Italy and Spain meet in a blockbuster first semi-final at Euro 2020 before an expected crowd of 60,000 at Wembley on Tuesday as anticipation builds ahead of host nation England's last-four tie against Denmark.
Tuesday's game is the latest episode in a burgeoning rivalry between Italy and Spain with the nations meeting in a fourth consecutive European Championship.

Gareth Southgate says England are ready to end their semi-final hoodoo as they prepare to face Denmark in the last four of Euro 2020, bidding to reach their first final at a major tournament since 1966.
England topped their group and beat old foes Germany in the round of 16 before ratcheting up expectations with Saturday's thumping 4-0 quarter-final win against Ukraine in Rome.

Crystal Palace announced former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira as the club's new manager on Sunday, following a prolonged search for a successor to Roy Hodgson.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos said Friday he was retiring from Germany's national squad, days after the team was knocked out of Euro 2020 by England.
"I have played 106 times for Germany. There will not be another time," wrote the Real Madrid midfielder on Twitter.

Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic said Thursday that he is not "satisfied" with taking his side past France and into a first major tournament quarter-final since 1954, as they prepare to face Spain in the last eight.

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday he was "proud" of holders Portugal's efforts despite bowing out of Euro 2020 after the weekend's 1-0 last 16 loss to Belgium.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku will resume their domestic rivalry on the international stage on Sunday as holders Portugal and in-form Belgium face off in the biggest tie of Euro 2020's last 16.

The group stage of Euro 2020 came to an end on Wednesday, and with the last 16 starting at the weekend, AFP Sport looks at some of the best quotes from the tournament so far ahead of the knockout rounds:

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on Wednesday said the footballing body could not give in to "populist" requests from politicians, as he defended the decision not to allow Munich's Allianz Arena to be lit up in rainbow colors.
"UEFA cannot be used as a tool by politicians," Ceferin told Germany's Die Welt newspaper after Munich's mayor had made the rainbow request in protest at Hungary's anti-LGBTQ law.

Britain is looking forward to staging a "fantastic" Euro 2020 final, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said Tuesday, in a clear hint the matches will take place at Wembley despite issues around coronavirus restrictions.
