Premier League FIFA 20 tournament: Sterling, TAA to meet in semifinals
The Premier League's inaugural FIFA 20 tournament, the ePL Invitational, continued Friday with four hotly contested quarterfinal matchups.
Here's how the matches, which are streamed on the Premier League's various social channels, unfolded:
Quarterfinals
Trent-Alexander Arnold (Liverpool) vs. Christian Atsu (Newcastle)
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold became the first player to book a spot in the semifinals, as the young full-back kept rolling with a 4-1 win over Christian Atsu of Newcastle. A slick goal from Roberto Firmino capped the victory.
That's it! @LFC are our first semi-finalists! They've beaten @NUFC 4-1 at Anfield 🔴
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 24, 2020
It was an inspired turnaround from @trentaa98, after @ChristianAtsu20 took an early lead
That finesse from Roberto Firmino 💯👇#ePremierLeague pic.twitter.com/OZeZYDsSJu
The 21-year-old is quite clearly a seasoned FIFA veteran. His skills, combined with using the absurdly talented Reds, make him a front-runner heading into the semifinals.
Diogo Jota (Wolves) vs. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United)
Diogo Jota continues to establish himself as a legitimate threat in the competition. The Portuguese forward secured Wolverhampton Wanderers' place in the semifinals by recording a 5-2 win over Lys Mousset, whose Sheffield United side was powerless against the 23-year-old.
Jota has now scored 13 goals in two tournament matches.
But @Wolves did need a helping hand - or foot - along the way...
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 24, 2020
This was disastrous luck for @SheffieldUnited! 😬#ePremierLeague pic.twitter.com/guWHfO2t8J
A beautiful team move ending with a cheeky chip - from Jota himself, no less - was the highlight of the match, but the calamitous own goal above easily made for the best clip.
Andre Gomes (Everton) vs. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
A hat-trick from Sergio Aguero powered Manchester City star Raheem Sterling to a 4-2 win over Everton midfielder Andre Gomes, who was unable to keep the momentum going after his spectacular last-16 performance.
Sergio Aguero is the match winner for @ManCity, yet again! 💥
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 24, 2020
He fired in a hat-trick as @sterling7 secured a place in the semi-finals, with a 4-2 win against @Everton#ePremierLeague pic.twitter.com/2HhdyberaZ
With the win, Sterling sets up a colossal tilt against Alexander-Arnold in the semifinals. A Merseyside FIFA derby would have been intriguing, but it's hard not to get amped up about two of the league's premier players going head-to-head using the two best teams available.
Neal Maupay (Brighton) vs. Dwight McNeil (Burnley)
The final match of the day was a nail-biter. After a tight affair ended goalless, Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil needed a golden-goal period to determine who would grab the last semifinal spot. The Burnley winger outlasted his Brighton and Hove Albion counterpart, breaking the deadlock with a Jay Rodriguez strike.
GOOOAAALLL! JAY RODRIGUEZ!@BurnleyOfficial are through to the semi-finals, after this golden goal strike! It finishes 1-0!
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 24, 2020
WOW! 😲#ePremierLeague pic.twitter.com/ph44KnfzBC
After winning the first match in the tournament to require extra time, McNeil will now meet the high-flying Jota with a spot in the final on the line.
What's next?
And then there were four. Only the best remain as a field of 20 has been narrowed down to a quartet of video-game elites masquerading as Premier League stars.
Here's how the semifinals shape up:
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) vs. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
- Diogo Jota (Wolves) vs. Dwight McNeil (Burnley)
Both the semifinals and final will take place on Saturday. The Premier League will continue to show every match live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.