Our prediction for this Euro 2020 match:
England will be aiming to build on a thrilling 2-0 win over Germany when they face Ukraine in the EURO 2020 quarter-finals. The Three Lions are eyeing their fourth win of the process, and seeing that head coach Gareth Southgate has a full squad to choose from, we are tempted to put our money on Harry Kane and Co. Ukraine defenders should have Man City winger Raheem Sterling at bay as he has been scoring goals for fun at the showpiece tournament.
The Ukrainians, on the other hand, booked their place in the quarter-finals thanks to Artem Dovbyk’s late goal in the clash against Sweden. Anyhow, Andriy Shevchenko’s troops face an uphill task in Saturday’s clash against England, who have been impressive at the back at the 2020 European Championship finals. When the two teams met at EURO 2012 England defeated Ukraine thanks to Wayne Rooney’s goal. Both Roman Bezus and Artem Besyedin are rated doubtful for the nominal hosts.
Highlighted Player (Andriy Yarmolenko):
Arguably the most exciting Ukrainian player at the moment, Andriy Yarmolenko is the 26-year-old forward, who can play wide as a winger and fill in numerous positions in attack. Over the past few years there has been a gathering feeling that the player has outgrown the Ukrainian League and that with the player surpassing the 200-game mark for Dynamo Kyiv Yarmolenko should be heading west to Europe’s brighter stage.
Wanted and scouted by Spanish giants Barcelona, Yarmolenko attracted interest from many other clubs, predominantly from the Premier League, and was even close to joining Everton in summer 2016, but the Goodison outfit’s offer came too late to the Ukrainian club.
Talented forward is a free-scoring machine who has already scored more than 115 goals for the club he spent his entire career with. The two-footed winger is equally adept through the middle and is a versatile force that would be a good addition to any self-respecting European side.
Yarmolenko made hi Ukraine debut in 2009 and has so far been capped 63 times, during which he scored 26 goals for the national set-up.
Highlighted Team (England):
One of two oldest national football teams besides Scotland, England have been playing international matches since 1872, but the World Cup title won on home soil in 1966 remain their only major trophy up to date. The Three Lions narrowly missed out on the 1990 World Cup final, losing to Germany on penalties, while they were stopped in quarter-finals on no fewer than five occasions.
England twice reached the European Championship semi-finals, in 1968 and 1996, but they have been pretty disappointing at the start of the 21st century, despite boasting arguably the strongest league competition in the world. Sir Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Moore were among players who secured the first major international title, whereas Gary Lineker, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney all played an important role during the modern age.
Peter Shilton is the record holder with 125 caps for the national team, while Wayne Rooney surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton as the leading goalscorer in the England national team.