Match Report: Spain v Germany

Germany and Spain held each other to a goalless draw despite a lively encounter.

Spain, the favourites for the tournament according to some,  looked the most likely to score out of the two sides. A header by Marc Torrejon in the first half, which rebounded off of the bar, being the closest either side came to scoring.

Germany took the game to Spain in the opening minutes, midfielder Mesut Ozil, playing off the front, was starting to cause the Spanish defence problems with his trickery and pace.

Bojan Krkic (pictured) was also looking lively for the Spanish at the other end.

It was Spain who had the first chance however when Chico, the Spanish defender found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper in a crowded area. His shot was saved as Manuel Neuer in the German goal spread himself to block the shot.

Marc Torrejon came even closer soon afterwards when his thumping header came crashing off of the bar.

Germany were also creating chances of their own and Ozil made space inside the area after going past two players, but his shot was saved by Sergio Asenjo. Marko Marin's shot soon afterwards clipped the edge of the post.

The Germans continued to create chances in the second half and Ozil had a couple of efforts saved by Sergio Asenjo in the Spanish goal.

It was an entertaining contest and the 0-0 scoreline didn't do justice to the game. Both teams would be disappointed with only pocking up a point but they will both be confident of progression to the semi-finals.

Photo Credit: Corsarz

Match Report: England v Finland

A powerful header by Micah Richards gave the young lions a 2-1 win against a strong and determined Finland side despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Micah Richards leapt above the Finnish defence to meet a corner by James Milner sending the ball into the bottom corner in the 52nd minute.

England had taken the lead on 15 minutes when Lee Cattermole capitalised on defensive hesitation and paced the ball past Finland goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola,  but Finland equalised from the penalty spot  when Michael Mancienne (pictured) brought down Berat Sadik in the area. The Chelsea defender was sent off for the challenge.

It was a tentative start by England and Finland looked comfortable in possession. It was England however who drew first blood. Gabriel Agbonlahor dispossessed Joni Aho at right-back. He played the ball across the box, while the defence hesitated, and Cattermole nipped in to hit a low shot past the goalkeeper.

Finland responded well though with Sadik in particular causing problems in the England defence. He chased onto a long ball and Joe Hart in the England goal and his defender, Mancienne,  seemed to leave the ball to each other. Mancienne however managed to get the ball away.

Mancienne was not so lucky just before half-time when Sadik got the better him inside the area, and  the Chelsea man brought the Finn down for a penalty.

The Turkish referee sent Mancienne off for his efforts. Former Southampton man, Tim Sparv, stepped up to send Hart the wrong way and raced into the vocal Finnish crowd.

It looked like an uphill struggle for England, they were second best in the game and now down to ten men. Martin Crainie stepped in for Mancienne at centre-back and Milner moved back to occupy the right-back position.

Theo Walcott, who had had a fairly ineffectual game was replaced at half-time by Frazier Campbell raising a few eyebrows.

But the substitution seemed to galvanize England and they took the lead when, in the 53rd minute, Richards towering header nestled in the bottom corner of the net from Milner's corner.

Goalscorer Richards was then taken off with an injury after landing awkwardly adding to England's defensive woes.

With only ten men, England were coping well and the Finns were limited to a couple of long shots until substitute Pukki wriggled clear in the box. The Sevilla striker shot from a narrow angle and Hart parried the ball, it was then hurriedly cleared by the defence.

The young lions held out however, and go into their next game against Spain top of the group knowing a victory would be enough to take them through.

Photo Credit: John_Dobbo

 

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