EURO 2020 Group Stage! (2021)

Denmark 4–1 Russia

Parken Stadium

June 21st, 2021

Denmark needs to win by at least two goals, and Finland needs to lose in order for the Danes to progress. Thankfully they play in Denmark, and will have the support of their fans, and the support of Christian Eriksen. Russia has a better chance of progressing because a point will be enough for at least a third-place finish. A loss, however, would mean their elimination. 

Denmark are through to the last 16, after an inspired last 15 minutes of the game. The Danes were frustrated for much of the first half, as Russia took their time and placed many players at the back. This didn’t stop Denmark from getting high up the field. The man of the match in my opinion was Eriksen’s replacement, Mikel Damsgaard. The youngster glided around the field, linking up passes, and also making himself available to move the play forward. Also to thank was Denmark's defense, with the back three all putting in a great shift. I like how Denmark uses a back three. It isn’t something that you see much of anymore, but it fits their style of play perfectly.

 Denmark got their first goal late on in the second half, when Damsgaard rifled the ball into the top corner from outside of the box. Denmark's second goal was a gift, where a poor pass from Roman Zobnin allowed for Yussuf Poulsen to tuck it home. After conceding from a penalty that shouldn’t have even been, the Danes were able to respond in what could be one of the biggest comebacks of all time. Andreas Christensen scored the third goal in the 80th minute when, from outside of the box, he smashed the ball into the back of the net. That goal broke Russian hearts, and minutes later Joakim Maehle added a fourth goal to the tally. This result means that Denmark are into second place, and into the knockout stages!

Russia's Euro campaign went from miserable to horrific, getting clobbered 4–1 and ending their tournament early. Early on, it was obvious that the Russians would try to take the spirit of the Danish fans and players by frustrating them. A player that impressed me despite his age was 22 year old Matvey Safonov. After the retirement of Igor Akinfeev, they needed a new goalie. Despite conceding four, he held his own today, making numerous saves. Aleksandr Golovin was also impressive in midfield. In the first half, he was the metronome of the Russian squad, every play going through him. He also helped create many counter attacks and almost scored from one, but his low shot was denied by Kasper Schmeichel. 

Once they conceded, however, they looked anything but in control. They now had to switch their defensive style and be more aggressive. Russia did get a goal to keep their hopes of qualification alive when, from the penalty spot, Artem Dzyuba placed the penalty high and straight down the middle. Those hopes soon dwindled when their back line shot themselves in the foot with some awful defending. I expected more of Russia in this tournament, especially after their heroic run in the 2018 World Cup. Those efforts certainly weren’t replicated here, and fans will have a bad taste in their mouth after this. 

It's a miracle for Denmark, who were in last place before this game. They finish in 2nd place behind Belgium. Who knows how far they can go; in the aftermath of Eriksen's collapse, the team are sharing a unique bond on and off the field. For Russia, they pack their bags and head home, a disappointing tournament for them. 

Croatia 3–1 Scotland 

Hampden Park

June 22nd, 2021

Croatia knows what they need to do in order to progress in group D. A win will guarantee their place in the last 16. For Scotland, they know they need a win to have any chance of making it through. 

Luka Modric and Croatia salvage their Euro hopes with the dispatching of Scotland. Croatia played much more like the days of 2018, dominating midfield and their star forwards wreaking havoc. Croatia may have an aging squad, but they are still amongst the most technically gifted group of players, and they thoroughly outclassed their opponents. As always, Luka Modric was one of the names on everyone's lips, being all over the pitch. I also thought that Ivan Perisic was almost as good, as I saw he helped facilitate attacks around Scotland's box. I still think the big issue for Croatia is their slow and unreliable defense. We will see just how big of an issue that is during the knockout stages.

Croatia's first goal came from Nikola Vlasic, when Perisic headed the ball into his path, from a cross. The Scottish defense couldn’t react fast enough, and Vlasic fired the ball low and into the corner. Croatia's second goal was important, and ALL important goals deserve to be brilliant goals—like this one. From outside of the box, Modric hit the ball with the outside of his boot, curling into the net. Ricardo Quaresma would have been proud of that goal, because it's the type of goal he scores a lot of. Perisic sealed the deal in the 77th minute, when he headed the ball past David Marshall and into the opposite corner, following a corner kick. All in all, it’s a great Croatian response to the criticism and questions hurled at them following their first two games..

Scotland exits the Euros, after a mixed display against Croatia. Scotland never had large spells of possession like Croatia had, but every so often they would find a great chance to score, the threats mainly coming from crosses. As always, Andrew Robertson worked tirelessly on the left side. Robertson would sometimes move into center defense when they didn’t have possession but, when they did, he would act almost like a right midfielder. Stuart Armstrong was also someone who caught my attention. He delivered some really deadly crosses into the box, and if Scotland had better strikers, those would have been converted. 

Scotland's goal was well taken. Robertson’s cross into the box was cleared away, but not as far as Callum McGregor. The 28-year-old hit low, hard and true, through the Croatian crowd and into the corner. It was the equalizing goal, but unfortunately for them, they would need a win to go through. Scotland had other chances, like John McGinn’s scuffed shot from close range, but it was a timid effort and never was going to test Dominik Livakovic. For some reason, it seems like the Scotland forwards are scared to go for the ball or take the shot on. If your strikers aren’t confident in themselves, you won’t be winning many games. While Scotland do have some great players, they aren’t at the level of the highest teams, even if this is their best team in years.

Croatia are into the last 16 of the Euros, after a thrilling victory in Glasgow. The Vatreni were undoubtedly superior, and even though Scotland were dangerous for some periods of time, their opponents were relentless and cynical in the final third. Croatia will play Spain on Monday, and it’s recovery time for Scotland’s players.

Portugal 2–2 France

Puskas Arena 

June 23rd, 2021

France have already qualified for the knockout stages, but a win against Portugal would be a huge morale boost, as they lost to Portugal in the Euro 2016 Final. Portugal needs points and, while a tie might do it, a win would secure their safety. 

Portugal squeeze through into the knockout rounds because of a solid team performance. Os Navegadores seemed to be the underdogs going into this game, but Fernando Santos’s side were able to bypass the suffocating French midfield through long balls that were surprisingly effective. Because many of the Portugal players were superior in aerial duels, any teasing ball into the box would be potentially deadly. Renato Sanches and Joao Moutinho put in some quality crosses, some of which paid off. They still haven’t addressed their concerns in the back, however. Far too many times, the back four would create large gaps, and because of Pepe’s age and slowness, it was hard for them to close down fast. Mbappe and others would regularly exploit this, and it would surprise nobody if other teams would capitalize on this, too. 

Both of Portugal's goals came from penalties. In the 27th minute, Moutinho whipped in a delicious cross into the box, but when Hugo Lloris tried to punch it away, he punched Danilo Pereira instead. Ronaldo hadn’t scored against France in his entire career, and under the pressure cooker circumstances with everything on the line, most would cower away. Ronaldo is unique. CR7 blasted the penalty into the net, sending Lloris the wrong way. The second penalty was from a Jules Koundé handball. This time, Portugal were behind, and there was arguably more pressure on Ronaldo than the earlier penalty. Surprise, surprise, Ronaldo scored. He sent his show low and into the far corner, Lloris guessing wrong again. Cristiano saved Portugal, but things NEED to change if they are to defend their title.

France top the group of death, but they didn’t end in style. Le Bleus were far stronger on paper, but they never got the chance to dictate the game like they normally do. They couldn't close down Portugal fast enough, allowing for them to link up with each other, or giving them enough time to put in a dangerous cross. Usually those duties would go to N’Golo Kante, but even as efficient as he is, others need to step in to win the ball back for France. On a positive note, France’s front three is looking deadlier than ever. Not only is Mbappe bringing new dimensions into his game, but the addition of Karim Benzema is another huge problem for opposition defense. Benzema today was cynical, just like he was 6 years ago before he was kicked out of the squad.

France’s two goals came on each side of half time. In the 45th minute, Mbappe collided with Nelson Semedo. It was a soft penalty, and it was obvious that Mbappe was looking to draw the foul. Benzema stepped up, and just like his former teammate Ronaldo, blasted the ball into the net, sending Rui Patricio the wrong way. Just after half time, Pogba found a pocket of space in which he played in Benzema, who rifled his shot low and into the corner. The goal was initially chalked off for offside, but was given back when replays showed that Benzema had timed his run to perfection, and was onside. France nearly scored a third, but Pogba’s shot was exquisitely denied by Rui Patricio, slapping the ball onto the post. Even though France could have won this game and will be disappointed to have not, they are still a juggernaut and the tournament favorites. 

Portugal and France both qualify for the latter stages of this tournament. Germany vs. Hungary was also simultaneously playing, and because Germany beat Hungary 2–1, it's the Hungarians who head home early, albeit after a heroic display against the three powerhouses.