Euro 2020 Round Up: Netherlands ease into last 16, De Bruyne inspires Belgium comeback win, Debutants N. Macedonia eliminated

With a game in Group B and two games in Group C, Belgium launched a majestic comeback against stricken Denmark side to sail smoothly to the top of Group B summit whiles Netherlands are sure of the top spot in Group C after an impressive showdown in Amsterdam on Thursday.

Ukraine saw off debutants North Macedonia to set Austria in the final matchday; both nations keep hopes of progression into the last 16 alive.

We begin today’s episode reliving the glorious and inglorious moments from Day 7. 

RESULTS

GROUP C

Ukraine 2 -1 North Macedonia

Netherlands 2 – 0 Austria  

GROUP B

Denmark 1- 2 Belgium

SUMMARY

Dumfries strikes again as Netherlands book last 16 spot with win over Austria

The Oranjes made giant strides towards the second round of the of European Championship with a 2-0 victory over Austria at Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam.

Netherlands are guaranteed to progress to the knock out stage no matter what happens in their final game against North Macedonia, who are eliminated. It’s job done for the Dutch for the group stage.

Depay fired the Netherlands ahead in the 11th minute as he made no mistake from the spot after a VAR check proved a foul in the box on Dumfries by David Alaba.

Flying fullback Denzel Dumfries was on target again 22minutes after restart, finishing off a counter attack that is led by Malen. Dumfries has been excellent so far in this Euro 2020. He made it 2goals in 2 games.

The Dutch made it through to the knock out phase for the first time since 2008,winning both of their opening two matches.

Austria had a good share of the game but the created little and lucked the cutting edge. 

De Bruyne inspires comeback win for Belgium

Belgium held on to win their second Group B opener thanks to substitute Kevin De Bruyne providing an assist and finally the winning goal to seal a 2-1 victory over a stricken Denmark side.

Denmark made an emotional Euro return on Thursday evening in Group B when they welcome Belgium to the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

The Danes opened their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Finland – which was overshadowed by the harrowing events involving Christian Eriksen – while Belgium eased to a 3-0 win over Russia.

Teams paused for Eriksen tribute; A tribute to Denmark’s Christian Eriksen, who is recovering in hospital following a medical emergency during Denmark’s opening game against Finland, was observed with a moment of applause after ten minutes.

The Danes got off to a perfect start and boasted of a 1-0 lead at half time with the second-fastest goal in EURO finals history, one minute and 39 seconds,

Substitute Kelvin De Bryne contributed to the Danes victory; Romelu Lukaku did brilliantly to burst down the right flank, before playing the ball to the newly introduced De Bruyne. There was no much space, but he managed to find an open Thorgan Hazard, who slotted in for the equaliser.

De Bruyne added a second to earn Belgium a comeback victory after he latched on to a clever pass from Eden Hazard and blasted in a low shot into the net.

Denmark can finish second if they beat Russia and Finland lose against Belgium, but it will all depend on the goals scored in these two matches.

Close but no cigar for North Macedonia as Ukraine record first Euro win

Ukraine demonstrated their quality over North Macedonia and ended up scoring two goals in the space of five minutes to give themselves a comfortable lead before the half-time break.

Yarmolenko opened accounts in the 29th minute after Oleksandr Karavaev’s flick from a corner. He then released Yaremchuk on the right flank in the 34th minute to add a second to seal a first Euro win for the Yellow and Blues .

Goalkeepers of both sides were brilliant.

Ezgjan Alioski got the only goal for North Macedonia in the 57th minute when he scored on a rebound after goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan blocked his penalty shot.

Ukraine kept hopes of progression to the knock out phase alive as they face off Austria in final Group C match-up.

Ukraine will finish second with a win or draw whiles Austria must beat Ukraine to finish second.

 Group B Standings

Group C Standings

FRIDAY’S PREVIEW

Group E: Sweden face Slovakia with eyes on a win (Sweden vs Slovakia – Krestovsky Stadium Russia) 1PM

Sweden and Slovakia will face off in St Petersburg, following positive results in their opening games at Euro 2020, on Friday, with a both nations looking forward to last 16 berth.

Slovakia will be through if they beat Sweden. They will be confirmed in first place if they win and Spain do not beat Poland.

Sweden were fortunate to leave Spain with a point but expect them to be more offensive tonight, with Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak leading the line.

Group D: Croatia in win or bust fixture against Czech ( Croatia vs Czech – Hampden Park Scotland) 4PM

After their hopes were almost dashed after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to England in the Group D opener, Croatia will be aiming to salvage their fortunes when they take on Czech Republic today at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

The 2018 World Cup finalists were far from competent and now run the risk of potentially bowing out of the top two contention in Group D as they take on the Czech Republic on Friday.

It is a must-win game for Zlatko Dalic’s men, especially following Czechia’s win over Scotland in the opening fixture.

Croatia will be unable to finish in the top two if they lose to Czech Republic and Scotland do not beat England.

Czech Republic gets into second round if they beat Croatia. They will be confirmed in the top two if they win and Scotland do not beat England.

Group D: Three Lions battles Tartan Army at Wembley (England vs Scotland – Wembley Stadium) 7PM

England will be looking to make it two wins from two matches at this summer’s European Championship when they welcome Scotland to Wembley on Friday night for a mouthwatering contest.

Gareth Southgate’s men began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Croatia while the Scots lost 2-0 to the Czech Republic.

Kane was not at his best against Croatia but Scotland know all about his talents.

The Tartan Army will be no pushover and will not also accept defeat easily.

We expect a feisty affair between the old rivals in the world’s oldest international fixture.

England will secure the last 16 berth if they beat Scotland. They will be confirmed in the top two if they win and Croatia do not beat Czech Republic.

Scotland risk finishing in the top two if they lose to England and Croatia do not beat Czech Republic.

 Acknowledgement : Betway Ghana (Headline Sponsors) 

Mark F. | SilverFM