Group D 5pm Games
Match 29 - France 1-1 Poland
With Poland already eliminated, and other third place positions already securing France's porgression to the next round, the pressure was off and the two time's champions could relax, let their super star ease back in, and cruise to an easy win and top of the group.
Except, no one told Poland. Not that the homeward bound team were suddenly playing scintilating football. Instead this was a match were an uncertain France never quite found a way to capitalise on their extra possession. They couldn't provide the clinical edge required to convert nineteen shots - eight of them on target - to more than a decent Mbappe penalty (his first EURO's goal). Nor did they remain focused enough to prevent the concession of a penalty.
Robert Lewandowski's first attempt was saved. But his stutteringrun up had tempted Maignan off his line before the ball was struck, and the retake was slotted home.
France finish second in the group with two goals scored. One a penalty, the other an own goal from Austria.
Match 30 - Netherlands 2-3 Austria
The stand out game of the day, of this group of games so far, possibly even the tournament, saw Austria twice take the lead and be pegged back, only to sweep in a third which they managed to defend.
With three teams able to progress from a group there really was no 'Group of Death' but this was always one of the tougher ones. That Austria have not only qualified for the next round, but done so as group winners, is testament to the verve and determination with which they have played.
From an own goal in the 6th minute Austria dominated a first half which saw Netherlands struggling to regain their composure. IN the second half things were more even. Netherlands scored in the second minute and pushed to take the lead, piling pressure on the Austrian box. Austria held firm to retake the lead with a Schmid header. Depay's 75th minute equaliser was cancelled out by Sabitzer five minutes later, and the surprise package of the tournament will surely fear no-one in the next round.
Group C 8pm Games
Match 31 - England 0-0 Slovenia
In a match which delivered a fourth consecutive progression to the knockout stage for England and a first time progression for Slovenia in only hteir second time in the Finals, there is little to talk about. England dominated possession and had twelve shots to Slovenia's four, but the pressure lacked incisiveness. The one time the ball did end up in the net there was a very obvious off-side and VAR made short work of things.
Some late game substitutions for England did perk things up, but this was a dull game and only Slovenia had any grounds to celebrate.
Match 32 - Denmark 0-0 Serbia
As dour as the other game in the group was, this one was worse. Both teams had a goal disallowed: Denmark in the first half for a ball which had strayed out of play in the build up to the goal; Serbia in the second for Luka Jovic being offside.
Considering a win would have put Serbia through to the nexgt stage they were pretty toothless in their attack, only managing to get one on target. With just a single goal scored they leave the tournament with the lowest goal tally of any team.
| Match Number | Teams | 1st Half Score | 2nd Half Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | France v Poland | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| 30 | Netherlands v Austria | 0-1 | 2-2 | 2-3 |
| 31 | England v Slovenia | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| 32 | Denmark v Serbia | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Total Matchday Goals | 1 | 6 | 7 | |
| Total Tournament Goals | 39 | 37 | 76 |
Today Groups E & F play to a finish:
Group E 5pm Games
Belgium v Ukraine
Romania v Slovakia
Group F 8pm Games
Portugal v Georgia
Turkey v Czechia
text by stuartcturnbull art by UEFA & altered by stuartcturnbull