The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsTeams: Portugal, Iceland, Austria, Hungary
Matchday 1 Review:
Austria 0-2 Hungary:
Hungary claimed an important 2-0 win on Matchday 1 of Group F in Bordeaux. A tight encounter throughout, with both teams having chances to break the deadlock early on, it was Austria’s David Alaba who was denied by the post. Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly made history by becoming the first 40-year-old to feature at the championships and his clean sheet was kept intact as the game finished 0-0 at half time.
The second half saw more intensity by both teams. That pressure paid dividends for Hunary as they picked up a shock lead through Adam Szalai around the hour mark. Things went from bad to worse for Austria as defender Aleksander Dragovic was sent off minutes later for a second bookable offence. 10-men-Austria continued to push for an equaliser but were constantly denied by Hungary’s stern backline. The Hungarians then went on to finish the game with just a few minutes remaining. Substitute Zotan Stieber broke away from an Austrian attack to deliciously chip stranded goalkeeper Robert Almer. Hungary picked up 3 vital points.
Portugal 1-1 Iceland
Portugal faced tournament-debutants Iceland in Saint-Ettiene looking to start off their campaign with a win. They proved their quality with sheer dominance over the minnows throughout the first half which also led to a goal by Nani around the half hour mark. A neat finish past goalkeeper Halldórsson at the near post. They had several more chances to double their lead, but were unable to make good over their authority on the game and went into half-time a goal up.
The second half started with a shock goal for Iceland through Birkir Bjarnason. He neatly struck the ball past Rui Patricio after Portugal failed to deal with a cross. This was seen as a blip in a perfect script for Portugal, who were clear favourites to win the game at the start. They continued to attack for the rest of the second half – totalling 27 goal attempts but failed to make any changes on the final score line as the resolute Icelandic defence and goalkeeper continuosly denied Portugal a second goal. The 1-1 scoreline was vital for the rest of the tournament for minnows Iceland.
Matchday 2 Review:
Iceland 1-1 Hungary
Iceland played Hungary in Marseille on the back of a historic 1-1 draw against Portugal in Matchday 1. They played against Hungary just like they did against Portugal – a mean streak at the back combined with flair in attack. Both sides were able to attack but failed through break down each other’s defence. That was until Tamas Kadar commited a foul on Aron Gunnarsson in the penalty area to give Iceland a chance to take the lead 5 minutes before half-time. A chance well taken by Gylfi Sigurdsson. Iceland led at half time and were 45 minutes away from their first ever win in a major tournament.
Hungary came into the second half knowing a turnaround on the result would guarentee them qualification into the knockout rounds. They attacked with intent and came out charging, but just like the first game, Iceland were tough at the back. Hungary kept on pushing and Iceland kept on denying. There was even an appearance for Icelandic legend Eidur Gudjohnsen minutes before the end of the game. Te constant pressure bore fruit for Hungary as Iceland’s Birkir Mar Saevarsson turned the ball into his own net after neat work down the left flank by Nemanja Nikolic to cruelly deny Iceland their first ever win at a major competition. Hungary, however, were a step closer to the Roud of 16.
Portugal 0-0 Austria
Both sides entered the Parc des Princes in Paris knowing a win would boost their chances of qualification after unsatisfactory results in the Matchday 1. A dire 1st half with the best chance falling to Nani, who was denied a second goal of the tournament by the woodwork. Chances came thick and fast for Portugal but they were unable to get the ball into the back of the net and went into half time with no score.
The second half continued in the same way as the first with Portugal having the better of the chances. Goalkeeper Robert Almer was always one step ahead of the game as he continuously denied Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal from taking the lead and kept Austria in it for large parts of the game. Defender Martin Hinteregger put Austria’s clean sheet at risk and committed a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo in the penalty area to give away a spot kick and a golden opportunity to open the scoring. A chance not taken. To everyone’s surprise, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert from the penalty spot, hitting the woodwork. His night went from bad to worse as he finally put the ball past Robert Almer, only to be denied by an offside flag. The game ended goalless, with Austria on the brink and Portugal needing all 3 points to guarantee qualification in the next round.
Matchday 3 Review:
Iceland 2-1 Austria
Both teams came into Saint-Denis knowing a win could improve their chances of qualification to the knockout rounds. Iceland made the best possible start to the game as Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scored around the quarter hour mark after the Austrian defence failed to deal with a long throw from captain Aron Gunnarsson. Austria earned a golden opportunity to equalise as they earned a penalty late in the first half. A chance wasted as Aleksander Dragovic hit the woodwork. Iceland were 45 minutes away from a historic spot in the knockout rounds.
Austria made several changes at half time to rescue their campaign. Those changes were worthwile as Alessandro Schopf equalised and provided Austria with hope. There was positivity in the squad and Austria were dominating over Iceland creating chance after chance, but failing to convert. Against the run of play, in added time, after a failed Austrian attack, Iceland scored on the break through substitute Arnór Ingvi Traustason with the final kick of the game. Qualification was sealed with England waiting.
Hungary 3-3 Portugal
Hungary needed a win or a draw in Lyon to confirm top spot in Group F. They faced a Portugal side in need of a win to guarentee qualification as group winners. Hungary got off to a fast start as Zolton Gera scored with a stunner from outside the box after Portugal failed to deal with a corner. In search of an equaliser, just like the other games, Portugal constantly squandered chances including several Cristiano Ronaldo free-kicks. That was until the 40th minute when Nani capitalized from a brilliant through ball by Cristiano Ronaldo to equalise and head into half time with the scores level.
Hungarian captain Balázs Dzsudzsák gave Hungary the lead for the second time in the afternoon early in the second half after goalkeeper Rui Patricio was left baffled by a deflected free kick. That lead didn’t last long as Cristiano Ronaldo announced his arrival in the competition with a deft back heel to meet a Joao Mario cross. Portugal themselves weren’t level for long. Hungary took the lead through Balázs Dzsudzsák’s second of the game as they failed to deal with a free kick and left Rui Patricio stranded as the ball looped over him due to an awkward deflection off of Nani. Portuglal were heading out of France for the third time that afternoon. On came Cristiano Ronaldo once again. A powerful header off of Quaresma’s cross past veteran Gabor Kiraly levelled Portugal and once again gave them hope of victory. A bizzare 15-minute frenzy of goals on each end came to an end as both teams started having control in midfield. There were few chances after that, none to test defences. The game ended 3-3 as Hungary qualified as group winner and Portugal as one of the best third placed teams.
Qualified teams: Hungary (Group Winners), Iceland (Group Runners-Up), Portugal (Best Third-Place)
Top Scorer(s): Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani (Portugal), Balázs Dzsudzsák (Hungary): All 2
Predictions for the rest of the tournament: Hungary face a confident Belgian side coming on the back of two successive wins in their group in the Round of 16. This test is likely to be trickier than any they faced in their group, and one they are seemingly unlikely to pass.
Minnows Iceland – who have qualified for their first ever knockout round in any competition, face favourites England in the Round of 16. England themselves have struggled to score past defensive sides and will continue to do so against Iceland. But they do have an edge over Iceland as recent results show. The Icelandic fairytale could come to an end in Nice.
Portugal face Croatia in the Round of 16 in Lens with star man Cristiano Ronaldo back in form and firing. Croatia will be no pushovers however as they topped their group which also contained defending champions Spain. Altough not being entirely convincing in the group stages, history suggests they always bring out their best in the knockout rounds that could help them fire past Croatia.
