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England will take on Denmark in a Euro 2020 semifinal on Wednesday and with so many in-form players on both sides, it's hard to predict who'll come out on top.
Gareth Southgate's men have kicked into form at the right time and have produced strong back-to-back performances in the knockout stages. They eliminated a formidable German side 2-0 in the Round of 16 before thrashing Ukraine 4-0 in the quarter-finals.
This England team has enough firepower to go all the way but they'll need to be on top of their game against the Danes. Denmark have been the darkhorses of the tournament so far. In the absence of Christian Eriksen, Kasper Hjulmand's side weren't given much of a chance.
But they responded strongly to their early setbacks and have played some scintillating football to reach the semi-finals. Denmark eliminated Wales and Czech Republic in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals respectively to reach the semis.
Euro 2020 semifinal between England and Denmark will feature some intense battles
Both teams have players who are playing some great football and look determined to go all the way. England and Denmark have played well as a team and it will undoubtedly be a thrilling encounter.
WIthout further ado, let's take a look at five key battles that could determine the outcome of this Euro 2020 semifinal.
#5 Kasper Dolberg (Denmark) vs Harry Maguire (England)
Kasper Dolberg has established himself as Denmark's first-choice number 9 over the course of Euro 2020. He missed Denmark's first two games in the competition but has since become a guaranteed starter. The 23-year-old bagged a matchwinning brace in the Round of 16 game against Wales.
He followed that up by scoring Denmark's second goal in the game against Czech Republic. The OGC Nice striker will be up against Harry Maguire. The Manchester United centre-back missed the first two games of Euro 2020 as well but through injury.
His return has added a new dimension for England. In addition to being a formidable presence at the back, Maguire's ball-playing abilities have helped the Three Lions going forward. The battle between Dolberg and Maguire will surely be an interesting watch.
#4 Raheem Sterling (England) vs Andreas Christensen (Denmark)
Raheem Sterling has been England's most consistent attacker at Euro 2020. He has scored three goals and provided an assist in five appearances in the tournament. The Manchester City forward has been enterprising with the ball at his feet and comes into the semi-final on the back of two brilliant performances.
He played a brilliant threaded ball to set up Harry Kane for England's opener in the game against Ukraine. Sterling will be up against Andreas Christensen on Wednesday.
The Chelsea centre-back has had a good tournament as well. He turned in a solid performance against the Czech Republic but will have his work cut out against Sterling.
#3 Luke Shaw (England) vs Jens Stryger Larsen (Denmark)
Luke Shaw has been one of the best players of Euro 2020. He has now turned in three brilliant performances on the trot and has three assists to his name in the tournament. Shaw has been able to combine effectively with Raheem Sterling and his deliveries into the box have been exceptional.
The Manchester United left-back's driving runs will be crucial for England yet again and Jens Stryger Larsen will do well to go toe-to-toe with him. Larsen has had quite a good tournament too. But he cannot compromise on his defensive duties at all as he could be seriously tested on his side by the combo of Shaw and Sterling.
#2 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark) vs Declan Rice (England)
England are yet to concede a single goal in the tournament and a lot of the credit has to go for England's central midfield duo of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips. Rice produced his best performance of Euro 2020 in the quarterfinal match against Ukraine.
Rice was neat with his distribution and also showed us how good he is at reading games, making four interceptions in the game against Ukraine. But he will meet a strong opponent in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is well acquainted with the English midfielders and he will know what to expect.
Thomas Delaney will support Hojbjerg in the center of the park and we could be in for one of the most exciting midfield battles of Euro 2020 on Wednesday.
#1 Harry Kane (England) vs Simon Kjaer (Denmark)
Harry Kane's form is one of the factors that make England the favourites going into the game. The 27-year-old scored two goals in the game against Ukraine and looked threatening till he was taken off in the 74th minute.
Denmark's defence will be tested by England's frontline. Kane's aerial ability could also come into play given how accurate Shaw has been with his crossing and set-piece delivery. Denmark captain Simon Kjaer has marshaled his backline with great aplomb so far.
He will know that it will take a nearly faultless performance from himself and his teammates to keep the talented English attackers at bay. It will be interesting to see who will start on the right-wing for England. Jadon Sancho offered flashes of brilliance against Ukraine and could very well keep his place.
