Given the chances Spain had, they should have won, but a draw was always a good possibility with Sweden. Spain almost always have at least one goal in them, so Sweden are lucky to get away today without conceding at all. Sweden's other games will end in draws at a minimum. They don't make mistakes easy. They're an organized side, but without Zlatan they are not going to scare anyone. At the World Cup in 2018, Sweden fell to England mainly due to fatigue. I believe this Sweden team will learn their lesson and try to play without running too hard, saving themselves for later. Moreno will get a start sooner than later because Spain can't go on like this. They need goals. Enrique's problem is he wants Spain to play beautiful football where the ball gets walked into the net. He has to tell his players to take men on, take shots on, and bungle the ball in if you must. It doesn't need to be pretty, just get it over the line. Poland is out after the next game. No chance against Spain. The Sweden game will end in a draw at best for them. Slovakia lack big tournament experience. They need to get something out of the next game, a draw would be good enough, but I think as the tournament wears on Slovakia will struggle more and more through the heat and fatigue.
Nope. Janne Andersson transformed Sweden into a more offensive team since the last World Cup. They played yesterday defensively as it was their only hope to get something out of this. Against opposition of similair caliber Sweden have played actually some thrilling offensive football as of late. They will score goals. Not so sure on Spain though after we saw how they lack in the finishing.
After yesterday's display I think it should be clear for everyone that this tournament will be a transition tournament for Spain. I would be very surprised if they would go beyond the quarterfinals. They need more time. It will be only at the next World Cup where Spain could do something very serious.
Very close to it. The ball was already gone. There was some contact. But this was definitely not a penalty.
Some contact? lol Because the ball was gone, his ankle is fair game? A tough sell, tbh. You're in the minority with that thinking. A very small minority.
Spain will beat Slovakia on the last matchday. Sweden will avoid defeat to Poland. Sweden will top the group. Spain will go through as 2nd.
Sweden will play for the draw against Poland and probably get one. To top the group they will have to score some goals against Poland. I see Spain doing enough against Slovakia to take first place. Spain has dominated both of their first two matches. They could easily be on six points right now.
Difference between finishing first and second in Group E: The first place team will play in Glasgow against a third-place team in R16, probably from Group C or D (Croatia? Or it could be the home team, Scotland). If they win that one they will play in the QFs in Rome, probably against either England or Germany. The second place team in Group E will play in Copenhagen against D-2 (Czech Republic?) in R16. If they win that one they will play in St. Petersburg, probably against France. I guess the first-place route is slightly easier, although for Sweden the 2nd place venues look pretty good.
No, I think Slovakia will upset Spain and beat them. This reminds me so much of Group F in 2010 World Cup. Slovakia have done it before in Euro 2016 Qualifying and that Spain was quite a bit stronger then the team now. Slovakia really needs a win and I think they will fight nail and tooth and have more momentum than Spain will. Spain will control the game, but Slovakia will hit them twice on the counter and win 2-1. Sweden beats Poland. I just do not see any chance of Poland breaking down the Swedish defense and the Polish defense is vulnerable. 1-0 win for Sweden.
Euro 84 USA 94 Euro 96 Spain drew their first two group phase matches, putting themselves in danger of not advancing. They won on Matchday 3 to advance. I'm not at all confident Euro 2020 will be added to this list.
I wonder if you were watching the same game or not. The episode was over the two players were nowhere near the ball. Polish player happened to step on the Spanish player's foot. Yes, the spaniard immediately reacted like he was struck by lightning. Not only am I not in the minority, majority of experts are actually with me on that.
So question here, of the world's other elite strikers which one plays for as limited a national team? Harry Kane with all the English talent around him has zero Euro goals in his career and led an attack that crashed out to Iceland in 2016. Lewandowski with far more modest supporting cast helped get the Poles to the quarters out to eventual champions. Harry Kane top scored at the World Cup - hooray, did it with 6 goals (5 scored against Panama and Tunisia with the other a PK against Colombia) - nothing against Croatia and Sweden (also inferior on paper to his England) or Belgium. Then in qualifiers, Lewa outshines him. Before you give me the Bayern supporting cast, let us not forget this is the same Lewa who hit 4 in a UCL semifinal against Real and scored for fun at Dortmund in the season before going to Bayern. Poland is a limited team but they have the best number 9. That first game against Slovakia they struggled as a team and once they got a foot hold, got a red. That isn't on Lewa. Sticking within my Spain, Poland, Sweden, Slovakia order. https://footballfutbolcalciosoccer.blogspot.com/2021/06/euro-2020-preview-group-e-poland.html
If you really believe in Slovakia you better put a penny on them. Odds on them are sky-high. Personally, I see Spain coming in clutch now when they have to dispatching this mediocre Slovakia by at least two goals.
Whoever decided that Spain play their home games in that soulless stadium is partly to blame for Spain's struggles so far. We all now that Olympic stadiums aren't ideal to create a nice atmosfer. Once it is filled only with 25% it's getting even worse. Spain are lacking the support. Even if it had to be Seville they could have used the stadiums of FC Sevilla or Betis.
"nowhere near the ball..." You're correct. You were watching a different game than I. @3:58 of video. The Spanish player's reaction is irrelevant. Contact was made and that's all that matters. Anyone who doesn't see the contact just straight dislikes Spain for reasons known only to themselves which is fine but it obstructs objectivity.. Penalty correctly awarded and booking correctly issued. Which "ex-purts" are you talking about? TV pundits? In the referee's forum there was no discussion of whether or not it was a foul because it was clear to everyone.
Except it is clearly not a foul. It is an accidental contact with the ball not being involved. Let me ask you this, when two opposing players just run side-by-side and collide, is there a foul? No. You know why? It is accidental. Same here. The ball is long gone as clearly shown by this episode. Penalty is fraudulent and so is the card. Without a slightest doubt. And the only reason I have mentioned Spaniard's reaction is because such things sometimes do draw an official's reaction.
So you believe intent has to be taken into consideration for a foul/penalty to be awarded? Seriously? Intent has no bearing when the foot of one player comes in contact with the ankle of another player. It's a foul, clear and simple. More so if it is "off the ball" as you believe it was. Regardless of whether the Polish player did it accidentally or purposefully, a foul is a foul is a foul. And those shouldn't go unpunished. VAR agreed and felt the referee should have a review. He did, and the correct call was made. Penalty and a booking. Any links to the "majority of experts" you claim felt it wasn't a penalty would be appreciated.
Many people said the same at 2010 World Cup with Slovakia. Usually surprises like this are something that very very few if any at all bet on or expect. I don't make bets due to my religion. I wouldn't even bet on France winning it. But we'll see what happens.
While I'm a fan of Poland, I have to agree. You cannot use the excuse that the ball was gone and as such the foul had no bearing on the play, otherwise you're opening the doors to many unnecessary and dangerous challenges. If the challenge had happened anywhere but in the box it may have been missed by the ref, but it in that very noticeable area it was risky on Moder's part. As for the match, I hope Poland learned something from their play once they were down. Their high press worked to an extent, and I would love to see more speed in the lineup. Płacheta deserves a look. Really at this point what do they have to lose? They need a win.