written by Tolu Odeneye
Group D
Turkey (0) vs Croatia (1)
Luka Modric’s stunning strike in the 41st minute was the difference between both
sides as Croatia hit the bar twice in the second half.
Supporting Points
• The Turkish Goalkeeper – Volkan Babacan could have done a bit
better on the goal, his positioning was questionable
• Ćorluka – the warrior had his head bandaged 4 times in the match
• Croatia ended the game with double the number of attempts the Turks had.
Spain (1) vs Czech Republic (0)
“The better you play the better you’re expected to play all the time.” – Iniesta.
That was no different in the game against the Czechs who started confidently. As expected, they set up with a deep defensive block that gradually turned into a back 6 during the game as the Spanish took the game to the Czechs. Morata came closest in the first half for the Spanish but his shot from close range was straight at Cech. The Spanish were wasteful and it nearly cost them. In the 65th minute, Fabregas cleared Gebre Selassie’s header before a Czech player could capitalize, his only notable albeit vital contribution to the game. From then on it was all Spain, more like Iniesta and in the 87th minute, his cross reached Gerard Pique at the far post and he headed home the only goal of the game. The Czechs nearly grabbed a 92nd minute equaliser but like all their efforts prior to that, it never made it past De Gea.
Supporting Points
• Congratulations to David Silva on reaching 100 caps.
• Sergio Busquets misplaced passes a couple of times, in other words the moon was blue on Monday night.
• Morata looks like the ideal Spanish CF drifting wide, arriving in the box, joining the build up but no goal to show for his hard work.
• Andres Iniesta is above tight spaces as reflected in his man of the match performance.