The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 13
Last day of the group stages, and what a day it was. You would have lost a lot of respect, but you would have been understood if up until now you’d chosen to watch a bit of Eastenders instead of one of the matches at this tournament. Actually, no. It is never acceptable to miss a match for Eastenders, but anyway. It has not really got into fifth gear… That is until now. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal played Hungary in a game which could see the Portuguese go out.
Zoltan Gera gave the Hungarians a surprise lead after a fantastic distance strike. Nani equalised though, just before half-time, when the winger collected a pass from Ronaldo and lashed the ball into the corner.
Just after the restart, Balazs Dzsudzsak had a free kick deflected, which deceived Rui Patricio in the Portuguese goal and giving the Hungarians the lead again. Ronaldo, just minutes later then decided to turn up to the tournament. Joao Mario put a ball in the box, and the Real man flicked the ball home with a great back-heel to equalise.
Dzsudzsak, in the 55th minute, then restored his side’s lead after shooting from the edge of the box taking another deflection and going in. But just past the hour mark, Ricardo Quaresma’s ball found Ronaldo, who rose high to head home well and peg Hungary back for a third time.
An unbelievable match, the match of the tournament without a doubt, ended 3-3 and ensured that both sides went through. Ronaldo restored some of Nike’s pride and definitely reduced their deficit to Adidas, banking six points for two goals, an assist, man of the match performance and a bonus point for his leap for his second goal.
The other game in the group was Austria versus Iceland. Austria needed to win to progress, and no players were involved in the battle.
Iceland took a shock lead early on when a flick on found its way to Jon Bodvarsson who slid the ball in the net.
They gave away a penalty though, when David Alaba was pulled back in the area. But the subsequent penalty was fired off the post by Aleksandar Dragovic.
Austria did eventually equalise though after an hour, when Alessandro Schopf ran into the box and finished nicely into the corner.
They pushed on late for the win, but that vital three points eluded them when Elmar Bjarnason broke down the wing and crossed to Arnor Traustason, who calmly found the net sending the Iceland fans into delirium.
The other group saw Ireland take on Italy. The Irish pulled off an incredible win which was deserved, with Robbie Brady heading in the winner late on to see them go through to play hosts France.
In the other game, Belgium beat Sweden with another late goal. A deflected Radja Nainggolan effort was enough to give them the three points in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s final ever international match. Kevin De Bruyne and Ibrahimovic didn’t get any points, but Thomas Vermaelen receives one for the clean sheet.
Adidas
Vermaelen +1
Nike
De Bruyne 0
Ibrahimovic 0
Ronaldo +6
Overall score
Adidas 25-14 Nike
Last 16 matches in Euro 2016
Saturday
Switzerland v Poland
Wales v Northern Ireland
Croatia v Portugal
Sunday
France v Ireland
Germany v Slovakia
Hungary v Belgium
Monday
Italy v Spain
England v Iceland
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