Euro 2016 Daily: Russia in crisis, France leaves it late

Day 6 of the European championship picked up right where it left things off, with a theme of late winners, underdog triumph and the occasional cameo of brilliance in front of goal.

Russian politicians sadly and predictably came to the defense of violent Russian fans at Euro 2016 on Wednesday. Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and sports minister Vitaly Mutko pointed the fingers at those always-blamable English hooligans for provoking their Russian counterparts.

"“Our fans are constantly being provoked. And whatever happens it is immediately said that the Russians are guilty…There are now 15-20,000 Russians in different towns (in France). Most of them want to watch good football. – Vitaly Mutko (SkySports)"

If being outplayed is cause for provocation and the fans only want good football, more trouble lies ahead after Slovakia’s 2-1 dismantling of the Russian bear.

Marek Hamisk delivered one of the top two goals of the tournament so far, with an audacious strike from an acute angle in the closing minutes of the first half of Wednesday’s game.

Hamsik’s goals doubled the Slovakia’s advantage and created a hole too deep for Russia to recover. Despite Russia getting a goal back in the second-half and threatening to play last-minute spoilers once again, Martin Skrtel and the Slovaks held on for a much needed win.

After two games Leonid Slutsky’s Russia team finds itself with a single point before their final game against Wales. Someone better call security.

More from Euro 2016

• Euro 2016 final: Predictions as France take on Portugal
• Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois fail to quell fears as Belgium crash out of Euro 2016
• Eden Hazard comeback threatened by Euro 2016 injury
• Chelsea’s Gary Cahill crashes out of Euro 2016 in humiliating fashion (VIDEO)
• Euro 2016: Antonio Conte boots football because he’s that excited for Chelsea

Switzerland vs Romania

Fresh from their last-minute heart breaking defeat at the hands of host nation France, Romania had to come out with attacking intent  to keep their European dreams alive. Despite a decorous first half from Shaqiri and crew, it was prolific Genclerbirligi striker Bogdan Stancu who put his team in front in the 18th minute after converting cooly from the spot as he did against France.

But an injury to Steaua Bucharest strongman, Pintilii, forced him to miss the second half and subsequently Romania’s airtight defense began taking water. Inspired by cries of “Hop Suisse” inspired Switzerland finally remembered that they were favorites to win the match. A well taken corner-kick by Rodriguez fell to Mehmedi after being deflected. The 25-year old Bayer Leverkusen striker took with his weaker left foot and tied the night 1-1.

France vs. Albania

Yes, France is full of talent and have been backed by most to collect their third European title, but questions still linger about the nerves of Didier Deschamps’ men. The French manager did his best impersonation of Claudio Ranieri’s “Tinkerman” by sitting out his two best players in Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, and departing from his trusted 4-3-3 for a 4-2-3-1 to accommodate the creativity of Dimitri Payet. Despite all this, the Bleus started timidly against Albania.

Man United and Bayern Munich wonderkids, Kingsley Coman and Anthony Martial, were given a chance to impress but seem to forget that they were theoretically in the side to stay out-wide and stretch a defense which had only conceded 2 goals during the qualifiers. Instead, the pair found themselves operating through the middle way too often, and crowding out Payet.

As the match wore on Deschamps put his wrench away, bringing on Griezmann and Pogba in the second half. The two contributed to a last-gasp 2-0 France victory. Griezmann beat Lazio keeper Berisha by heading a cross from Adil Rami in the 90th minute. Five minutes later, Pogba’s superb pass launched Gignac’s forward run. From there, he merely had to lay the ball off to Golden Boot contender (what, too soon?) Payet, who made no mistake on the finish deep in stoppage time.

Win the win France was the first team to secure a place in the round of 16

Thursday’s Matches

Thursday will see feature a day of grudge matches starting with the early game between Wales and the “disrespectful” Gareth Bale vs England. England should – must – go for blood as they sit in 3rd place  in Group B. Chelsea’s Gary Cahill will be put to the test facing the Real madrid frontman.

Then it will be Ukraine vs Northern Ireland, two teams still looking for a point in Group C. You would expect an all out effort from both sides since their chances of collecting points against Poland and Germany might be slim.

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Finally in the last game, a head-to-head with more geopolitical implication than Trump-vs-Hillary. Germany takes on a Polish team that may be just good enough to stun Joachim Low’s men and win group C.