Euro 2020 takeaways: Italy-Spain rivalry has been even over the years — why change now?

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This article was published 05/07/2021 (1903 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The penultimate round of Euro 2020 kicks off Tuesday with four teams vying for a place in the final.

The tournament’s three remaining matches will be played at Wembley Stadium in London, which will be at 75 per cent of capacity, welcoming about 60,000 fans.

England is the only team left that has never reached a Euro final. Denmark won in 2012, its only final appearance. Italy is a three-time finalist with one win in 1968, while four-time finalist Spain has lifted the trophy on three occasions, most recently in 2012.

Here’s what you need to know about the semifinals.

Italy vs. Spain

Kickoff: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET

TV: TSN 1, 3,4,5

• Head to head: This is 38th match in one of Europe’s longest-standing rivalries. Spain and Italy each have 11 wins, with 15 ties between them. This is the farthest either team has advanced in an international competition since they met in the Euro 2012 final. Spain won 4-0.

• Keys to the match: Italy: Italy’s attack is much more dynamic than in years past but against Spain, which leads the tournament in goals, veteran centre backs Giorgio Chiellini, 36, and Leonardo Bonucci, 34, will need to maintain the Italians’ traditionally solid line while using their intel on club teammate Álvaro Morata.

Spain: Spain’s Pedri, Sergio Busquets and Koke must best Italy’s Nicolò Barella, Jorginho and, likely, Marco Verratti in midfield if the Spanish want any chance at a victory. Busquets will need to one-up Jorginho at pulling the strings, with Spain’s attacking running hot and cold.

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• Player to watch: Jordi Alba. Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola, a standout at this tournament, is out after tearing his Achilles in the quarterfinals. His absence gives Spain’s 32-year-old Alba a chance to be the fullback who shines in this game.

• In a nutshell: Italy comes into this match on a 32-game unbeaten run. Spain’s record, while less headline-grabbing, isn’t so shabby either; 13 unbeaten, and one loss in 29 matches. It could be anyone’s game, which is not an uncommon for these families foes.

England vs. Denmark

Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET

TSN 1,3,4,5

• Head to head: Denmark has just four wins in 21 games against England, with the Three Lions taking 12 victories. But the Danes won their last meeting, a 1-0 victory at Wembley in Nations League play last October.

• Keys to the match: England: Manager Gareth Southgate has successfully rotated his squad throughout this tournament, in both personnel and formation. Only five of his players have played in all five games to date, compared to 10 players for Denmark. The freshness will benefit England, as will the ability to change structures on the fly.

Denmark: Danish manager Kasper Hjulmand used the wings flawlessly against the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, running Joakim Maehle and Jens Stryger Larsen to draw defenders away from, and deliver to, the forward line of Kasper Dolberg, Martin Braithwaite and Mikkel Damsgaard. Denmark will need such added threats against England, too.

• Player to watch: Dolberg. The 23-year-old striker has shown he can score from long range or tap it in. Given England has yet to concede a goal in this tournament, Denmark will need some magic Wednesday.

• In a nutshell: It will be an emotional match, as Denmark plays for Christian Eriksen, and England looks to bring it home. Can Denmark force England to concede for the first time at Euro 2020? If so, all bets are off.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy