As the second round of group stage fixtures draws to a close, and with the third and final round of group fixtures to follow quickly after, here is your round-up of all the results and match reports from the games specifically involving Leeds United representatives at Euro 2020.
Results:
Wednesday 16th June Group A: Turkey 0-2 Wales
Thursday 17th June Group C: Ukraine 2-1 North Macedonia
Friday 18th June Group D: England 0-0 Scotland
Saturday 19th June Group F: Portugal 2-4 Germany Group E: Spain 1-1 Poland
Match Reports
Turkey 0-2 Wales
Wales took a massive step towards securing their qualification for the Round of 16 with a fantastic 2-0 win over Turkey, on another memorable night for the Welsh support at a European Championship.
Leeds United's Tyler Roberts is still yet to feature at Euro 2020, having failied to get off the bench in either of Robert Page's sides' opening group fixtures.
Both teams started brightly, creating an abundance of chances in an entertaining opening forty-five minutes, something scarcely seen during a tentative first week in the tournament. Aaron Ramsey had Wales' best early chance, choosing to shoot near post rather than squaring for Kieffer Moore, after latching onto a slide-rule pass from Gareth Bale.
Turkey created a number of their own early chances, Burak Yilmaz going closest after seeing his effort bravely blocked by Chris Mepham.
The Welsh saw an appeal for a penalty waved away when Caglar Soyuncu handled inadvertently during a scruffy goal-line scramble, with VAR backing the referee's original
decision.
Juventus midfielder Ramsey wasted another huge chance after latching on to a stupendous through ball from Bale, before firing high over the crossbar when face-to-face with Ugurcan Cakir.
Joe Morrell was perfectly positioned to clear Kaan Ayhan's header from a corner off the line to keep the scores level, before Ramsey's moment of redemption put Page's side ahead three minutes before the break.
Another exquisite ball from Bale breached the defence in identical fashion to Ramsey's previous opportunity, leaving the former Arsenal man one-on-one with Cakir again. And, on this occasion Ramsey made no mistake, burying his shot to put Wales ahead.
That crucial strike sent Wales into half-time a goal in front, and knowing they would have to withstand some considerable pressure from the Turks in the second half, in a Baku stadium which felt very much like home advantage for Senol Gunes' side.
Ramsey was immediately involved after half time, testing Cakir with an instinctive turn and shot, before Wales' second penalty claim of the game threatened to provide a huge turning point.
Zeki Celik brought down Bale, running directly at the Lille full-back in full-flow on the edge of the area. A foul which VAR deemed to be marginally inside the box. Bale himself stepped up to take the spot-kick, only to balloon his effort from twelve yards, seemingly handing the momentum back to Turkey.
Bale almost immediately made amends, applying heavy pressure on Cakir, who dawdled a moment too long on the ball on the edge of his six-yard box. Blocking the Trabzonspor 'keepers clearance, Bale managed to divert the ball narrowly wide of the post, sparing Cakir's blushes.
Danny Ward, a hero in Wales' opener, was once again required to make a pivotal save from a powerful Merih Demiral header, keeping his side ahead in the closing stages.
Wales produced a grandstand finish, securing the three points with a 95th minute goal to seal another momentous Euro's victory. Instead of holding the ball in the corner, Bale drove directly at a tired Turkish defence, before laying off for Roberts to send the travelling Welsh contingent into ecstacy with barely time left to restart the game after Roberts' goal.
That result leaves Wales on the brink of qualifying for the knockout phases, as they prepare to face Italy in their final group fixture on Sunday 20th June in Rome. Italy are already guaranteed safe passage to the next round, and avoiding defeat would confirm their place as group winners. Meanwhile, Wales only need to draw to seal their place in the next round, and could still qualify even with defeat as one of four highest-ranking 3rd place finishes.
With that in mind, Leeds supporters will be hoping Page sees fit to rotate his squad for the final group fixture, in order to get another glimpse at one of their own in a major tournament.
Ukraine 2-1 North Macedonia
North Macedonia's first appearance at a major tournament is over already, after a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine made it zero points from their opening two games. The Netherlands subsequent 2-0 win against Austria guaranteed a bottom-placed finish for the tournament debutant's.
After an entertaining opening-day defeat to the Dutch, Andriy Shevchenko's Ukraine side set about getting their Euro 2020 campaign back on track, and were immediately on the front foot. Ruslan Malinovskyi was the first to test the reactions of Stole Dimitrievski inside the opening ten minutes, forcing a smart low save from the Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper.
Moments later Malinovskyi turned provider, sending Andriy Yarmolenko through one-on-one with Dimitrievski, who rushed out to make a brave block.
But, Dimitrievski, and North Macedonia's resistance would only last just short of half an hour, before Yarmolenko pounced on Oleksandr Karavaev's near-post flick-on from a corner to tap in the opener.
And, like London buses, Ukraine weren't made to wait long before doubling their lead. Roman Yaremchuk beat the offside trap and finished coolly after latching onto a through ball from Yarmolenko.
Both of Ukraine's goalscorers from their opening fixture had doubled their tallies for tournament, as Ukraine appeared to be sailing to a routine victory.
But, the competition minnows did rally a comeback of sorts, Goran Pandev thought he'd pulled one back with a cool dink over Heorhiy Bushcan only five minutes after Ukraine doubled their lead. The 37-year-old show exquisite composure to turn and finish, only for a late flag to dampen any premature celebrations.
Dimitrievski was again pivotal in keeping the score down, producing a fine reaction save to spare the blushes of Darko Velkovski, after his half-hearted dangled leg almost deflected Karavaev's shot-come-cross into his own net on the stroke of half-time.
Ukraine began the second period much like they'd ended the first, still on the front foot searching for a third goal to put the game to bed. A Malinovskyi thunderbolt free-kick produced a flying save from Dimitrievski, before North Macedonia were handed a lifeline courtesy of Karavaev's foul on Pandev handing Angelovski's men a 58th-minute penalty, just as Aleksandar Trajkovski saw a stunning effort rebound back off the crossbar.
But, the competition minnows did rally a comeback of sorts, Goran Pandev thought he'd pulled one back with a cool dink over Heorhiy Bushcan only five minutes after Ukraine doubled their lead. The 37-year-old show exquisite composure to turn and finish, only for a late flag to dampen any premature celebrations.
Dimitrievski was again pivotal in keeping the score down, producing a fine reaction save to spare the blushes of Darko Velkovski, after his half-hearted dangled leg almost deflected Karavaev's shot-come-cross into his own net on the stroke of half-time.
Ukraine began the second period much like they'd ended the first, still on the front foot searching for a third goal to put the game to bed. A Malinovskyi thunderbolt free-kick produced a flying save from Dimitrievski, before North Macedonia were handed a lifeline courtesy of Karavaev's foul on Pandev handing Angelovski's men a 58th-minute penalty, just as Aleksandar Trajkovski saw a stunning effort rebound back off the crossbar.
With one final group fixture remaining, North Macedonia face the daunting prospect of a fairly meaningless trip to the home of the group leaders, as they prepare to meet The Netherlands in Amsterdam on Monday 21st June. Alioski and co will surely want to go home with their heads held high, but a mammoth effort will be required to pull off any kind of result against a side that has dominated Group C thus far.
England 0-0 Scotland
England were held to a goalless draw by neighbours Scotland in a drab affair at Wembley on Friday evening, in a game previously billed to Leeds United fans as a meeting of their two local lads.
As it turned Leeds skipper Liam Cooper was replaced by fit-again Kieran Tierney on the left-hand side of Steve Clarke's three-man defence, and remained an unused substitute as the Scots held out for their first point of the group stage.
Meanwhile, England's Yorkshire-based poster-boy Kalvin Phillips completed another full 90 minutes for Gareth Southgate's side against the old enemy, in what sadly turned out to be a wholly uneventful game. Phillips had more touches versus Scotland than he did in his standout performance against Croatia, and appeared to playing deeper more often than he had in the previous match, but accumulated fewer presses and interceptions.
Scotland arguably created the better chances of the two sides, and definitely threatened first, with John Stones blocking Che Adams goalbound effort inside the opening five minutes.
Stones then struck a post with a header at the opposite end only a few minutes later, after rising highest to meet Mason Mount's corner, for what eventually turned out to be the closest either side would come to breaking the deadlock.
Raheem Sterling pick-pocketed Scott McTominay before providing a chance for Mount, which the Chelsea man could only divert wide of David Marshall's front post.
Scotland arguably created the better chances of the two sides, and definitely threatened first, with John Stones blocking Che Adams goalbound effort inside the opening five minutes.
Stones then struck a post with a header at the opposite end only a few minutes later, after rising highest to meet Mason Mount's corner, for what eventually turned out to be the closest either side would come to breaking the deadlock.
Raheem Sterling pick-pocketed Scott McTominay before providing a chance for Mount, which the Chelsea man could only divert wide of David Marshall's front post.
The game ended with a scruffy goalmouth scramble which saw laboured English appeals for a handball by a floored Scott McTominay waved away.
The draw leaves England second to Czech Repbulic only on goal difference, and Scotland bottom of the group with one game to go.
The Three Lions will round off their group fixtures with the vist of Czech Republic on Tuesday 22nd June at Wembley. Meanwhile, Scotland will face Croatia at Hampden Park knowing only a win will do, with both games kicking off at the same time.
England have the opportunity to win Group D with victory over the Czech's, whilst a draw would also confirm their qualification for the knockout stages. Defeat could leave their fate in the hands of Croatia and Scotland who meet in Glasgow. As for Scotland, the draw with England leaves them in with slim hope of qualifying for the knockout stages, albeit there is still some hope. Although Scotland must beat Croatia to stand any chance of qualifying for the Round of 16.
Portugal 2-4 Germany
Germany got off the mark in Munich on Tuesday with a resounding 4-2 victory over Portugal, courtesy of two first half own goals from Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro, and strikes from Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens.
Leeds United defender Robin Koch was an unused substitute for the second match running, and as a result is yet to feature at Euro 2020.
Joachim Lowe's thought they'd taken the lead inside the opening five minutes, after Gosens thumped home Joshua Kimmich's teasing cross, only for VAR to rule Serge Gnabry as offside and interferring with play in the build-up.
The German's were made to pay ten minutes later, with Cristiano Ronaldo rounding off a stunning Portuguese counter-attack from a Germany corner. Bernardo Silva's defence splitting through ball left Diogo Jota and Ronaldo, having sprinted the length of the field to tap in the opener, two-on-one with Manuel Neuer. Ronaldo's third goal of Euro 2020 took him level with Czech Republic's Patrik Schick for the Golden Boot.
However, Germany continued to cause Portugal problems from wide areas and drew level with ten first-half minutes remaining through an unfortunate Dias own goal. Kai Havertz near-post run was almost picked out by Gosens teasing square ball across the six-yard area, but after the Chelsea man failed to make contact, Manchester City's record signing Dias could only divert the ball beyond a stranded Rui Patricio.
And, within four minutes Germany were ahead through another Portugal own goal. On this occasion Guerreiro was the unfortunate soul to convert Kimmich's pull-back, in an attempt to prevent a tap-in for Gnabry. Portugal's two own goals in four minutes made European Championship's history; never has there been more than three own goal's in a Euro's, Portugal's brace made it five for Euro 2020 before the conclusion of the group stages.
Germany led 2-1 at half-time, and wasted no time in their search to extend the lead. Havertz made it three with an identical near-post run to that which he made for Dias' own goal, yet on this occasion, Havertz himself provided the finish to match. After some beautiful build-up play involving Kimmich and Thomas Muller, Gosens again provided another dangerous ball from the left, for Havertz to put Germany's third past Patricio six minutes into the second half.
On the hour mark Germany made it four, with star performer Gosens finally getting in on the act with a thumping far-post header beyond Patricio, after being found unmarked by another perfect Kimmich delivery.
Goals aside, Germany played with a real menacing swagger as they strolled to victory in Bavaria, constantly stretching Fernando Santos' men with their swift side-to-side passing and movement, particularly threatening from wide areas with scintillating displays from Gosens and Kimmich.
Portugal pulled one back from a set piece, with a sleeping German defence surprised to see Ronaldo keeping Bruno Fernandes' far-post free kick in play with an acrobatic knock down for Jota, who only needed to apply the finishing touch into an empty net from half a yard.
Half-time substitute Renato Sanches did rattle a post from distance with a powerful effort, but Germany saw out the victory convincingly, with Leon Goretzka spurning a late opportunity to make it five when clipping the crossbar on a late Germany counter.
Die Mannschaft's final group game is on Wednesday 23rd June, as Munich plays host to a Hungary side that sits bottom of the 'Group of Death'. With France and Portugal meeting in Budapest, Germany can win the group with a win dependant on France dropping points, albeit a draw would likely be enough to confirm qualification for Lowe's side even if they were to finish as one of four best-performing 3rd-placed finishers.
After this performance one would fear for Hungary, the German's look to have found their feet at the right time and could still yet top Group F. One thing is certain, Germany will be a threat to whoever they face in the coming rounds.
Spain 1-1 Poland
Spain were held to another draw by Poland, as Paulo Sousa's side collected their first point of Euro 2020 with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Las Rojas in Seville on Saturday. Polish skipper Robert Lewandowski led by example, scoring a crucial goal which keeps the Poles faint hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase alive. Meanwhile, Gerard Moreno missed a crucial penalty as Luis Enrique's side left themselves with plenty of work to do to qualify for the knockout phase.
Leeds United defender Diego Llorente was an unused substitute for the second group game running, as Spain repeated their habit of not finishing the abundance of chances they created. While club team-mate Mateusz Klich started in midfield for the visitors, but was withdrawn ten minutes into the second half after receiving a first-half booking. Sousa was clearly keen to avoid a similar fate to the Slovakia defeat, where Gregorz Krychowiak's sending off put paid to any hopes of a result in Saint Petersburg.
Klich clipped the crossbar for Poland inside the opening six minutes, with a typical long-range effort which appeared to have Unai Simon beaten.
But, Spain took control of both possession and chance creation, with Rodri's air-shot a first big opportunity wasted by the hosts.
Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock midway through the first period, tapping in Gerard Moreno's cross-come-shot from six yards out. After the linesman had initially disallowed the goal for offside, VAR reviewed to overturn the decision, allowing the goal to stand after deeming Morata level with Bartosz Bereszynski.
Moreno went close to doubling Spain's lead before half-time with a wicked free-kick from inside the 'D' bending narrowly wide of Wojciech Szczesny's post.
Poland could and perhaps should've equalised moments later through Karol Swiderski, who met Lewandowski's near-post cross with a strange choice of contact, volleying over Simon's bar instead of meeting the inviting ball with a header.
And, the Poles certainly should've levelled before half-time, with Swiderski crashing an effort against the post, with Simon denying Lewandowski from close range on the rebound.
Spain wasted another chance to double their lead before the break, when Moreno crept in to divert Jordi Alba's near-post cross into the side netting. after nipping in in front of Szczesny.
And, Spain were made to pay for their wasteful finishing less than ten minutes into the second half, when Lewandowski bullied Aymeric Laporte in the air to bury a header beyond Simon.
Meeting Kamil Jozwiak's right-wing cross after brushing Laporte aside, Lewandowski thumped a typical bullet header into the far corner beyond the despairing dive of Athletic Bilbao keeper Simon to level the contest.
Within a minute of drawing level Poland conceded a contentious and needless penalty, with Jakub Moder's late challenge on Moreno being retrospectively punished by VAR after being missed initially by referee, Daniele Orsato.
Moreno himself, stepped up to take the penalty, planting his effort against the base of the post to the relief of Moder and Szczesny, before Morata fired the rebound wide to keep the scores level.
Spain continued to push for a winner, but lacked the killer instinct. Rodri thumped a shot directly at Szczesny, before the Juventus goalkeeper made a heroic stop to deny his club team-mate Morata from close range in the closing stages, as Poland held onto a massive result.
Spain go into their final group fixture knowing they need a positive result to stand a chance of qualifying for the Round of 16. They face Slovakia in Seville on Wednesday 23rd June, where a point would likely be enough to ensure qualification for the visitors.
Poland meanwhile, round off their group stage fixtures with a win-or-bust encounter with group leaders Sweden in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday 23rd June. Either a draw or a defeat would confirm Poland's exit, and even a victory could see them drop out dependant on the other result in Group E.
So, that's your review of this game weeks results at the Euro's. Check back at the end of the next round of fixtures to see how the boys got on in our Euro 2020 Review, and keep an eye out for our weekly preview of the next round of fixtures.
We've got all your Euro 2020 covered on AllLeedsTV.
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