Ukraine strike late, stun Sweden

Sweden does not boast a very impressive record against Ukraine. Apart from the international friendly played in 2011, Sweden have not been able to beat them. The last time they met in Euros was way back in 2012 at Kyiv, where Andriy Shevchenko led Ukraine to a great victory. This time around, Sheva is the coach of this team and again, he would lead his boys to register a thrilling win.

Sweden made just one change to their starting line-up from the side that beat Poland 3-2 in the final group game, with Quaison missing out and he has been replaced in attack by Dejan Kulusevski.

Meanwhile, Andriy Shevchenko made two changes to his Ukraine side that were beaten 1-0 by Austria last time out. Kryvtsov and Taras Stepanenko come into the team and they have replaced Mykolenko and Malinovskiy.

Ukraine’s campaign had been undermined by the injury to the left-winger Oleksandr Zubkov in the defeat against the Netherlands. He had finished the season strongly with Ferencvaros and was the man of the match in the friendly win against Northern Ireland last month.

Marlos came on for him in that game but was so off the pace he was withdrawn before full-time.

Ruslan Malinovskyi was shifted from midfield on to that flank for the other two group games but he was relegated to the bench here as Shevchenko returned to the 3-5-2 with which he had experimented before the finals tournament and that meant, Stepanenko alongside Serhiy Sydorchuk at the back of the midfield.

This move by Sheva additional injected solidity at the back, essentially forcing Sweden to go wide and look to get crosses into the box, just as they had brought in Kulusevski.

The change in the formation brought the best out of Ukraine – they looked sharper than ever.

Mykola Shaparenko, relishing his deeper role, began the move with a sweeping ball out to the right wing‑back Oleksandr Karavayev. He turned it infield to Yarmolenko who paused, jinked past his man and then played a delightful pass with the outside of his right foot to the left wing‑back who lashed it through Olsen’s dive.

Even though the Swedish unit showed an early promise, they went a bit flat later on.  

Just when the game seemed to be drifting towards half‑time, Emil Forsberg found space outside Ukraine’s midfield shield. Illya Zabarnyi moved to close him down but too late, and Forsberg’s shot deflected off him, over Heorhiy Bushchan and into the roof of the net.

Ten minutes after the break, Karavaev and Yarmolenko combined to create a chance that Sydorchuk crashed against the outside of the post.

Two minutes later, a delicate Forsberg curler plinked against the base of the post at the other end. A few minutes after that Forsberg hit the bar.

The game went to extra-time and in the crucial juncture of play Danielson dived into a challenge with Besedin and got the ball, but it was a really high challenge and he caught Besedin really high on the leg with his studs up. The referee initially showed a yellow card, but VAR was taking a look and the referee changed the decision – a straight red card for Danielsson.

Ukraine had the numerical advantage, but neither of the teams were pushing hard because of the fatigue and with one man down, Sweden sat deep.

In the stoppage time, a superb cross into the box from the left-wing was delivered by Zinchenko and Dovbyk got ahead of his marker and powered a header into the back of the net.

Ukraine would face England at Rome.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 30/06/2021 Ukraine strike late, stun Sweden

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Faisal Caesar 

Finally, England beat Germany in a major event

Since that dramatic turnaround in World Cup 1970, the Germans always had the edge over their fiercest enemy England in the showpiece events. Even if the matches came close, the Germans always smiled – agony had been the best friend for England whenever they faced Germany; but every domination and agony has an end and at Wembley today, finally, England beat Germany in a major event.

The build-up to the high-voltage match was tensed and exciting at the same time. After the back to back thrilling encounters yesterday, yet another, the dramatic encounter was expected. But the match failed to live up to the expectation. It was a dull affair, given the kind of players both the side possessed –at one point it was all about exploiting the moments – England exploited well, the Germans failed.

Gareth Southgate did not start with Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish and stuck to the plan that has helped him till now. Their overall, build-up was slow and it affected them in the final third whereas Germany lacked the spark and intent – which always had been their trademark while playing against England. It seemed that the Germans were trying to content and utilize during the transitions – even that was quite average.

Within eight minutes, Jordan Pickford rushed out of his penalty area under pressure from Thomas Muller but Raheem Sterling could not control it. Germany broke up-field with Goretzka on the ball and Declan Rice fouled him on the edge of the England penalty area.  

The Germans earned a free-kick in a very suitable area, but the attempt lacked intent.

From a central position, Sterling tried to curl one inside the right upright from distance. Manuel Neuer flung himself to his left to put the ball out for a corner.

Harry Maguire connected with the delivery from the corner flag but headed the ball straight into Neuer’s gloves.

A great ball into the channel by Kalvin Phillips was collected by Trippier, who sent down a cross into the German penalty area. Harry Maguire won a free header but sent the ball high and wide.

Pickford was in action again as he blocked at the feet of Timo Werner at the edge of his six-yard box as the German striker ran on to a through ball from Kai Havertz and tried to find the far corner.

In the stoppage time, a dreadful pass by Muller was intercepted by Sterling, who advanced through the centre. He charged forwards and was tackled on the edge of the German penalty area. The ball squirted towards Kane, who looked like he can’t miss but Mats Hummels stretched out a leg and relieved him of possession as he tries to take the ball around Neuer.

Surely, that was the best moment of the first half, otherwise, the flow of the match was triggering enough yawning among the people present at Wembley and those who were watching from home.

After the break, Havertz swung his boot at a bouncing ball that was cleared his way - a terrific rising drive which Pickford did well to palm over the bar.

Even after an hour, the deadlock was not broken and Southgate made the most important and impactful substitution – Grealish was on and he would prove his worth in no time.

In the seventy-sixth minute, Sterling started and finished a brilliant move, in which Kane and then Grealish played the ball out wide to Luke Shaw. His low cross was inch-perfect and Sterling slotted home from six yards.

The deadlock was finally, broken and Wembley went wild.

With just ten minutes remaining, straight through on goal with two defenders chasing him, Muller shot wide from the edge of the penalty area and missed but hats off to Pickford for charging off his line and giving the German as little as possible to aim at.

With just four minutes remaining, Shaw advanced from midfield, charging forward and played the ball wide to Grealish on the left. His low cross was headed home by Kane from an almost kneeling position on the edge of the six-yard box – and that was it – there would no famous German bounce back.

England advance to the quarterfinals and for Germany, it was the end of an era. 

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 29/06/2021 Finally, England beat Germany in a major event

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Faisal Caesar 

Football can be so cruel

“If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead”

Erma Bombeck

 “Football can be very beautiful and it can be very cruel, we have had to experience that today,” a shocked Ajax coach, Erik ten Hag, said after the wild night at Amsterdam where Tottenham Hotspur scripted a dramatic comeback in the Champions League semifinal, 2018-19. Until Lucas Moura burst into the scene, the match was all about Ajax, but Moura snatched the match from the jaws of defeat.

Indeed, the beautiful game can haunt you for a brief period when a bunch of determined folks show up and decides to hit back, no matter what the situation is, no matter, how impossible it is – the cruelty of the game could be experienced at that time – it becomes a legend for the winner, for the loser, it becomes a long and lonely night of despair.

No one was expecting this to happen. No one was could understand what was happening in Bucharest. No one could feel their senses for a brief period. No one expected a French exit from the Round of 16. Everyone expected them to lift the trophy. The French were the hot favourites and they possess such a brilliant team – still, they were out in yet another dramatic night of European Football. Football can be so cruel.

Your talents determine what you intend to do whereas motivation determines you, but it is the attitude that determines how well you do it. Pressure is something when you don’t know what to do, but you don’t feel it all when you soak it up and go for the kill till the last breath – Switzerland never gave up!

 After the breathtaking display at Copenhagen, the contest at Bucharest was supposed to be in favour of the French. The world was still trying to catch its breath after the thriller at Copenhagen and regaining all its consciousness to enjoy the French display, but the start was stunning and surprising as well.

Didier Deschamps decided to surface a team with a here-men defence – something with which the French team is not familiar with because either 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 have always been their formation of choice and in the middle of the tournament, experimenting with 3 defenders at the back was nothing but an ill-advised one. And, the inclusion of Clement Lenglet at the backline made France suffer. Someone like Kurt Zouma would have been much better. 

The French looked less comfortable with the formation and even though they started to gel with the progression of the match, sadly, it cost them.  

The three-men backline struggled to adapt to the unfamiliar formation and found themselves behind when Zuber found space down the left and dug out a wonderful cross. Seferovic rose the highest in the centre, miles over Lenglet, and planted an unstoppable downwards header into the bottom left – Hugo Lloris had no chance.

What was going on in Bucharest?

On the touchline, Didier Deschamps had the good grace to look concerned. He was hoping to become the first man to win both the Euros and the World Cup as both player and manager and now, his team was a little rattled all of a sudden!

But, this French side is so brilliant and unique that they are able to put the foot on the paddle immediately under any kind of pressure. They gathered themselves and launch a couple of attacks. First, Paul Pogba nearly quarterbacked Kylian Mbappe clear, but Elvedi stayed strong and then Rabiot bustled down the left and chips across the face of goal for Benzema. Sommer got a fingertip to the cross, diverting it away from danger.

The French formed triangles down the left - Robiot flicked into the stomach of Freuler. The referee ludicrously awards a free-kick for handball. Mbappe drove the free-kick straight into the wall. The ball came back to him. He sent a first-time diagonal screamer well wide of the right-hand post.

The French bossed the centre of the park and final third, but the clinical finishing was missing – Switzerland looked confident enough in weathering the storm.

After the break, Switzerland got a great opportunity to stretch the lead.

The referee stopped the play and went over to the VAR screen. Benjamin Pavard clearly upended Zuber, and so the referee, who had shown no interest whatsoever at first hand, reversed his decision and pointed to the spot – penalty to Switzerland.

Ricardo Rodriguez took the penalty, with no conviction whatsoever. He aimed for the bottom left. Lloris read his intention, and parried the weak spot-kick, before flopping on the ball, then springing up to celebrate wildly – a lifeline for France and they played in a fashion that almost buried the Swiss hopes.

France snaffled a loose ball in midfield. Antoine Griezmann worked it infield from the right. Mbappe slipped a ball down the inside right channel for Benzema, who controlled it with his heel, dragging it in front of him, over Sommer, and into the net – the French were back and more to come.

Two minutes later, Griezmann and Mbappe played a one-two down the left, having been sent into a pocket of space after some good work by Pogba and Coman. Griezmann dinked a cross to the far post. Benzema rose to head home from a yard out!

Spare a thought for Rodriguez, who missed that penalty for a 2-0 lead just two minutes and 19 seconds ago.

With fifteen minutes remaining Benzema, on the edge of the Swiss D-box, aimed a curler towards the top right that was blocked. The ball came back to Pogba who tried for the same corner and whacked it into the postage stamp, gracefully and at pace. He took a pose. He deserved to vogue. That was absolutely brilliant.

Wait, just wait – the match was not over yet!            

Similarly to the Copenhagen drama – with just ten minutes remaining, there was a space for Mbabu down the right. He crossed and Seferovic got ahead of Kimpembe and Varane, and flashed another unstoppable header past Lloris, this time into the top left!

Like Luka Modric, Switzerland have a leader in the shape of Granit Xhaka, who was not giving up that easily. He was the nucleus in that quarterback area and dictated the game. Again, he overcame the pressure built up by Pogba and N’Golo Kante.

 Xhaka had gone toe-to-toe with Pogba all night in the quarterback role. Both Manchester United and Arsenal fans must have been wondering where these types of elite performances have been at club level over the past few years.

With the stoppage time around the corner, Pogba was dispossessed in the centre circle. Xhaka passed down the middle for Gavranovic, who turned Kimpembe on the edge of the box before firing into the bottom left - Lloris had no chance.

The heartbeat increased more when, in the 94th minute, Xhaka hoicked forward for Mehmedi, who very nearly brought the pass under control – but not quite and France advanced straight up the other end, Sissoko drove down the right and found Coman, level with the left-hand post, 12 yards out.

 Coman chest that down and creamed a rising shot off the junction of bar and right-hand post.

The Swiss and their supporters surely had the heart on their mouth.

During the extra-time – nothing dramatic happened like Copenhagen and the game was decided by penalties.

It was up to Mbappe to put France on level terms in the penultimate penalty kick, but Sommer read one of the best players in the world so well that he moved the right way and denied the World Champion. Obviously, you would send your best player for taking the decisive penalty and Deschamps was absolutely right, but it was not France’s night, rather the celebration of the Swiss, who came back into the game twice despite taking the lead and missing the most decisive penalty in the crucial juncture of play – lightened up Bucharest.

“The thing about football - the important thing about football - is that it is not just about football.”

Terry Pratchett, Unseen Academicals

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer on 29/06/2021 Football can be so cruel  

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Faisal Caesar 

“What match it was! It was frenetic and justice would have been done if both the teams qualified but that could not happen. Spain advance to the quarterfinals, but Croatia deserve the accolades for providing a match that had every element of a thrilling story that would inspire every football fans for eternity”

Some matches become a wonderful story that travels across generation and leave every generation excited no matter how older the match is – in football such matches don’t come every day, but when they show up, they just leave an impact among everyone and when such matches take place on a showpiece event like Euro – for a day or two, you can’t concentrate on your daily activities easily. Time and again, that match hits your mind and takes you to the land of footballing fantasy.

In the Euro 2020, Copenhagen has become the venue of fascinating happening – from the collapse of Christian Eriksen to that Finland victory to that Danish rejuvenation against Russia to the extraordinary encounter between Croatia and Spain in the Round of 16 – this venue has seen it all and for me, this venue has become the home this year’s Euro – the home of extraordinary and thrilling moments and matches.

Croatia and Spain were not impressive at the early stages of group matches, but they picked their tempo late and advanced o the next round, still, Luis Enrique’s Spain were regarded as the out and out favourites against the runner-up of World Cup 2018 that have lost their edge in the last three years.

In what was their sixth Euros, Croatia have made it through to the knockout stages for the fourth time. However, they've failed to progress beyond the first knockout game on each of the previous three occasions (quarterfinals in 1996 and 2008 and last 16 in 2016).

The Croatian fans were making themselves heard, whistling heartily whenever Spain have the ball despite watching that the Spanish side was dominating the proceeding from the word go.  They knew that their team is not at their best and without Perisic the chances became less, still, the passion must not die – the backing for the heroes must carry on because they are well aware of their men, who would not bog down easily without a fight.

And, from nowhere, the fans of Croatian discovered that their men were leading 1-0.

 Spain worked the ball around the midfield before Pedri whipped a long back pass towards Unai Simon. The keeper tried to control it, but shinned it in the comedy fashion instead – and it pinged into the corner of the net.

It was an absolute howler – Spain, against the run of play, were trailing!

But Spain did not go on the back foot, rather, continued to press Croatia, who lacked the composure at the centre of the park and backline.

 Spain really turned up the pressure - flooding white shirts forward – and it paid off as Gaya’s shot was parried by Livakovic, but only as far as Pablo Sarabia, who lashed the ball into the top corner – the goal was around the corner and Simon would have been a relieved man

Spain targeted the right side of the channel of the Croatian defence after the break and their build-up was fast and attacking.

Pedri slipped a pass to Ferran Torres, whose superb cross was nodded in by Cesar Azpilicueta – his first ever goal for Spain and what a moment to come.

Spain decided to move the ball around and utilize the pockets of spaces left by Croatia during the transitions. The backline remained shaky and Spain always posed threat.

With thirteen minutes remaining, Gaya went down with an injury, and while a few players took the chance to rehydrate, he got back up and booted a long pass towards Torres. The winger only had Gvuardiol to beat, cut beyond him, and stroked the ball under the keeper!

It was a weird goal and it seemed, the match was all over.

But with ten minutes remaining, the whole match was turned upside down by Croatia, who, all of a sudden rediscovered their vim and as if all the stars had aligned for their dramatic comeback.

Luka Modric – the wily old warhorse, pulling the strings from the midfield throughout this tournament, always tried to keep up the tempo that was almost absent till the clock touched 80 minutes.  He mobilized, pressed and ran all around the park and his hard work was paying off.

The Real Madrid superstar weaved down the byline and cut back, where several black shirts were gathered to turn it in. Budmir’s shot was cleared off the line – but Orsic forces the ball in – game on!

In the stoppage time, the script of a thrilling story was all set to meet a dramatic end.

Orsic added to his goal with a spectacular assist, crossed one for Mario Pasalic, who headed emphatically into the far corner – Croatia were level and the game went to extra-time.

Modric summed up the change in momentum nicely by absolutely clattering Pedri in midfield.

An absolutely brilliant, bruising forward play from Orsic, whose cross landed at the feet of Kramaric – but Simon saved with his legs – how could that not enter and give Croatia the lead? Those legs of Simon became a wall in those milliseconds, when, even the best finds it tough to react. – Outstanding reflexes under pressure.

Spain answered - From Dani Olmo’s searching cross, under pressure, Alvaro Morata pulled away from his marker, chested down and unleashes a left-footed rocket into the roof of the net.

In the twinkle of an eye – all those harsh criticisms had been laid to rest because Morata was the savior of Spain and the whole nation rallied behind him and the rest.

After Kramaric tested Simon with a shot, Spain broke at pace. Morata played Dani Olmo in down the right, and he produced another perfect cross to pick out the unmarked Olazarbal, who drilled into the bottom corner and Spain led by two goals again!

Ante Budimir burst into space, toying with that creaky Spanish backline – but with the goal at his mercy, he fired inches wide – the tired legs of Croatia would have been reenergized had that went in, but there would be no drama in the remaining minutes. 

What a match it was! It was frenetic and justice would have been done if both the teams qualified but that could not happen. Spain advance to the quarterfinals, but Croatia deserve the accolades for providing a match that had every element of a thrilling story that would inspire every football fans for eternity. 

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer on 26/06/2021 It was not just a football match, but thrilling story for every generation

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Faisal Caesar 

Ecuador halt Brazil and progress the the next round

Brazil were looking for their fourth win and end the group stages with a hundred per cent record but Ecuador halted them at Brasilia. Brazil qualified for the quarterfinals long ago, but this draw was much needed for Ecuador regarding the progression for the next round.

Brazil's dominance in this fixture stretches back generations; Ecuador recorded their only wins in a three-game spell between 2001 and 2004, both by skinny 1-0 margins.

It is a testament to the heft that Brazil back in their squad that they can name only two players sporting nominal starting numbers in their first-choice XI today - captain Marquinhos and goalkeeper Alisson - and still looked utterly fearsome. Neymar, Thiago Silva, Fred, Danilo and more all had to amke do with the bench.

As for Ecuador, a smattering of domestic-based talent is bolstered by the presence of European talent - Enner Valencia and Moises Caicedo among them - while young guns such as Diego Palacios got the chance to impress as well.

Brazil, in their traditional canary yellow and azure strip, wasted absolutely no time from kick-off in getting themselves into the gear and hinted, the contest would be no second-string slugfest.

Ecuador were showing plenty of beans early on. A misplaced pass in midfield allowed them to come forward; Mendez had a half-chance saved and a follow-up was blazed comfortably wide from distance.

Everton was given the set-piece duty for the hosts and following a clattering challenge on Emerson by Diego Palacios, he scripted a delivery into the Ecuador box. It came up empty-handed as an opportunity but presented a foothold for Brazil.

Douglas Luiz and Moises Caicedo went airborne together challenging for a high ball - and while the latter looked to have lead into the former's back, Caicedo needed medical attention.

Caicedo was back on merely a minute later - after Enner Valencia attempted to catch Alisson off his line and lash a 40-yard screamer into an empty net.

Later, Moises Caicedo was off for Ecuador with Angel Mena in his place.

Gabigol, stretched out for a delightful chip, looked to possibly overextend as he collided with goalkeeper Hernan Galindez. The latter got the save done and the former was fortunately fine.

After twenty minutes of the game, Brazil were enjoying a superb 92 per cent success rate when it comes to passes. Ecuador were sporting a considerably worse figure; almost half, with 48 per cent, a shockingly concerning number.

Lucas Paqueta looked a finish just wide of the left post from the edge of the box. A deflection carried it out for a subsequent corner that comes to nothing – it was a close call.

After fifteen minutes or more, Eder Militao shrugged off his markers in the box, read Everton's delivery to a tee and landed a looping header from 10 yards or so out, one whose arc was misjudged by Galindez and settled in the top-right corner.

The first half ended with Brazil in a dominating position as usual.

After the break, Ecuador needed a goal and survive the scare of getting knocked out from the group stages.

Eight minutes after the start, substitute, Mena made the most of a poor clearing effort from Brazil, and a succession of short headers somehow tipped him into free space on the right of the six-yard area, where he rifled a low finish past Alisson with precision.

Ecuador were back on level terms.

After the goal, Ecuador broke fast and Militao had to head a delivery away to safety before a potential finish could be crafted.

Tite substituted Roberto Firmino who had a lesser amount of passes than Gabigol in the outfield and injected fresh legs in the shape of Vinicius Junior.

 Lucas Paqueta was a bright presence in a team that missed Neymar's creativity going forward but most of the replacements failed to impress.

It was not until Casemiro replaced Douglas Luiz after just an hour that Brazil regained their poise.

Brazil failed to cut a satisfactory figure in the second half and with just ten minutes remaining, Mena could have given Ecuador a shocking lead if the meaty gloves of Alisson were not there.

Ecuador regained their poise and hauled the passing rate up to 80 per cent after the break, and have hovered around that mark or above. It was a vastly more disciplined performance in terms of distribution.

The game ended 1-1 With Peru defeating Venezuela 1-0 in the other Group B game, Peru joined Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador in the quarter-finals as Venezuela exited.

The Venezuelans were hard hit in the early stages of the tournament when at least eight players tested positive for COVID-19 and had to self-isolate.

The quarter-final matchups will be decided on Monday after the final round of Group A fixtures.

Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have already guaranteed their place in the last eight.

Bolivia are already out, having lost all three of their games so far.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 28/06/2021 Ecuador halt Brazil and progress next round

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Faisal Caesar 

Belgium knock Portugal out

 

Belgium are the favourites to win this year’s Euro, but tonight at Seville in the Round of 16 clash against Portugal they were below-par and clearly, Portugal were unlucky. Portugal dominated the game and had been denied several times – so close, yet so far. Portugal, the defending champions, are out of the tournament and perhaps, this might be the last time we witnessed the great Cristiano Ronaldo in this event.

The start of the defending champions was inspiring as Renato Sanches played in Diogo Jota for the first chance of the match. It was not an easy chance for Jota, but he'd have liked to have done better there. His effort was rolled well wide in the end.

Renato Sanches bossed the midfield and ran forward beating the Belgian wall and attempted a courageous shot, which was not fruitful.

 Portugal won a free-kick and Cristiano Ronaldo was, of course, the one to take it – he produced a low one with enough swerve on the ball and Courtois managed to parry, before Belgium eventually clear their lines.

Diogo Jalot got forward and brought the ball down excellently on his chest, setting up a shot at goal. But, it was no problem for Courtois as the effort bounced well wide.

The momentum was with Portugal and against the run of play; Thorgan Hazard produced a breathtaking moment.

He hit a shot from a distance that swerved on its way towards Rui Patricio, confusing the goalkeeper a little and rippling the back of the net.

Out of nowhere, Belgium took the lead, but after the break, Portugal came back stronger.

In between, Kevin de Bruyne had to walk off limping and that left a big hole in the creative section of the Red Devils.

Their only plan was to hold off Portugal and cash in on the counter.

Diogo Jota hit a decent chance well over, while Fernando Santos has also sent on Joao Felix. These are Joao Felix's first minutes of the tournament and he quickly has a header that Courtois has to save.  

There was a second dangerous free-kick for Cristiano Ronaldo of this match, after forcing a save from Courtois in the first half. This time, though, the No.7 struck it into a Belgian defender.  

There are some harsh challenges as we enter the final quarter of an hour. One of them came from Pepe, to nobody's surprise. He knocked Thorgan Hazard down and the Belgian players charged in his direction. It was just a yellow for Pepe.

Portugal pushed hard as time was running out and they get off a shot on target.

But, Courtois is perfectly positioned to push away Ruben Dias' header.  

Then, Raphael Guerreiro hit a volley and it looked like it was sneaking in, only for his strike to rebound off the post.

In the dying moments, Courtois was alert and brave, getting down low to get to a dropping ball before Andre Silva. The Belgian goalkeeper was hurt, but was able to continue as Belgium look to take this lead to the finish the line.

Belgium had a three-on-two counterattack as they look to kill off the game, but Yannick Carrasco wasn't able to feed the ball to Youri Tielemans.  

And that was it – Portugal failed to get past Courtois on a night where they were the better side and deserved to win, but kudos to the Belgian goalkeeper, who kept the hopes of Belgium alive. 

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 27/08/2021 Belgium knock Portugal out

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Faisal Caesar 

Czech Republic stun Holland and advance to quarterfinals

Budapest was a sea of orange – the Dutch fans travelled to Hungary with a festive mood thinking that Holland would progress and fulfil the expectations, but they, perhaps, undermined the patience and fighting qualities of the Czech Republic, who stunned Holland and their passionate fans in a high voltage contest.

The attacking intent of the Dutch was evident as soon as the match commenced.

They tore down the left flank and Malen had produced a delicate cross towards the back post. Denzel Dumfries was arriving unmarked but it was fractionally too long for him.

The Dutch were setting the tempo by pressing very high when the Czechs have the ball and popping it about quickly when they get it.

A tricky faint by Memphis Depay took him past one defender. Then he tried to scamper past another and towards the box, but the Czechs converge on him quickly to crowd him out.

The Dutch took a corner short, pulling it to Blind, who arrowed a lovely cross towards the back post. Matthijs De Light outjumped the defender but directed his header across the goal rather than into it.

Blind fired a long pass in which he had been specializing throughout this tournament. Vaclik hurtled out of his box to try to intercept but Dumfries beat him and headed - then chased after it.

A defender kept pace with him and slid in to block his attempted shot into an empty goal - Holland had set the stage on fire as the Czechs are having to withstand fierce pressure, with the Dutch attacking rapidly down both flanks. So far the defence has held firm.

Frankie De Jong supplied Depay, who, dropped deep, essayed a low pass-through for Van Aanholt to chase down the left. Van Aanholt got to it and lashes it across the face of goal, where Kanadarek hoofs it to safety.

The pressure on the Czech defence was rising.

The Czechs had invested faith in Kaderabek ahead of Maeju that had given them the edge at the defence, especially during aerial battle and when they defended – five men stayed narrow and solidly to neutralize the Dutch threat in the final third and did not allow the favourites to exploit the spaces behind them.

Neither the Czechs had the pace and fluency of the Dutch nor did they have the attackers at the ranks of Depay or Dumfries, but throughout the tournament, they had been a  threatening side during the counterattack and their composure always aided them to settle and advance forward with enough intent.

With Holes frequently dropping back into defence, the Czechs were practically playing a 5-4-1 and they’ve stemmed the flow of Dutch attacks for the moment.

Wijnaldum made a sudden dash from deep to create space for Malen to drift into, whereupon the forward was picked out by Dumfries. But when Malen unloaded a shot from 12 yards, there were still several bodies in the way, and one diverted it behind for a corner.

The Czechs were gradually getting into the groove - A zippy move down the right by the Czech Republic concludes with a cross by Coufal being put out for a corner. The set-piece was cleared, but it was evident that the right-wing is the Czechs move productive avenue of attacks thanks, in particular, to Masopust and Coufal.

A nice move by the Czechs Republic led through the middle by Soucek. Masopust then slipped it through to Barak at the right-hand side of the box. His shot from 12 yards is deflected over by De Ligt.

After an intriguing and energetic first half of attacking football a flick by Depay, Malen discovered himself with a free run on goal, with only the keeper to beat! He tried to skip around Vaclik but the keeper kept his eye on the ball and grabbed it! And then the Czechs hurtle down the other end and De Ligt perpetrates a deliberate handball to stop Schick beating him at the edge of the area!

The referee has booked De Ligt but the Czechs say the player should be sent off. And VAR advises the ref to have a look on the pitchside screen.

After reviewing the incident on the pitchside screen, the Russian referee decides that De Ligt deliberately used his hand to deny Schick a goal-scoring opportunity. The punishment is upgraded from a yellow to a red card.

It was a telling blow to the Dutch dreams and the Czechs had the numerical advantage.

The Czechs were enjoying more time on the ball now around midfield, with the depleted Dutch recoiling and trying to lure them forward so they can invest on the counter.

Kaderabek got forward to receive a pass on the left-hand side of the Dutch box and tried to send a side-footer into the far corner but Dumfries blocked it.

Stekelenburg nearly fumbled a cross into his own goal but he was lucky that it dropped the other side of the post, so all the Czechs got is a corner.

After an hour, a freekick from the right was headed back from beyond the far post, and Holes headed it into the net from four yards.

There were three defenders on the line trying to block that header but Holes gave it a proper loaf and no one could stop it. The Czechs have exploited the numerical advantage.

The Dutch were reeling and the time was running out.

With ten minutes remaining, Holes bounded onto the ball in midfield, outmuscling Gini Wijnaldum and then careering into the box and pulling it back for Patrik Schick, who arrived on the run to slot it first time into the net.

The Czechs have taken a two-goal lead and the Dutch hopes were shattered in just thirteen minutes.

Holland lost against the resilience and clinical finishing of the Czechs. Surely, they had the numerical advantage, but the Dutch cannot make excuses for not having any shots on goal in such an important encounter.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 27/08/2021 Czech Republic stun Holland and advance to quarterfinals

Austria pose threat, but still, Italy advance

 

Austria are tough and those who faced them, are well aware of this. They build up on defensive solidity and their holding midfielders would choke the life out of you – Great teams of the past like Brazil, Germany, Holland, England or the former USSR had experienced such and when Italy met Austria at Rome in their opening group match of the World Cup 1990 – Austria almost came close to halt the dream team.

Italy made one of the most impactful substitutions that would become a story for all to read enjoy – Totto Schilacci was brought on in place of the unimpressive Carnevalli and then Gianluca Vialli produced an inch-perfect cross at the centre of the Austrian penalty area where Schillaci headed the ball home. Schillaci would become the God of Italia 90 until that heartbreak at Napoli.

The scenario was similar at Wembley where the Azzurri  were pushed to the limits by Austria yet again in the Round of 16 encounters of the Euro 2020. Federico Chiesa walked out onto the Wembley pitch with six minutes of normal time remaining and this tight, fretful encounter still goalless – like Totto, he broke the deadlock and this time, it was during the extra-time.  

And, yet, again, the Azzurri found the way and survived the Austrian scare.

The trans-Alpine derby carries a bit of a rough history - Italy’s national anthem was at one time banned in Italy for being too anti-Austrian, the legacy of Habsburg imperial power in the region.

 Austria knew that they are not the favourites, but still, regrouped and decided to fight till the end.

Xaver Schlager was a busy, bruising presence in central midfield and Italy took a moment to settle.

Mancini had retained Marco Verratti in midfield but Italy’s system carried no real mystery with the 4-3-3 formation including a marauding full-back presence on the left and well-drilled pressing.  

Austria were calm in possession early on and quick to cover on the flanks. Leonardo Spinazzola made one early dash down the flank, and another on 10 minutes that ended with a shot into the side netting.  

Italy’s first shot at goal came from that side, Spinazzola cantering off once again and threading a pass back for Nicolo Barella, whose low shot was blocked by a scrambling Bachmann.

With 31 minutes gone Ciro Immobile turned and pinged a wonderful dipping shot onto the top of the post. By the break, Italy had mustered 11 attempts at goal to Austria’s one. The Italian domination was evident, but the finishing was hugely missing.

Austria started the second half brightly, keeping the ball, then forcing a free-kick as Giovanni Di Lorenzo was booked for a foul right on the edge of the Italy box. David Alaba spun the ball over the wall but couldn’t make it drop.

Austria had already nailed down the threat of Italy’s left flank and gradually began to assert, and on 64 minutes seemed to have taken the lead, thanks to a fine headed finish from Arnautovic.

It was ruled out by VAR for offside. Italy had looked utterly crushed walking back for the kick-off.

As the 90 minutes ticked away it was all Austria for a while Marcel Sabitzer spinning and twirling and providing the link for a series of fluent attacks.

The final whistle should have brought a sigh of relief among the Italian players because Austria were posing a threat and could have instilled heartbreak.

Mancini was tensed but composed and plotted his plans - rallied his men.

Italy found a saviour in the form of Chiesa.

Chiesa’s first real intent was to burst through on the right and fire in a low shot but moments later, with the clock ticking over to 94 minutes, he did something startling, creeping in behind on that same flank, controlling a high ball with his head and shoulder, skipping inside Martin Hinteregger, then absolutely spanking his shot back across the goal and into the corner.

It was a great, great goal to calm down the nerves.

Ten minutes later Matteo Pessina added a second, picking up a loose ball after a corner and turning to clip a wonderfully executed shot across Daniel Bachmann and into the other corner.

But there was still time for a late alarm as Sasa Kalajdzic pulled a goal back for Austria - the first Italy have conceded since October 2020.

Italy made it through to the quarterfinals and set a new national record after extending their unbeaten run to 31.

Roberto Mancini's side equalled the record that has stood since 1939 with a 1-0 win over Wales in their final group game last weekend, but surpassed it last night.

Mancini's side have broken a record that has stood for 82 years.

Vittorio Pozzo was the coach as Italy went four years without defeat between October 1935 and July 1939.

In that time they won their second consecutive World Cup and won the gold medal in the Olympics in 1936.

Italy have lost just two matches since Mancini took charge in May 2018, and the last team to get the better of them was Portugal in a Nations League match in September of that year.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 27/06/2021 Austria pose threat, but still, Italy advance

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Denmark thrash Wales

The defeat against Finland was understandable. After the tragic incident of Christian Eriksen, it was never possible for Denmark to focus, still, they came out to play and showed that despite the tragedy they are strong and passionate enough to carry on the show. Belgium defeated them, still, there was hope as a victory against Russia would help them to progress and they did earn full points – right now, they dashed the dreams of Wales and advanced to the next round.  

The match at the Johan Cruyff Arena started off with a nice touch from Wales, Gareth Bale presented Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer with a framed Wales shirt that had “Eriksen 10” printed on the back – that is why we all love football. The spirit is always positive and stands ahead of the competitive nature.

Denmark started positively – Thomas Delaney has an attempted cross into the Wales penalty area blocked. Wales launch their first attack of note but Dan James is unable to prevent a pass from Bale from going out of play for a Danish throw-in.

Kasper Dolberg turned and shot from distance after riding a challenge from Joe Rodon a few yards outside the Wales penalty area – it was high and wide.

Bale beat Maehle and Vestergaard down the right touchline and sends a cross deep into the Denmark penalty area. It was cleared.

Bale sent a shot drifting wide of the far upright after Dan James had made room for him to shoot with a smart decoy run. It was a left-footed effort from Bale after cutting inside from the right but he didn’t get enough curl on it.

Bale cantered down the right and stabbed the ball across the edge of the Denmark penalty area with the outside of his left foot. Aaron Ramsey’s shot took a deflection into the arms of Kasper Schmeichel.

It seemed that the momentum was with Wales but it did not take long for Denmark to change the complexion of the game.

The match was two minutes short of thirty minutes when Kasper Dolberg struck gold.

It was a terrific goal. After excellent work down the left between Damsgaard and Maehle, the ball came Dolberg’s way in the centre. From about 25 yards out, he curled a low shot around two Welsh defenders and into the bottom right-hand corner. Danny Ward had no chance of getting anywhere near that.

There was a VAR check for offside in the build-up to that goal but it stands. German official Bastien Dankert could find no reason to rule it out.

That strike by Dolberg, surprisingly, jolted Wales.

They were all over the place at the moment and have been since going behind. Ward flaps at a Delaney cross under pressure from Vestergaard and are lucky to win a free kick.

After the break, Dolberg was on the score sheet again!

A Dolberg foul on Kieffer Moore went unpunished in the build-up and Martin Braithwaite cantered up the right-wing. He squared the ball into the penalty area and Neco Williams hit a woeful clearance straight to the feet of Kasper Dolberg, who slotted home.

The Welsh players complain about the earlier foul on Moore but the goal stood – Wales lost their way.

Denmark dominated since the second strike and in the 90th-minute Maehle smashed the ball into the roof of the net from about eight yards after cutting inside from the right.

With the ball at his feet, he cut inside from the right and shaped to shoot, sitting Joe Rodon on his backside. He cut inside again to create an angle and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

In the stoppage time, Martin Braithwaite had a goal ruled out for offside but there’s a VAR check. He fired into the bottom left-hand corner and wheeled away in celebration but the flag went up immediately.

A lengthy check reveals that Chris Mepham was playing Braithwaite onside as he received a cushioned pass before spanking a low diagonal effort into the bottom corner.

The goal stayed.

Denmark smashed Wales and stormed into the quarterfinals.

The Danish players celebrated in front of their ecstatic fans.

After the storm comes the sunshine.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 26/06/2021 Denmark thrash Wales

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Euro 1988: The unbelievable goal by Marco van Basten

 

Before the Italian Magic in 1990, there was a huge football festival in former West Germany where the finest from Europe came to prove their worth. The favourites were the former Soviet Union, West Germany and Italy. The Dutch came to Germany after fourteen and it was their first-ever involvement in a major event since the Euro 1980 in Italy. The Dutch football was never the same since the World Cup 1978. They missed the opportunities to feature in two consecutive World Cups and one Euro.

The whole team was going through a transition period when Rinus Michels was appointed again for redemption.

In the early 80s, a bunch of talented youngsters came into Dutch football and gradually they grew into quality players, who could bring back the golden days of Holland.

Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Aaron Winter, Kyft, Hans van Breukelen and Marco van Basten had arrived and amomg them Gullit and Basten hogged the limelight more than anyone in West Germany.

During Euro 1988 – Marco van Basten was at the height of his powers.

He had emerged at the peak of world football in 1988 when, recovering from a season-long injury, he lit up the European Championship. Alongside his Milan teammates Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, Van Basten scored five goals for the Netherlands, including a memorable hat-trick against England and decisive strikes in the semi-final and the final, as the Dutch became European champions.

In the opening match against the Soviet Union – he could not play because of a fitness issue.

The Dutch lost by 1-0.

Ideal start for one of the favourites.

“[Michels] chose Bosman because I was injured the entire season before. Bosman had already played a few games and did well, so there was no reason to change. Never change a winning team and Holland were winning. It was not a big problem for me to sit it out. I was not in good shape. I had no reason to think that I should be among the first XI. I was just watching and learning and waiting for the moment when I got my chance,” Van Basten said in an interview with UEFA.

The next encounter against England was a crucial and must-win situation for both.

England took the lead early and everyone thought, the Dutch might have the talent, but not the temperament to cut a satisfactory figure in the major events.

Well, the rest of the match was all about Marco van Basten who decimated the English defence and Peter Shilton by smashing a hat-trick.

He said, “That was a very nice memory and a very important game for me, Holland and for my career. It was a game where everything changed. I had a difficult year with a lot of injury problems. From that moment everything changed and everything went positive. I scored three goals and we won an exciting match against England. Afterwards, the other matches were easier and everything went well.”

The victory over the Republic of Ireland helped the Dutch progress and in the semifinal, the brilliant Germans were the opponents at Hamburg – memories of 1974 were dished out only to weaken the spirit of the Dutch.

But the Dutch fought hard in a gritty contest and beat Germany – the revenge of 1974 was completed.

“Both of us played hard. Sometimes he won, sometimes I won, but I think we always played with mutual respect: that is the most important thing in football, in the end. The game in Hamburg was a very special match for us because winning against Germany, especially in Germany, is not a thing that happens very often.”

“The press was writing that I was playing against [Kohler]. I was taking care of my team and he was doing his job in his team. I feel more that we as a team, Holland, were playing against Germany. The best thing was that after so many years of remembering the loss in '74, Holland finally won a semi-final.”

The final was against the Soviet Union again, who beat Italy in the semifinal.

The Soviets had a tremendous side led by Renat Dasayev and were the favourites, but the momentum was with the Dutch.

Ruud Gullit gave Holland the lead within 32 minutes and after the break came the most unbelievable moment not only in the history of Euro but in the history of football as well.

The match was 54 minutes old as Arnold Muhren’s speculative and overhit left-wing cross in fell from the sky, the isolated striker decided to have a go from the most difficult of angles and beat Dasayev.

With the Soviet defenders converging on him and faced with a deep, dropping ball, an impossible angle and a great goalkeeper in Dasayev, Van Basten needed all his stars to align – he scripted a sweetly-struck volley that he watched right onto his laces before it whizzed into the far corner at exactly the pace and trajectory needed to make the impossible possible.

It was jaw-dropping stuff – it was mind-blowing.

Holland had taken the lead by 2-0.

Van Basten said, “t was in the second half and I was a little tired. The ball came from Arnold Mühren and I was thinking, OK, I can stop it and do things with all these defensive players or I could do it the more easy way, take a risk and shoot. You know you need a lot of luck with a shot like that. Everything went well. It is one of those things that sometimes just happen. You try to do it, but you need so much luck and at that moment it was given to me, to do it at the right time.”

I can tell a lot of stories, but it was just a fantastic feeling. I have to be happy and thankful that such a moment was given to me and to Holland. That was the moment where we could say: "It is 2-0, we can win this game." But the excitement about the goal, I did not really understand it and what I did. You can also see that in my reaction. I am asking: "What is happening?”

At 2–0, Hans van Breukelen saved a penalty from Igor Belanov, a penalty that he had given away for bringing down Sergey Gotsmano – the Soviets could not come back and Holland lifted a major trophy for the first time in their story.

But that goal by Van Basten is still remembered.

“You cannot shoot from that angle,” said Ronald Koeman, as if it were somehow not too late for his teammate to change his mind and bring the ball down. “It really was too high,” agreed Frank Rijkaard. “He will do that another million times and still not score that goal,” laughed Ruud Gullit.

Whether it is the greatest volley in the history of football in a final or the volley of Zinedine Zidane in 2002 is the greatest – the debate would go on, but it seems, Van Basten might just beat Zidane.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 25/06/2021 Euro 1988: The unbelievable goal by Marco van Basten

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Uruguay register full points

The criterion of Uruguay is that they are slow starters in a major event and gradually pick their tempo. In this year’s Copa America, they started with a defeat and then drew and tonight registered a victory. The display might not be eye-catching but still, the whole unit seems steady.   

Uruguay huffed and puffed through the first half in Cuiaba and needed a stroke of luck to take the lead five minutes before halftime when Jairo Quinteros and Carlos Lampe combined to put through their own goal.

A low cross came into the six-yard box and stranded between Cavani and Luis Suarez, Quinteros was forced to take action but could only knock the ball onto the legs of Carlos Lampe and into the net.

Bolivia lost their first two games and were desperate to get some points on the board but although they were not overawed they were slow in breaking forward and no match for more than their more wily opponents.

At the other end, Uruguay had a host of chances, with Suarez and Cavani both spurning opportunities and the veteran Lampe once again in excellent form in the Bolivia goal.

Uruguay hadn't won since beating Colombia in a World Cup qualifier last November but Cavani guaranteed all three points with his first international goal since that game when he converted a sumptuous cross from Facundo Torres with 11 minutes remaining.

Substitute Maxi Gomez should have made it three in injury time but he side-footed wide in front of an open goal.

The result ended a five-game winless streak for Uruguay and ensures their place as one of the top four teams in Group A alongside the already qualified Argentina.

Bolivia now must beat Argentina in their final game and hope other results go their way to have any chance of progressing from a group that also features Chile and Paraguay.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 25/06/2021 Uruguay register full points

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Brazil beat Colombia in a tight game

 

Since that quarterfinal encounter between Brazil and Colombia, the clash between the two countries has never been the same. It offers more ragged displays rather than rhythmic football and controversies just add more fuel. The Group Match encounter was no different either – Brazil won in a tight finish but the match left a bad taste due to a controversial referee decision.

In just ten minutes, Reinaldo Rueda's boys had already turned the initial script and breached the Brazilian backline that had not digested any goals till now – the invincibility was overshadowed as Cuadrado put a tempered ball in the second stick that Luis Diaz turned into the best goal so far in Copa America. His foreshortening, in the form of a beautiful scissor shot, left Brazil reeling.

That goal forced Colombia to dish out a ragged and compact defence which kept Brazil at bay.

Neymar digested 7 big fouls and was disconnected from his teammates, but, still, the Selecao superstar moved on.

Brazil dominated the first half but struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances as the hosts went into the break with a deficit.

The second half was practically one-way traffic as the five-time world champions continued to push forward in search of an equalizer. Brazil came close to equalizing when Neymar hit the post after rounding David Ospina.

The Colombian players seemed to hold off Brazil until a controversial moment created enough buzz.

Several Colombia defenders appeared distracted when Pitana accidentally intervened for the equalizer - the ball hitting him after Neymar had attempted a drilled pass - and Firmino would eventually nod home, leaving Rueda and his players hugely frustrated.

“The two goals for Brazil are different situations,” Rueda told reporters.

“With the first, I think that the situation with the referee caused a distraction in the players.”

“Brazil had to go out to find a way back into the game, they had good possession of the ball and the players who came on had an influence. That is perhaps why [the second half was different].”

“But we were incisive and in the end, it is a pity that the result could not be achieved.”

Juan Cuadrado was more direct in his criticism of the officials, stating on Twitter, accompanied by an image that lists the rules when the ball hits the referee, “It's not that I'm a bad loser but the rules are the rules.”

He added, “Work, effort, discipline is stained by a mistake. Proud of my selection. Trusting in God that tomorrow will be better.”

The referee had seemingly wanted to stop play after the ball deflected off him.

But he changed his mind upon seeing that Brazil were still in possession.

Technically, the team in possession of the ball did not change so the referee was well within his right to allow play on.

However, a potential interception by a Colombian defender before the referee's deflection paints a different picture.

That goal had allowed brazil to come back and until the last minute of the game, they pushed for the winner.

Neymar took a corner and Casemiro netted the winner.

“They came at us once and then stopped,” Casemiro said after the match.

“It was our attack against their defence. Colombia is a strong team but, as the coach requires, we are very strong mentally.”

Brazil have been rejuvenated in the last few years. The five-time world champions have not tasted defeat since suffering a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in a friendly in November 2019.

That defeat completed a five-game winless streak for Brazil but they have not looked back since.

They came into the clash with Colombia on a run of nine consecutive victories. And with seconds to go, it looked like their winning run was about to come to an end.

But Casemiro did not let that happen.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 24/06/2021 Brazil beat Colombia in a tight game

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Group of Death: France, Germany and Portugal progress in a dramatic night

Group F was the Group of Death and the progress to the next round would be a stifling challenge. There is no doubt about the quality of the teams like World Champions France, defending Euro Champions Portugal and the tough nut Germany – while, the fighting spirit of the Hungarians would a challenge for everyone and they proved that. Sadly, Hungary, like Poland exit with their heads high.

At the Allianz Arena, Germany wearing black got the game underway.  At Munich, the tension among the German fans was palpable and the fear turned to reality when Roland Sallai whipped a delicious cross in from the right that Adam Szalai stooped to head powerfully into the corner past Manuel Neuer, who could do nothing to stop it.

Out of nowhere, and quite unexpectedly, Hungary took the lead, who faced Germany in a major event since that heartbreak at Switzerland in 1954.

That goal had the Germans on the back foot and they were alert – a bit sloppy as well.

At Budapest, the match was just 31 minutes old when Moutinho curled the free-kick into the box. Lloris came to try to punch it clear but he missed it and caught Danilo in the face instead - Paul Pogba was protesting against the decision to award a penalty.

The replay showed, Danilo got to the ball first and headed it onto Lloris’ arm, which then clattered the midfielder in the face.  It was a penalty and Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take it and he did not fail.

Portugal were leading by 1-0.

At Munich, the Germans advanced forward and left spaces – the spirited Hungarians loved to advance and exploit those spaces during the transitions.

Their wing-backs are getting up and down so quickly that when Germany won back possession and attack, a wall of Magyars had been set up in front of them in next to no time. And, when Germany lost possession, the Magyars posed threat.

The Germans created opportunities – Mats Hummels clattered the bar with a header!

Toni Kroos was stitching together the moves in midfield. Hummels played a Modric-like outside-of-the-foot dink into the box that was cleared and then Joshua Kimmich whipped a vicious ball to the back post that just evaded Leroy Sane.  

The Germans were picking up the tempo gradually.

Hungary had reversed into a ridiculously deep formation.

Adam Szalai raced into the box and drops a shoulder to make space for a shot past Hummels, but the wily old German saw it coming and blocked his attempted shot. A moment later Fiola attempted a cross in towards Szalai but Rudiger spotted the danger and stooped to clear.

The storm clouds had brought thunder and an absolute monsoon down on Munich.

While it was all wet at Munich, in Budapest, the atmosphere was warm and electrifying with France searching for an equalizer.

The French repose was not fiery enough and was a bit ragged.

At the stroke of halftime, Kylian Mbappé went down in the vicinity of Semedo as he tried to reach a pass from Pogba. A penalty was awarded and it was debatable.

 After the VAR check the penalty decision stayed and Karim Benzema beat Rui Patricio to equalize – his first goal for France since 2015.

France missed five of their last eleven penalties, but not this time.

France have been lethargic and predictable but they go into the break level thanks to a silly penalty.

The match commenced after the break and in no time, Benzema struck again!

Pogba released Benzema with a masterful pass from deep. The Real Madrid striker finished first-time, firing in low off the far post from eight yards. The flag goes up for offside, but a VAR review confirmed that Benzema had timed his run to perfection.

At Munich Germany bossed the possession and deep into the second half,  Fiola hacked Kimmich down. From the free-kick, Gulacsi came flying off his line and missed the Kimmich free-kick. Hummels headed it towards the goal behind him and Kai Havertz nodded it home.

Germany still had not breathed a sigh of relief as Schafer runs onto a hooked through-ball and Schafer got past the onrushing Neuer. Germany were asleep. Hungary weren’t.

Sloppy work from the Germans and as the drama was unfolding at Munich, back in Budapest, Koundée inadvertently blocked a Ronaldo cross from the byline with his arm. He was very close to the ball but his arms were flapping in front of him.

Yet another penalty to Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo scored.

He drew his country level while equalling the all-time international scoring record.

At Munich Joachim Low was making changes – productive substitutions were made to inject more attacking intent. Hungary decided to sit deep and Germany were controlling the ball.

With just six minutes remaining, Goretzka hammered a shot from the edge of the area past Gulacsi to cause uproar – it was like a breath of fresh air and as if a huge stone was removed from the chest of Low. The Hungarians failed to cut through the German defence and the score stayed 2-2 - they are through to the Round of 16 as the third team as in Budapest, heroic efforts from Patricio kept Portugal hopes alive, who shared points with the World Champions.

The Group of Death lived up to the expectations and with that, a cracking group stage contest came to an end.  

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 24/06/2021 Group of Death: France, Germany and Portugal progress in a dramatic night

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Spain smash five, Poland are out

 

At Seville and Saint Petersburg; Spain and Poland started off with the intention to gain momentum and advance to the next round. While Spain enjoyed a goal-fest, Poland left the event with their heads high after contesting a classic against Sweden.

Even with two goals, Robert Lewandowski still couldn't stop Poland from an early exit the European Championship.

The FIFA World Player of the Year made amends for an astounding early triple miss by scoring twice in the second half on Wednesday, but Viktor Claesson put in the winning goal in stoppage to give Sweden a 3-2 victory.

Emil Forsberg scored twice for the Swedes, which finish in first place in Group E and will next face a third-place finisher in Glasgow on Tuesday.

For Poland and Lewandowski, it's another early exit from a major soccer tournament.

The Bayern Munich striker leaves Euro 2020 with three goals, his best haul at a World Cup or European Championship. But even his double against Sweden - in the 61st and 84th minutes - might be overshadowed by an extraordinary sequence of events in the first half when he headed the ball against the crossbar twice in as many seconds.

After the second one, the ball landed at the striker's feet in front of goal but it got caught in between his legs and he still couldn't score.

Meanwhile, at Seville, Spain were so dominant that they could even afford to miss a first-half penalty. After Jakub Hromada fouled Koke and after Bjorn Kuipers went to look at the incident on the VAR monitor, La Roja had an 11th minute spot kick. Yet, Martin Dubravka saved from Alvaro Morata, for Spain's fifth consecutive penalty miss and their second at Euro 2020.

Dubravka, though, went from hero to villain as he then slapped the ball into his own net in the 30th minute for the opener. After Sarabia hit a fierce shot off the crossbar, the Slovakia goalkeeper tried to tip the bouncing and dropping ball over the bar. He didn't. It went straight in his own net.

The floodgates opened.

Aymeric Laporte scored with the header for his first goal since switching from France to Spain.\

Spain found so much space out wide and this produced the third goal, as Jordi Alba was able to pick out Sarabia for a smart finish to make it 3-0 in the 56th minute.

Just 10 minutes later, Spain had another, this time from the right as Sarabia turned provider and played a brilliant low ball that Ferran Torres was able to backheel past the suffering Dubravka.

After the lull came the dazzling display by the La Roja!

Yet another goal followed in the 71st minute, as Spain grabbed a fifth. After the ball was batted around in the air inside the Slovakia penalty area, Pau Torres looked set to score. Yet Juraj Kucka, in his attempt to clear it, turned the header into his own net.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 23/06/2021  Spain smash five, Poland are out

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New Zealand are the best Test team in the World

The first-ever final of the World Test Championship started off in an ominous fashion.  The weather at Southampton was dull and the heavens opened up – the rain poured down persistently and even the toss was not possible. The first day of the Test was abandoned and for the rest of the days, the teams would play an extra half hour each.

On Day 2, only two sessions were able to progress.

 When bad light curtailed the second day to just 64.4 overs after the first day was washed out, India, asked to bat in challenging conditions against a deep attack, were 146 for 3 and, you'd suspect, the happier side.

New Zealand were a bit disappointed but not despondent: it could have been worse after a 62-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as Tim Southee and Trent Boult got off to an uncharacteristically indifferent start.

Towards the end of the day, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane looked sublime in fading light, playing the ball delightfully late and biding their time as New Zealand didn't offer easy scoring opportunities.

Both sides would have liked to have had a bowl after the pitch had been under covers for two days and with the sun unlikely to make an appearance.

The coin fell Kane Williamson's way, but his opening bowlers didn't get his side off to the desired start.

On the third day, Seven wickets for 71 runs with the ball, two wickets for 101 runs when batting. New Zealand wrested back control of the World Test Championship final after the first day that would have left them nervous after they had won the toss and inserted India.

Kyle Jamieson picked up his fifth five-for in just his eighth Test to deny India the impregnable position they would have hoped for after ending the second day at 146 for 3. Devon Conway then unsurprisingly became the first half-centurion of the match before leaving the door ajar for India, falling minutes before bad light ended the day's play prematurely.

Persistent rain allowed no play on day four of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, leaving India and New Zealand a maximum of 196 overs - including the reserve day - to identify an outright winner.

On Day 5, A defensive masterclass from Kane Williamson eliminated a defeat for New Zealand in the World Test Championship final, but India were resolute in the session they got to bat, losing just two wickets and ending the penultimate day 32 runs ahead.

It needed Tim Southee's genius to price out the openers in arguably the best conditions of a Test that has proved to be torrid for the batsmen that a result could have been possible and it was possible on the reserve day.

On Day 5, the reserve day, there was no heartbreak for New Zealand - Two years after they lost out on the ODI World Cup without actually losing the final, glorious late-evening sunshine saw New Zealand through to their first world title, the inaugural World Test Championship. It was well past regulation closing time on the reserve day - the sixth of the match, which featured only three-and-a-half days of actual cricket because of bad weather.

New Zealand began the final day - on which the ICC guaranteed 98 overs weather permitting, never mind the over rates - needing eight wickets before they could get to bat and knock off the runs conceded plus the 32 India were in the clear at the end of day five. They managed to take a wicket every five-and-a-half overs with precise planning and execution of those plans by a relentless attack.

A target of 139 in 53 overs was achieved without breaking enough sweat.

New Zealand, deservingly, the best test team in the world at present.

“Certainly is a very special feeling. A couple of close ones and then to get one [final win is special],” Williamson said before collecting the Test Championship trophy.

“India are a formidable side and we knew coming into the game it was going to be an incredibly tough challenge.”

“It's the pinnacle, isn't it, being involved in the final,” he added in the post-match press conference.

“Even coming into the last day, although it was staggered with the weather and all the delays that we had, all results were on the table. It was just great the heart the team showed to take it across the line.”

“We saw both teams grab the momentum at certain points in time, and then to have the sixth day as back-up made for a fantastic game to be a part of. For us, it's a very proud moment in our history and a proud moment, just as a team really, to stick to what we do well and come away with the win, which is a really great feeling.”

Virat Kohli was not happy to lose the final after enjoying an absolute purple-patch down under and at home against England.

But, still, he sounded positive.

“You can't be too worried about getting out because you are [then] bringing the bowler into the game completely and not moving the game forward. We know that, as a batting unit, if we consistently put up 300 on the board then it is a different kind of pressure on the opposition with the kind of bowlers that we have,” said Virat Kohli.

“The idea from here on will be to try to score runs and not worry about getting out in testing conditions,” Kohli said.

“That's the only way you can score and put the opposition under pressure, otherwise you're just literally standing there hoping that you don't get out and eventually you will because you're not being optimistic enough.”

“I think you have to take more risks and calculated risks and be confident about taking those risks against a quality bowling attack like New Zealand.”

But, it’s time for Kane Williamson and his men to relish the moment.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 23/06/2021 New Zealand are the best Test team in the World

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Faisal Caesar 

Luka Modric shine, Croatia progress in stunning fashion

Croatia’s start to the EURO 2020 campaign was below-par – they were unimpressive against England in the opening match and were narrowly saved by the equalizer of Ivan Perisic against the impressive Czech Republic. They met Scotland – who showed promises against the Czechs and English at their own backyard – Hampden Park – for the do-or-die clash and when it mattered, Luka Modric turned on the style to dash the Scottish dreams for the eleventh time in a major tournament including the Euros and FIFA World Cup.   

Scotland missed an abundance of chances against the Czechs and Englishmen but this time, the class and experience of Croatia outweighed them totally. Croatia progress to the knockout stages in stunning fashion and they can hope to achieve more with a leader like Modric around.

Before the all-important clash, Croatia’s record was really dismal – 4 wins out of the last 15 encounters and with the Scottish unit picking up the momentum, the hopes were low. The Scottish confidence was also boosted by the fact they had never lost against this opposition.

 The Scottish start was inspiring – two corners in the opening 40 seconds hinted of breaking the jinx and when Che Adams narrowly failed to connect with a wonderful, sixth minute John McGinn cross, Scottish hope rose once more. They needed to score and win – and the intensity was evident.

The ecstatic mood of the Scottish fans at Hampden Park was changed when a cross came in from the right in the seventh minute, Perisic leapt high to meet it and nod it back into the path of Vlasic. Despite pressure from Scott McTominay, McGregor and Hanley, the striker controlled it and lashed a low shot into the net from 10 yards.

The complexion of the match changed and Croatia were in the groove. They were going for the kill. McDonnell did well to stop Perisic from cutting the ball back from the byline, and then he whacked it out for a throw-in.

Scotland answered.

 They advanced forward in style before McGinn lifted a pass towards the back post, where both Dykes and Adams lunged at it but can’t turn it into the net. Moments later Scotland are in the Croatian box again, and McGinn sent a header bouncing towards the goal. But the keeper made a simple save.

Scotland had their danders up again but there’s still more bluster than precision when they got into the box.

Five minutes before the half time a snappy move down the right was orchestrated by Armstrong and O’Donnell. Nothing came from the cross but when the ball was turned back in from the other side, Lovren cleared it as far as McGregor, who took a touch and then drilled a rasping low shot into the net from 18 yards – Scotland scored their first goal in the tournament and Hampden Park was over the moon.

Scotland went to the tunnel with the feeling of coming back even stronger, but Luka Modric had other ideas.

Watching Modric in action always gives the feeling that this the lad would never get old, but with the increase in age, he would become better and better. He showed class in a tough season for Real Madrid in the La Liga and Champions League; he carried his class and experience to Hampden park and dished out yet another scintillating display from the midfield and upfront – something which Lionel Messi would know better when Croatia thrashed Argentina by 3-0 in World Cup 2018.

“No one is sure how he still manages to play to the level he still does,” the Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said of Modric. “I can’t think of the words to describe it.”

Croatia built up in a steady and methodical manner with Modric at the centre of everything pulling the strings from the midfield like a master, who knows how to do it and when to deliver – years after years he has been doing this for Real Madrid and there is no need to explain in details, what Real Madrid produce – champions!

The game was sixty-two minutes old when a wonderful build-up by Croatia put Scotland on the back foot.

When the ball was worked wide to Gvardiol on the left, he picked out Petkovic in the middle of the box. The striker killed it with a deft touch and then laid it back to Modric, who produced an outrageous finish from 20 yards, curling the ball with the outside of his right foot into the top corner – what a goal, what goal by the champion from Croatia and Real Madrid!

Fifteen minutes later, Modric’s out-swinging corner is headed wide by McKenna, who did well to stop Lovren from steering it towards goal. Modric trotted across to the other side to take the next corner, which he delivered sweetly to the near post. Perisic got in front of Tierney and glanced it into the far corner.

The Scottish hopes were done and dusted as Croatia celebrated at Hampden Park.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk Luka Modric shine, Croatia progress in stunning fashion

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Faisal Caesar 

Dazzling Denmark progress to the next round after thrashing Russia

 

If any team deserved to progress to the next round then it has to be Denmark after all they had gone through in the last couple of weeks. They were dubbed as one of the tough contenders but when Christian Eriksen collapsed at Copenhagen in the match against Finland, the scenario changed and they lost two consecutive matches.

Still, it was not all over for them because if they win the last group game against Russia at their own backyard and Belgium keep a clean sheet, then they would be able to advance.

With the stadium chanting for the Danes to bounce back and fight, the boys responded to the passion and dream of their home crowd by dishing out an outstanding show similar to the World Cup Qualifiers in 1985 when they beat the former Soviet Union by 4-2.

Russia frustrated Denmark early on by defending well, tackling diligently, blocking crosses and tracking runners from midfield.

Denmark made regular gains down the flanks but could not infiltrate a well-guarded box.

The Russians threatened to puncture in the 17th minute when Alexsandr Golovin pounced on a loose ball in midfield and skedaddled past two Danes on his way into the area. He had the whole goal to aim at but drilled a low shot at Kasper Schmeichel, who made the save.

Denmark enjoyed an even bigger let-off four minutes later when Russia launched another break from midfield only for Roman Zobnin to botch a straightforward pass when attackers outnumbered defenders.

A crude foul by Fyodor Kudryashov on Daniel Wass earned the veteran a booking and made them a tad defensive rather than being too aggressive.

Kudryashov redeemed himself moments later by making a perfectly timed tackle in the box to curtail a run by Mikkel Damsgaard. But no one was likely to stop a thunderous long-range shot by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on the half-hour - Russia exhaled when it flew inches wide.

The Danish show was just around the corner.

The 20-year-old Damsgaard nipped into space to collect a pass and then, from just outside the D-box, he curled the ball between two centre-backs and into the corner of the net, beyond Matvei Safonov, the goalkeeper too bewildered to dive. The impact of the goal was such that all of a sudden the Russians were reeling.

After the break, Golovin and Dzyuba carried plenty of menaces.

But Daler Kuzyaev accidentally shot his own team in the foot in the 59th minute when his blind backpass wrongfooted his goalkeeper, Safonov, and turned into an ideal through-ball to Poulsen.

The forward stroked the ball into the empty net to trigger wild celebrations all around the stadium.

The atmosphere grew even giddier a few minutes later when news came through that Belgium had taken the lead against Finland but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check and then, back in Copenhagen, Russia were awarded a penalty when Jannik Vestergaard was judged to have dragged Aleksandr Sobolev to the ground. Dzyuba calmly converted from the spot.

After that, the crowd roared news of a Belgian goal that stood.

Then the Dynamite Denmark battered at the Russians - Safonov turning them away with several excellent saves before Christensen thrashed in an irresistible shot from over 20 yards.

Then Maehle made it 4-1 with a smart finish after dancing through the Russian defence.

After the final whistle, the celebration was out of this world.

The night belonged to the dazzling boys from Denmark and their passionate fans.  

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 22/06/2021 Dazzling Denmark progress to the next round after thrashing Russia

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Faisal Caesar