written by Tolu Odeneye
Group F
Austria (0) vs Hungary (2)
This game featured the oldest player in European Championship history and the man Pep Guardiola described as “god”.It did not take long for us to feel god’s presence as David Alaba hit the post 31 seconds into the game and came close again in the 10th minute.Austria’s best moves came from the left wing where Alaba, Arnautovic and Junuzovic fluidly combined with each other but the end product was lacking and that was the recurring theme for Austria in this game. Hungary in the first half showed great approach play but lacked end product as well. In the second half the Hungarian’s started with more ruthlessness. Szalai and Kleinheisler combined well on the edge of the box to create the first goal finished by Szalai in the 62nd minute. Dragovic received a second yellow card in the 65th minute and was sent off consequently for the late challenge. Hungary Punished the 10 men on the counter attack, as Stieber sealed it with a delightful chip in the 86th minute.
Supporting Points
• Relationship goals – Hungarian goalkeeper Kiraly and his grey tracksuit bottoms have been together since 1996.
• Kleinheisler put in a man of the match performance in his role as a number 10.
Portugal (1) vs Iceland (1)
The final game of the first round of matches started with Gylfi Sigurdsson, feinting and cutting inside, sending Danilo for some chips in the process and pulling a double save from Patricio in the 2nd minute. That was all the action Iceland had for a while, as it was all Portugal from then on. Portugal came close when the legs of Hannes Halldórsson saved Nani’s header from a Ronaldo cross. Pepe then pulled a Bonucci but Ronaldo only managed to kick the air. In the 31st minute Andre Gomes’ found himself in a good crossing position after a swift interchange with Vieirinha the right back; Nani-who played as one of the strikers then finished his cross. Portugal had control of the game till half time and restricted Iceland to only two attempts in the first half while they recorded twelve attempts. In the 50th minute Iceland scored through Bjarnason, Vieirinha the right back was too narrow when the cross came and the Icelandic midfielder volleyed home the equaliser. Portugal lost control of the game and by taking off Moutinho, Andre Gomes and Joao Mario – non-defensive midfield trio they were unable to dictate the play and create clear-cut chances.
Supporting Points
•Kari Arnason and the Icelandic defence were on top of Ronaldo throughout the game.
• Iceland are every direct, Sigthórsson-the Icelandic striker received 14 passes from his goalkeeper in the match, more than any other player for Iceland, he also won 18 aerial duels, highlighting their physicality.
• You have a 1 in 2000 chance of being a National team player if you’re a young man from Iceland between the ages of 18 and 40.
• Mario misplaced just six passes in 75 minutes, creating 4 chances in the game• Andre Gomes created 5 chances one of which was the assist for the goal.
• Moutinho completed 68 of his 72 passes while he was on the pitch, only behind Pepe and Guerreiro in the number of attempted passes.