Daily Archives: June 19, 2024

Scotland 1 Switzerland 1: Shaqiri’s stunner, own goal confusion, Tierney’s agony – The Briefing

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“To Stuttgart then for Scotland and Hungary — where a winner will like guarantee one of them a passage through to the round of 16. After being thumped 5-1 by Germany in the opening game of the competition Scotland responded in style. A fine move down the left ended with Scott McTominay’s scuffed shot going in off Switzerland defender Fabian Schar after 13 minutes. The lead did not last long though and the equaliser was a stunner — Chicago Fire’s Xherdan Shaqiri firing home from the edge of the box after Anthony Ralston’s woeful pass. A pulsating battle ensued as both sides pushed for a winner with Arsenalfull-back Kieran Tierney carried off in clear pain with a leg injury. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)

Germany 2 Hungary 0: Nagelsmann’s tactics, Neuer’s revival and hosts through first

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“Host nation Germany are through to the knockout stage of Euro 2024 after a convincing 2-0 win over Hungary in Stuttgart. A 22nd-minute strike from Jamal Musiala put Julian Nagelsmann’s side in front and then captain Ilkay Gundogan made sure of the three points midway through the second half. Hungary didn’t roll over like Scotland did in losing Friday’s tournament opener 5-1, however — with veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer making several key saves to keep Marco Rossi’s side from scoring. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
NY Times/The Athletic: Manuel Neuer offers Germany glimpses of past brilliance but remains a figure under scrutiny

Croatia 2 Albania 2 – How did Croatia let it slip? How far can Albania go? Unluckiest own goal?

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Albania’s Klaus Gjasula looks on in horror as he scores an own goal that gives Croatia the lead.
“Just when it looked as though Croatia had disproved their doubters by coming from behind to beat Albania, they let it slip at the end. As against Italy in their first game, Albania scored with their first shot. Against Italy, it was after just 23 seconds. This time, it came after 11 minutes, via Qazim Laci’s header. But despite struggling in the first half, Croatia took the lead in the second half, with Andrej Kramaric equalising before an unfortunate own goal shortly after. But then Klaus Gjasula, who had scored the own goal, equalised to rescue a 2-2 draw for Albania. Both sides, with one point each and one game to play, can still reach the knockouts. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
Guardian: Klaus Gjasula strikes late after own goal to snatch Albania draw with Croatia – Jonathan Wilson

French far-right leader condemns Mbappé’s anti-extremism remarks

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“The French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has criticised the footballer Kylian Mbappé over his call for young people to vote against the ‘extremes’ in parliamentary elections this month. ‘I have a lot of respect for our footballers, whether Marcus Thuram or Kylian Mbappé, who are icons of football and icons for youth … But we must respect the French, we must respect everyone’s vote,’ Bardella told CNews TV on Tuesday. …”
Guardian

Arda Guler: Choir-boy looks, thunderous foot and the hearts of Ancelotti, Montella and Turkey

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“Giorgi Mamardashvili pawed the free kick away. As he did, his Georgian team-mates ran over to celebrate as if he had scored. His compatriots in the press tribune in the Westfalenstadion turned to their colleagues, grasped their arms and said: ‘The best in the world. The best goalkeeper in the world.’ Mamardashvili was the hero when Georgia qualified for a European Championship for the first time since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. When the 23-year-old goalkeeper flew to his left and saved Tasos Bakasetas’ penalty in the play-off against Greece, he flew his nation to Dortmund too. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)
Guardian: Arda Guler brings the thunder as Turkey survive storm to beat Georgia

Francisco Conceição comes off Portugal bench to break Czech Republic hearts

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“A night of mayhem and confusion, of futures and pasts dragging each other in different directions, and at its climax a goal of pure catharsis. Portugal, one of the tournament favourites, are away: a poacher’s goal by the 21-year-old Francisco Conceição sealing victory in the first minute of injury time and underlining the bench strength available to Roberto Martínez. And this was a redemption of sorts for Martínez too, a coach who knows that he will need to shed Portugal’s past if he is to shed his own. Perhaps unfairly maligned as the man who inherited Belgium’s golden generation and won nothing, …”
Guardian

France’s altered defensive shape worked against Austria – but game state was a crucial factor

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“When Didier Deschamps was asked a question about the pairing of N’Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot in midfield after France’s 1-0 victory against Austria, he politely interrupted it to make a small correction. … France’s switch to a midfield three featuring the Atletico Madrid forward has continued throughout the European Championship qualifying campaign and into the tournament, but they slightly adjusted their shape off the ball in their opening game against Ralf Rangnick’s Austria. Usually, France’s 4-3-3 moves to a lopsided 4-4-2 when they are out of possession, with Kylian Mbappe maintaining a high position, while the right winger drops deeper to form a midfield four and the left midfielder is tasked with defending the flank. This way, Deschamps frees Mbappe of any defensive responsibilities and keeps him in an advanced position to be a threat on the transition. …”
NY Times/The Athletic