The European Championships seem to be having as much action off the pitch as on it. More teams are being charged with fan misconduct. French police are failing to keep a lid on the situation. A shame really, because the action on the field is mostly quite intriguing.
In this post, I recap the remaining match from group e as
well as matches from Groups F and A. I’ll also look ahead to matches from
Groups B, C and D.
Match Reviews
Group E
Belgium vs Republic
of Ireland
Belgian coach Marc Wilmots had singled out two players,
Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, saying he was expecting big things from them
in this match. A strange decision as such an announcement is likely to put
increased pressure on individual players. However, whatever he must’ve told them
behind the scenes worked wonders on the field. Lukaku, having struggled against
Italy was a changed player. De Bruyne, Belgium’s best player against Italy, was
influential again in this match.
Belgium dominated the play in the first half. They had many
chances to score and even had the ball in the net from Carrasco, but it was
deemed offside. Ireland were reduced to a couple of efforts from distance and a
few mishits. It was a wonder that the score was still goalless at half-time. In
the second half, Belgium got early reward. De Bruyne found Lukaku who finished
with composure being 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper. Ireland had a spell of
possession after the goal but it was undone by Belgium’s second. Axel Witsel
scored with a powerful header after meeting Thomas Meunier’s cross, after a
double digit number of passes in the build-up. Lukaku then put the game to bed,
once again capitalizing after good play from de Bruyne down the right flank.
The Belgians held off the wayward Irish till the whistle to get themselves back
into contention.
My Prediction:
Belgium 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Final Score:
Belgium 3-0 Republic of Ireland
Group F
Iceland vs Hungary
The Hungarians came into game wanting to secure qualification to the second round. Iceland too were looking to build on the unlikely draw versus Portugal. Both teams tried to attack. Iceland had a glorious opportunity early on but 40 year old Gabor Kiraly made a smart save with his leg. Hungary replied with a narrowly wide shot of their own. A clumsy scrap in the Hungarian penalty box led to Iceland being awarded a penalty kick. Gylfi Sigurdsson converted from the spot and Iceland took a one goal lead into half-time.
Iceland started the second half better. There wasn’t a lot
of action to report in this half. Hungary were getting more into the game as
the half progressed. Their efforts were finally rewarded as Birkir Sævarsson
scoredinto his own net, trying to clear a good low cross. Another late goal had
decided the result in this tournament.
My Prediction:
Iceland 1-1 Hungary
Final Score: Iceland
1-1 Hungary
Portugal vs Austria
Having dropped two points unexpectedly against Iceland, Portugal
were looking to get back to winning ways. A win was of even more importance for
their opponents. Austria were favourites going into their game against Hungary
but came out second best.
Portugal dominated this game, much like their previous
outing. But once again, they could not find a way to score. The Austrians
defended doggedly and had a few openings of their own but this game was more a
question of whether Portugal could get their deserved goal. Austria once again
failed to get their best players into the match but Arnautovic put in an
improved performance. He was seen tracking back, winning the ball in his own
half and holding on to it better in attack. Alaba was brought off without
making an impact. With less than 15 minutes to go, Portugal earned themselves a
penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and you could the sense of anticipation
among the fans of his conversion. He ended up dragging the kick too far left,
the ball crashing off the post and then cleared by an Austrian defender.
Ronaldo’s luck was still eluding him. Ronaldo put the ball into the net a few
minutes later, only to be pulled up for offside! The drama surrounding the best
player in Europe had just piqued. Austrai held on for a draw, ensuring that the
group would be decided in the third set of matches.
My Prediction:
Portugal 2-1 Austria
Final Score:
Portugal 0-0 Austria
Group A
Switzerland vs France
The hosts had already qualified and were looking to ensure
first position in the group. Olivier Giroud was rested up front with Gignac
replacing him. Yohan Cabaye came in for N’Golo Kante whle Moussa Sissoko
started ahead of the rested Dmitri Payet. France played fluent attacking
football, probably the best they’d done this tournament. Pogba was the best
player in the first half and was unlucky not to have scored on three separate
occasions. He hit the post on two of those occasions. The second half also played
out in the same fashion with Switzerland not posing much of a threat on the
French goal. Substitute Payet crashed a sweetly struck shot against the bar,
after beating the goalkeeper. That would be the last genuine chance for either
team, as a draw saw both teams qualify for the second round.
My Prediction:
Switzerland 0-1 France
Final Score:
Switzerland 0-0 France
Romania vs Albania
Romania started the match with more possession and a few
chances. The Albanians started getting intot he match and soon created a couple
of clear-cut opportunities. The second of these opportunities should have been
converted as Lenjani skied over from six yards with the keeper scrambling to
protect his open net. On 43 minutes, Armando Sadiku found himself in space at the
back post, heading a looping header over the charging keeper and a defender.
He’d just sored his country’s first ever goal at a major tournament. The team
celebrated in a manner worthy of the occasion.
Albania had chances to increase their lead and put the
result beyond contention in the second half. They failed to take their chances
but were not punished for it. Romania failed to capitalize on their own chance.
The 1-0 reverse meant the Romanians were going home, despite such positive
displays against France and Switzerland. They’d been upstaged by the minnow
Albania, who are still in with an outside shot of qualifying for the second
round.
My Prediction:
Romania 1-1 Albania
Final Score:
Romania 0-1 Albania
Match Previews
Group B
Russia vs Wales
The Welsh should be favourites to claim a win and progress
safely into the next round. They were unlucky as England snatched three points
in injury time in their last outing. However, stranger things have happened and
Russia will be looking to get an unexpected win here, something they’ve often
done before in major tournaments. This group is still wide open, and on the
night, if they are not careful, Wales can see their dream turn into a nightmare
at very short notice. Having said that, I still feel Wales will have enough to
see of an average Russian team.
My Prediction:
Russia 0-1 Wales
Slovakia vs England
With Roy Hodgson rumoured to be making six changes to his
England squad, including resting Rooney and starting Vardy and Sturridge up
front, and changing both full backs, it will be interesting to see how the much
changed team will gel at such short notice. The Slovakians will be looking to
build on their impressive victory over Russia. England need to be careful and
keep an eye on Hamsik. He looked back to his best in the last game after an
indifferent outing against Wales. Expecting England to just scrape thorough.
My Prediction:
Slovakia 1-2 England
Group C
Ukraine vs Poland
The co-hosts of the last edition of the European
Championships go head-to-head in the last group game in group C. Poland were
unlucky not to grab a win against Germany, having arguably had the better chances.
Ukraine’s slumped to a 0-2 loss to Nortehrn Ireland after a bright start
against Germany. With Ukraine virtually eliminated, Poland will be looking to
get their game flowing again. Poland should have too much for their neighbours,
although I don’t expect too many goals here. Maybe a Lewandowski goal is due
now.
My Prediction:
Ukraine 0-1 Poland
Northern Ireland vs
Germany
Germany will be hoping their big guns up front can start
firing soon. Thomas Mueller has been uncharacteristically quiet so far while
Mario Gotze has looked off the pace. This just might be the right kind of game
to kickstart the duo’s tournament. Nortehrn Ireland recovered well from their
defeat against Poland to win comfortably against a poor Ukraine team. Having
lost just once in their last 14 games, they’ll be looking create a massive
upset against the World Champions. The Germans should have too much firepower
though.
My Prediction:
Northern Ireland 0-2 Germany
Group D
Czech Republic vs
Turkey
With about 20 minutes to go in their match against Croatia,
the Czechs looked like they were heading for the exit. An unlikely turnaround
now puts them well in contention for qualification to the next round, although
the same via a third place finish looks more likely. Turkey perhaps put in the
worst defensive performance of the finals so far, in their 0-3 hammering by
Spain. The squad will be down on confidence, but you can never count the Turks
out in these situations. Their recovery in the qualifiers for this tournament
is ample evidence. I get the feeling that both teams will cancel each other
out.
My Prediction:
Czech Republic 1-1 Turkey
Croatia vs Spain
Croatia might yet live to rue the action of their fans in
their last game. Seemingly cruising against the Czechs, they first let them
into the game and then their fans made them lose concentration, resulting in
them giving away a cheap penalty, from which Czech Republic equalized. Spain
are coming off the back of the most accomplished performance of the Euros so
far. Morata and Nolito look to have a good understanding and Iniesta is still
the force as he was in previous tournaments. The Spanish look favourites and
I’m going with a narrow victory for them too. Modric is a doubt for Craotia,
and his absence would be a big blow.
My Prediction:
Croatia 0-1 Spain
We are nearing the end of the group stage and teams are now
booking their respective places in the second round. It will be an anxious wait
for all 3rd place finishers for the other groups to finish playing.
I’ll be back to wrap up all such happening in a couple of days. Till then,
enjoy the football.
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