Matchday Highlights: Spain's Dominance, England's Struggles, and Serbia's Last-Gasp Heroics
Spain's Narrow Victory Seals Advancement
Spain's national team showcased their tournament favoritism with a commanding performance against Italy. Winning 1-0 thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Riccardo Calafiori in the 55th minute, Spain dominated the match with nearly 60% possession and 20 shots on goal. Italy, on the other hand, managed only four attempts, reflecting their struggle to keep pace with Spain's relentless offense.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was a standout for Italy, making eight critical saves. The decisive moment came when Nico Williams crossed the ball to Alvaro Morata, leading to the own goal that ultimately settled the match. With this victory, Spain has secured advancement with a game to spare, but they will face Albania without Rodri, who is suspended for the Group B finale.
England Held to a Draw by Denmark
England faced a challenging test against Denmark, finishing with a 1-1 draw that leaves them at the top of Group C. Harry Kane opened the scoring early, giving England a glimmer of hope. However, defensive lapses and sloppy play plagued Gareth Southgate's side. Morten Hjulmand equalized for Denmark after capitalizing on a throw-in turnover. His low strike kissed the post before finding the back of the net.
Despite several substitutions, England's performance did not improve. The Three Lions' early goal was followed by deep defensive tactics that invited pressure from Denmark. England's inability to recover from Hjulmand's equalizer casts a shadow of doubt over their tournament-winning prospects. Fans back home remain skeptical, and it's clear that England needs to convince them by performing at a higher level in the upcoming games.
Serbia Stays Alive with Late Drama
In a thrilling encounter, Serbia managed to keep their hopes alive with a dramatic last-minute equalizer against Slovenia. Luka Jovic scored a crucial header in the 96th minute to secure a 1-1 draw. Zan Karnicnik had put Slovenia ahead in the 69th minute, and it looked like Serbia might face elimination. Aleksandar Mitrovic had previously hit the crossbar, but it was Jovic's header from Ivan Ilic's corner that finally broke through, beating Jan Oblak and keeping Serbia's dreams intact.
Other Notable Matches
Elsewhere, Germany advanced to the last 16 with a convincing 2-0 win over Hungary. Switzerland drew 1-1 with Scotland, putting them in a strong position to advance, while Scotland and Hungary may find themselves competing for third place. Croatia and Albania also shared points in a 1-1 draw that saw Gjasula score an own goal before equalizing in the 96th minute.
Upcoming Matches
The excitement continues with more matches scheduled for Friday. Slovakia will take on Ukraine at 9 a.m. (Eastern), followed by Poland vs. Austria at 12 p.m. (Eastern). The day concludes with a high-profile match between the Netherlands and France at 3 p.m. (Eastern).
As the tournament progresses, teams will look to secure their positions and advance to the next stages, making every match critical and full of potential surprises.