Euro 2020 Round of 16, Knockout Stages - Italy vs Austria 2-1

 As was expected, Austria doggedly battled the more fancied Italy through the whole of 90 minutes, with fair chances to go ahead, but eventually succumbed in extra time to a 2-1 scoreline. The Red & White outfit, led by David Alaba, put up a fabulous performance, much beyond the expectations of most football experts, who had predicted a easy sweep for the Italians. 

It was a great contest, as both teams played with flair & optimism trying to create an early advantage & hold on the game. There were acrobatic saves at both ends of the goal, & half chances fluffed, as the 1st half ended in stalemate. Italy had more of the chances, as their efforts flew past, kissing the crossbar, & on another occasion, Austrian keeper, Bachmann saved well with his feet.                                            Early in the 2nd half Alaba should've taken the lead for Austria, but his freekick from the edge of the box, sailed over the bar. Around 60 minutes into the match, with tense supporters on both sides egging for a lead, Arnautovic teamed up with Alaba to put the ball into the Italian net, to start the celebrations, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. A while later, the red & white outfit appealed for a penalty, when Stefan Lainer was brought down in the box by Pessina, but again, this was disallowed for an offside after a VAR review - these were probably the best moments Austrians had in the match. Lady Luck stayed away from Austria tantalizingly, as the match headed into extra time. 

The more experienced Azzuri, finally broke the deadlock in extra time, as Chiesa picked up a cross from Spinazzola to smash in a left footed shot into the Austrian goal. With spring on their wheels now, the Italians were all over the Austrian half & scored the 2nd goal, as Insigne's shot deflected into the path of Pessina in a crowded defense, who fired into the far corner of the net, as the stadium erupted in Blue white cheers. However, just when it seemed all over the bar shouting, Sasa Kalajdzic lunged in between three Italian defenders to head in from the neat post for Austria to narrow the lead to 2-1, as the Red & White Austrian supporters came to life & the match opened up at both ends.                          Italy, having finally conceded a goal after 1,168 minutes of  a clean sheet in the tournament, created a new World record & eventually prevailed over the Austrians with gritty defensive character. Leonardo Spinazzola was certainly the Man of Match with his incredible & tireless presence across the field, through the game - it was finally his pass to Chiesa, that created the 1st goal to pip Italy ahead, at a time, when they looked quite out of sorts. 

It was a real tight game, which could've gone either ways - a narrow slippery escape for Italy, who now reach the quarter finals & await the winner of Belgium vs Portugal - another humdinger in the making. WOW 

Euro 2020 Round of 16, Knockout Stages - Wales vs Denmark 0-4

 Denmark have coasted through to the quarter finals, defeating Wales 4-0 in Amsterdam. The match was a hard fought game, as expected, as both teams started in earnest, testing the rival backline with long rangers. Gareth Bale almost got the lead for the Wales early on, but his pile driver from outside the box went just over the bar. Danes looked more sprightly through the game & better composed, with Braithwaite & Maehle creating some chances, as Kasper Dolberg got onto the score board in the 27th minute, with a good right footed shot that curled into the far corner of the Welsh goal. Maehle almost doubled the lead, but the Welsh goalkeeper Ward managed to parry the shot for a corner. At half time, with Denmark leading by one goal, the game looked open & competitive.

After the lemon break, Bale & Ramsey tried their best to pry open, but the Danish defense led by captain Simon Kjaer held on with good anticipation, as on the other side, Dolberg scored again, with a cool finish, as the Welsh defense faltered. Braithwaite, Maehle, Dolberg, Andersen kept the pressure on the Welsh backline, & towards the end of the game, Braithwaite & Andersen missed a sitter off a corner. However, Maehle, playing tirelessly through the game, scored the 3rd goal with a fabulous left footer into the top end of the net, to bury the game completely. In the injury time Braithwaite too, opened his account with a hard hit left footer, making the score a very impressive 4-0. Initially the goal was turned down as offside, but VAR, ruled it correct after a long evaluation. 

Wales, were truly outplayed, & to add salt to their wounds, Harry Wilson got red carded for a stupid tackle on Maehle towards the end of the game, as the Wales imploded in the last 6-7 minutes of the game, to let in two goals. They had reached the semis in the last edition in 2016, but this time, they have to pack back home in the round of 16. Probably the last Euro for Gareth Bale, given his age & injuries, - a fine forward, who enthralled the football lovers with his dash down the line & scoring abilities.  

Denmark, look like getting into their stride, a pressing game, that is their hallmark. They now await the winner of Netherlands vs Czech Republic.  

Euro 2020 - The Knockout stages

 The 2020 Euro has now reached the business end of the tournament - its here that the top 16 Nations are going to slug it out for the coveted Henri Delaunay Trophy. 

1) Wales vs Denmark : In the first of the knockout stage matches, 1992 Champions Denmark take on the unpredictable Wales. The teams seem evenly matched on paper, both playing tough physical games, with long balls into the opposition half. Despite Erikson ruled out out with the unfortunate medical issue in the first game, they still have enough depth in Damsgaard & Braithwaite upfront & Delaney, Christiansen & Schmeichel back defending - the Danes are known for their sudden pace & pressing game, though they have not particularly lit up the tournament as yet. Meanwhile Wales are led by the mercurial Gareth Bale, with proven players like Ramsey, Moore & James, who can tear apart any defense on their day. Its going to be a hard fought, but largely a boring physical game, I think, & Denmark may just pip the Wales finally. 

2) Italy vs Austria : Italy would certainly be the favourites to cross this hurdle, as they have been in sweeping form till now in the tournament, having won all the three group matches with relative ease, & not conceding a single goal to the boot. Austria, on the other hand qualified from group C, winning a tough match against Ukraine. I dont think they would cause much concern for the Azzurri, as Mancini's team look all set to wrap up this encounter. However, some experts are expecting a possible surprise result. 

3) Netherlands vs Czech Republic : The 1988 Champions, popularly known as Oranje team have displayed all the prowess to maraud their opponents, having won their Group matches quite easily. The team boasts of  a galaxy of stars in Memphis Depay, Winaldum, Frankie DeJong, deLigt, Dumfries, & many many more - known for their attacking flair, I think they will zoom past the Czech, who came through as one of the top 3 in Group Stages. The Czech have a real threat in Patrik Schick upfront, & have players who can defend, but, against the quality of Dutch, they would be lucky not to get mauled. 

4) Belgium vs Portugal : This will be a mouth watering contest, & I believe the game will go to the wire. The defending Champions Portugal have been quite unpredictable in the Group stages, winning a hard fought game against Hungary & then losing heavily to Germany, before managing a draw with the tournament favourites, France to sneak in. Ronaldo, as usual leads the goal scoring with five under his belt already & seems hungry for more. The team is not prolific, but has immense quality to spring a surprise, & Belgium will be well aware of that. The current World no1 team, Belgium is heavily stacked with classy players like Lukaku, Hazard, deBruyne, capable of scoring from all ends, & in Courtois arguably the best goalkeeper in Europe - a very strong team indeed, & we are looking at one of the best matches of the tournament. Hard to predict, as my heart goes for Portugal & head says Belgium. 

5) Croatia vs Spain : Another humdinger of a match, as Spain seems to have hit the goal scoring patch finally, after a slow start to the tournament. The team has some real stars of tomorrow in Pedri, Torres, Llorente, Garcia, along with seasoned players like Busquets, Alba, Koke & others. The team has good potential to go past Croatia, who are shepherded by Modric along with Perisic, Lovren, Kovacic, Vlasic in the ranks - the team looks a bit aging, but has the capabilities to spring a surprise. I belive, Spain will prevail a hard fought battle. 

6) France vs Switzerland : Tournament favourites, France have everything going for them on paper, with the likes of Benzema, Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud, Kante, Pogba, & Lloris under the bar - its the best team team & lauded by almost all as the tournament winners this time & against the Swiss, they should steamroll. However, the Swiss have Shaqiri, who can cause trouble to the blue defense, but, winning seems almost impossible. 

7) Germany vs England : Another humdinger to look forward to, as its always an epic battle between these two fiercest rivals of all times in Europe. Germany are always a force to reckon with, though this time around they are struggling a bit. However, they are the big stage team & always excel in knockout stages. England on the other hand have a well knit team, & are playing in front of a home crowd, but have struggled to score in the Group stages, & may hit a barrier here. I see a Germany run past this English side, just on big game presence. 

8) Ukraine vs Sweden : In the match of the minnows, Sweden seem more likely to go beyond Ukraine, given their fine performance against Spain in the Group stages. Ukraine, on the other hand scraped through till here, & would be proud enough, if they can put up a decent fight. 

Looking forward to some exciting football over the next two weeks, through late nights - it should be worth the efforts.