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Mason Mount is set to return for England having missed the last two games due to COVID-19 self-isolation protocol — or to be more accurate, having missed one game due to isolation and the second game due to not having trained with the team for ten days — as the Three Lions look to advance to the semifinals in the “easier” side of the bracket.
Having dispatched arch-rivals Germany in the quarterfinals, 2-0, England have a clear path to the final, as long as they don’t muck things up against Andriy Shevchenko’s Ukraine. The football on display hasn’t always been inspiring, but head coach Gareth Southgate has kept things pragmatic and safe, and so far, it’s worked out well for him. England have yet to concede a goal and have failed to score just once in the four games thus far. Their football may not win any awards, but it might just win a trophy.
UKRAINE vs. ENGLAND
Date / Time: Saturday, July 3, 2021, 20.00 BST; 3pm EDT
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
On TV: BBC One (UK); ABC, Univision, TUDN (USA); elsewhere
Streaming online: BBC iPlayer (UK); ESPN+, Univision Now (USA)
England are actually the late game. The early game will feature two of the less likely quarterfinalists, as the Czech Republic take on Denmark (and Andreas Christensen).
The Czechs surprised the Dutch in the previous round, 2-0, and continue to play solid defense with timely offense — Patrick Schick has four of their five goals in the tournament. Denmark meanwhile have the narrative advantage but their actual quality football shouldn’t be overlooked either. In fact, even without Christian Eriksen, the Danes have been one of the most prolific attacking teams and have scored eight goals in their last two games (four each against Russia and Wales).
CZECH REPUBLIC vs. DENMARK
Date / Time: Saturday, July 3, 2021, 17.00 BST; 12pm EDT
Venue: Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED)
On TV: ITV 1 (UK); ESPN (USA); elsewhere
Streaming online: ITV Hub (UK); ESPN+, PrendeTV (USA)