Ukraine 0-4 England: Who stands between Three Lions and Euro 2020 final?

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"England will never, ever have a better opportunity to win the Euros."

That was former captain Alan Shearer's verdict after the Three Lions' 2-0 win over Germany in the last 16.

England followed up that win by thrashing Ukraine 4-0 on Saturday to set up a Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark on Wednesday at Wembley.

Going into their last group game against the Czech Republic, there were suggestions England would be better off finishing as runners-up and entering the other side of the draw.

But with Germany eliminated and the Netherlands too, England, who are ranked fourth in the world, are now in a strong position to reach the final.

"If you could have picked something like that draw then you would have," Shearer said on BBC One after the win over Germany.

"The draw is decent I would say. They're at Wembley and if they're lucky enough to get to a final that would have been six games at Wembley and you can't ask for any more than that with an atmosphere like this."

The other half of the draw, the one which England avoided, contained Belgium, the world's number one ranked team, world champions France, holders Portugal and former winners Spain and Italy, who were all ranked in the world's top seven.

So while England's route looks appealing on paper, how are their potential opponents shaping up and what is the record of Southgate's men against them?

Who will England face in the semi-finals?

Denmark

  • World ranking - 10
  • Odds of winning the tournament - 10/1
  • Best finish at the Euros - winners 1992
  • Last three games against England - Won 1-0 (2020), Drew 0-0 (2020), Lost 0-1 (2014)
  • England's chances of beating them - 68%

Denmark reached the semis, knocking out the Czech Republic at the quarter-final stage thanks to two first-half goals in a 2-1 win.

Kasper Hjulmand's side have already defeated one home nation, thrashing Wales 4-0 at the last 16.

The Danes have shown admirable resolve to reach this stage, responding brilliantly after the trauma of midfielder Christian Eriksen's on-pitch cardiac arrest during their opening defeat by Finland.

The 1992 winners were sensational in their 4-1 victory against Russia in their final group match, finishing runners-up in Group B despite also losing to Belgium.

The Danes will fancy their chances against England, with one win and a draw against them in last year's Nations League.

Who would England face in the final?

Italy

  • World ranking - 7
  • Odds of winning the tournament- 4/1
  • Best finish at the Euros - winners 1968
  • Last three games against England - Drew 1-1 (2018), Drew 1-1 (2015), Won 2-1 (2014)
  • England's chances of beating them - 58%

Italy reached the final after an enticing battle against Spain that ended in Roberto Mancini's side winning 4-2 on penalties.

It means the Azzurri have now gone an incredible 33 games without defeat.

Italy dominated Group A, qualifying with a 100% record, but Italy did need extra time to beat Austria in the last 16 and Spain in the semi-final.

Against Belgium, though, they showed their familiar grit and guile as they hunt down their first Euros title since their maiden win at the 1968 tournament.

Italy have a strong record against England in major tournaments, winning on penalties at the Euros in the quarter-finals in 2014, and beating them 2-1 in the World Cup group stages two years later.

Should they meet England in the final, however, Gracenote suggests home advantage makes the Three Lions favourites, with at least 60,000 supporters expected to be at Wembley Stadium.

As Shearer says, England will never have a better opportunity to win the Euros.

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