Euro 2016: Semi Final Review

Portugal (2) vs. Wales (0)

Clinical Portugal

Wales came into this game crippled by suspensions to Ramsey and Davies while Portugal had Pepe missing through injury. Thee match was presented in some quarters as the ultimate test of the balance of power in the Madrid dressing room. With Ramsey missing, Bale had a free role, dropping off the front line and getting on the ball in the midfield area, while Andy King – Ramsey’s replacement got forward from midfield to support Robson- Kanu in the attack, causing problems for the sole defensive midfielder, Danilo. Portugal on the other hand lacked midfield runners in the early stages. In the 10^th minute Ronaldo made his trademark run coming in from the blind side of James Collins to meet Cedric’s cross from the right flank. The defender put him in a headlock for being so sneaky before heading it clear, risky decision by James Collins.

The first half ended with both Ronaldo and Bale recording 1 touch each in the opposition’s box depicting the cagey nature of the first half. Both sides donned their away kits and played in like manner.

5 minutes into the second half, Ronaldo hung himself in the air and powered in Guerreiro’s cross in, yet again sneaking from Chester’s blind side and out jumping him. 3 minutes later, Ronaldo turned provider, Nani turned in his miscued shot from the edge of the box. From 2 shots on target, Portugal scored 2 goals and it was job done. Wales from threw everything at it, using all their 3 substitutes in the space of 13 minutes after conceding the second goal but it proved futile.

Chris Coleman tried to add attacking impetus but the team lost its structure and became susceptible to the counter attack. In the 78^th minute Danilo won back the ball in the Welsh half of the pitch and burst into the box, his resulting finish nearly trickled into the net. Andre Gomes set Ronaldo up on the counter attack but his first touch took the opportunity away from him. Gareth Bale tested the keeper from long range and set up Sam Vokes for a header, which he put wide but they were all desperate attempts, as the Welsh could not recover from the two quick fire goals they conceded early in the half.

Match Facts

• This was Portugal’s first win in normal time in Euro 2016.
• Wales have failed to win any of their four games without Aaron Ramsey since the start of 2015.
• Ronaldo’s goal statistics – height of header 2.61m, height of leap 76.2cm, speed of header 71.3km/h.

Germany (0) vs. France (2)

Griezmann double puts France through

France began the game aggressively, putting Germany on the back foot early on. In the 6^th minute Griezmann picked up the ball in the central area and after a series of interchanges with Matuidi and great piece of skill that brought Schweinsteiger to his knees, the resulting shot was low and accurately placed to the bottom corner but lacked power. The French domination wore off as Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil put Germany in control of the midfield and subsequently the game. In the 14^th minute they both combined to create an opportunity for Emre Can who forced a save from Lloris. The French dropped deep when out of possession, giving Kroos and Ozil – who was constantly roaming, space to operate in. It was very obvious that there was a huge Kante –sized hole missing in the French midfield, in the first half.

The Germans, for all their control and possession could not get anything past Hugo Lloris who had made 5 saves by half time.

In the 46^th minute Schweinsteiger put out an arm while defending a French corner and conceded a penalty. Griezmann sent Neuer the wrong way with the penalty and the Germans went into half time hugely disappointed. In the 72^nd minute Kimmich – who had been impressive all game keeping Payet quiet lost the ball in his box to Pogba. Mustafi went out to tackle him and was skillfully sent back to Valencia in the process, Griezmann then applied a poked-finish after Neuer made a hash of things by coming off his line.

Two minutes later, Kimmich hit the post with a curling effort. Their only shot on target in this half came in the 92^nd minute and it was Kimmich who forced a save from a close-range header. The Germans were very fluid in possession but lacked the cutting edge and finesse to fashion goals out of their possession.

Match Facts

• Griezmann is the top goal scorer in the tournament with 6, three more than his closest rivals.
• The Germans recorded just one shot on target in the second half.
• Samuel Umtiti put in a rock solid performance in defence with 9 clearances -more than anyone on the pitch
• France committed 8 fouls in the second half in attempt to stifle the German’s fluid play, Germany committed 2 in comparison.