Italy have defeated Belgium 2-0, and can you hear that? That deafening silence? That’s the rest of Europe coming to terms with the fact that Italy are once again a team to be reckoned with at a major tournament.
Ireland. Sweden. Zlatan. Euros. The Irish played very well in their 1-1 draw with Sweden Monday, but there was one problem they couldn't account for. They didn't have Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
They did, however, have Wes Hoolihan, who scored teh opener and set drunken Irish fans dancing about and singing and buying each other pints and stereotypes.
Spain vs. Czech Republic ended 1-0 for La Roja. Gerard Pique scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute to break Czech hearts. It was not a vintage performance from Spain, as they struggled to break down a Czech side that had not kept a clean sheet in a competitive match since 2013. Three points is three points however, and Spain are now level with Croatia at the top of Group D.
Germany vs. Ukraine ended 2-0 in favor of Die Mannschaft in Group C, with Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger baggin the goals. The result sees Germany leapfrog Poland, who beat Northern Ireland earlier, into first place. It wasn't a vintage performance from Germany, and Ukraine were a little unlucky not to equalize in the first half, but the Germans stayed strong and ground out the victory.
Don’t laugh, the United States of America has every reason to believe they can win the Copa America Centenario. Having clinched a birth in the quarter-finals, it’s as good a time as any to dissect this American squad.
In Brad Guzan, they have one of the best goalkeepers on the continent. John Brooks absolutely nullified Paraguay in the most complete manner a defender can. Michael Bradley continues to grow in stature from his holding midfield role, and the USA boasts enough attacking options to trouble the entire Copa field.
Go ahead and draw conclusions about what this means with regards to England, but Russia will be the worst nation to ever host a World Cup. South Africa, the only host nation to ever fail to advance from the World Cup group stage, at least gave us the entertainment value of Siphiwe Tshabalala, Steven Pienaar and the vuvuzela.
Bolivia were done and dusted before the match even started. Chile, the defending Copa champions, were determined to make the world’s 82nd ranked side suffer. It was all Chile could do to make up for their disappointing defeat to Argentina.
Chile spent the first hour of the match accumulating almost 80% of possession while limiting Bolivia to a single shot. In the 58th minute, Bolivia introduced little-known playmaker Jhasmani Campos. Campos must not have been following or paying attention to the script, because he immediately turned the game on its head.
Uruguay vs. Venezuela ended 1-0 in favor of La Vinotinto, as a Suarez-less Uruguay basically bowed out of the Copa America without a fight. Venezuela frustrated La Celeste, and continually hit them on the break to great effect, with Salomon Rondon scoring the lone goal. Neither team are assured of anything yet, but barring a shock result when Mexico take on Jamaica later tonight, Uruguay are out, and Venezuela are through.
Yesterday in Peru's 2-2 tie with Ecuador Christian Cueva did one of Ecuador's defenders so dirty he might have to leave the sport forever. Heck, he might have to leave all of civilization behind and live in a cave and take a vow of silence and grow a big long beard after what Cueva did to him.
And, of course, we have some reaction shots.
Yes, it was only a pre-Euro 2016 friendly. Yes, it was against Estonia, a side that didn’t qualify for the Euros and is currently ranked 94 in the world, but, oh my gosh, did Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma put on a show in Portugal’s final warm-up game before the start of the tournament in France.