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The 2016 UEFA European Championships is being played across France from June 10 to July 10 for the first time with 24 nations across 10 venues in nine cities with the French capital Paris being the only city with two venues in the Stade de France and the Park de Prince.
The defending double champions are Spain, who are three time record champions along with Germany.
GROUP B – Matchday 3
Slovakia 0-0 England
A fighting Slovakia held a better England to a goalless draw in St.Etienne to deny England the top position in the group.
The Three Lions were in the attack from the kick-off with Jamie Vardy having the first chance of the game but his shot went wide, while the Slovakia defence did everything to deny England an early goal. The best chance for England came in the 17th minute when Jamie Vardy broke free past a slow Martin Skrtel but his shot was blocked by keeper Matus Kozacik, who was Slovakia’s best man and that says everything.
Kozacik made another strong save in the 33rd minute off an Adam Lallana shot, but England went into the break without having scored despite all the possession and chances.
Things changed after the break then suddenly Slovakia also had their chances. First Joe Hart had to save a freekick in the 52nd minute before his own defender Chris Smalling tried to chest a ball back and Robert Mak came in-between but couldn’t connect properly to allow Hart to collect the ball, and then there was the chance for Vladimir Weiss.
But that was it for Slovak attacks as England once more took charge of the game. First Skrtel denied Deli Alli the super-sub role as he just about kept the ball out of the goal in the 61st minute and Daniel Sturridge missed a chance in the 74th minute with England continuing to have the ball, but no more chances and the Slovaks put up a dodged performance at the back to end the match goalless.
Carlsberg Man of the Match: Matúš Kozáčik (Slovakia) #SVKENG
Russia 0-3 (0-2) Wales
Debutants Wales scored a confident 3-0 win over Russia to defeat the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts and surprise everyone by topping Group B ahead of England and Slovakia.
Wales made the better start but Gareth Bale’s second minute shot was blocked by Russia keeper Akinfeev, but after 11 minutes he was beaten by a Aaron Ramsey chip off a Joe Allen pass. After the goal Wales continued and in the 20th minute Bale send Neil Taylor free of the left wing which came of Shirikov, Taylor cut in but his first attempt was blocked by Akinfeev but the second one was in the goal, 2-0 for Wales. Wales continued to attack but it stayed 2-0 for them at the break.
Russia needed three goals to stay in the competition, but they were far away from even scoring one, while Wales continued to play football but keeper Akinfeev kept the scoreline the same until Bale scored his third of the tournament, but the first from open play as he finished off an attack of a pass from Ramsey.
The game ended 3-0 in Wales favour and it will be big party for their fans and deservingly so.
Carlsberg Man of the Match: Aaron Ramsey (Wales) #RUSWAL
