Essential Football

It doesn't get much more comfortable than that. England's controlled and dominant 4-0 win over Ukraine means they will face Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Wednesday. Are the stars aligning for Gareth Southgate's side? And how has he managed to rid England of the fear factor? Alice Piper is joined by Rob Dorsett, Adam Bate and Gerard Brand to discuss the win in Rome, as Harry Kane returns to form, Luke Shaw shows up Jose Mourinho in his new manor and England keep another clean sheet. It's all looking rosy, right?

Spain and Italy booked a semi-final date at Wembley with their wins over Switzerland and Belgium, respectively, on Friday night. Now it’s over to Czech Republic, Denmark, Ukraine and England...Kate Burlaga is joined by Sky Sports’ Peter Smith, Adam Bate, and Nick Wright to analyse those first two quarter-finals, with the panel discussing the strengths – and vulnerabilities – of Spain and what makes Italy such an effective opposition. Plus the guests look ahead to England’s Saturday showdown with Ukraine in Rome, weighing up the team selection dilemmas Gareth Southgate has for the big game and where it will be won or lost.

After beating Germany, England are now favourites to go on and win Euro 2020. That was Jamie Carragher’s verdict when he joined the Sky Sports Football Euros Podcast to reflect on England’s historic victory over their old rivals at Wembley. He explains why that win could propel Gareth Southgate’s side to new heights and also assesses the key performers in the squad and how the manager may shake things up again for the quarter-final with Ukraine. In part two of the show, Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports football writer Charlotte Marsh and Sky Sports data editor Adam Smith to examine the three other quarter-finals and they try to work out who will go through from the ties involving Switzerland vs Spain, Belgium vs Italy, and Czech Republic vs Denmark.

No, you didn't dream it. England have beaten Germany in a knockout game, winning 2-0 at Wembley on an historic night to clear the path through Euro 2020. Alice Piper is joined by Rob Dorsett, Pete Smith and Gerard Brand to discuss the famous victory, including how Gareth Southgate once again proved his critics wrong. With Ukraine up next, and Denmark or Czech Republic waiting in the semi-final, is the final now a minimum expectation for England? With Southgate's side favourites, how will they set up? Plus: praise for Sterling, Grealish, Saka, Pickford, Kane and... well, just about everyone. And in part 3, Oli Yew pops in for a Ukraine scouting report after their last-gasp extra-time win over Sweden. Should they be feared? All roads lead to Rome for Saturday's quarter-final tie...

Is it going to happen again? Jamie Carragher is convinced England vs Germany is heading to penalties when they meet in the last-16 of Euro 2020 at Wembley on Tuesday. The Sky Sports pundit joined Peter Smith to examine the clash and explain why these two evenly matched sides may end up only being separated by spot-kicks. Carragher also dissects England's defence, which has kept three clean sheets, explains the factors Gareth Southgate will be weighing up when he decides to pick Jordan Henderson or not, and discusses whether Mason Mount or Ben Chilwell could still play a role, despite isolating until Monday.

Gary Neville joins Peter Smith ahead of England vs Germany to talk tactics ahead of the big last-16 tie at Euro 2020 at Wembley. The Sky Sports pundit explains how playing a back three can help England nullify Germany’s wing-backs but also give the Three Lions’ attack the chance to “cause massive problems” at the other end. Neville also discusses Raheem Sterling’s leading role in the team, what the current generation can learn from Euro 96 heartbreak against Germany, and why he believes England can edge past their old rivals…

The Euro 2020 knockout stages are up and running! Already, Wales’ adventure has come to an end after a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to Denmark, while Italy did not have things all their own way against Austria at Wembley. Roberto Mancini’s side needed two extra time goals to seal their place in the quarter finals. Sky Sports’ News reporter Geraint Hughes and Sky Sports features editor Peter Smith join Kate Burlaga to look back at the opening last-16 ties…PART 1 | (1:18) Sky Sports News report Geraint Hughes reflects on Wales’ chastening defeat at the hands of Italy. Where did it go wrong for Rob Page’s side in Amsterdam? He also gives his verdict on Wales’ tournament and what the future may hold for the team and Gareth Bale as they look to qualify for 2022 World Cup.PART 2 | (20:06) Italy took over Wembley on Saturday evening and Sky Sports’ Peter Smith was there to see Roberto Mancini’s side’s book their quarter final spot. However, it wasn’t as plain sailing as many people predicted. We discuss the game and Italy’s prospects going forward as they await a huge showdown with wither Belgium or Portugal in the last eight in Munich on Friday. Finally, the countdown is on for England vs Germany on Tuesday. We look at what is coming up across Sky Sports’ digital platforms as we build up to the huge Wembley clash!

Rivalries in international football don’t get any bigger than England versus Germany. With the two nations set for a collision course in the last-16 of Euro 2020, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp and Uli Kohler joined Peter Smith to analyse both camps ahead of Tuesday’s showdown at Wembley.PART 1 | Jamie Redknapp, a member of the England squad dumped out of Euro 96 by Germany, assesses the Three Lions’ performances in the group stages of Euro 2020 and explains why Gareth Southgate’s talented squad have nothing to fear against the Germans.PART 2 | The prospect of facing England at Wembley is one every Germany player will relish irrespective of an inconsistent group stage, according to Sky Germany reporter Uli Kohler, who talks tactics, Jamal Musiala, Jadon Sancho and the dreaded prospect of penalties with Peter in part two.

Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports football writers Ron Walker and Charlotte Marsh and Sky Sports Data Editor Adam Smith to pick out the teams and players who impressed during the group phase and the ones which have to step out in the knockouts – if they’ve not already gone home! The panel also looks ahead to the last-16 ties, the key match-ups which could decide the eventual winner of the tournament, and explain why – with much nervousness and trepidation – England have a good chance of knocking out Germany…

Alice Piper is joined by Rob Dorsett and Pete Smith to discuss England's 1-0 win over Czech Republic at Wembley to finish top of Group D at Euro 2020. Jack Grealish finally gets a start for England - is he now here to stay? Why IS Gareth Southgate so cautious with the Three Lions? Plus: praise for Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling. The panel also cover all England positions and talking points going into the last 16, and discuss how Southgate will approach the knockout stages. And after Scotland's 3-1 defeat by Croatia at Hampden Park, Sky Sports News' Charles Paterson joins us to look back their campaign, and whether the foundations are in place for more success in the future.