England secured the highest spot in Group C with a gritty 0-0 draw towards Slovenia, avoiding a last-16 conflict with hosts Germany, whereas France’s failure to beat Poland has difficult their path to the ultimate.
Gareth Southgate’s group has struggled to seek out their finest kind within the event, delivering one other lackluster efficiency in Cologne, which can do little to quell the rising criticism again dwelling.
However, the draw was sufficient to advance as group winners after an equally uninspiring 0-0 draw between Denmark and Serbia in Munich, permitting Denmark to complete second forward of Slovenia regardless of having an equivalent report.
“That was the aim before the start of the tournament, to come top of the group,” England captain Harry Kane informed ITV. “These games are really, really tough. We’ve been here before and stepped it up in the knockouts. Hopefully, we can do it again but whoever we get in the next round will be tough.”
England should wait to seek out out which of the 4 finest third-placed groups they’ll meet in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday for a spot within the quarterfinals.
Denmark pipped Slovenia to the runners-up spot by advantage of a greater qualifying rating after each nations completed with three attracts, the identical purpose distinction, variety of targets scored, and disciplinary factors.
Germany awaits Denmark within the final 16, whereas Slovenia celebrated reaching the knockout part of a significant event for the primary time.
Serbia was eradicated after coming final within the part, with Croatia’s exit additionally confirmed.
France falter
France blew the possibility to complete first of their group regardless of Kylian Mbappe scoring his maiden European Championship purpose from the spot in a 1-1 draw with Poland, as Austria received a thriller towards the Netherlands to grab the highest spot.
Didier Deschamps’ France didn’t prime their group at a significant event for the primary time since Euro 2012 after being made to pay for a collection of missed probabilities.
“We’ve achieved our first objective,” mentioned Deschamps. “Even if we don’t have the spot we were aiming for because we are second. A new competition is about to start.”
Austria, who misplaced their opening recreation to France, grabbed a 3-2 victory over the Dutch to wrap up a last-16 berth and relegate their already-qualified opponents to 3rd place in Group D.
France dominated for lengthy intervals towards Poland however has nonetheless solely scored twice in Germany – an personal purpose by Austria’s Maximilian Woeber and Mbappe’s penalty.
Les Bleus will face the runners-up from Group E, during which Belgium, Ukraine, Romania, and Slovakia all have three factors, within the final 16.
As a results of coming second, France additionally now finds themselves within the half of the draw with Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Mbappe – taking part in in a masks after breaking his nostril towards Austria – lastly broke his Euros duck within the 56th minute, as he slotted in a penalty after Ousmane Dembele was felled by Jakub Kiwior.
But Poland was awarded a spot-kick themselves with 13 minutes remaining for a foul on Karol Swiderski.
Robert Lewandowski’s weak preliminary effort was comfortably saved by Mike Maignan, however the France goalkeeper had strayed off his line and the Poland talisman dispatched his second try.
Austria powers via
Dutch followers turned Berlin orange as they continued to gentle up the event, nevertheless it was the Austrians in full voice early on as their group was rewarded for an enterprising begin when Donyell Malen inadvertently fired into his personal internet.
But the Netherlands drew stage lower than two minutes after the restart, as Austria midfielder Florian Grillitsch misplaced the ball in midfield earlier than Cody Gakpo minimize inside and completed off a speedy counter-attack.
Just because the Oranje began to get on prime, Austria reclaimed the lead as Romano Schmid’s header discovered the web through a deflection off Stefan de Vrij on the road.
Memphis Depay struck with a wonderful contact and volley to equalize once more after an excellent header down by substitute Wout Weghorst.
But one of many video games of the event was not but carried out and Marcel Sabitzer hammered dwelling within the eightieth minute to place Austria in entrance for the third time.
Ralf Rangnick’s males now have a match towards both Turkey, Czechia or Georgia to sit up for as they bid to succeed in the quarterfinals for the primary time.
The Netherlands will play the winners of both Groups C or E.
“We didn’t get around to playing football. In the second half, things got better but it wasn’t enough,” Gakpo informed Dutch broadcaster NOS.
Source: www.dailysabah.com