June 18 – Belgium vs Republic of Ireland – Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne both missed training earlier this week but are expected to play. Romelu Lukaku’s place as Belgium’s lone forward is most under threat should coach Marc Wilmots decide to make changes from the side beaten by Italy.
The Republic could be without Jonathan Walters, who is a major doubt after aggravating an achilles injury against Sweden.
Martin O’Neill’s team know they were unlucky first time out not to take all three points in contrast to Belgium whose lacklustre display was symptomatic of their poor team play.
It’s clearly not a happy camp with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois criticising head coach Marc Wilmots by saying Italy had “tactically outclassed us” while midfielder Radja Nainggolan was caught gesturing behind his coach’s back after being substituted.
Belgium are unbeaten in their last six matches against the Republic of Ireland but they haven’t faced each other since November 1997.
Prior to the Italy game, many were asking if Belgium could win the title. Now they are asking if they can simply beat Ireland despite all their individual talent. The pressure is on.
“I think they are possibly the most talented set of individual players at the tournament, that would be my view of them,” said O’Neill “I think they are very, very dangerous. But we have two more bites at the cherry.”
| Grp E | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Belgium | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Ireland | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Sweden | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Iceland vs Hungary
Iceland’s fans are still on a massive high after the battling 1-1 draw with Portugal when Birkir Bjarnason’s equaliser early in the second period was enough to earn a shock point for the smallest nation in the tournament.
But joint coach Lars Lagerback is refusing to get carried away. “We haven’t started climbing any volcanoes yet,” he said.
Hungary keeper Gabor Kiraly became the oldest player to take part in a European Championship in the 2-0 win over Austria keeping a clean sheet 75 days after his 40th birthday.
After Iceland, Hungary, making their first appearance at a major tournament for 30 years, are arguably the weakest side on paper but they too have a great chance to go through. The stats favour Hungary who have beaten Iceland in five successive matches.
Expect goals because there have been 14 in the last three encounters between the sides. Both teams could well settle for the draw because if Portugal do the business then Austria are practically out.
| W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
| Iceland | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Portugal | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Austria | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
Portugal vs Austria
Both the group favourites have to deliver which should make for a fascinating spectacle. Portugal coach Fernando Santos is also backing his players to get back on track and put that Iceland result behind them. “It’s a different game. I have confidence in all my players.”
Austria, one of the in-form sides going into the competition, will be without the suspended Aleksandr Dragovic after he was dismissed in the 2-0 defeat against Hungary for two bookable offences.
Three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended in a 1-1 draw but this is the first time they are meeting in a major tournament.
All eyes once again will be on Cristiano Ronaldo as he is set to become Portugal’s most capped player, overtaking Luis Figo. At some point he seems bound to deliver.
Portugal had 26 shots in their opening game, including 10 from the great man, the most of any nation.
This is very much a crunch game for both teams as Austrian coach Marcel Koller conceded. “It’s the little things that decide games at this level, and you have to do these little things better than your opponents. We know that Portugal aren’t just Cristiano Ronaldo.”
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