And breathe! This championship has truly been a whirlwind, and now there's just one match left. On Sunday, the final will be played, and the teams that have made it there have done so in very different ways. But before we delve into that match, let’s summarize the best and worst from the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Who would have thought that an injury would give this already complete Spain team a new dimension? Spain had been fantastic throughout the championship, and the odds were even when they faced the host nation. In the 8th minute, Pedri had to leave the pitch and was replaced by Olmo, who has been outstanding ever since. First, he scored the 1-0 goal and then delivered a precise cross in the last minute of the match, which Merino headed in. In the semifinal, Olmo scored the decisive 2-1 goal that sent Spain to the final. Olmo, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, has truly seized his chance and given Spain a new edge in their game.
Apart from Spain vs. Germany, the quarterfinals were quite slow and cautious. Both England vs. Switzerland and Portugal vs. France had to be decided on penalties, and to be honest, the entertainment value was low. Penalties are high-pressure situations where little separates the teams. Pickford saved Ake’s shot, and Joao Felix hit the post, possibly marking the end of Ronaldo's career in major tournaments. Players typically active in the Saudi league have been the tournament's worst, except for Kante. In the last quarterfinal, we saw the fan favorites Turkey fall to the Netherlands after an own goal by Müldür. The Turks tried hard but never seemed close, though they can be proud and look forward to a bright future in my opinion.
One clear trend in this championship is that many nations have dared to introduce their young talents early. Players like Lamal, Güler, Yildiz, Neves, and Maino have all played significant roles or at least contributed to their teams, and they are all 20 years old or younger. It's been a long time since such young players were so important and given the spotlight. Lamal is already the youngest scorer in a championship, surpassing Pele’s record. Güler, only 19, has carried much of the tournament on his young shoulders. Given that one plays for Barca and the other for Real Madrid, comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo are inevitable. It's also exciting to see lesser-known players getting the spotlight. Players like Mikautadze, Haslin, Kadioglu, and Ratiu, who may not play in top leagues, have earned recognition.
The past two days brought us two semifinals. First, Spain faced France, and yesterday, England took on the Netherlands. A common theme in both matches was that their first halves were perhaps the best of the championship. France deservedly took the lead, raising questions about whether Deschamps had finally sorted out his squad. Spain quickly responded and took control. France played well for the first time this tournament, trying hard throughout the match, but Spain deservedly won after dominating the second half. Similarly, yesterday, England, often criticized, played excellent football in the first 45 minutes. Despite the Netherlands taking the lead with a fantastic shot by Xavi Simmons, England equalized quickly, albeit with a controversial decision. After the equalizer, England looked hungrier. It was a fantastic display and great entertainment. In the second half, nerves or fatigue set in, and they held their positions until Ollie Watkins sent England to the final in the 89th minute, sparking euphoria among players and supporters. Now we have a final between Spain and England, which might not be a huge surprise on paper, but considering how the teams got here, it’s remarkable that Southgate has managed to accomplish this. I wrote just yesterday about how Southgate seemed to used up his 8 or 9 cat lives or had another left, and it feels like he needs one more if England is to beat Spain. Regardless, it will be a football feast on Sunday, and I am looking forward to it.