Ukraine cruise past France to semi-final spot; England edge out Israel | OneFootball

The final bracket of the Euro U21s semi-finals were confirmed on Sunday.

Here’s what went down.

Mudryk shins as Ukraine overcome France for Spain rematch

Scorers: Cherki 19′; Sudakov (PEN) 32′, 44, Bonkdarenko 86′

Ukraine set up a Euro U21s semi-final reunion with Spain after cruising past France in Cluj.

They had to weather an early storm as Anatoliy Trubin denied Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki in the opening stages.

The Lyon duo would soon help Les Bleus break the deadlock as Barcola teed up Cherki to cut inside and fire past the Shakhtar Donetesk goalkeeper.

A potential Ukraine equaliser against the run of play through Dmytro Kryskiv prodding home from Mykhailo Mudryk’s initial low shot was ruled out for offside.

Mudryk was also integral to the eventual leveller as Pierre Kalulu’s foul on the Chelsea forward in full flow allowed Heorhiy Sudakov to score from the penalty spot.

Sylvain Ripoll’s side almost retook their initial lead when Enzo Le Fée picked out Barcola for a powerful curling shot which crashed back off the inside of the post.

But Ukraine who went ahead after Mudryk picked out Sudakov with a superb ball over the top before rounding Lucas Chevalier on the stroke of half-time.

France saw hopes of a late equaliser dashed when Elye Wahi’s rebound after Trubin saved Arnaud Kalimuendo’s header was chalked off.

Deep in the closing stages, Ukraine extended their lead through Oleksandr Nazarenko teeing up Artem Bondarenko for a chipped finish.

Ruslan Rotan’s men will now face Spain in Bucharest on Wednesday in a rematch of their final group stage encounter.

Gordon the difference as Three Lions squeeze through

Scorers: Gordon 34′

Anthony Gordon was the difference for England as they narrowly saw off a Portugal side that had both more of the ball and more of the chances in a tense and pulsating quarter-final.

The £50 million Newcastle man smartly finished off a lovely team goal in the 34th minute after great work from Angel Gomes and Noni Madueke set up Morgan Gibbs-White.

The Forest playmaker then pulled the ball back across the box for Gordon to smash home what would prove to be the only goal of the game.

From here, Portugal dominated the ball but struggled to hugely test James Trafford in the England goal.

The closest they came was in the 73rd minute when Henrique Araujo’s header cannoned off the bar but away to safety.

England saw out the remainder of the game, sealing their path to a first Euro semi-final since 2007. They are also still to concede a goal.

Lee Carsley’s men will fancy their chances of making the final having already defeated the Israelis 2-0 at the group stage.