohammedan 1-0 Wednesday.
As the hard-fought second phase match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium was about to end in a draw, Argentine forward Raul Becerra netted the match-winner for the Kings in the stoppage time (90+4 minute).
Also read: BPL Football: Abahani, Mohammedan play out 1-1 draw
The Kings' Yeasin and Sujon of Mohammedan got red cards.
With Wednesday's win, star-studded Kings stayed at the top of the table with 49 points from 17 matches, 16 points ahead of their nearest rivals Dhaka Abahani who bagged 33 points from 16 encounters.
Also read: BPL Football: Bashundhara continue unbeaten run beating Rahmatganj 2-1
Mohammedan remained at the fourth slot with 29 points from 17 matches.
The day's other match between Brothers Union Club and Bangladesh Police ended in a goalless draw.
BFF media chief Amit no more
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Head of Media Ahsan Ahmed Amit passed away Wednesday while undergoing treatment in New Delhi.
Amit, also a good sports organiser and an executive committee member of the Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation, breathed his last at 6:10pm. He was admitted to a Delhi hospital with kidney complexities.
Also read: ICT Senior Prosecutor Zead-AI-Malum no more
The 43-year-old had a successful kidney transplantation on June 22. He was waiting to return home but died of a brain haemorrhage today.
The BFF media chief left behind his father, elder brother and a large number of admirers to mourn his death.
Also read: Health minister's mother Fouzia Maleque no more
The BFF today condoled his death and conveyed profound sympathy to his family. Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association and Bangladesh Sports Press Association also mourned Amit's death.