Iceland's European Championship journey ends in a thrashing by the hosts who looked on top form even with some of their first choice starters missing through suspension.
They have made a lot of new friends (apart from Ronaldo) but Iceland are finally going home after coming up against a rampant France side in Paris. The French scored four before half time to stroll into the semi finals.
Iceland could not repeat the heroics of the England match, possibly due to tiredness, and unfortunately met a France side who were far better than their cross channel counterparts.
France started very well and looked in control, although Iceland had seemed to weather the early pressure before Giroud was allowed far too much time to control a neat through ball before shooting past the Icelandic keeper to make it 1-0 after only 12 minutes.
French poster boy Paul Pogba rose majestically for the second, heading powerfully into the net from a corner seven minutes later and it was already looking like it would be a long night for Iceland.
Iceland seemed to have made it to the break without any further trouble but in the space of three minutes the whole game was over. Payet worked some space for himself well before finishing with his left foot from the edge of the box to make it three before Griezmann deftly flicked the ball over the advancing keeper for the fourth on the stroke of half time.
Without wanting to sound patronising, Iceland never gave up and scored ten minutes into the second half after Sigurdsson had put in a really good low cross that Sigthorsson poked home. But any wild thoughts of a comeback were dashed a couple of minutes later when Giroud got his second of the night, leaping highest to meet a Payet free kick.
Iceland were rewarded for their continuing efforts towards the end when Bjarnason headed to make it 5-2 but the hosts were through and everyone's second favourite team were left to celebrate their remarkable tournament with their adoring fans.
France will meet Germany in what could be an outstanding semi final after they finally beat Italy on penalties on Saturday night. Ozil put the Germans 1-0 up with a sweet finish after some really good work from Gomez down the left hand side.
And it was Mario Gomez who should have made it two when his elaborate finish was well saved by Buffon in the Italian goal. If the German striker had been able to finish conventionally rather than going for a fancy flick he may have put the game beyond doubt. But Jerome Boateng's moment of madness gave Italy a penalty with just over 10 minutes ago which Bonucci slotted expertly into the corner of the net.
No further goals could be found in extra time so it was all down to penalties to decide who would go through to the semi final. Three penalties had already been missed - one a comical effort from Zaza for Italy - before Darmian had his effort saved. Next up was Hector who squeezed his spot kick under the arm of Buffon in the Italian goal and Germany were through.
Another nervous couple of days off now before the semis. Wales v Portugal on Wednesday and Germany v France on Thursday.
Showing posts with label Pogba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pogba. Show all posts
Monday, 4 July 2016
Saturday, 11 June 2016
And We're Off
Patrice Evra is 35. We know he is 35 because the commentator for the France v Romania match told us he was 35 repeatedly. This is important, as if you were to guess his age on last night's performance you would probably go for something a little nearer 135.
Evra was beaten time and time again by the right side of Romania's attack and looked a liability all night - including the moment when he forgot he wasn't playing for Juventus and gave away the penalty that Romania scored to draw level.
And it was the defence that looked the weak link last night for the ultimately victorious French. Pogba was doing his thing, splitting the Romanian side with his inch perfect passes, until he was taken off - and Payet showed once again why it would not be a surprise if he moved to a club playing in the Champions League next season.
Romania were unlucky to not come away with a point but Payet's moment of brilliance means that, with only eight nations not qualifying for the knockout phase, France are already as good as through.
A few other things to mention from last night's opening match:
Evra was beaten time and time again by the right side of Romania's attack and looked a liability all night - including the moment when he forgot he wasn't playing for Juventus and gave away the penalty that Romania scored to draw level.
And it was the defence that looked the weak link last night for the ultimately victorious French. Pogba was doing his thing, splitting the Romanian side with his inch perfect passes, until he was taken off - and Payet showed once again why it would not be a surprise if he moved to a club playing in the Champions League next season.
Romania were unlucky to not come away with a point but Payet's moment of brilliance means that, with only eight nations not qualifying for the knockout phase, France are already as good as through.
A few other things to mention from last night's opening match:
- Slaven Bilic's hair kind of freaked me out but he was a great pundit - ITV need all the help they can get on that front
- The white strands in Emmanuel Petit's beard are the only signs that he has aged in the last 20 years
- I need to find out where you can buy a Romania tracksuit top
And now to today's matches...
Albania v Switzerland: Those of you who read my preview the other day will know that I think Albania could surprise a few people in this tournament. Switzerland are a good side but have been going through a bit of a bad patch so I'm going for a 1-1 draw
Wales v Slovakia: A moment I wasn't sure I would ever see - Wales playing in a major international tournament. Obviously Gareth Bale is the key here as the rest of the team always visibly raise their game when he is on form. As much as I would love a win for Wales I think this one may be a 1-1 draw as well.
England v Russia: England look worryingly good - although there is still plenty of time for them to implode spectacularly of course. The combination of Dele Alli and Harry Kane is a revelation for Roy Hodgson's side and if they play Vardy as an impact super sub, England should win this fairly comfortably. I'm going for 2-0.
So three games in a day - this is what international competitions are all about! Come back here tomorrow when I'll carry out the post-mortem on today's games.
Thursday, 9 June 2016
Allez Les Bleus
My latest article for BetVictor's Euro 2016 blog, a look at the chances of the home nation - France.
France
France
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