England heroes Kane and Sterling feature in Euro 2020 semi-final best XI
Italy and England booked their place in the Euro 2020 final at the expense of Spain and Denmark, respectively, this week and the finalists' are well represented in the semi-final best XI.
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark) - 9.06
Kasper Schmeichel was a worthy winner of the WhoScored man of the match award from England's 2-1 win over Denmark. While the goalkeeper was unable help his nation to the Euro 2020 final, Schmeichel made an impressive nine saves in the game at Wembley, including an excellent second half stop to deny Harry Maguire and a penalty save in extra time to secure the player of the round award with a WhoScored rating of 9.06.
The first of five England players to feature in the semi-final best XI, Kyle Walker put in a solid shift from right-back for the Three Lions. The Manchester City star contained the threat of Denmark wing-back Joakim Maehle well, making two interceptions, one clearance and one tackle, and he was unlucky not to register an assist as he created two chances to yield a WhoScored rating of 7.13.
Leonardo Bonucci (Italy) - 7.71
Leonardo Bonucci is the first of three Italy representatives in the team of the round and ensures it's not an all-England backline. The 34-year-old described the Azzurri's semi-final penalty shootout win over Spain as the toughest game of his career, but he dealt with the attacking threat of La Roja well. Indeed, Bonucci made six interceptions and four clearances, including one clearance off the line, to feature with a WhoScored rating of 7.71.
Harry Maguire (England) - 8.15
Joining Bonucci at the heart of the defence, Harry Maguire put in a superb shift at the back for England against Denmark. The Manchester United skipper was a man mountain in defence for the Three Lions as he won nine aerial duels and made five interceptions and five clearances to help land a WhoScored rating of 8.15.
Rounding off the defence is Maguire's United teammate Luke Shaw. Renowned for his attacking prowess, it was Shaw's defensive work that helped him to a WhoScored rating of 7.18. The 25-year-old won five aerial duels, and made three tackles and one interception to nail down the left-back spot.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark) - 7.36
The second Danish representative in the side is midfield warrior Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Tottenham star was exceptional off the ball for Denmark as he made 10 tackles and interceptions combined at Wembley. In addition, Hobjerg, made one key pass and completed one dribble to return a WhoScored rating of 7.36.
Jorginho continued his solid form at the base of the Italy midfield with another solid showing for the Azzurri in their shootout win over Spain. A total of eight interceptions was a record in a game at Euro 2020. Two tackles and two clearances meant Jorginho was good value for his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.58.
Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) - 7.62
A breakout star at Euro 2020, Mikkel Damsgaard rounds off the midfield and the Danish contingent. The young Sampdoria attacker scored the first direct free-kick at the competition when he found the back of the net against England, scoring with one of his two shots. The 21-year-old worked hard off the ball, too, as he made three interceptions and two tackles to yield a WhoScored rating of 7.62.
Federico Chiesa (Italy) - 7.61
The third and final Italy representative is Juventus star Federico Chiesa. Chiesa capped a fine counter attack by the Azzurri, beating Unai Simon with an excellent curling effort in the second half. One key pass and one successful dribble saw the 23-year-old return a WhoScored rating of 7.61 at Wembley to feature on the frontline.
The man who scored the goal to take England to the Euro 2020 final leads the attack. Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick (both 5) have scored more goals than Harry Kane (4) at the competition. Kane's initial penalty miss will have impacted his rating, but he still did enough to make the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.46.
Raheem Sterling (England) 8.17
Finishing off the XI is Raheem Sterling, who forced the Simon Kjaer first half own goal and won the penalty in extra time that set England on their path to the Euro 2020 final. In all, Sterling completed nine dribbles against Denmark, a record in a game at Euro 2020, and finished the game with a 91.5% pass success rate to return a WhoScored rating of 8.17.
