Which Players Can Have an Impact in the final week of Euro 2024?
by Steve Ashfield | by Steve Ashfield
Four Countries Chasing Euro Glory
Euro 2024 is down to the semi-finals and it's all to play for. The reigning champions Italy have already been eliminated, so who will be the champions this year?
Spain are up against France in the first semi-final on Tuesday. The following day sees England face the Netherlands. Just who will be the players who can make an impact in the final week of Euro 2024. Make sure you read our Euro 2024 predictions for the rest of this exciting tournament.
More Goals From Olmo?
Spain have reached the semi-finals in impressive style. The Spaniards won all three of their group matches without conceding a goal. That included beating the defending champions Italy 1-0, though it took an own-goal to give them the win.
Dani Olmo Hoping to score for a third successive match
In the knockout stages, Spain came from behind to beat Georgia 4-1 and then break the hearts of the home fans with a 2-1 win over Germany. Dani Olmo comes into this game hoping to score for a third successive match.
He's feeling at home of course as the 26-year-old plays in the German Bundesliga for RB Leipzig. Olmi scored the final goal in the win against Georgia. Then he scored a vital goal when opening the scoring against the hosts in the last eight.
Olmo has scored five goals in his last eight games for Spain and was part of the squad that won the Nations League last year. He'll hope to maintain his form and lead Spain to another title. Check out all the Euro 2024 odds on our site.
Mbappe Has to Come Good Soon!
After his goalscoring exploits in the last World Cup, these European Championships have been a bit of a disappointment for the French striker, not to mention painful.
Mbappe can't stand the mask
Mbappe broke his nose in France's opening match against Austria and has been going around looking like the Phantom of the Opera ever since. He can't stand the mask nor the fact that so far in this tournament, he's only scored one goal. That was a penalty scored against Poland in their final group match.
France have made it to the last four but they are yet to score a goal from open play in their five matches. Mbappe has only scored twice for France since their win over Gibraltar last November. The Real Madrid striker remains a class act and has to be feared in the latter stages of this tournament.
Redemption for Saka
England fans still have nightmares over their penalty shootout loss to Italy in the last Euro final. One of the players who missed his penalty was Bukayo Saka but last Saturday saw some redemption for the Arsenal player.
Such a versatile player
He took one of the penalties against Switzerland and was overjoyed when it hit the back of the net. After a successful season with Arsenal, with England he has become such a versatile player. Whether it's in midfield or even pushed back into defence, Saka is such an important player for his country.
England have had their fair share of critics so far in Euro 2024. Over 90 minutes, they have won only two of their last ten matches. If players such as Saka along with Foden, Bellingham and Kane can be more forceful, England's years of hurt could soon come to an end. You can follow all the action on our Euro 2024 livescore with updated stats and live text commentary.
Liverpool Duo Out to End England's Hopes
It's 20 years since the Netherlands last reached the European Championship semi-finals. They had a difficult time in their group and had to rely on being one of the best third-placed countries to progress.
They began well with a win over Poland but then drew with France and surprisingly lost to Austria after twice leading. That could be a blessing in disguise as they've found themselves in the 'easier' part of the draw.
Going well on the big stage
There's been a lack of prolific goal scorers in this tournament but Cody Gakpo has again been going well on the big stage. After a successful 2022 World Cup, he's the joint top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals. Each of those goals were the first in the match and he'll hope to get his country off to a strong start against England.
His move to Liverpool perhaps hasn't been as successful as he'd like it to be. With team mate Virgil van Dijk though, the Anfield pair could well make an impact in the rest of this tournament. The knockout stages have seen the Dutch side beat Romania and Turkey, now they aim to end the hopes of Gareth Southgate's side.
Odds to win Euro 2024
- Spain, odds of 3.00
- England, odds of 3.50
- France, odds of 3.75
- Netherlands, odds of 5.50
Odds from bet365
