Antoine Greizmann scores twice as France squeeze past Republic of Ireland. Julian Draxler supplies a goal and assist as Germany see off Slovakia, whilst Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard both dazzle in Belgian’s 4-0 demolition of Hungary.
France 2 Republic of Ireland 1
A double from Antoine Greizmann helped France come from behind to see off Republic of Ireland and book a place in the quarter-finals against England or Iceland.
Didier Deschamps made four changes from the side that played out a goalless draw against Switzerland in France’s final group match.
This saw Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud, Blaise Matuidi and N’Golo Kante all return to the XI, though the latter was replaced by Kingsley Coman at the break with the hosts trailing 1-0.
Indeed, Deschamps’ half-time decision to switch from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 helped turn the match in his side’s favour. Having started out wide, Greizmann tucked in behind Giroud in the central support berth, with Payet and Coman fielded on the flanks.
Bacary Sagna supplied the assist for Greizmann’s first before Giroud teed him up for what ultimately proved to be the winner. In terms of crosses, Sagna produced double the number than fellow full-back Patrice Evra (six to three), whilst Payet led the way with ten.
Owned by 24% of managers in the Uefa game, Griezmann fired an eye-catching eight attempts over the course of the match, whilst Payet’s 77% owners were left hugely frustrated after he produced six attempts and five key passes to no avail.
The displays of both Coman and Andre-Pierre Gignac off the bench will give Deschamps food for thought ahead of the last eight. The former created four chances after the break, whilst Gignac fired four attempts on goal in just 20 minutes – all the more pertinent considering that Giroud mustered just one effort in 74 minutes.
Certainly, the France boss will need to make at least a couple of alterations to his line-up next time out – bookings for Kante and Adil Rami means that both will be sidelined through suspension for the quarter-finals. Should Deschamps opt for a 4-3-3, Yohan Cabaye is favourite to come in for Kante, whilst Eliaquim Mangala is expected to replace Rami at centre-half.
Martin O’Neill kept faith in the same XI that beat Italy last time out and was rewarded early on after Robbie Brady notched for the second successive match, with the Norwich wide man netting from the spot.
Ultimately, though, Ireland can have little complaints over their exit. They managed just 32% possession and six attempts to their hosts’ 25, with Brady’s converted spot-kick their only effort on target over the match.
Germany 3 Slovakia 0
The World Champions breezed into the last eight with a dominant 3-0 win over Slovakia in the 5pm kick-off.
Joachim Low made just one alteration to his line-up, with Julian Draxler coming in for Mario Gotze on the left flank as Mario Gomez retained his starting role after netting the winner against Northern Ireland.
Gomez vindicated his manager’s decision by netting the second just before half-time, whilst Draxler staked a strong claim for another start by serving up a goal and assist before being replaced on 72 minutes. Priced at 8.0 and 6.5 respectively, the duo look strong value options and seem certain to earn extra investment before the next deadline.
Despite producing five key passes and three attempts inside the box, Mesut Ozil’s owners were left with just a single point after the Arsenal playmaker missed a spot-kick. Thomas Muller again frustrated, blanking for the fourth straight appearance, though he was joint-top with attempts on goal (four) for the victors along with Toni Kroos.
At the back, Low’s men continue to offer a steady source of points. It’s four clean sheets in succession now for Germany, with Jerome Boateng’s owners treated to a double-figure return after the centre-half opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Joshua Kimmich (classified as a midfielder in Uefa) was again utilised at right-back, leaving us with only three options at the back.
Given they are up against Spain or Italy next, some may be a little reticent to load up on Low’s main men. On this form, though, it’s clear they will take some stopping.
Slovakia exited the tournament with a whimper. Similar to their match against England, Jan Kozak’s side mustered a mere 39% possession and fired a couple of attempts on target. Marek Hamsik created four scoring chances for his side but, like Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland before them, the underdogs were unable to find a way past Manuel Neuer.
Belgium 4 Hungary 0
Belgium turned in their best display of the tournament with a comprehensive thrashing of Hungary in last night’s 8pm kick-off.
Marc Wilmots made one alteration from the side that beat Sweden last time out as Dries Mertens replaced Yannick Ferreira Carrasco on the Red Devils’ right flank.
Whilst Mertens failed to find the net from his four attempts, fellow attacking midfielders Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne both turned on the style.
De Bruyne, in particular, caught the eye. Priced at 10.0, the City man fired seven attempts on goal and created four scoring chances for his team-mates but, despite being awarded a pair of assists from Opta, has earned just a single assist in the Uefa game. Although De Bruyne supplied the final pass for Hazard’s 79th-minute strike, the Chelsea wide man (who also bagged an assist) was deemed to have created his own chance after manoeuvring past three Hungary defenders prior to finding the net.
Romelu Lukaku again frustrated his owners. The Everton man produced three efforts and four key passes but failed to play a part in any of his side’s goals, whereas replacement Michy Batshuayi emerged from the bench to score with his first touch. Carrasco also bagged a goal as a sub, with Radja Nainggolan (who netted the winner against Sweden) supplying an assist from the double-pivot.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld (6.5) served a reminder of his attacking potential by notching the opener courtesy of De Bruyne’s assist.
It’s three successive clean sheets for Belgium since the installation of Thomas Meunier at right-back, though Wilmots will need to make one change to his starting line-up for the clash against Chris Coleman’s side after Thomas Vermaelen earned his second caution of the tournament. Jason Denayer could come in at centre-half, though Jordan Lukaku could be handed a chance at left-back if Wilmots opts to shift Jan Vertonghen into the heart of his back-four.
Joint-top scorers over the group stages with six strikes, Hungary fired 16 attempts to the victors’ 25 and forced Thibaut Courtois into making six saves. Bernd Storck’s side managed more possession (53.2%) but their inability to notch means that, so far, the six eliminated sides in the Round of 16 have scored just two goals between then, with four failing to find the net.
