Why Diogo Jota carries the hopes of reigning champions Portugal

June 23, 2021
This Is Anfield

Euro 2020 has reached the final day of the group phase, with four matches providing the remaining couple of nations to progress to the knockouts.

It was ultimately a night of mixed emotions for the Liverpool boys: pride, but disappointment, for Andy Robertson and his Scotland side, while England cruised through to the last 16 as Jordan Henderson featured.

Now it’s onto the most intriguing and surprising group – Group E – and the most eagerly anticipated and hotly fought grough – Group F – for the final rounds of action.

Then it’s knockouts, penalties, sudden death, all the heartache and optimism which comes with knockout football. It’s enough to make you pine for the FA Cup third round!

Day 12 talking points

Croatia found their shooting boots to put three past the Scots and actually nick second spot off Czech Republic

Raheem Sterling doubled his tally for the tournament and remains England’s only goalscorer so far

Jordan Henderson played his first 45 minutes of Euro 2020 and looked pretty sharp in the centre of the park

Today’s fixtures

Sweden vs Poland, Group E, 5pm on ITV 4

Slovakia vs Spain, Group E, 5pm on ITV

Germany vs Hungary, Group F, 8pm on BBC Two

Portugal vs France, Group F, 8pm on BBC One

Expectations on…

Spain as a whole. They’ve yet to win, they’ve only scored once and for all their possession, they just haven’t had the right balance in attack or a clinical edge.

It seems crazy given they had such a routine group, but fail to win tonight and they run the risk of not qualifying at all – even with a draw, they’d only be the fourth-best of the third-placed teams and wins for Portugal and Germany later on would knock Spain out at the group stage.

Key battle to watch

Meanwhile, holders Portugal are also staring at an early exit. They qualified with three points from the group stage five years ago – there’s not too much chance they’ll get away with the same this time around.

It means they have to go on the offensive and it makes Diogo Jota their best hope: from the left, he’ll have to get at France’s right-back, which the local media speculate will be Jules Kounde instead of Benjamin Pavard.

Whoever comes out on top there could determine the outcome of the game, given he spoon-fed Cristiano Ronaldo his goal against Germany, scored another himself and Bruno Fernandes has taken it upon himself to ‘do a Harry Kane’ and take the summer off.

Fans are talking about…

…England’s subs. Hendo finally got a run out…and Jadon Sancho was given an almighty seven minutes of action!

“Are you definitely definitely sure!?” ??? pic.twitter.com/XMeNfhR6gb

— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) June 22, 2021

Nah Rice has to be finished on this platform. It has taken Henderson 5 MINS to outdo everything Rice did before

— Marrotti (@AliquamScripto) June 22, 2021

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