In this short post, I cover the 4 matches played yesterday.
Previews of the Second Round will be covered in my next post. There will also
be a special post tomorrow with fun facts and crazy photos from the Euros.
Stayed tuned for that.
Match Reviews
Group E
Italy vs Republic of
Ireland
Ireland still had a chance to qualify for the next round but
only a win would do. Italy had rotated their team including resting Buffon who
was nursing a niggle. Ireland creating a handful of chances in the first half,
and outplayed Italy for the most part. This was a much improved showing from
their 0-3 loss to Belgium in the previous match. Italy had a small spell of
possession at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half
but did not trouble the goalkeeper. After some more Ireland pressure, Italy hit
the post with a curling shot from Insigne. Missed a one-on-one with the
goalkeeper. Ireland’s perseverance was finally rewarded when Robbie Brady got
on the end of a Hoolahan cross ahead of Italian goalkeeper Sirigu. The 85th
minute goal was sending Ireland through as things stood. The Irish held on for
a deserved and very surprising victory.
My Prediction: Italy
2-0 Republic of Ireland
Final Score: Italy
0-1 Republic of Ireland
Sweden vs Belgium
Before this game, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had announced his
retirement from international football following the Euros. This would be his
last ever match for Sweden unless they managed to beat Belgium. Belgium themselves
were not yet assured of a place in the next round. As such, this was expected
to be a closely fought encounter. Sweden missed a glorious opportunity early on
as Berg hit a powerful volley straight at Courtois from 8 yards out. It was an
open game in the first half, with the two teams exchanging spells of possession
and creating a couple of good chances each.
The second continued in the same vein but the breakthrough
refused to come about. Lukaku had the ball in the net but it was ruled out by a
correct offside call. The Belgians started having more of the ball in the last
20 minutes and launched a barrage of attempts on goal. Sweden almost took the
lead against the run of play as de Bruyne cleared off the line from an
Ibrahimovic header following a corner. On 85 minutes, Radja Nainggolan found
time and space outside the box to line up a shoot. His attempt went across the
keeper, just out of his reach and nestled in the far corner. Belgium were ahead
and almost surely now going through. Sweden were unable to mount any kind of
comeback. Ibrahimovic bowed out from the international stage on this
disappointing note.
My Prediction:
Sweden 1-2 Belgium
Final Score:
Sweden 0-1 Belgium
Group F
Iceland vs Austria
Fairytales! Fairy tales do come true!! Iceland’s mere
qualification for this tournament was a fairytale. Their point against Portugal
was like Cinderella getting to go to the ball. This match against Austria; well
the climax was like Snow White coming back from the dead. Maybe not the best of
analogies, but you get the drift.
Iceland, like their game against Hungary, started the game
the game stronger. Gudmundsson hit the post with a fierce shot which left the
Austrian keeper rooted to the spot. They hit the post again, directly from the
following corner. They were ahead soon enough when Bodvarsson shrugged shrugged
off Baumgartlinger and slotted past the goalkeeper from six yards out. Austria
finally started getting into the game and created a number of chances. Austria
were awarded a penalty when Alaba was prevented jumping for a header in the
box. Austria’s bad run continued as Dragovic fired the penalty onto the post
and wide. Despite the miss, this was still Austria’s best showing at the
finals, but they didn’t have anything to show for it yet.
Early in the second half, Alaba had a shot blocked off the
line. Austria finally were level when Schopf dribbled past a couple of
Icelandic defenders and scored. The goal had been coming and the momentum was
now with Austria. They were the team who controlled most of the ball for the
remainder of the game and should’ve scored more in this period. They were
punished for their wastefulness in the dying seconds, as Iceland broke with
numbers. Gudmundsson beat goalkeeper Almer at the near post, to make history
for his country and ensure qualification to the next round. Austria were
eliminated.
My Prediction:
Iceland 1-1 Austria
Final Score:
Iceland 2-1 Austria
Hungary vs Portugal
Portugal went into this game needing at least a point to
stay in contention for the second round. Hungary had already qualified.
Portugal kept more possession, putting pressure on the Hungarian defense early
on. However, Hungary took their chance when it came. Zoltan Gera launched a
fizzing low drive from 25 yards, which fly past Patricio before he could reach
it. Portugal were looking at elimination! This was only the start of things to
come. Portugal immediately started getting on top once again. They created a
few more openings, before Ronaldo played in Nani from the left flank. The
latter made no mistake beating Kiraly at the near post. The scores were level
at half time.
The start of the second half saw Hungary take the lead again
via a deflected free kick from Balazs Dzsudzsak. Portugal immediately hit back;
Cristiano Ronaldo pulling off a sublime back-heel which gave the keeper no
chance. A few minutes later, Dzsudzsak stepped up to take another free kick in
a similar position. This time, the wall did its job but Dzsudzsak himself
controlled the rebound, took it on to his favoured left foot and fired towards
goal. Nani inexplicably stuck out a foot, the ball deflecting in off it! The
Portuguese players’ reactions were a mixture of disgust and disbelief. Once
again, it was Portugal’s turn to fight with that man Ronaldo popping up with
powerful header. He’d just answered his critics with his on-field performance.
Around 80 minutes, Portuguese coach Santos took off Nani to bring on Danilo.
This signaled his intent of contentment with the result. As things stood, they
were second in the group. The match finished 3-3 but the late goal from Iceland
meant that Portugal were relegated to third in the group. This turned out to be
a blessing in disguise as they avoided England in the second half.
My Prediction:
Hungary 1-2 Portugal
Final Score:
Hungary 3-3 Portugal
What a last day! The Second Round fixtures are now set.
Italy vs Spain is the glamour tie of the round while Croatia vs Portugal should
be an eye-catching game too. A couple of days break for the tournament. But no
such break for me, as I plan to be back tomorrow with another post with the
best moments of the tournament so far. Till then…
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