It will be Italy against England at Wembley and few can argue that the pair are not worthy of Euro 2020 finalists.
But which individuals have been influential in an exciting tournament so far?
With the help of the Opta player index – which calculates ratings based on data collected from each game – Stats Perform can reveal the 20 best artists shown in the knockout scene.
Both Azzurri and Three Lions are well represented before Sunday’s decision …
Llorente on the Bowl / Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
The versatile midfielder Llorente did a bit of everything in Spain’s drive to the semi-finals, twice he started at right-back and then came off the bench in his natural position in the last eight years.
Llorente was a substitute again against Italy but this time was charged on the hill with five minutes remaining normal time. By keeping Spain at the height, he completed each of his 22 passes before watching when they came short in the shoot-out.
Shaw has had a brilliant tournament / Justin Tallis – Pool / Getty Images
In a tournament that has seen a number of outstanding left-backs, Shaw is the first on our list. He did not participate in the tournament opener against Croatia but has been an important player for England since then.
Shaw leads England in created chances (nine) and assists (three). On the other hand, he has made eight tackles – only Mason Mount has more in an England shirt – and has not yet been dribbled past.
Sterling was electric against Denmark / Carl Recine – Pool / Getty Images
England’s representation has been scarce in Opta’s index for much of this tournament, but a final look has been recognized and Sterling has done more than most to get the Three Lions there.
The English game has both tried (33) and finished (19) more dribbles than any other player in the tournament. Of these, 16 were starts and 10 successful attempts – two tournament heights – in a dazzling display against Denmark.
Are you not amused? / Frank Augstein – Pool / Getty Images
The pressure was on Kane after a slow start to the tournament, with no goals in the group stage. He had netted five in the first round at the 2018 World Cup.
But where the striker only netted once in the knockout stage in Russia, he has four this time – most in the tournament during that period. His 2.97 expected goal in the knockout rounds is another high.
Cooking Before the Italy Game / Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Fifteen minutes before Llorente were introduced against Italy, Atletico Madrid’s colleague Koke made way for Rodri with Spain in need of an equalizer. However, it was no idea for the man who started all six matches for La Roja.
Koke turned again in an all-action display, creating two chances and making two tackles while marching Marco Verratti. His finish of 94.2 percent was the third best prize among players who started the semifinals – a significant achievement on the part of this happy Spain.
Walker used his pace expertly against Denmark / Frank Augstein – Pool / Getty Images
Walker has been a steady presence in a solid England defense, whether he plays at right-back or in the middle, and has won 68.2 percent of his 22 duels in the tournament.
The Manchester City man was particularly impressive against Denmark.
Maguire was excellent against Denmark / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
Maguire’s choice in Gareth Southgate’s squad was questioned when he arrived at the tournament and still recovered from injury and missed the first two games.
Since then, however, Maguire has been one of the tournament’s excellent defenders. In the knockout phase, he has won the most flying duels (17 of 20), made 12 distances and six interceptions and also tried seven shots, one of which made Kasper Schmeichel crawl over his line in the semifinals.
Forsberg was Sweden’s main target threat / Andy Buchanan – Pool / Getty Images
Asked to create moments of magic in an otherwise ambitious Swedish side, Forsberg did exactly that.
Although his 13 non-penalty shots were worth just 0.99 xG together, three of the four who hit the target found the net, while he also twice outrageously saw efforts bounce off the woodwork.
Vermaelen med bollen / Marcio Machado / Getty Images
The oldest of Belgium’s aging defenders was the choice of the gang and packed a lot in his 285 minutes on the pitch: 11 clearances, eight tackles, seven interceptions and six blocks.
Eight Belgian players saw more action than Vermaelen, but he led the team in interceptions and blocks.
Shaqiri leveled Switzerland against Spain / Anton Vaganov – Pool / Getty Images
Shaqiri is perhaps best known as a creative force, but he only created three open chances and no assists as Steven Zuber instead scored four goals.
The Liverpool man’s 0.77 expected assist actually exceeded Zuber’s 0.54, but his most telling contribution was his own goal, three including a vital double against Turkey to reach the knockout stage.
Stones celebrates England semi-final victory / Carl Recine – Pool / Getty Images
As the end of England four back, the Stones lead the way for the final hosts. The midfielder has played the most minutes of all exclusive Three Lions players in the final (559).
The Stones have played 424 passes in teams and completed 94.6 percent of them. Crucially, there have been no errors that led to shots – a problem for the Stones in an England shirt in the past.
Spinazzola will not be in the final / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
Italy’s wingback Spinazzola was one of the stars of the tournament until he suffered a broken Achilles tendon against Belgium in the quarterfinals. His contribution was not forgotten as Lorenzo Insigne celebrated Azzurri’s semi-final in his injured teammate’s shirt.
England’s final opponents will be happy not to have to restrict his run, with six shot-stopping balls only improved by Domenico Berardi (seven), while his bursts have also led to three important passes.
Maehle applauds Denmark’s supporters / Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Another painful left-back wing, Maehle, was impressively kept in control of England and failed to attempt a shot for the first time in the tournament. He also did not create a single chance and was limited to a successful dribble.
Maehle played his part in frustrating England in defense, but tried eight tackles in a mood that only improved once in the tournament.
Pogbas France was defeated in the 16s / Marcio Machado / Getty Images
The dazzling skill that Pogba displayed in France’s short term will probably not be forgotten, but he also delivered statistically before their premature departure.
No France player made more recoveries (33) or was involved in more shot-ending sequences (28), with Pogba at the heart of his team’s play before adding a goal from eight shots and an assist from eight created chances to play, which was also the most among Les Bleus.
Pedri had a brilliant tournament / Jose Manuel Vidal – Pool / Getty Images
Few players increased their status in the eyes of the casual spectator more than Pedri, although his high level of performance could not come as a surprise to those who saw the 18-year-old in action for Barcelona last season.
No midfielder tried (461) or completed (421) more passes, while he was correct with all 56 in normal time against Italy – the second highest perfect return in Euro since 1980.
Schick celebrates against the Netherlands / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Schick came just shortly after the hunt for the Golden Boot, after Cristiano Ronaldo due to a single assist, but certainly delivered the goal for the tournament.
His four non-penalty goals are matched only by Kane, while his nine goals without a penalty on goal lead the way and the Czech Republic was ultimately a little unlucky to fall into Denmark’s hands in the last eight.
Alba whips up the audience / Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Alba’s influence as one of the most complete defenders around the world is evident from his contribution at both ends of the field: his 45 recoveries are second only to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but no one can match his 2.41 xA from open play.
The limits of his seemingly limitless energy were also put to the test, as Alba played 553 minutes, with Spain three times extra time.
Dolberg celebrates against Czech Republic / Dan Mullan / Getty Images
Dolberg only entered Denmark XI because an attack that had already been deprived of Christian Eriksen’s creativity was without Yussuf Poulsen against Wales.
The Nice striker took his chance, becoming only the second Denmark player to score twice in a knockout game in a major tournament and then netted again against the Czech Republic. His only shot against England, however, gave Jordan Pickford an easy save.
Jorginho made winning penalty against Spain / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
Jorginho (585) has played even more minutes than Alba and he is not finished yet thanks to his own decisive penalty in the shootout against Spain.
The Stones (417) are the only non-Spanish player to have tried more passes in open play than the Chelsea man (413), while Jorginho leads the way for wickets (21) and is ranked third for recovery (44).
Verratti fights with Dani Olmo / Visionhaus / Getty Images
A knee injury meant that Verratti’s tournament did not start until the last group match, after which Manuel Locatelli had struck instead. However, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is up to speed now.
Apart from completing 277 of his 299 passes, with 202 of those attempts coming in the opposition half, no midfielder has won more duels than Verratti (33) and only two have made more tackles (13).
