Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden are set to head home after Italy’s insurmountable defence held up to make sure that they will not be flying home from France for a while yet. The Squadra Azzurra made it into the last 16 with their 1-0 win over Sweden. The Scandinavians know that they will need a win against Belgium to progress from Group E to the knockout rounds.
The game the 29,600 fans in Toulouse saw was one of the weakest showings of the tournament. The first half was also the most uneventful of the tournament according to statistics. The second half was not much better either, with the only action being a header onto the crossbar from Marco Parolo, before Eder’s late winner in the 88th minute put Italy through to the knockout stages.
Czech Republic fight back against Croatia
Croatia threw away a seemingly certain victory on Friday evening, missing out on the chance to secure their place in the last 16. The 1998 World Cup’s third-placed side were leading 2-0 against the Czech Republic with quarter of an hour to go thanks to goals from former Bundesliga players Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic. However, the game was turned on its head, starting with Milan Skoda’s goal back, before Tomas Necid equalised from the penalty spot three minutes into stoppage time. Croatian Domagoj Vida had previously handled the ball.
Thanks to their 1-0 win over Turkey in their opening group game though, Croatia still have a very good chance of reaching the knockout stages. Czech Republic were beaten 1-0 by Spain in their first match, but now with a point on the board, victory against Turkey in their final group game could still be enough to progress from Group D.
Spain ease into the knockout stages
In the final game on Friday, Spain comfortably saw off Turkey to book their place in the round of 16. Alvaro Morata and Nolito's goals had the defending European Champions two goals to the good at the break, before the Juventus striker completed his brace early in the second half to end the contest and leave Turkey's hopes of progressing from Group D hanging by a thread.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden are set to head home after Italy’s insurmountable defence held up to make sure that they will not be flying home from France for a while yet. The Squadra Azzurra made it into the last 16 with their 1-0 win over Sweden. The Scandinavians know that they will need a win against Belgium to progress from Group E to the knockout rounds.
The game the 29,600 fans in Toulouse saw was one of the weakest showings of the tournament. The first half was also the most uneventful of the tournament according to statistics. The second half was not much better either, with the only action being a header onto the crossbar from Marco Parolo, before Eder’s late winner in the 88th minute put Italy through to the knockout stages.
Czech Republic fight back against Croatia
Croatia threw away a seemingly certain victory on Friday evening, missing out on the chance to secure their place in the last 16. The 1998 World Cup’s third-placed side were leading 2-0 against the Czech Republic with quarter of an hour to go thanks to goals from former Bundesliga players Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic. However, the game was turned on its head, starting with Milan Skoda’s goal back, before Tomas Necid equalised from the penalty spot three minutes into stoppage time. Croatian Domagoj Vida had previously handled the ball.
Thanks to their 1-0 win over Turkey in their opening group game though, Croatia still have a very good chance of reaching the knockout stages. Czech Republic were beaten 1-0 by Spain in their first match, but now with a point on the board, victory against Turkey in their final group game could still be enough to progress from Group D.
Spain ease into the knockout stages
In the final game on Friday, Spain comfortably saw off Turkey to book their place in the round of 16. Alvaro Morata and Nolito's goals had the defending European Champions two goals to the good at the break, before the Juventus striker completed his brace early in the second half to end the contest and leave Turkey's hopes of progressing from Group D hanging by a thread.
