Czech Republic 1-3 Portugal

Two games and two wins for Portugal and they are within a smidgen of moving on to the knock out stage. The Czechs put in a far better performance than the opening game and can go into the final match with some confidence.

The early goal from Deco came after some great interplay just on the edge of the Czech penalty box. Portugal was offered too much time and far too much space. Ronaldo and Nuno Gomes are involved before Deco nips into score. The early counter was the making of the match as the Czechs clawed their way back into the game.

Former Ranger Libor Sionko was the liveliest player for the Czechs on Saturday and he up for this game as well. The equalizer came from a well-placed Plasil corner kick and Sionko stooped low to beat Petit to the ball and direct a header past Ricardo. Cross balls would continue to cause Portugal problems throughout the match and it is something that other countries will have been sure to notice.

The game flowed back and forward to half time and into the second half although Portugal was much more adept at creating chances. Deco in particular was a constant threat. The eventual winner came from a lightning quick attack. The ball found in Deco just inside the penalty box and his cutback found Ronaldo arriving at the edge of penalty after the Czech’s had failed to pick up his run. The shot was beat Cech and again the Czechs were forced to try and find a way back into the game.

Free kicks and corner kicks offered the best chance of success and although the centre of the Portuguese looked uncomfortable every time a cross was delivered the next goal came at the other end. With only seconds left another quick free kick caught the Czech defence square and high. Rolando ran on unmolested and after drawing Cech out of the goal he rolled a pass to Quaresma. The substitute rolled the ball into the empty net.

No doubt Ronaldo will garner the headlines but Deco was the stick that stirred the Portuguese cocktail.

Turkey 2-1 Switzerland

It has been a long time since I can remember a game played at a major championship in such bad conditions. With surface water visible over much of the park each pass came with the possibility of dying in one of the many puddles or aquaplaning and leaving players to stretch in desperation.

The West Germany vs. Poland semi final at the World Cup of 1974 suffered as a spectacle when a torrential downpour hit but in this case you could argue that the weather conditions actually made the match.

Every dribble, every tackle, every pass came with the opportunity for a turnover or for defensive disaster from situations that would normally generate predictable outcomes. The Swiss were quicker to adapt as they chose to harry and press the Turks at every opportunity.

Derdiyok’s pace up front caused the Turkish defence all sorts of trouble and it was the youngest player of the tournament who set up the first goal. Served up on a plate is not an uncommon expression but this one was served up in a puddle as Derdiyok crossed to the unmarked Yakin at the far post.

The ball died in the water as Yakin waited to tap it in and he had to quickly readjust in order to get to the ball before the Turkish defenders who were desperately trying to plow through the waves (exaggeration).

Shortly after Yakin had what is probably the miss of the tournament as he missed a wide open net after again being fed at the back post.

Half time brought an end to the rainstorm and an opportunity for the groudstaff to deal with some of the standing water. As conditions improved so did Turkey’s performance. The equalizer came from a magnificent cross from Nihat powered home by Semih although a top class goalkeeper might have been expected to deal with the effort.

Switzerland looked the more likely to score the winner although Turkey remained a realistic threat on the break. And so it was with seconds left that Turkey broke away and scored the winner.

Turkey now face Czech with each country tied on points, goal differential and goals scored. A draw would set up penalty kicks to decide who moves as runners-up to Portugal. Portugal is now guaranteed to finish top of the group and can now rest players for the final game against Switzerland.

Comment of the Day

"The fundamental value at the heart of football is solidarity, together with collective intelligence, creativity, critical thinking, courage and fair play. These are qualities which have nothing to do with Switzerland and the Swiss." - Jean Ziegler.