The weekend provided gripping drama and ruthless domination. Germany vs Italy was touted as the match of the fixture of the tournament so far, and although it wasn’t a goal-fest, it did provide a nail-biting finish. The hosts France were expected to get the better of surprise package Iceland, but after the minnows’ performance against England, it was hard to count them out completely.
In this post, I cover the 3rd and 4th
quarter-finals played over the weekend.
Match Reviews
Germany vs Italy
Germany started the game better, putting pressure on Italy
with fluent attacks. They did not allow Italy to settle down in the first half.
Joachim Loew had gone with a five man defense to mirror the Italians and it
seemed to be working perfectly. Sami Khedira was injured early on, which saw
Schweinsteiger coming on in his place. We learnt later that Khedira will
probably not play any further part in the tournament. The change in personnel
did not affect the Germans who continued their assault on the Italian final third.
They were loathe put in crosses though and Toni Kroos was having an awful game.
The German midfielder, ususally the key cog in their machine was misplacing
passes and delivering poor set pieces. The first half remained goalless, as
Italy failed to produce any chances of note, hardly getting into the German
penalty box.
Germany played in the same vein for much of the second half.
After the hour mark, Mario Gomez was on the ball in the left flank. He slipped
a pass through two Italian defenders to find the run of Hector. The defender’s
cross took a deflection before falling kindly for Ozil. Ozil’s darting run into
the box was rewarded with a first goal of the tournament. Chiellini’s best
efforts did not allow him to get a touch on the ball. A few minutes later,
Mario Gomez found himself one on one with Buffon. Although he was facing away
from goal, he was just 6 yards out. Instead of swinging at the ball, he tried a
cheeky back heel, which Buffon saved well and turned over for a corner. That
would be the last contribution of Gomez for the game and the tournament as he
tore a hamstring following a challenge. The miss would turn out to be costly
too. An innocuous ball into the box was inexplicably handled by Boateng, his
flailing arms punished for having made contact with the ball. Leonardo Bonucci
stepped up and calmly equalized for Italy. A moment of madness from an
otherwise solid defender had just cost Germany. The game drifted towards a draw
as both teams started to protect what they had.
Extra time, too, wasn’t exciting. The Italians sat deep and
protected their goal with might. They hardly made forays into the German half.
Germany, for all their possession, failed to make Buffon work very hard or very
frequently. Both teams seemed like they were hanging on for penalties.
The shootout itself, when it came about, was comical to
start with, and nerve-wracking at the close. 6 penalties were missed out of the
initial 10, including a hilarious effort by Italy’s Simeone Zaza, brought on at
the end of extra time, just to take a penalty. Big guns from Germany, Ozil,
Mueller and Schweinsteiger missed too. Pelle shot wide and Bonucci had his
penalty saved this time. Both teams converted their next three penalties. In
the ninth time of asking, Neuer saved from Darmian to give Germany the
advantage. Jonas Hector converted the decisive penalty, although the ball
squeezed under the body of Italian goalkeeper Buffon, who should’ve saved it.
The Germans were through, and Italy, after an impressive tournament outdoing
expectations were heading home.
My Prediction;
Germany 2-1 Italy
Final Score:
Germany 1-1 Italy, Germany qualify for Semi-Final after penalties
France vs Iceland
The favourites took on the giant-killers in this unlikely
match-up. Iceland were fresh from the biggest win in their footballing history
having ousted England in the last round. Frnace were looking to avoid the same
fate as England.
The hosts took the game by the scruff of the neck and
wringed Iceland’s neck in the process. Four first half goals, from Giroud,
Pogba, Payet and Griezmann, broke Iceland’s spine and made them limp on the
pitch. This was a flawless first half performance from France and they had just
made a bold statement; a warning to others remaining in the tournament. Iceland
stayed positive despite their four goal deficit. They hit back early in the
second half with a goal from Sigthorsson, Engladn conquerer. France restored
their four goal advantage soon after with a headed goal from Giroud. The
forward was substituted immediately following the goal and received a rapturous
send-off, although you could see he was disappointed at not being given the
opportunity to get a hat-trick. Iceland had more possession following Frnace’s
goal, trying to reduce the deficit again. France themselves could’ve added to
their tally. In the final 10 minutes, Iceland scored again to make it 5-2. A
testament to their spirit as they put on a show for their fans. That scoreline
was how the match ended. France rolling ahead and Iceland getting warm
appreciation for their part in lighting up the Euros.
My Prediction:
France 1-1 Iceland, France to qualify for Semi-Final
Final Score:
France 5-2 Iceland
A feast of football in the Quarter Finals, making up for
some of the drab matches in the Group Stages. The knockout rounds have been
entertaining for the most part. Just four teams remain in the competition. I
will be back in a couple of days with the previews of the semi-finals. Till
then, enjoy the break…
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