France's Tactical Control Sees Them Through Tough Test Against Austria

 

Didier Deschamps’ French midfield operates less on the fluid flair of past teams and more on controlled, calculated power. With Adrien Rabiot and N’Golo Kanté at its core, the midfield exudes resilience and precision, advancing in deliberate phases rather than through sustained tempo. Each press, each push forward, comes at the opportune moment, creating a sense of measured urgency that allows France to dictate the game on their terms.

The French strategy centred around granting Kylian Mbappé the space and freedom to exploit gaps and manoeuvre. On a warm and humid evening that tested both teams’ stamina, France managed the pace carefully, opting for slow, controlled play to conserve energy and counter Austria’s physicality. Rather than attempting to overpower the Austrians directly, France chose compactness and intelligent tempo shifts, prioritizing control over spectacle.

An unfortunate own goal by Austria in the first half proved decisive, and while it allowed France to take the lead, the match remained tense. Austria’s physical approach continued to challenge France, demanding discipline and adaptability, especially as the game wore on.

An injury scare to Mbappé late in the match added a note of caution to what was already a gruelling night, with France leaving the pitch having achieved a hard-fought if subdued, victory. Deschamps’ side may have subdued the game rather than overwhelmed it, yet they demonstrated once again a tactical maturity that prioritizes endurance and precision over speed and flair.

Note: Excerpts from the The Guardian

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Faisal Caesar 

Euro Shocker: Belgium Stun by Slovakia

At the start of the last decade, Belgium’s "Golden Generation" became a familiar phrase in football discussions. After the era of Enzo Scifo and Jan Ceulemans, a wave of young, promising talent—Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku—seemed poised to lead the Red Devils to new heights. Expectations were sky-high, yet despite their skill and promise, Belgium’s journey has been marked by a sense of unfulfilled potential. A recent defeat to Slovakia in Frankfurt has only underscored this narrative, with Belgium’s prized generation now showing signs of fracture.

The match began in an unsettling fashion for Belgium. Within seven minutes, a defensive lapse left space for Ivan Schranz, whose composed finish put Slovakia ahead. The Belgian defense appeared scattered, and in the opening half, they left critical gaps that Slovakia readily exploited. Lukaku, spearheading Belgium’s attack, was active but lacked the clinical edge. He generated more expected goals (xG) than Slovakia’s entire side and displayed flashes of brilliance, yet inconsistency marred his performance. His first clear finish was overruled due to a narrow offside call, and other opportunities slipped by due to heavy touches and misplaced efforts.

Late in the game, Lukaku found the net once more, only to be denied by VAR, which detected a handball from Openda in the buildup—a fine margin identified by Snickometer technology, more commonly seen in cricket’s LBW calls. Before this disallowed goal, Belgium had squandered several chances, with Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, and Johan Bakayoko each missing their mark.

Perhaps the most confounding moment came from Jeremy Doku. When tracking back to neutralize Slovakia’s first major attack, Doku regained possession in his own box but opted for a short pass to Wout Faes. Schranz quickly intercepted, and a chaotic sequence ensued. Robert Bozenik’s initial strike was blocked by Koen Casteels, but Schranz capitalized on the rebound, driving the ball low and decisively across the goal.

As the final whistle blew, Belgium’s Golden Generation was left to contemplate a puzzlingly subdued performance against Slovakia’s underdog side. For a team so often lauded for their skill and depth, this match exposed a familiar frustration: an undeniable abundance of talent without the consistency to match it. Once again, the Red Devils are left questioning how to bridge the gap between promise and achievement.

Note: Excerpts from the The Guardian

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Faisal Caesar 

Romania's Resurgence: A New Generation Echoes the Glory of the Golden Era

From the mid-to-late 1980s, Steaua and Dinamo Bucharest were incubators of remarkable Romanian talent. Names like Gheorghe Hagi, Ilie Dumitrescu, Marius Lăcătuș, Gheorghe Popescu, Dan Petrescu, Florin Prunea, Ioan Mihali, and Florin Răducioiu became synonymous with artistry on the pitch, dazzling Europe with their technical brilliance and audacious strikes. Hagi, especially, was revered for his magical left foot, drawing comparisons to the legendary Diego Maradona. In those years, Romania was reemerging as a European powerhouse, reminiscent of their golden days of 1970.

Romania's squad was tactically sound and meticulously organized. The defence was fortified by exceptional goalkeepers, and the midfield, set up in a flat four, employed a pivot system that blended defence with creativity. One midfielder operated as the heart of the attack, while the other held a supportive, stabilizing role. The rest of the midfield and defensive line were uncompromising in their duties, providing cover and discipline. The entire team flowed through the playmaker, who orchestrated the game, igniting attacks, and building the Romanian squad into a formidable force from 1990 through 1994.

Today, some three decades later, a new generation has taken up the mantle. The 4-1-4-1 formation provides the same platform for players to express their skills and tactical prowess. Names like Nicolae Stanciu, Răzvan Marin, Denis Drăguș, Florinel Coman, Andrei Burcă, and Ianis Hagi—son of the legendary Gheorghe Hagi—may not yet be household names, but their style evokes memories of Romania’s golden generation. Like their predecessors, they score sensational goals, squeeze the opposition into tight spaces, and defend with relentless determination.

Romania’s qualifiers painted a promising picture, marking them as an underdog to watch. Their recent victory over Ukraine in Munich echoed Hagi’s iconic strike against Colombia in Pasadena 30 years ago—a dramatic reminder of Romanian football’s fearless spirit. It’s been an electrifying start, one that hints at the possibility of a run to the quarterfinals or beyond.

Note: Excerpts from the The Guardian

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Faisal Caesar 

England's Composed Start Overcomes Serbia’s Steely Defense in a Promising Opener

Under Gareth Southgate’s watchful eye, England has made a habit of avoiding opening-match stumbles. They win, yet each performance seems to carry a subtle reminder of areas that still require temperamental refinement. 

The build-up to this match against Serbia was charged, the air thick with nervous anticipation. It was Jude Bellingham, ever the precocious force, who rose to calm those nerves with an early header, allowing England to settle into their rhythm. But the expected fluidity was elusive, stifled by a disciplined Serbian defence, expertly orchestrated by Dragan Stojkovic.

Stojkovic placed his faith in Serbia’s leading men up front, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic, with the crafty Dusan Tadic available on the bench. Out of possession, Serbia’s setup was calculated—a 5-4-1 formation that solidified into two formidable red walls, designed to absorb England’s incursions and test their patience.

Serbia’s approach was physical, their challenges unyielding, and England felt the brunt of it. Bellingham, who endured more than a few hard tackles, seemed to feed off the aggression, raising his game with a quiet intensity. His touches and vision decorated the first half, a testament to the maturity he’s developed since his move to Real Madrid—a schooling that has shaped him into England’s lynchpin.

Though Serbia remained compact, they rarely advanced with purpose, seldom troubling Jordan Pickford. When they did venture forward, England’s backline proved resilient, absorbing pressure with calm assurance. There would be no late drama this night; England's defence held steady.

Yet, as the final whistle blew, it was evident: England’s journey is only beginning, and tougher tests lie ahead.

Note: Excerpts from The Guardian

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Faisal Caesar 

Slovenia's Resilience Shatters Danish Dominance in a Dramatic Euro Standoff

In the 16th minute, Slovenia's Benjamin Sesko, against the flow of Danish dominance, unleashed a fierce shot—a warning that rattled the usually composed Danish backline. A minute later, however, it was Denmark who found the breakthrough. Christian Eriksen, with his keen instinct and poise, slotted home, crafting the opening chapter of a hopeful Danish narrative. For nearly an hour, Denmark commanded the game, asserting themselves with elegance against Slovenia, the tournament’s smallest nation by population.

But in the 67th minute, the rhythm shifted. A sweeping through ball found its way down the left flank, putting Slovenia in position for an equalizer. Gnezda Cerin rose to meet it, unmarked in the centre, but his header missed the mark—a narrow escape for Denmark, who seemed, if only for a moment, vulnerable.

Sensing an opportunity, Slovenia injected fresh energy into their side. The match balanced precariously, Denmark holding onto a fragile lead as Slovenia’s urgency grew. In the 74th minute, Slovenia won a free kick just outside the corner of the box—a prime position to strike. Erik Janza stepped up and curled the ball toward the near post, where Sporar met it with a glancing flick that went wide. Though he was flagged offside, it was clear: Slovenia was inching closer to a breakthrough.

Four minutes later, it arrived. A corner swung in from the right and found Janza once more. This time, he struck with conviction, his effort taking a fortuitous deflection, leaving Schmeichel no chance. The roar from the Slovenian side marked more than just a goal—it was a revival, Slovenia’s first goal in a European Championship in 24 years, and it was enough to share the points.

Denmark, once in control, had lost momentum to an inspired Slovenian side, whose resilience reshaped the story of the night. This was football in its purest form, unpredictable and unforgiving.

Note: Excerpts from the The Guardian

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Faisal Caesar