Everyone wanted goals, and we got them! The big guns finally found their scoring feat, winning their respective matches on the second day of the Second Round fixtures. The hosts were given a scare but they did enough to go through.
In this post, I cover the three matches played on Sunday and
look ahead to tonight’s matches.
Match Reviews
France vs Republic of
Ireland
Ireland got into the French box right from the kick-off.
Paul Pogba ran right over Shane Long from the back and was penalized for the
challenge. Ireland had a penalty even before the hosts had settled down. Robbie
Brady stepped up to take the penalty. He send Lloris the wrong way, making no
mistake from the spot. From here on in, it was all about France trying to get
back in the game. Griezmann had a couple of headed chances, one he sent high
and the other straight at the keeper. Ireland beat the monotone with another
chance late in the first half, which Lloris parried. More attempts followed on
the Irish goal, but there were no further goals in the first half.
Early in the second half, Sagna was fed the ball on the
right wing, and he crossed to find Griezmann in the box. The forward launched a
powerful header which Irish goalkeeper Randolph got a hand to but could not
keep out. The inevitable equalizer had arrived but the hosts pressed for more.
Just 3 minutes later, Giroud rose highest between two Irish defenders to knock
the ball down to Griezmann. He ran with the ball and shot past Randolph to
claim his and his country’s second goal. France were leading and now completely
dominating the game. Ireland sent on a couple of attacking players but they
couldn tbreak the hosts down. France moved on to the Quarter Final.
My Prediction:
France 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Final Score:
France 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Germany vs Slovakia
The World Champions haven’t been at their fluent best. They
looked ominous from the early minutes in this match. They overran the Slovak
midfield and defense. They created chances, eventually leading to the 7th
minute goal from a volleyed strike by Boateng from outside the box. Slovakia
were not able to keep possession of the ball for very long. They had one very
good chance, when Juraj Kucka ‘shouldered’ a ball towards goal from a cross.
Manuel Neuer pulled off a spectacular save to deny the Slovaks. Germany soon
extended their lead. Julian Draxler, starting this game ahead of the
disappointing Gotze, beat his man down the left flank, put in a grounded cross,
which was turned in by Mario Gomez at the near post. The Germans were now
looking like real title contenders.
The second half continued in much the same vein. Slovakia
failed to get their talisman, Marek Hamsik into the game. Germany did a good
job of cutting off the supply to him and to limit options for him when he was
on the ball. Midway through the second half, the Germans scored their third
goal when Draxler volleyed home from close range following a corner. The rest
of the game was played on cruise control by the Germans. They never looked
bothered throughout the game. This performance cemented their candidature as
one of the favourites for the tournament.
My Prediction:
Germany 2-1 Slovakia
Final Score:
Germany 3-0 Slovakia
Hungary vs Belgium
Belgium had not shown form which justified their world
number 2 ranking. They were looking to step it up against surprise package
Hungary. It was an open and attacking game with Hungary giving a good account
of themselves in the first half. They were, however undone by an excellent de
Bruyne free-kick which found Alderweireld free at the back post. The defender
made no mistake and gave Belgium the lead. De Bruyne saw another free-kick
excellently turned onto the bar by Hungarian goalkeeper Kiraly. The scores
remained at 1-0 at half time.
In the second half, Belgium once again came out firing.
Hungary were not ones to take the loss lying down either. For a long time,
both teams exchanged attacks, but without result. Lukaku went off to be replaced by
Batshuayi. The substitution paid off almost immediately. Hazard floated past
his man on the left edge of the penalty box, crossed to the box to find
Batshuayi alone. He tapped in past the goalkeeper and celebrated in style.
Hazard turned from provider to scorer a couple of minutes later. He picked up
the ball on the left flank following a Belgium break, came inside, past three
defenders and launched a customary curling effort into the corner of the net.
His performance had deserved this goal. Hungary had a shot saved from close
range in the final few minutes. A Minute later, Belgium were on the attack
again. Nainggolan found Carrasco who drilled his shot past Kiraly to score at
the near post. Belgium had finally made an impression in this tournament. Their
match against Wales would be a mouth-watering affair.
My Prediction:
Hungary 1-0 Belgium
Final Score:
Hungary 0-4 Belgium
Match Previews
Italy vs Spain
The match of the round pits powerhouses Italy and Spain
against each other. Both teams were coming off disappointing losses in their
last group games, after a bright start to the tournament. Co-incidentally both
their conquerors have been eliminated in the Second Round. The Italians will be
looking for a repeat of their tactical masterclass against Belgium. Spain’s
possession football might just suit the Italians, who prefer to sit back,
defend, and catch other teams out on the counter. It is for this reason, and
also on evidence of their loss against Croatia, that I think Spain will fall
short. One can expect a typical Italian rearguard display in this one.
My Prediction:
Italy 2-0 Spain
England vs Iceland
Iceland come into this game with no pressure. All the
pressure is on England and whether they can get their team selection right.
With news floating around about Sterling’s return to the team in place of
Lallana, Hodgson might just be providing more ammunition to the
nay-sayers. Iceland have shown that they
have supreme team-spirit. England will need to watch out for a sucker-punch
which might cause their downfall. They need to find a way to get in behind the
defense, something which they failed against Slovakia. I think England will
still edge it, although a result after 90 minutes might not happen.
My Prediction:
England 1-1 Iceland, England to qualify
Two interesting matches to look forward to today. Let’s hope
we can have some more of the football seen yesterday. I’ll be back again
tomorrow to cover the two games to be played later today. Till then, enjoy the
football.
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