Spain Dominates Italy with a Slim Victory
Spain 1, Italy 0
In a match marked by high stakes and intense gameplay, Spain eked out a 1-0 victory over Italy due to an own goal by Riccardo Calafiori in the 55th minute. The event leading to the decisive goal was set up by Nico Williams, whose cross directed towards Alvaro Morata inadvertently resulted in Calafiori redirecting the ball into his own net.
Spain's dominant performance was evident with nearly 60% possession and 20 shots, compared to Italy's mere four attempts. Despite the relentless pressure from the Spanish team, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made eight crucial saves that kept the scoreline from widening.
This win propels Spain forward with a game to spare, affirming their status as tournament favorites. However, they will have to face Albania in the Group B finale without Rodri, who will miss the match due to suspension.
England Struggles in Draw with Denmark
England 1, Denmark 1
England maintained their position at the top of Group C despite a disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark. Harry Kane put England ahead early on, but a string of defensive mistakes and sloppy plays let Denmark back into the game. Morten Hjulmand capitalized on a turnover from a throw-in to equalize with a low strike that struck the post before finding the net.
Following their early lead, England's play became increasingly defensive, which allowed Denmark to find more opportunities. Even with several substitutes, England failed to regain control of the game. The Three Lions' inability to recover from Denmark's goal underlined persistent issues, causing fans to question their tournament-winning credentials.
Late-Game Drama Seals Serbia's Fate
Slovenia 1, Serbia 1
A last-minute header by Luka Jovic salvaged a 1-1 draw for Serbia against Slovenia, keeping their hopes alive in their final group game. Zan Karnicnik scored for Slovenia in the 69th minute, putting Serbia in a precarious position. Aleksandar Mitrovic nearly changed the game earlier by hitting the crossbar, but it was Jovic who ultimately delivered the equalizer by heading in Ivan Ilic's corner past Jan Oblak.
Germany and Switzerland on Track, Croatia and Albania Share Points
Germany 2, Hungary 0
With a 2-0 victory over Hungary, Germany secured their place in the last 16. The win reflected their consistent performance throughout the tournament, solidifying their reputation as strong contenders.
Switzerland 1, Scotland 1
Switzerland managed a 1-1 draw with Scotland, putting them in a favorable position to advance. In contrast, Scotland and Hungary may now find themselves competing for the third-place spot.
Croatia 1, Albania 1
Croatia and Albania shared points in a thrilling 1-1 draw. The game saw an own goal by Gjasula, who later redeemed himself by scoring the equalizer in the 96th minute, ensuring both teams earned their first points of the tournament.
Upcoming Matches
Fans can look forward to more exciting matchups on Friday. Slovakia will face Ukraine at 9 a.m. (Eastern), followed by Poland vs. Austria at 12 p.m. (Eastern). The day concludes with a highly anticipated clash between the Netherlands and France at 3 p.m. (Eastern).
Key Takeaways
As the tournament progresses, it is clear that several teams are establishing themselves as formidable forces. Spain's narrow yet commanding win over Italy, despite an own goal deciding the match, demonstrated their overall dominance. England's struggle and defensive errors against Denmark highlighted the challenges they face in convincing a skeptical home crowd of their potential to win the tournament. Meanwhile, Serbia's last-minute heroics, Germany's assured progression, and Switzerland's strong position all set the stage for an intriguing culmination of the group stages. With more pivotal matches on the horizon, the excitement and unpredictability of this tournament continue to capture the attention of football fans worldwide.