Yamal helps Spain’s fashion evolve
Spain’s assembly with Croatia ended a run of 136 aggressive fixtures wherein they’ve had extra possession than their opponents, courting again 16 years to their win over Germany within the last of Euro 2008.
And but, regardless of solely having a 47 per cent share of the ball in Saturday’s Group B encounter, the win might hardly have been extra convincing, sealed throughout a medical first-half displaying.
It is just 18 months since Spain exited the World Cup with a limp penalty shoot-out loss to Morocco throughout which they made 1,000 passes and but solely mustered one shot on course, a statistic which summed up their struggles in turning possession into possibilities.
Watching this much-changed aspect in opposition to Croatia, although, a aspect that includes a 16-year-old Lamine Yamal on one flank and a 21-year-old Nico Williams on the opposite, was a really completely different expertise.
As an alternative of directionless passing, there was incision, typified by the Fabian Ruiz through-ball that carved Croatia open for the opening purpose, and the various moments when Williams and, to an excellent higher extent Yamal, sprang ahead following transitions.
Their pace and directness seems to have given Spain a special dimension from different current tournaments. It might be at odds with their id however it’s one which makes them a harder opponent, and a greater guess to go deep this time round.
Nick Wright
Xhaka pulls strings for Switzerland in player-of-match show
Granit Xhaka put in a captain’s efficiency for Switzerland as he led his aspect to a 3-1 opening win over Hungary.
The midfielder was key for membership final season as he helped Bayer Leverkusen to a shock Bundesliga and German Cup double, and is translating his nice type to the worldwide stage.
The ex-Arsenal man had probably the most touches, probably the most passes accomplished and probably the most passes within the last third of any participant in Cologne as he pulled the strings for Switzerland.
The 31-year-old’s very good show was deservedly rewarded by UEFA as he was named the participant of the match.
The UEFA technical observer panel stated: “He was excellent in possession, both in build-up play and in supplying penetrating passes.
“He displayed an incredible work ethic and confirmed very good management, providing nice organisational abilities.”
Scotland face Switzerland next in Group A on Wednesday and Steve Clarke’s side will have to limit Xhaka’s influence if they are to get a much-needed positive result.
Declan Olley
‘Dark horses’ Hungary now left with little room for manoeuvre
Barnabas Varga gave Hungary hope with this second-half header in opposition to Switzerland
Hungary had been many individuals’s darkish horses for the Euros after going by their qualifying marketing campaign unbeaten, however following the chastening 3-1 loss to Switzerland in Cologne, Marco Rossi’s aspect are actually in peril of not even making it out of a tough-looking Group A.
They produced a limp first-half displaying on the RheinEnergieStadion to deservedly path 2-0 on the break and, regardless of bettering within the second interval – which was not laborious – it was too little, too late.
Rossi held his fingers up after the match, taking accountability for his workforce’s torpid show, saying: “The first half was very bad, we were too passive.
“I’m not trying to level fingers. I’m the coach, so I take accountability.
“It’s hard to correct the kind of mistakes that we made. Our players do not make mistakes like this every day.”
Hungary might want to present extra of what we noticed within the second half, particularly from their influential captain Dominik Szoboszlai – invisible earlier than the interval and extra just like the participant we noticed within the first half of final season for Liverpool – once they face hosts Germany in Stuttgart on Wednesday if they aren’t to be on the verge of an early exit from the event.
Richard Morgan
Uncharacteristic Croatia should tighten up
Croatia had been blown away by Spain within the first half
For a nation that constantly punches above its weight on the World Cup, Croatia have a surprisingly mediocre report on the Euros, solely reaching the quarter-finals – and no additional – twice in six makes an attempt.
Being drawn in a gaggle with Spain and Italy did nothing to extend the possibilities of Croatia lastly reaching the ultimate 4 – and nor did their first outing in Germany.
Zlatko Dalic’s aspect labored their method again into the sport after a passive begin, however they had been blown away in a 13-minute spell earlier than half-time. Normally so strong, every of Spain’s targets had been aided by disorganised and weak Croatia defending.
Equally regarding for Dalic will likely be how little affect his fabled midfield was capable of exert, with solely Mateo Kovacic rising from the competition with credit score. At occasions, Luka Modric appeared just like the 38-year-old that he’s.
Possibly that is as a result of, in contrast to at Actual Madrid, Modric was working with restricted high quality in entrance of him. Andrej Kramaric and Ante Budimir had been nameless, whereas Bruno Petkovic’s penalty miss summed up his contribution.
Happily for Croatia, they’ve what must be their best group recreation up subsequent, dealing with Albania on Wednesday. The truth that solely eight groups are eradicated on the group stage additionally works of their favour.
However Dalic’s workforce have to tighten up defensively – and demand extra from their forwards – if they’re to be taken significantly at this event.
Joe Shread
