Romania vs Ukraine
This game was one for the fans of football and has brought a lot of respect to Romania. Ukraine went into the game as favourites due to having individuals such as Chelsea’s Mudryk, Arsenals Zinchenko, Bournemouth’s Zabarnyi, Girona’s Dovbyk and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin who has come off his best season yet. Starting most of the season for Real and unluckily missed out on the Champions League final due to illness in the week leading up to the final. But, I can honestly say it was a poor performance for most in the Ukraine side and it shocks me to say that the stand-out performer for them was Mudryk. Getting 73% of his passes right, having a combined expected goals and expected assists of 0.78. Also performed his defensive duties, winning 70% of his ground duels and 67% of his aerial duels. Showing commitment and drive to push his national team to do better.
I haven’t had too many positives said about Ukraine, but credit has to go to Romania. They only had 29% possession throughout the game, showing they are more than happy to let the opposition press and squash any attempts being made, and they did exactly that. The full team working as a unit in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Preventing Ukraine from getting into the final third and getting rid of any momentum being made by Ukraine.
They also played on the break, using Dennis Man, Razvan Marin, Nicolae Stanciu and Denis Dragus. Opening the accounts from a poor clearance from Lunin but the trouble started before that. The clearance landed at Dennis Man’s feet who played it to Stanciu on the edge of the box who put it across Lunin and into the top corner. The second was not too different either. With Ukraine loose in possession, Man took the ball and started running, almost being dispossessed, the loose ball rolled in front of Razvan Marin who hit it first time. This time rolling under Lunin, turning the lead into 2-0. The final goal came from a cross that was easily picked up by Dragus who finished the game off at 3-0.
Stand-out players: -
- Denis Dragus
- Dennis Man
- Mudryk
Belgium vs Slovakia
This was a game that had me scratching my head. Belgium are another team that has world-beaters in it. Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best centre-midfielders in the world. Lukaku is an exceptional player and I want to see him in the premier league again. Amadou Onana is an exceptional player and it is only a matter of time before he is snatched from Everton. Debast is another talent that will be at the top of football in the coming years. I feel like I say this every time a international football is coming, I praise them but they just can not meet the heights that have been assumed for years.
Belgium used the formation of 4-2-3-1 using Doku on the right and Trossard on the left and did not switch on when the first whistle was blown. Not concentrating or do not know their roles. The Belgium defence could not string passes together. Leading to a loose ball in the 7th minute from a stray pass from Doku. This led to 2 strikes on goal for Slovakia, leading to an eventual goal.
After the abysmal start for Belgium, they finally started to look up and have some structure for the rest of the half. Eventually gaining 60% of possession in the 90 minutes and improved their passing to have 85% accuracy across the full game. After the first goal, Slovakia tried to shut up shop and restrict Belgium from getting back into the game.
But Belgium had other plans. Belgium turned the game around. Having 16 shots on goal, with 5 shots on target and maintaining 60% possession. Turning the game on its head having an expected goals rating of 1.70 and having 2 disallowed goals due to being ruled offside. I think it goes without saying, that Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka kept Slovakia not only to stay in the game but also to lead the team to victory. Making 5 crucial saves.
This has been the biggest upset of the tournament but the signs towards to end of the game showed that Belgium has a lot to offer, and it is only a matter of time before they decide to show up. Hopefully, it will not be too late.
Stand-out players: -
- Martin Dubravka
- Ivan Schranz
- Amadou Onana
- Romelu Lukaku
Comments