UEFA 2020 Euro Championship – Day 17

Wales (0) 0 – 4 (1) Denmark

Goalscorers: Dolberg (27′, 48′), Maehle (88′), Braithwaite (90’+4’)

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

In the opening quarter of an hour the Red Dragon of Wales was on fire, with Gareth Bale buzzing and getting a couple of good shots off. Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand reacted by moving Christensen out of the back line to the space in front and from then on the Danes never looked back and were the better side. Therefore it was no surprise when they went ahead after twenty-seven minutes, with a delightful finish from Dolberg. Denmark one-nil up at the break, with Robert Page no doubt telling his side they were still in the game. However, that was all blown out of the water three minutes after the break. Kieffer Moore appeared to be fouled right in front of referee Daniel Siebert, but he allowed play to continue and from that the Danes and Dolberg had their second. Replays showed it was clearly a foul and despite protests from Gareth Bale the official refused to check VAR for the foul. What is the point of VAR, when this clearly was a wrong decision by the match official? From then on in the Welsh were deflated and the extra 5,000 miles travelled by the side compared to the Danes kicked-in as did their tiredness and frustration with the referee which saw a late booking for Bale for sarcastically clapping Daniel Siebert and Harry Wilson’s red card. Now no one would deny that Denmark were the better team, but that second goal changed the course of the match as it effectively put the game out of the reach. If it had remained 1-0 and Wales found an equaliser who knows what may have happened. We will of course never know, but I’ve sympathy for Wales having to contend with all that travel and of course being on the end of a poor decision, which should have been reviewed. The Danes though from a seemingly impossible position of losing their first two group games now have the pleasure of the look distance travel to Baku and await the winners of Netherland and the Czech Republic

 

Italy (0) 2 – 1 (0) Austria AET (0-0 at FT)

Goalscorers: Italy – Chiesa (95′), Pessina (105′). Austria – Kalajdzic (114′)

Wembley Stadium, London

Not worth watching right? A walk in the park for the Italians who had been so impressive in the group stages? Erm, no. It is why we love the game. That unpredictability when an underdog gives its all and frightens the life out of the ‘big boys’. Austria defended for their lives and made it to half-time with the score at 0-0. In the second-half, the Austrians gained in confidence and thought they had the lead on sixty-five minutes, but a tight VAR decision saw Marko Arnautovic’s effort ruled out for offside. So unbelievably at full-time it was goal-less and extra-time loomed. It began all about the substitutes, with the Italian pair of Chiesa and Pessina scoring in the first period of extra-time. Austria though refused to just roll-over and in the second period Schaub forced Donnarumma into an excellent one-handed save. The young Italian ‘keeper though was slightly at fault for the Austrian goal which gave them hope. Donnarumma expecting an out-swinging corner, left his near post vulnerable which allowed Kalajdzic’s header to beat him. Italy though held on and progress to the last eight. It’s a cliché in football, that when a side is playing below par, the good ones still find a way to win and that is exactly what Roberto Mancini’s players did. The Azzuri through to a date in Munich and await the winners of the Belgium v Portugal encounter.

 

Netherlands v Czech Republic (Puskas Arena, Budapest)

These two teams last met in October 2015, when the Dutch were beaten 3-2 in a Euro 2016 qualifier. The Czechs raced into a three goal lead through Kaderabek, Sural and a Van Persie own-goal, with the Dutch getting two late goals through Huntelaar and Van Persie (at the right end of the pitch). It saw the Czech’s qualify as group winners, whilst the Netherland didn’t make it to Euro 2016 after finishing fourth.

The Dutch eased through their group with a 100% record after wins over Ukraine (3-2), Austria (2-0) and North Macedonia (3-0). No one is really talking about them as possible winners of the tournament, but they will have too much for the Czech Republic, who looked very ordinary in finishing third in England’s group after a win over Scotland (2-0), a draw with Croatia (1-1) and of course a 1-0 loss to the Three Lions.

 

Belgium v Portugal (La Cartuja, Seville)

These two have never met in the World Cup or European Championship Finals before. It pits Belgium ranked No:1 by FIFA against the reigning European Champions.

The Belgians emerged from their group with a perfect three wins from three, beating Russia (3-0), Denmark (2-1) and Finland (2-0). Portugal as at the 2016 Finals had a rollercoaster of a last group game to progress. Having beaten Hungary with three late goals, they were taken apart by Germany, before a 2-2 draw saw them into the last sixteen.

You would expect Belgium to progress, but how can you write off Portugal when you have Ronaldo in the side, a man capable of dragging his compatriots through singlehandedly. It one of those where your head says the Belgians will surely progress, but your heart says otherwise. Could be a fascinating  watch.