Here’s what happened on Monday on Matchday 16 of UEFA Euro 2016 in France, in case you missed it…
THE RESULTS
• Match report: Italy 2, Spain 0 in Saint-Denis || Match stats
• Match report: England 1, Iceland 2 in Nice || Match stats
THOUGHTS ON THE DAY
Buffon’s ‘Zoff’ moment for Italy: Italy’s 2-0 win over Spain was a victory for the collective—the Azzurri’s much-maligned players getting the better of the two-time reigning European champions’ regal collection of stars. As much as the Italians’ effort was the best team performance of Euro 2016 thus far—in a tournament with plenty to choose from on that score—it was also a tactical master-class from manager Antonio Conte. His 3-5-2 formation, and his strategic pressing and suffocating game not only brought out the best in his side, but it also exploited Spain’s weaknesses. With a clearly defined shape and strategy by Conte, Italy was able to play its game and force its will on the match, something that so few teams have been able to do against Spain over the years.
The Juventus back three of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci were magnificent, ably abetted by Italy’s wingbacks and Daniele De Rossi, who was a bulwark in central midfield, protecting his defence with aplomb before being subbed out. For all of Spain’s attacking prowess, they barely troubled the Azzurri until the final 15 minutes when Italian legs were dead tired. Danger was routinely cut off by Italy’s trio of defenders before it even had a chance to fully develop, and not only did they rarely allow the Spanish to get in behind them, but La Roja barely penetrated the penalty area.
Not to take anything away from Italy’s brilliant defensive display on this day, but special mention should be made of Gianluigi Buffon’s performance. Largely a spectator for the majority of the contest, the Juventus goalkeeper came up huge in the 76th minute when he parried away Sergio Ramos’ close-range header. His finest moment came in the final minute of regulation when a botched Italian clearance landed kindly for Gerard Pique who unleashed a shot from deep inside the box. Pique didn’t get all of it, but it still drew a sprawling save from Buffon. Moments later, Graziano Pelle scored to seal Italy’s win.
Buffon’s save in the dying moments was the key to the Italian win, though. Had Pique scored, that would have been it for Italy. Spain had the momentum, and the tired Italians would have been done and dusted. But in a similar fashion to Dino Zoff, who made THAT legendary save against Brazil in an epic 3-2 win at the 1982 World Cup match—a game considered by many pundits as the best in tournament history—Buffon made a marvellous stop to deny Pique and preserve a improbable Italian win.
Iceland sends England crashing out: Forget about the comparisons of the two population sizes, the difference in their respective resources, England’s grossly inflated opinion of itself, and jokes about it being a tough week for the English after the Brexit vote. This wasn’t about any of that. This was about the nation of Iceland earning a historic win by out-working, out-playing and out-thinking England.
On paper, this was a mis-match, with England’s gang of high-paid Premier League stars having the advantage over Iceland, who Cristiano Ronaldo previously said had a “small mentality,” and predicted “are not going to do anything in the competition.” Here’s the thing, though: while England have the better individual players, Iceland has the better team, their collection of grafters and workers playing as a unit, and far more than the collective sum of their parts.
Down 1-0 in the fourth minute after Wayne Rooney converted from the penalty spot, Iceland appeared to be in a spot of bother, and it looked like it was going to be a long night for them. Instead of buckling and being overwhelmed, they fought back, and instantly tied it through Ragnar Sigurdsson. Later in the half, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson unleashed a shot from distance that somehow trickled through the arms of Joe Hart and over the goal-line.
That was it. Sigthorsson’s goal effectively sunk the English, as Roy Hodgson’s side—a team of individual stars, but not a team—was playing catch up, and couldn’t find a way to break down Iceland, who as well-organized and was resolute in its defending.
MORE ON EURO 2016: Sportsnet has you covered with in-depth coverage of Euro 2016 in France, which runs from June 10 to July 10.
• Match schedule || Group standings || Live scoreboard || Latest news
• Profiles: All 24 teams || History of Euro || Top 10 moments in Euro history
• Feature stories || Soccer Central podcast || Team roster lists ||
GOAL OF THE DAY
In the sixth minute, Iceland’s Ragnar Sigurdsson poked home from in close after Kari Arnason’s sublime flicked header inside the box.
SAVE OF THE DAY
In the eighth minute, Italy’s Alessandro Florenzi played a dangerous ball into the box where Graziano Pelle connected on a header that seemed destined for the lower corner. Spain’s David de Gea did incredibly well to get down quickly and push it wide of the post.
BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY
Italian manager Antonio Conte’s celebration was EPIC!
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
TWEET OF THE DAY
HE SAID IT
“I would have loved to stay on another two years, however I’m pragmatic and know that we’re in the results business.” – Roy Hodgson announcing his resignation as England coach after losing to Iceland.
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Spain completed only 210 passes in the opening 45 minutes, its lowest first-half tally since 2008 vs. Germany at Euro 2008.
• Italy has earned 19 clean sheets at the European Championship, more than any other country in the history of the tournament
• Spain on Monday lost a game at the European Championship by more than one goal for the first time since 1988 (a 2-0 loss vs. Germany).
• It took Iceland striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson 263 minutes to hit his first shot on target at Euro 2016, but he scored with it
• England has progressed in just two of its last 10 knockout ties at major tournaments.
• Despite attempting 56 shots more than its opponents at Euro 2016 by a 82-26 margin, England scored as many goals as it conceded (four).
Stats courtesy of Opta
BURNING QUESTION
3 STARS
1) Giorgio Chiellini, Italy: The Juventus defender was outstanding in leading a stout back line that effectively neutralized Spain’s attack.
2) Graziano Pelle, Italy: He put in a great shift in leading the line for the Italians, effectively holding up the ball and scoring in injury time.
3) Ragnar Sigurdsson: Scored the tying goal for Iceland, and provided a solid and persistent presence in midfield.
TOURNAMENT SO FAR
•Matchday 1 recap: Magnificent Payet rescues France || Typical Giroud performance
•Matchday 2 recap: England gets what it deserves || Bale already proving his worth for Wales
•Matchday 3 recap: Modric pure magic for Croatia || Germany’s Goetze not a false 9
•Matchday 4 recap: Spain’s resolve sees them through || Italy’s experience the difference
•Matchday 5 recap: Portugal blows it || The hoopla over Kiraly’s pants
•Matchday 6 recap: It can be a cruel game at times || What was Deschamps thinking?
•Matchday 7 recap: English relief after beating Wales || You gotta love Northern Ireland
•Matchday 8 recap: Spain sends a message
•Matchday 9 recap: Ronaldo cuts a distraught figure
•Matchday 10 recap: Albania has held its own || In defence of Ronaldo
•Matchday 11 recap: Slim margins could doom England || What is England? Does Hodgson know?
•Matchday 12 recap: Croatia turns tournament on its head ||
•Matchday 13 recap: Ronaldo is just trolling us || England should fear Iceland
•Matchday 14 recap: A day to completely forget in France || Shaqiri’s strike can’t save the day
•Matchday 15 recap: Irish adversity best thing for France
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