RTPS #16: Denmark inspire, Spain qualify and Group F’s drama.
After two dangerous draws, La Roja was in danger. Fortunately, the deadlock was finally broken against Slovakia with a volleyball-like own-goal. Scenes continued as Denmark made it in-extremis to the R16. Group F also secured drama, following penalties, upsets: Hungary may have gone out, but remains the only non-underwhelming side of the group. The R16 are on!
Russia-Denmark: 1–4
When Denmark lost to Belgium despite an impressive performance in the first half as well as the dying minutes, football fans were sad. Not because everyone hates Belgium, but because everyone loves Denmark. The team that faced the traumas of Eriksen’s incident remained strong, and the general consensus was that Denmark deserved more than no points.
Intentions were clear against Russia. In Maehle and Kjaer, Denmark had found its regular runners in the wings, running riots against Russia. Russia’s defense remains strong in the box, with Danes attempting to find their target in the box. Yet the first half did not exactly conclude in successful actions. Russians continued to tackle, intercept and stop Danish plans. Only needing a draw, Russia had been less impressive. Denmark, on the other hand, still had troubles finding the right end pass, or even dismantle the Red Army.
Drama was announced by half-time. Notably through penalties as well, as the Russians score it in Copenhagen. Much like in Belgium-Finland, this did not stop Denmark from scoring. Twenty year old Mikkel Damsgaard had introduced himself as a dynamic replacement of Christian Eriksen against Belgium. That continued against Russia, forcing visitors to defend as tightly possible. As much as they defended, the Danes slowly found the key. Perhaps were the Russians tired, yet Denmark found its way to validate its ticket. Fans were already delighted with the performance against Belgium, and more importantly, for sending this strong message, despite the trauma they were forced to go through. For Denmark, but for Eriksen, mostly.
Slovakia-Spain: 0–5
Domination, but the product was lacking. Shots, but no goals. Saves, but no solution. Spain’s long spells of possession created chances, but rarely were they scored. If the opening match against Sweden showed a largely dominant Spain, the one against Poland had disappointed. Not that Spain was turning upside down, but because of its lack of concretisation. To not mention, less superioties were achieved against Poland, perhaps a result of the opponent’s approach, with Lewandowski’s team approaching the game in a more pro-active mindset in comparison against Sweden. Slovakia, however, was another story.
There were not many changes, but the few that were made sense. Olmo and Llorente were stomped out of the starting XI: Pedri, without Olmo, was now free to roam in his preferred positions between the lines. His through-balls now more effective, Spain enjoyed the goals. The presence of Busquets, instead of the much questioned Rodri, was perhaps the factor. Perhaps unexpected, for some. Yet, it is the presence of the defensive midfielder that brought attacking solutions for Spain, now closer to the opposite goal. Chances arised, and as it had been seen, they were missed. Not only by Morata, but also by Sarabia who took advantage of width on the right.
It was the same story when they had missed, La Roja’s fans annoyed at the lack of goals. It changed when Dubravka, who had pulled out excellent saves minutes before, volley-balled the ball towards his own net, as if he wanted to smash it, literally. What happened in his thought process remains a mystery, yet the memes have already paved their way through the Internet. Nonetheless, it was a clear announcement for La Roja: Now’s your time to score, lads.
Laporte, Sarabia and Torres followed. Redemption as neither emerges as the absolute leader on the Euro scene — the first was to blame for Lewandowski’s goal against Spain, the second is far from a fan-favourite while the last had disappointed against Sweden, having attempted zero dribbles in the game he was asked to the most. Slovakia finally finish its flames by itself, as Kucka scores another own-goal. Spain was in confidence, just when it was the most needed.
Portugal-France: 2–2
The old problem: Portugal. France won the World Cup in 2018, yet something remained relentless in France’s mind, engraved into French Memories. The 2016 World Cup, when Eder scored at the 109'. Once again, France found itself stuck, unable to progress.
Perhaps the beginnings were promising. When Pogba passed it long to Mbappé, hopes were high. The shots seemed clear, but the chance was missed. Semedo, within low expectations, seemingly was up for the challenge. Mbappé did perhaps not expect, maybe becoming even isolated. In opposition to the last shameful performance against Germany, Santos had decided for a less reactive approach, contesting 47% of ball possession — while it accounted for 35% against Germany. A substantial change that resulted in a change of personnel, too. Sanches and Moutinho were back in the midfield, while Bruno was dropped: Portugal needed solidity, not creativity.
France stumbled against the rock. Tolisso at the right, he was unable to take advantage of the width. Behind his back, Jules Koundé did not enjoy that night at the right, unusually placed there, almost oddly. He did not like it, nor did his fans, nor did anyone. Coman was waiting to be subbed on, when he replaced Tolisso in the 66'. A vital change, as width was desperately needed. Renato Sanches was another key element. Able to run up and down the pitch, yet had the delicacy of a fine technician. He tossed the French midfield, though Kanté managed to hold it for a while. The game was calling for drama. Lahoz agreed, giving penalties to either side, eventually ending in a 2–2 draw.
The game was not expected to be exciting. Unless huge upset from Hungary, both sides were through. There was little to play for, France needed confidence…having just drawn to none other than Hungary. It did not get it. Portugal made itself function, while Moutinho and Sanches stabilised Portugal, previously far from solid and certain of its identity.
Germany-Hungary: 2–2
The game had started before 21:00 CET. The city of Münich and the headquarters of the UEFA had already clashed: In response to Hungary’s transphobic laws, Münich wanted to sent a strong message to light up the Allianz Arena in the realms of a Germany-Hungary clash to send Orban back home. UEFA refused, but the Allianz Arena was coloured in pride colours anyways. Though the statement issue by UEFA was an attempt to calm the situation, UEFA only made it worse. A pitch invader held up the flag, with its pride colours. The fans cares about the community, the UEFA did not.
When the game really started, Germany was out of solutions. It relied on the solutions it found against Portugal: Attack with the wing-backs. Unfortunately, Hungary had the solution. Löw had been warned when the display against France showed what Hungary can really do. Sterile possession, despite 70% of ball retention. Coupled with another problem: Heavy counter-attacks. Hungary mastered them, and it happens to be the weakness of Hummels. Vital yet insufficient for Germany alone, Mats was caught off-position. Szalai scored, and Germany had to react. Eventually, Havertz did, breaking through the 66'. A draw was sufficient on paper, but perhaps not in team dynamic.
Rejoicing was quickly over when Schäfer punished Germany once again, only two minutes later. Kimmich, committed and concentrated, continued pushing, which happened to be the case for the whole team. When Hungary seemed almost certain to produce wonders, Münich midfielder Goretzka finally brought Germany back in the 85', scoring the vital equaliser in the last minutes. Hungary had inspired, but lost. Perhaps it can still build upon what it has shown in the upcoming World Cup. Either ways, Löw most probably is not happy of the performance, nor was Kimmich, who claimed Germany’s biggest problem was out of possession.
