Euro

Finland claim historic win over Denmark, as Eriksen collapse shocks everyone.

Published

3 years ago

13/06/2021

MNN

Joel Pohjanpalo’s 59th minute header gave Finland a 1-0 win over Denmark and their first ever triumph in the final stage of a major football tournament on Saturday night in Copenhagen, but the opening game for both teams in the European Championships will almost certainly be remembered for another reason.

The match was dominated by a single incident which had football fans all around the world in shock after Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in the 42nd minute of the game.

Eriksen passed out with nobody around him and his visibly affected and upset team-mates formed a screen around him as a member of their medical staff appeared to perform CPR on him. The 29-year-old received treatment for around 10 minutes before being carried from the pitch with his companions holding sheets to shield him and with Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel comforting his distraught partner, Sabrina Kvist Jensen.

Fortunately, a photo published online shortly afterwards showed Eriksen to be conscious and both UEFA and the Danish FA confirmed that the player was “awake” and that his condition had “been stabilized,” although he will need to undergo tests in hospital.

UEFA later reported that after a meeting between both teams and referee Anthony Taylor both sides had asked to finish the match, with the Danes saying they wanted to win it for their companion.

Until Eriksen’s collapse, Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, had been the man of the match with saves from Jonas Wind, Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Hjobjerg as Denmark dominated with Teemu Pukki isolated in attack for Finland.

The game restarted with the remaining minutes of the first half played ahead of a five-minute break before the second half kicked off.

Denmark completely controlled the ball but failed to test Hradecky again, although they had chalked up 19 shots by the time Joel Pohjanpalo managed Finland’s first. Such is football that the

Pohjanpalo’s header, following Jere Urenon’s cross from the left, ended up in the back of the net as Schmeichel was unable to get down on time and the Finns took the lead.

Denmark controlled the game but without threatening to score until the 72nd minute when they were given a penalty following Paulus Arajuuri’s clumsy challenge on Yussef Poulsen. Hojbjerg stepped up to take it, but his timid spot kick was easily saved by Hradecky.

It probably escaped nobody’s attention that under normal circumstances Eriksen would have taken the penalty, but what happened earlier in the game shows there are many things worse than a missed penalty.

Source: Xinhua News Agency.

Euro

Two Euro records was made in the Euro 2020 final match clash between England and Italy.

Published

3 years ago

12/07/2021

MNN

Two Euro records was made in the Euro 2020 final match clash between England and Italy. Luke Shaw scored in the 2nd minute to give England the lead against Italy in the Euro 2020 Final at Wembley. It was the fastest ever goal in a European final. While Leonardo Bonucci equalised for the Azzuri in the 67th minute, to become the oldest player to score in a European final.

Italy beat England 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time to secure their second European Championship title. As expected both teams played well and created chances to score but the score remained 1-1 even after the extra halves played.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero for Italy in the shootout, while substitutes Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka failed to convert from the spot for England and Domenico Berardi, Leonardo Bonucci and Federico Bernardeschi scored for Italy in the shootout and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made two saves at the end of the shootout to wear the crown of European Champions.

Euro

Spain to face Italy in the Semi final.

Published

3 years ago

03/07/2021

MNN

As quarter final matches kicked off last night Spain was the first to pass through to Semifinals after beating Switzerland in the Penalty Shootout. Spain dominated the match with 65% ball possession throughout the game.

On the 8^th minute Spain took the lead as Jordi Albas’ powerful shot took a deflection into the net beyond Sommer. After the goal Spain continued their attacking game to score more goals to secure the victory although first half ended with 1-0.

On 68^th minute of the match Swiss captain Shaqiri scored a goal disappointing the dominant Spain. Few minutes later Switzerland was down to 10 man with a red card shown for a dangerous foul committed by Remo Freuler. With extra two half played score remained the same resulting for a penalty shoot out to decide the winner.

Sergio Busquets and Rodri missed their penalties for Spain while Daniel Olmo, Gerad Moreno and Mikel Oyarzabal scored. Switzerland managed to score only one penalty out of the 4. 2 of them was saved by Spain’s goal keeper Unai Simon.

Favorites Belgium and Italy clashed to find a spot from the semifinals against Spain, Italy was seen much more organized and dangerous in the pitch as they scored 2 superb goals in the first half while Belgium only managed to score from the spot. Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne scored for Italy while Romelu Lukaku scored from a penalty on the last minute of the first half.

Semi final match will be played on 6^th July in Wembley Stadium, London.

Euro

Defending champions knocked out by Belgium.

Published

3 years ago

28/06/2021

MNN

Thorgan Hazard’s goal in the first half was enough to knock out the defending champions from Euro 2020. Early in the match Portugal came close to take the lead but Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo missed the opportunities. Portugal dominated the game with higher ball possession and more attacks on target compared to Belgium but score remained 1-0.

Thorgan Hazard scored the only goal of the match on 42^nd minute with the assist from Thomas Meunier which was the only clear opportunity Belgium created in the first half. After the match Belgium’s goal keeper Thibaut Courtois said: “I didn’t have a lot of work to do in the previous three games but I knew that wasn’t going to be the case against Portugal. I am proud of my team-mates; they defended very well. Italy will be difficult too, but we have proved today that we are ready for it.”.

In the quarter finals Belgium will have to face Italy who struggled to beat Austria in their round of 16 game.

On the second game of the night Netherlands was surprisingly beaten by Czech Republic 2-0. After a goalless first half Czech Republic scored their goals within 15 minutes as Thomas Holes opened the goal in 68^th minute while Patrik Schick scored in 80^th minute to secure the spot in quarterfinals. In their next match Czech Republic will have to face Denmark.