Matchday 2
MATCHDAY 2:
Group A
Turkey vs Wales- 0:2
Robert Page's men were defiant at the back and relentless in their attacks. Although Turkey had 63% possession, they failed to create big chances. Both Turkey and Wales had a similar amount of shots at target but it was clear that Wales was a lot more clinical. Aaron Ramsay provided Wales with its first breakthrough just before halftime after missing two important chances in the first half. Gareth Bale had the chance of making it 2-0 at the 61st minute from the penalty spot but he skied his effort over the bar. Roberts then finally made it 2-0 for Wales in added time from a finish from close range. My man of the match was Gareth bale, despite missing the penalty he provided two essential assists in the game and played the role of a playmaker very well. Turkey disappointed once again in this exciting match filled with last-minute drama.
Italy vs Switzerland- 3:0
Italy becomes the first team through to the knockout stages after they fire past 3 goals against the Swiss. Italy converted all of their three shots on target showcasing their ability to be extremely clinical while Switzerland with two shots on target could not do much. Locatelli opened the goal-scoring from close-range just minutes after Chiellini's goal is ruled out by the VAR for handball. Locatelli then went on to double the Italians' lead in the second half, giving Sommer no chance whatsoever of saving his low strike from outside the box. Immobile then wrapped up the goal scoring for the night in the 89th minute by a rocket of a strike. Sommer was unable to keep out his riveting long-range strike despite getting both his hands on it. The man of the match for me was Manuel Locatelli whose brace proved to be essential in Italy's victory. The Italians did not fail to entertain as this match was pretty interesting to watch.
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| Locatelli celebrates after scoring his first goal in the game with Insigne right behind |
Group B
Finland vs Russia- 0:1
Russia secured a crucial win over Finland in a dull game of Football. While Russia enjoyed 59% possession both sides created very few chances in the game, with a total of 4 shots on target combined from both the teams. Kanerva's men were ecstatic after they thought that Pohjanpalo's headed effort had given them the lead in the opening 10 minutes itself, however, VAR his effort was ruled offside by the VAR. Miranchuk, provided the only bit of spark in the game when he curled a magnificent strike into the top left corner of the Finnish goal to open the scoring in the game on the stroke of half-time. Finland posed did not pose any threat to Safonov and tested him only once throughout the entire game. The man of the match for me was Miranchuk as his left-finish provided Russia the much-needed breakthrough. This match was overall not a fun watch.
Denmark vs Belgium- 1:2
Belgium becomes the second team to be through to knockout stages after making a comeback against Denmark. Both sides had similar possession and shots on target. Poulsen opened the scoring for Denmark in the 2nd minute by drilling a low shot past Courtois. Although Belgium was able to create chances they were unable to convert. When Kevin De Bruyne was subbed on in the 46th minute, he immediately inspired a turnaround. In a matter of few minutes, the Red Devils equalized from an open goal scored by Thorgen Hazard via the calm assist from De Bruyne. The Midfield Maestro then went on to score the winner of the game in the 70th minute with a clinical low strike into the low corner beating Schmeichel. The man of the match for me was without a debate, Kevin De Bruyne as he turned out to be a superb sub for Belgium, changing the tide of the game as soon as coming on the pitch with a goal and an assist. This game was really exciting to watch and watching the Manchester City maestro turn up is always a delight.
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| Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring the winner in the 70th minute |
Group C
Ukraine vs North Macedonia- 2:1
Ukraine finally ends its six-game winless run at European Championships with a 2-1 win over North Macedonia. Ukraine had 52% possession but both teams had similar shots on target. Yarmolenko opened the scoring for Ukraine in the 29th minute with a right-footed shot inside the 6-yard box. Yarmenchuk doubled Ukraine's lead with a confident finish past Dimitrievski from a great through ball by Yarmolenko. Pandev thought he got his side back in the game just before halftime, however, it was ruled offside. In the 56th minute, North Macedonia won a penalty which was missed by Alosiki but he scored on the rebound. North Macedonia create but are unable to find the equalizer. The man of the match for me was Andriy Yarmolenko as a goal and an assist from him assured Ukraine's victory. This game although did not have big teams as such, it was nevertheless a thriller.
Netherlands vs Austria- 2:0
Netherlands qualify for the knockout stages with a comfortable victory over Austria. Although the Oranje had 47% possession they controlled the flow of the game. Austria was unable to test Netherlands' defense until later on in the match. Netherlands led 1-0 early in the game after Alaba conceded a penalty after his late challenge on Dumfries. Memphis Depay converted with a calm and collected finish from the penalty spot into the bottom left corner. De Vrij almost scored at the hour mark but was denied by an excellent save by Bachmann. However, just a few minutes later Dumfried doubled Netherlands' lead. The man of the match for me was Memphis Depay who scored and posed a huge threat to Austria's defense. The game was a fun watch.
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| The Dutch players celebrate Dumfries' goal |
Group D
Croatia vs Czech Republic- 1:1
Both teams share points as their tie ends in a stalemate. Both teams had similar possession and created very less chances throughout the game. Schick gave Czech Republic the lead just before halftime from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Lovren in the box. Croatia soon equalized after a free-kick fromKramaric who crosses it to Perisic. Perisic smashed his shot into the far side of the net after wrongfooting Coufal. Neither side created anything of note after the equalizer. The man of the match for me was Luka Modric who was integral for Croatia's midfield and distributed the ball very well. This game was not an exciting watch.
England vs Scotland- 0:0
England vs Scotland- 0:0
Scotland picks up a creditable draw against a subdued England side. Although England has 60% possession, Clarke's men came closer to winning the game. The Three Lions were left frustrated as they were unable to break down Scotland's tight defense. England did eventually bring on Grealish and Rashford but was not successful in finding an answer to Scotland's stubborn defense. The man of the match for me was Billy Gilmour was as he proved to be superior in the midfield to the likes of Phillips, Rice, and Mount. He did not let the England midfield breathe proving to be valuable for Scotland. This game was very boring to watch.
Group E
Spain vs Poland- 1:1
Spain and Poland play out a 1 all draw in their Group E contest. Although Spain had 76% possession they did not create many chances and failed to be clinical. Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Spain in the 25th minute as he broke in behind Bereszynski and slotted a strike past Szczesny from close range. Robert Lewandoski then canceled out Morata's strike early in the second half with a powerful header into the bottom-left corner. A few minutes later Moreno missed the golden chance of giving Spain the lead after missing a penalty kick. He struck the left post of the goal before Morata shot the rebound wide of the target. The man of the match for me was Robert Lewandoski who as usual came to Poland's rescue by scoring an essential goal to provide the equalizer. This match was a decent watch as both teams did pose a threat to each other. Spain should have easily won the match but its strikeforce disappointed again.
Sweden vs Slovakia- 1:0
Sweden gets an impressive victory over Slovakia by scoring the winning goal late in the match. Sweden had 42% possession but had 4 shots on target while Slovakia had zero. Jan Olof Andersson's men picked things up in the second half after a poor performance in the first half. The Swedish did well in testing Slovakia's defense but were unable to break it. This changed in the 79th minute when Robin Quaison was brought down by Martin Dubravka in the penalty box. Emil Forsberg held his composure to slot in the decisive strike from 12 yards out. The man of the match for me was Alexander Isak as he showcased his talent in his dribbles and really troubled the Slovakian defense. This match was not a great watch in general.
Group F
Portugal vs Germany- 2:4
Germany comes out on top in this 6 goal thriller. Germany dominated the game with 58% possession and 7 shots on target. Germany started optimistically and though Gosens had given them the lead only for the goal to be ruled offside. Ronaldo then stepped up and shocked the Germans as he tapped in the ball in the net to complete a great counterattack. Disaster struck for Portugal when Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro scored two own goals in the span of 4 minutes giving Low's men a lead before the second half. Germany soon extended their one-goal lead with a composed finish from Kai Havertz. Robin Gosens then proceeded to make it 4-1 with a powerful header into the top left. Diogo Jota struck back in a matter of minutes after Ronaldo acrobatically kept the ball alive and gave Jota a simple pass for him to slot it in. Santos' men pushed on, however, they failed to find another goal. The man of the match for me was Robin Gosens as he scored a goal and was lethal in the opposition's half. This match was undoubtedly one of the best matches in Matchday 2.
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A good sumup.. keep up the good work
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