AS I said, I thought Hungary were good enough for the upset.
It almost happened and France will count themselves lucky to get a point from this game. Hungary knew France would have attacked and did exceptionally well to take the lead in the 47th from Fiola.
France 1 vs Hungary 1
Ferenc Puskas Stadium
19/06/21
France never gave up and played liked they knew how to come from behind and Greizmann did the job in the 66th. France were dominant with 67%possession and had 15 shots at goal with four on target compared to Hungary’s five shots with three on target. This group is now wide open and the group of death is living up to its name.
France is still the favourites but the next game against Portugal will be a cracker – a repeat of the last final.
Game of the tournament, Ronaldo’s men fall.
Portugal 2 vs Germany 4
Allianz Stadium
19/06/21
An instant classic. This was the game we were waiting for, an absolute cracker. This group was certainly lived up to expectations. Sometimes I am glad when I get it wrong and this was an example. Portugal thought that they were in the driver’s seat with a 15th minute tap in by Ronaldo. Then came the German onslaught with four goals in 25 minutes.
Dias started in the 35th with an own goal that shifted the momentum to Germany and this was followed up by Guerreiro in the 39th with another own goal. This was exceptional luck for Germany and a horrible fate for Ronaldo.
Havertz in the 51st and Gosens in the 60th ended the game as a contest. Jota in the 67th strike for Portugal created an exceptional last quarter to the game.
This is what tournament football is about and never write off the Germans.
Span draw – again!
Spain 1 vs Poland 1
19/06/21
Estadio De la Cartuja
After the excitement of the Portugal vs Germany game, this was always going to be a tame encounter 1-1. Spain tried their best to win with 12 shots at goal and 5 on target with 77% of the possession.
Poland were content to counter attack and stated in the game even after Spain had the go ahead goal in the 25th from Morata. Poland’s main hope Lewndowski did the job in the 54th and equalised.
Spain attempted to win the game but fell short and now are in a must win game in the final round and cannot get another draw. Still, Spain is a very good side so do not write them off as yet.
Sunday’s game
Today marks the start of the final matches of the first round so all matches will play at the same time.
Group A
TEAM
POINTS
GOALS FOR
GOALS AGINST
GOAL DIFF.
Italy
6
6
0
6
Wales
4
3
1
2
Switzerland
1
1
4
-3
Turkey
0
0
5
-5
The table shows the current standings. This game is very important for Wales and a draw will secure a round of 16 qualification
Italy vs Wales
20/06/21 12 noon
Predicted score
2-0 Italy
Stadio Olypico
Italy are one of the form teams in this competition and as I have said before they are the most complete team in the tournament. They will be hard to beat or even draw against. Wales are no pushovers and can do well as they seek a point. They need to score first to really press the Italians but this is an aggressive stingy Italian side.
Switzerland vs Turkey
20/06/21 12 noon
Predicted score
1-0 Switzerland.
Baku Olympic Stadium
This is Switzerland’s best hope of a win and three points that can put them in contention for a second round advancement. This will be a good game because the Swiss will want a victory to move forward and a win will give them that opportunity. Turkey on the other hand will want a victory on their way out.
Germany Tame Portugal
By Gerald Lutchman
AS I said, I thought Hungary were good enough for the upset.
It almost happened and France will count themselves lucky to get a point from this game. Hungary knew France would have attacked and did exceptionally well to take the lead in the 47th from Fiola.
France 1 vs Hungary 1
Ferenc Puskas Stadium
19/06/21
France never gave up and played liked they knew how to come from behind and Greizmann did the job in the 66th. France were dominant with 67%possession and had 15 shots at goal with four on target compared to Hungary’s five shots with three on target. This group is now wide open and the group of death is living up to its name.
France is still the favourites but the next game against Portugal will be a cracker – a repeat of the last final.
Game of the tournament, Ronaldo’s men fall.
Portugal 2 vs Germany 4
Allianz Stadium
19/06/21
An instant classic. This was the game we were waiting for, an absolute cracker. This group was certainly lived up to expectations. Sometimes I am glad when I get it wrong and this was an example. Portugal thought that they were in the driver’s seat with a 15th minute tap in by Ronaldo. Then came the German onslaught with four goals in 25 minutes.
Dias started in the 35th with an own goal that shifted the momentum to Germany and this was followed up by Guerreiro in the 39th with another own goal. This was exceptional luck for Germany and a horrible fate for Ronaldo.
Havertz in the 51st and Gosens in the 60th ended the game as a contest. Jota in the 67th strike for Portugal created an exceptional last quarter to the game.
This is what tournament football is about and never write off the Germans.
Span draw – again!
Spain 1 vs Poland 1
19/06/21
Estadio De la Cartuja
After the excitement of the Portugal vs Germany game, this was always going to be a tame encounter 1-1. Spain tried their best to win with 12 shots at goal and 5 on target with 77% of the possession.
Poland were content to counter attack and stated in the game even after Spain had the go ahead goal in the 25th from Morata. Poland’s main hope Lewndowski did the job in the 54th and equalised.
Spain attempted to win the game but fell short and now are in a must win game in the final round and cannot get another draw. Still, Spain is a very good side so do not write them off as yet.
Sunday’s game
Today marks the start of the final matches of the first round so all matches will play at the same time.
Group A
The table shows the current standings. This game is very important for Wales and a draw will secure a round of 16 qualification
Italy vs Wales
20/06/21 12 noon
Predicted score
2-0 Italy
Stadio Olypico
Italy are one of the form teams in this competition and as I have said before they are the most complete team in the tournament. They will be hard to beat or even draw against. Wales are no pushovers and can do well as they seek a point. They need to score first to really press the Italians but this is an aggressive stingy Italian side.
Switzerland vs Turkey
20/06/21 12 noon
Predicted score
1-0 Switzerland.
Baku Olympic Stadium
This is Switzerland’s best hope of a win and three points that can put them in contention for a second round advancement. This will be a good game because the Swiss will want a victory to move forward and a win will give them that opportunity. Turkey on the other hand will want a victory on their way out.