Euro 2020: Wide players key as England beat Ukraine to book final semi-final spot – tactical analysis

The Euro 2020 knockouts have featured some brilliant clashes that have been both entertaining from a visual as well as a tactical point of view. With three teams already having booked their semi-final berths, the final spot will be battled by Ukraine and world-cup semi-finalists England. 

This tactical analysis will discuss the tactics deployed by both teams and will look into how Gareth Southgates men triumphed over their opponents. Lets begin the analysis.

Lineups

Ukraine lined up in their 3-5-2 system that they have used to a very good level in this tournament. They went with the same team that beat Sweden in the dying minutes of extra time to book a quarter-final place.

England, on the other hand, shifted into a 4-2-3-1 system as the latest Manchester United signing Jadon Sancho replaced Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka, who was out injured and Keiran Trippier was replaced by Chelsea’s Mason Mount. 

Ukraine’s structure stifle England

Ukraine have been one of the most structured teams in the tournament. They have had games where opponents have struggled to penetrate them, especially through the central regions owing to their well-executed mid-low block. Apart from their opening game against the Netherlands, they have not conceded more than a goal in any of their games in their road to the quarter-finals. As we already saw in the lineups, they lined up in a 3-5-2 system. We can see the structure in the image below.