Euro 2016: Daily RoundUp -Group B

Monday’s matches had Wales and England battling for top of Group B.

Group B:

Monday 20 June 2016: Russia 0 – 3 Wales

TOULOUSE, FRANCE – JUNE 20: Aaron Ramsey of Wales and Denis Glushakov of Russia compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Russia and Wales at Stadium Municipal on June 20, 2016 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Aaron Ramsey (Wales)

Wales have just been fun to watch! I picked them as my dark horse, per se, but I don’t know that I expected them to play this well. I should have known given how really dominant they were in qualifying. Ramsey kicked off scoring in the 11th minute by lifting the ball over the keeper after a wonderful pass came in from Joe Allen. Neil Taylor put in Wales’ second goal in the 20th minute. It was his first international goal and it came after a pass from Gareth Bale. After a minute of extra time, the first half came to an end. It was clear that Wales were the better team. In the 67th minute, Bale poked the ball into the net after a pass from Ramsey. After 2 minutes of added time, the ref blew the whistle and Wales finished top of Group B with a decisive win over Russia.

Monday 20 June 2016: Slovakia 0 – 0 England

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE – JUNE 20: Jamie Vardy of England is fouled by Viktor Pecovsky of Slovakia resulting in an yellow card during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

England’s forward Wayne Rooney (L) vies wih Slovakia’s defender Milan Skriniar during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Slovakia and England at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne on June 20, 2016. / AFP / JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK (Photo credit should read JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP/Getty Images)

England’s defender Chris Smalling (L) vies with Slovakia’s defender Tomas Hubocan (R) during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Slovakia and England at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne on June 20, 2016. / AFP / PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images)

England’s midfielder Eric Dier (L) vies with Slovakia’s midfielder Juraj Kucka (R) during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Slovakia and England at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne on June 20, 2016. / AFP / jeff pachoud (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images)

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE – JUNE 20: Vladimir Weiss of Slovakia controls the ball under pressure of Dele Alli of England during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Matus Kozacik (Slovakia)

England are kind of the team that always looks very good on paper and always get in their own way, no? I was rooting for Slovakia in this one, as I need more Marek Hamsik in all things. As the match started, Lallana wasted no time in giving away a free kick. The partnership between Wilshere and Vardy looked like it might produce something for England. Slovakia were having a hard time getting Duda on the ball and the half ended scoreless. England dominated much of the second half. And Hamsik’s first real chance didn’t come until the 85th minute. But after 4 minutes of added time, it ended scoreless. Both teams managed to squeak out of the group.

-mygypsyspirit