Scout Notes – Matchday 3 – Day 4

Group F ended with a bang while Group E had to make do with a whimper or two as the Round of 16 match-ups were finally resolved.

Portugal and Hungary served up a six-goal thriller that kept Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in the tournament, if only just, as Iceland’s unlikely glory continued with a late win over Austria.

The Republic of Ireland booked their knock-out spot with a win against a much-changed Italy but Sweden received their marching orders at the hands of a Belgium outfit that’s building momentum on the back of two straight victories.

Portugal 3 Hungary 3

Cristiano Ronaldo (12.0) finally made a positive mark on Euro 2016 with two goals and an assist against group winners Hungary – just good enough for a draw and qualification for the knock-out stages as a third-placed team.

The Portuguese megastar again hit double figures for attempts (10), but this time there was an end product as well.

He set up Nani’s (7.5) goal just before the break and then brilliantly flicked home a Joao Mario (6.0) cross before finishing the scoring with a trademark leap and header from a fine Ricardo Quaresma (6.0) delivery.

Every Portugal goal was an equaliser, testament to Hungary’s attacking intent, laced with a hefty dose of good fortune.

Coach Bernd Storck made five changes from the draw with Iceland but it didn’t stop Hungary causing Portugal’s ageing backline problems all match.

They took the lead with a superb half volley from Zoltan Gera, went 2-1 up just after the break from a deflected Balazs Dzsudzsak (6.6) free kick and took the lead yet again when another deflected Dzsudzsak attempt flew past the helpless Rui Patricio (5.0).

Only Germany and England have created more chances than Portugal’s 47, and they top the table with 70 attempts. A reliance on Ronaldo is all too obvious, though, and the demands of tournament football seem to be catching up with their defence already.

Joao Moutinho (7.5) only played the first half and still managed to create the most chances (five) and deliver the most crosses (seven) for good DraftKings returns, while Dzsudzsak’s two goals, five crosses and three attempts marked him out as Hungary’s stand-out performer and earned him a price rise overnight.

Finishing third makes Portugal players – including Ronaldo – suddenly less attractive as they will now face Croatia in the Round of 16.

Hungary’s reward for a superb campaign to date is a tough test against Belgium.

Austria 1 Iceland 2

Iceland’s history-making tournament went on after a last-gasp winner secured them second spot and a knock-out clash against England.

Austria, desperately disappointing following such a superb qualification campaign, spent the last 30 minutes of the match encamped in Iceland’s half, out-shooting their rivals 23-11.

Nonetheless, the victors’ now trademark backs-to-the-wall style paid off again, and they even had time to pinch the winner when Arnor Ingvi Traustason (5.5) tucked away an Elmar Bjarnason (4.4) pass on the break.

That was cruel on an Austrian side who only truly came alive when David Alaba was moved into his more customary deeper midfield role.

The Bayern Munich star had already earned a penalty, which Aleksandar Dragovic missed, before he set up Alessandrro Schopf for Austria’s first, and as it turned out only, goal of the tournament.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (8.0) again topped Iceland’s attempts chart, with three, but their opening goalscorer was the unlikely Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (5.5), who broke a 19-match goal drought from a Kari Arnason (5.5) assist.

Iceland’s main selling point is the low cost of most of their players, but that value is offset by their tendency to drop deep and live off scraps on the break.

It’s served them brilliantly thus far – and will surely be employed again against England – making their defenders and goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson (5.0) worth consideration, particularly in DraftKings.

Belgium 1 Sweden 0

A thunderous Radja Nainggolan (6.5) strike was one of the few highlights of a scrappy match that secured Belgium second place in Group E while sending a poor Sweden home.

At least the Swedes finally managed a shot on target, and they’d added two more by the end of a turgid affair in which Belgium were once again all talent and precious little cohesion.

Kevin De Bruyne remains the pick of their players – particularly in DraftKings – and he led the way for his side with six chances created, 14 crosses and four attempts.

Better news for the 16% of managers in the official Uefa game who backed Eden Hazard (9.5) to blossom. He provided the assist for Nainggolan and put in a solid shift out wide, creating five chances and firing three attempts.

The other well-owned (12%) Belgian, Romelu Lukaku (9.0), laboured for much of the match, starved of the quick ball that his pace and power thrive on. He came to the fore as the match opened up in the latter stages, though, with four attempts, two of which were on target.

Belgium, you suspect, would have happily taken a Round of 16 tie with Hungary before the tournament began. Marc Wilmots’ side should have enough quality to see of the Magyars, though it’s fair to say that their man men have yet to justify such lofty valuations across the Fantasy games.

Italy 0 Republic of Ireland 1

A late Robbie Brady (6.0) header sent Ireland into the Round of 16 for a match with the tournament hosts.

Martin O’Neill’s men toiled under the Lille roof to break down a stubborn but otherwise disinterested Italian side that managed just a single shot on target.

Already assured of top spot in Group E, Antonio Conte made eight changes from the side that beat Sweden, and The Azzurri were content to soak up Irish pressure throughout.

The top four players for goal attempts all came from Ireland, as did the top three for chances created and crosses delivered.

Brady dominated in all three categories, with two, three and eight respectively, while Wes Hoolahan (6.0) atoned for a bad miss when clean through by providing the assist for the winning goal.

James McClean (5.5) also caught the eye in DraftKings, with three crosses, a match-leading five tackles won and a shot.

Italy, unusually for them, started the tournament in blistering form. Having tamed a tough group after just two matches, they can feel justifiably aggrieved to end up facing Spain in the Round of 16.

As a result, their players look like risky investments, with Antonio Candreva (7.5) the most attractive, if passed fit.

Ireland have enjoyed some luck to get this far. They failed to despatch a listless Sweden, were outclassed by Belgium and then faced an Italy side with half an eye, at the very least, on the next round.

France should prevail, with Brady the best bet to spoil the home team’s party.