UEFA EURO 2016: Welsh Dragons burn Russia, England Falter, Irish Party Continues

The group stages are done. Time to bring on the knockout rounds!

WALES (3-0 win vs. Russia)

Six goals, taking their opportunities: It’s a tale of what England should’ve done. Instead, it’s Wales, who have rightfully earned their place at the top of Group B.

It was a celebration in itself for the nation to even get to Euro 2016, so to top the group (and in such commanding fashion as well) is a dream come true for them.

A last-minute loss to England aside, Wales took it to Slovakia and Russia, shutting them out and making sure the points were in the bag – and with the Three Lions unable to do the same, the Dragons will be enjoying the tournament even more now as they head to the knockout stages.

Just how far can Wales go? So far, they’ve looked incredibly strong, with Bale on form in all games, finding the net in all three – and to boot, they’ve landed on the more favourable side of the brackets, joined by the likes of Croatia, Portugal and Belgium instead of Germany, Italy, Spain, France & England.

Funnily enough for Wales, with other results going the way they did, what’s next? Another home nations game…
NEXT MATCH: vs. Northern Ireland (Saturday)

Despite putting Slovakia under massive pressure, England couldn’t find a breakthrough.

ENGLAND (0-0 draw vs. Slovakia)

How vital now was that last minute winner against Wales now?

Slipping up right at the end of Russia cost them. Now, a goalless draw means England once again take the difficult path instead of making it easy for themselves – and a lot of blame is being put on Roy Hodgson, whose six changes to the squad for the final game seems crazy given the inability to find the net against a very mediocre side in Slovakia.

Hodgson claims that England’s pressure is a positive – and that much is true, as Slovakia were put under immense pressure in defence (and with a strong game against Russia and Wales too, it is a change from the norm of previous England teams) – but without the poison to kill off the opponents, what good is that pressure?

England will now take on 2nd place in Group F: and for a worrying period it almost seemed certain that it would end up being Portugal – with 20 minutes to go a crazy game with Hungary saw them 3-3 and with Iceland and Austria 1-1 in theirs, the massive game was looking likely to happen. Especially as the clock died down, Hungary just passed between each other, with every second the frustration of England fans could be felt. Final whistle, 3-3. Oh no.

Wait, hang on… what’s happened in the other game? Iceland score a last-minute goal! Suddenly, the relief was apparent: England will face Iceland instead. A close call, but England will avoid Ronaldo until at least the final if both teams make it that far.

Still, the path ahead will be difficult if England get through the first knockout round, as the likelihood is they’d follow it up with France, then either Italy, Spain or Germany. Nice and easy for the Three Lions then, eh?
NEXT MATCH: vs. Iceland (Monday)

NORTHERN IRELAND (1-0 loss vs. Germany)

Probably not a surprise that Northern Ireland lost to the current World Champions, but the best thing from it was that they only conceded one goal – because Turkey were only able to beat Czech Republic in their group 2-0, the goal difference wasn’t enough to overhaul Northern Ireland – and with Albania in group A with a worse record, it guarantees Northern Ireland’s place in the knockout stages!

Due to the nature of who-faced-who combinations of the 3rd place teams in the knockout stages, it seemed inevitable that their next opponents would be France – as only one of the remaining combinations of 3rd place teams that got through would lead to anything other.

Incredibly, that one combination happened (B, C, E & F) – so instead, it’s a home nations clash against Wales!

Whatever the result, you can still expect Northern Ireland to be singing loud and proud come the end of it; reminding us all Will Grigg’s still on fire, and probably serenading a woman on the street as they roam the streets of France too. Seriously, they’re up to more hilarity yet again…
NEXT MATCH: vs. Wales (Saturday)

Robbie Brady’s header in the 85th minute secured Republic of Ireland’s place in the knockout stages.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (1-0 win vs. Italy)

It’s four out of four! It was always going to be a difficult ask, going up against a team of Italy’s caliber. However with one eye potentially on their next opponents, the defending champions Spain (Italy were runners up to them in 2012), they sent out a secondary team who still caused the Republic of Ireland massive headaches.

Sure enough, the Republic of Ireland had to give it absolutely everything – especially goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who managed to hold off Italy’s advances to keep them out of goal.

But it was the header from Robbie Brady in the 85th minute that pulled off the spectacular win for the Irish – and as a result, meaning they, along with the home three nations, all qualified for the knockout stages.

If a second-team Italy proved hard enough, then they need to get ready for an even bigger challenge: the hosts France are next. Amazingly, if they get through that, it’s either Iceland or England who’ll be next!

At this rate, the home nations are just gonna knock each other out than other sides…
NEXT MATCH: vs. France (Sunday)

Ashley Redman
Partying in Paris (I wish)