Euro 2016: Daily RoundUp – Groups E and F

Haven’t we all become Iceland fans at this point?

Group F:

Wednesday 22 June 2016: Iceland 2 – 1 Austria

Iceland’s midfielder Birkir Bjarnason (L) and Iceland’s midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrate after the Euro 2016 group F football match between Iceland and Austria at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, near Paris on June 22, 2016. / AFP / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Arnor Ingvi Traustason of Iceland scores passed Robert Almer of Austria for his team’s second goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group F match between Iceland and Austria at Stade de France on June 22, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Kari Arnason (Iceland)

Iceland only needed a draw to advance, but they weren’t out for anything but a win. It took almost no time for them to get a shot on goal. Gudmundsson hit the post in the 2nd minute! In the 18th minute, a long throw in was flicked toward goal by Árnason and Bödvarsson had time to take the shot and put it past Almer. Austria had their chances too, but couldn’t convert. In the 37th minute, Dragovic took the awarded penalty when Alaba was brought down in the box. He recreated Ronaldo’s penalty against Austria, however, when he hit the post in exactly the same manner that Ronaldo had. Iceland held the lead going into the break. In the second half, it was the substitute Schöpf who made the difference for Austria. He collected a pass from Alaba, made his way through the defense and slotted the ball past the keeper. It seemed the match would end in the draw, but in the 4th minute of added time, Iceland had other plans. Bjarnason made a quick break and squared to Traustason in front of net. All Traustason had to do was slide in to put it on net. That was the win for Iceland! If you haven’t heard it yet, here’s what the Icelandic commentator sounded like:

Wednesday 22 June 2016: Hungary 3 – 3 Portugal

Portugal’s goalkeeper Rui Patricio concedes a goal during the Euro 2016 group F football match between Hungary and Portugal at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, on June 22, 2016. / AFP / JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK (Photo credit should read JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

This game was insane and I’m so mad that I didn’t get to watch it. There’s been a lot of talk about Cristiano not showing up and being petty (like throwing a reporter’s microphone into the water). But he showed up in a big way in this match. It was Hungary that struck first through Gera in the 19th minute. Portugal answered in the 42nd minute with a Nani goal that was assisted by Ronaldo. The first half ended in a 1-1 draw. When the second half started, Hungary scored again in the 47th minute when Dzsudzsák‘s free-kick deflected off André Gomes and into the net. Just 3 minutes later, Ronaldo equalized yet again on an assist from João Mário. It was a fabulous backheel goal. But Hungary weren’t done and in the 55th minute Dzsudzsák scored again, this time deflected off Nani. Portugal responded yet again in the 62nd minute. Quaresma played the ball in and Cristiano headed the ball in. And that’s how the match would stay for the remainder. How exciting!

Group E:

Wednesday 22 June 2016: Italy 0 – 1 Republic of Ireland

LILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Andrea Barzagli of Italy and James McClean of Republic of Ireland compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Italy and Republic of Ireland at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 22, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

LILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Leonardo Bonucci of Italy and Daryl Murphy of Republic of Ireland tussle during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Italy and Republic of Ireland at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 22, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Ireland’s forward Shane Long (L) and Italy’s defender Angelo Ogbonna vie for the ball during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Italy and Ireland at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, near Lille, on June 22, 2016. / AFP / PHILIPPE LOPEZ (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

LILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland and Mattia De Sciglio of Italy compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Italy and Republic of Ireland at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 22, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

LILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland controls the ball under pressure of Mattia De Sciglio of Italy during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Italy and Republic of Ireland at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 22, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Robbie Brady (Republic of Ireland)

I don’t know what I expected out of this match, but a win for Rep. of Ireland wasn’t it. Granted, Conte made a number of changes, but I still expected an Italy win. The biggest change for me was that instead of Gigi in at keeper, it was Sirigu. I think that made all the difference at the back, as the defense didn’t seem to trust him the same way they trust Gigi. Both teams had chances, but the first half ended scoreless. It took until the 85th minute for Ireland to beat Sirigu. Wes Hoolihan played in a brilliant cross and Robbie Brady had Ireland’s goal much to the delight of ForzaSusan! After two minutes of extra time, Ireland secured their spot in the next round.

Wednesday 22 June 2016: Sweden 0 – 1 Belgium

A view of the action between Sweden and Belgium during their UEFA Euro 2016 Group E match

Belgium’s defender Thomas Meunier (L) vies for the ball against Sweden’s forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Sweden and Belgium at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on June 22, 2016. / AFP / Valery HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)

Hungary’s players acknowledge supporters after the Euro 2016 group F football match between Hungary and Portugal at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, on June 22, 2016. / AFP / Joe KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

NICE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Eden Hazard of Belgium is shadowed by Erik Johansson of Sweden during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Sweden and Belgium at Allianz Riviera Stadium on June 22, 2016 in Nice, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Sweden’s forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic stands on the pith at the end of the Euro 2016 group E football match between Sweden and Belgium at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on June 22, 2016. / AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

A view of the action between Sweden and Belgium during their UEFA Euro 2016 Group E match

NICE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden consoles team-mate Andreas Isaksson of Sweden after defeat in the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Sweden and Belgium at Allianz Riviera Stadium on June 22, 2016 in Nice, France. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Man of the Match: Eden Hazard (Belgium)

The hardest part of this match was knowing that it was Zlatan’s final match at the international level. Belgium were definitely on the front foot for most of the first half, though Sweden had a couple of chances that they missed. At the end of the half, however, it remained scoreless. The second half began much in Sweden’s favor before Belgium could get going. Overall the half was not as one-sided but in the 84th minute, Hazard drilled a cross to Nainggolan and he thundered the ball past Isaksson into the bottom corner from long range. Sweden had no response and that was Belgium’s spot in the Round of 16 secured. And, unfortunately, the last we’ve seen of Ibra as a Swedish international.

-mygypsyspirit