Euro 2020 (2021) Group Stages 3 Recap

Group Stages Matchday 3

Italy vs Wales 1-0
Both teams were dynamic in movement but Italy was better somehow. Ultimately, Italy was able to break through the defence with a set piece and a first goal. Thereafter, Italy kept charging in and became more of a threat. Wales tried to attack but Italy's defence and dominant possession limited their efforts. In the second half, it was a stalemate.

Switzerland vs Turkey 3-1
Swiss players cracked screamers twice for an early lead. After Turkey conceded two goals early, Turkey tried to come back but the Swiss goalie held firm to block the ball from harm's way. In the second half, Turkey's defence was taken advantage of and Swiss added another goal. Turkey pulled one back with a great long-range shot but that's as far as attack went for them.

Ukraine vs Austria 0-1
Austria had one screamer of a goal but that was it.

North Macedonia vs Netherlands 0-3
Netherlands dominated the game and the players' shooting conditions were extremely good on this day.

Finland vs Belgium 0-2
As expected, Belgium led the game while Finland was busy defending. When Finland went on attack, the crosses weren't connected because nobody was in the centre; their wing attack was futile. Belgium was dominant in possession but came short when it came to goal chances; they tried to make the plays perfect and that stalled time for Finland's defence. First half was not fruitful for anyone.

Shots fired by Belgium were to no avail but Lukaku was able to put the ball into the net when given a chance; he was unfortunately called offside by VAR so the match remained scoreless. Belgium's first goal finally came through from a corner kick and a header connection. Finland tried to attack but their inaccurate passes were intercepted. In the meanwhile, Lukaku got another chance and this time he didn't lose it. Belgium won as expected but with difficulty.

Russia vs Denmark 1-4
Denmark dominated the attack. Russia had the statistical advantage but the drive to win for the Danes was more because they lost Eriksen and they haven't had a win. From the middle of the first half, Russia was becoming more of a threat. However, Denmark kept trying and eventually their efforts paid off as the long range shot hit the target. After their first goal, they were more energized but the first half ended with no additional goals.

The second half began in a similar manner as it left off at the end of the first half. Russia was defending well until one mistake of a pass to the back provided a freebie for Denmark to capitalize on and add to their score. Denmark unfortunately committed a foul in the box so Russia was rewarded a penalty then a goal. Russia was not ready to give up just yet. Denmark was also hungry for another goal. They kept on knocking and eventually the third goal was made from a screamer of a shot. Another cracker soon followed and that solidified their victory and a pass to the round of 16.

Croatia vs Scotland 3-1
Possession was on the side of Croatia for the most part. Croatia scored first but Scotland equalized near the end of the first half.

In the second half, Modric shot an amazing inside foot curler from just outside the box that went inside the net and showed how high class a player he was; that goal might probably be the goal of the tournament. One more goal came in a set piece from a corner kick and that solidified Croatia's win. Scotland was not bad but was outclassed.

Czech Republic vs England 0-1
England was dominant in possession. England's Sterling needed to play his role as an important figure in attack, and he delivered accordingly in the first half. There were no more goals afterwards as England was trying to be too perfect.

Sweden vs Poland 3-2
Poland conceded a goal early on within 2 minutes just after commencement and that score line stayed in the first half. Most of the action, however, was in the second half. First, Sweden scored another one. After that, Poland was on a hunt to equalize and was able to achieve so thanks to Lewandowski. However, Sweden scored the winner in stop-itch time.

Slovakia vs Spain 0-5
Slovakia's defender made a poor back pass that went directly to his opponent but worst of all was the goalie who put the ball into his own net like spiking a volleyball; Spain got a freebie of a goal as a result. When Spain scored another, Slovakia's mental game was over and things didn't improve in the second half. Slovakia's downfall was due to the poor performance of the goal keeper and the defence line.

Portugal vs France 2-2
Surprisingly, Portugal was more dominant in possession. That meant that France had to counterattack. They tried to be threatening but to no avail as they were intercepted or out of target. Then Portugal was given a chance to score when the French goalie punched the face of the forward-jumping Portuguese player in the box. Ronaldo didn't miss his chance. However, Portugal in turn committed a foul in the box so France was also awarded a penalty kick and Benzema didn't miss either. The second half started off with France's Benzema scoring again. Later on, Portugal got another penalty kick chance with the French handling the ball. When Portugal tied, it brought their spirits up. Regardless, the second half was dominated by France in possession. In conclusion, the draw was enough for both teams to advance to the next round.

Germany vs Hungary 2-2
Germany mostly had ball possession as expected but it was Hungary that scored first from a great long range lob pass and a header connection. Germany continued to keep possession to equalize and Hungary was busy defending. Hungary tried at times to take advantage of German's loopholes in defence during counterattacks.

In the middle of the second half, German finally equalized from a set piece. Hungary immediately responded thereafter with a goal as the German defence was open and the long range pass was good. German still kept knocking on the door and their efforts paid off with an additional goal. So ended Hungary's run in the tournament as a tie was not enough for them to go through to the next round.