UEFA Euro 2016, days 4 and 5: three wins, two draws

Thursday, June 16, 2016

On Monday, day four of UEFA Euro 2016, Spain defeated Czech Republic 1–0; Republic of Ireland drew 1–1 with Sweden, and Belgium lost 2–0 to Italy. On Tuesday, Hungary stunned Austria in a 2–0 win and Portugal and Iceland shared the spoils with 1–1.

Day four

Group D — Spain 1–0 Czech Republic

Sergio Ramos led the defending champions as David de Gea guarded the net. Only one player was booked in the entire match — David Limberský received a yellow card in the 61st minute. Though Spain had strong ball possession and 91% passing accuracy, they were unable to score until the 87th minute when defender Gerard Piqué scored from Iniesta's cross, winning the game for Spain. David Silva played his 100th match for La Roja.

Group E — Republic of Ireland 1–1 Sweden

Irish midfielder Wes Hoolahan scored minutes after the second half began, against the Swedish team led by Zlatan Ibrahimović; but later, in the 71st minute, Sweden equalised when Ciaran Clark scored an own goal, resulting in a 1–1 draw.

Group E — Belgium 0–2 Italy

Belgium had not defeated the Italians for 34 years. In this match Emanuele Giaccherini's goal in the first half and Graziano Pellè's goal moments before the final whistle allowed the 34-year run to continue even though the Belgian side had greater ball possession and passing accuracy.

Day five

Group F — Austria 0–2 Hungary

The Hungarians defeated ten-man Austria as Austrian defender Aleksandar Dragović was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the 33rd minute and the 66th minute. Ádám Szalai's goal in the 62nd minute and Zoltán Stieber's goal in the 87th minute earned them three points as they sit on the top of the table for Group F.

Group F — Portugal 1–1 Iceland

As Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal, he equalled the record of Luís Figo's 127 international caps for the nation. Nani's goal in the 31st minute gave the Portuguese a 1–0 lead. Later, in the 50th minute, Birkir Bjarnason scored, and the match ended in a draw. Portugal had 92% passing accuracy and led the ball possession.



Sources