Spain Triumphs Over Italy
Spain secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Italy, courtesy of an unfortunate own goal by Riccardo Calafiori in the 55th minute. This win solidified Spain's position as a formidable team in the tournament. Dominating the match with nearly 60% possession and accumulating 20 shots, Spain's offensive pressure paid off. Italy, on the other hand, managed only four attempts on goal.
Despite the significant disparity in attempts, Italy’s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, made eight key saves to keep his team in the game. The decisive moment came when Nico Williams crossed the ball to Alvaro Morata, resulting in Calafiori’s own goal. With this win, Spain advanced with a game to spare, proving why they are considered tournament favorites.
However, Spain will face their Group B finale against Albania without Rodri, who will miss the match due to suspension.
England and Denmark Share Spoils
England maintained their lead in Group C despite a 1-1 draw with Denmark. Harry Kane opened the scoring early for England, but Denmark’s Morten Hjulmand equalized, capitalizing on England’s defensive lapse following a throw-in turnover. Hjulmand’s low strike hit the post before finding the back of the net, leaving England unable to recover.
England's sloppiness and frequent turnovers plagued their performance, and their early goal was followed by overly defensive play. Even the substitutions failed to elevate England’s performance, and defensive errors handed Denmark several opportunities. This result means England still needs to convince their fans that they are on a path to winning the tournament.
Serbia’s Late Dramatic Equalizer
In a thrilling encounter, Luka Jovic scored a last-minute header for Serbia to secure a 1-1 draw with Slovenia. Zan Karnicnik had given Slovenia the lead in the 69th minute. Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic came close to scoring earlier, hitting the crossbar. However, Jovic ultimately headed in Ivan Ilic's corner, beating goalkeeper Jan Oblak to keep Serbia’s hopes alive, avoiding potential elimination before their final group game.
Germany Advances, Switzerland on the Verge
Germany confirmed their place in the last 16 with a 2-0 victory over Hungary. This result ensures their progression in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Switzerland drew 1-1 with Scotland, reinforcing their strong position to advance. This result left Scotland and Hungary potentially battling for third place.
Drama in Croatia vs. Albania
In an intense match, Croatia and Albania drew, each sharing their first points of the tournament. The game saw a dramatic sequence where Gjasula scored an own goal and then redeemed himself by equalizing in the 96th minute.
Upcoming Matches to Watch
Fans are eagerly anticipating Friday’s fixtures, which include Slovakia vs. Ukraine at 9 a.m. (Eastern), Poland vs. Austria at 12 p.m. (Eastern), and Netherlands vs. France at 3 p.m. (Eastern). These matches are expected to be crucial as teams vie for advancement in this thrilling tournament.
Extracted Quotes and Insights
Rodri will miss Spain's Group B finale against Albania on Monday. This is a critical loss for Spain as they advance in the tournament. The Three Lions' clean sheet was sullied in their match against Denmark, highlighting areas that need improvement.
Critics point out that England’s overly defensive strategy wasn't particularly shrewd when a single shot could change the game’s outcome. As one commentator noted, "It's just not a particularly shrewd tactic when you are one shot away from a problem." After conceding, England "never roused themselves from that setback," showing the need for better resilience and strategic adjustments.
Luka Jovic’s 96th-minute header was crucial for Serbia, saving them from potential elimination before their final group game. The late equalizer secured a point and keeps their hopes alive for advancing in the tournament.