Euro 2016: Daily RoundUp – Group A and B

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 11: A general view prior to the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Russia at Stade Velodrome on June 11, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

It was Match Day 2 for Group A (and Russia/Slovakia in Group B) and it was not disappointing.

Russia and Slovakia for Group B actually kicked off first with a “Why haven’t you been paying attention to me?!” from Marek Hamsik. I’m telling you, I love him. But I also hate him. It’s such a weird feeling to watch him because I enjoy it so much but then he’ll do one thing that I don’t like and I go into this spiral of reasons he frustrates me so badly.

Group A:

Wednesday 15 June 2016: Romania 1 – 1 Switzerland

LENS, FRANCE – JUNE 11: Ermir Lenjani of Albania shows dejection after his team’s 0-1 defeat in the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between Albania and Switzerland at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on June 11, 2016 in Lens, France. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)

Both sides had their chances but in the 18th minute, Stancu placed his penalty past the Swiss keeper to give Romania the lead. The penalty was given when Lichtsteiner tugged on Chipciu’s shirt in the box. The half ended with Romania ahead 1-0. It wasn’t necessarily indicative of play, but Switzerland had controlled 63% of the possession in the first half despite trailing. Switzerland equalized through Mehmedi in the 57th minute. His half volley was absolutely drilled into the net. The draw meant that Switzerland don’t secure their spot in the next stage and that Romania can potentially move on if they beat Albania.

Wednesday 15 June 2016: France 2 – 0 Albania

France’s forward Antoine Griezmann reacts after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

France’s forward Dimitri Payet celebrates after scoring during the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images)

France’s forward Antoine Griezmann sits on the sideline during the start of the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 15: the France squad celebrate with Antoine Griezmann after he scored his sides first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome on June 15, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Olivier Giroud of France looks dejected during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome on June 15, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport) (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 15: Dimitri Payet of France celebrates after he scored his sides second goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome on June 15, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 15: Olivier Giroud of France (C) vies with Ansi Agolli of Albania (R) during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France on June 15, 2016. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

France teammates celebrate after beating Albanian 2-0 in the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 15: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome on June 15, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 15: the France squad celebrate with Antoine Griezmann after he scored his sides first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between France and Albania at Stade Velodrome on June 15, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Dimitri Payet

Albania managed to hold France scoreless in the first half. They closed down quickly whenever France got on the ball and France had a hard time finding chances. The ones they did have weren’t taken very well. To start the half, Deschamps brought Pogba in for Martial to see if the Juve midfielder could add something. Kingsley Coman had an excellent match as well, pushing out to the wing like he likes to do. Giroud hit the woodwork in the 69th minute before Griezmann, who had come on or Coman, scored in the 90th minute. Payet scored another in the 6th minute of added time to give France their spot in the next round.

Group B:

Wednesday 15 June 2016: Russia 1 – 2 Slovakia

during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Russia and Slovakia at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 15, 2016 in Lille, France.

during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Russia and Slovakia at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 15, 2016 in Lille, France.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE – JUNE 11: Ondrej Duda (R) of Slovakia celebrates scoring the equalising goal during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group B match between Wales and Slovakia at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on June 11, 2016 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Marek Hamsik (Slovakia)

With barely a minute on the clock, Smolnikov went down injured for Russia. He was up shortly, but Slovakia were already dominating. Weiss opened the scoring for Slovakia. The assist came from Hamsik in the 32nd minute. Hamsik scored an amazing goal in the 45th minute, just before the half. Slovakia played the corner short and Hamsik hit the far post from an insane angle to have it bounce back into the net. He made it look so, so easy. Russia pulled back a goal in the 80th minute but it wasn’t enough to beat Slovakia.

-mygypsyspirit

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