By Habeeb Akinfegbe
After the second round of group matches, all the teams now know where they stand in this competition; some are out, some have advanced with a match to spare, some are assured of qualification but not positions while others have wide and slim outside chances.
The hosts are already through with a match to spare, 6 points in the bag with two goals from Payet. In the final round of group matches starting later tonight the hosts face Switzerland who need a draw while Romania must beat Albania by at least 2 goals without conceding and France beat Switzerland with a 1-0 scoreline.
In group B, England will finish in the top three as they prepare to face Slovakia who can still qualify by beating England. Wales may go through with four points but they face a Russian side that can still make it through. All to play for in this group.
All of Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland can still make it to the second round considering the newly introduced berth reserved for four third placed finishers. As a matter of fact Northern Ireland tops the table of best third placed teams so far.
In group D, Spain are already through, Croatia are assured of a top three finish with four points while Czech equally stand an outside chance of progressing as they face fellow outside chance hopeful, Turkey who have no point.
Like France and Spain, Italy have a hundred per cent record and have qualified without conceding a goal, only Spain are yet to concede with a hundred per cent record, and the Azurris have netted thrice while the Spaniards have a quadruple. Rising power in world football, Belgium follow closely with three points after losing their opening fixture to Italy. Sweden lie third with a point gotten against Republic of Ireland who are unfortunate to concede an own goal from Clark in the 71st minute then lost to Italy. Sweden will fancy their chances against Belgium while Republic of Ireland will need a miracle to go through when they face Italy.
Hungary lead group F with four points and are assured of finishing in the qualification zone. Iceland follow while CR7 and Portugal surprisingly lie third with draws from two fixtures. Iceland face Austria in the battle for survival as they are on two and one points respectively, thus one of them will definitely go out. In the other game that will mark the end of all group proceedings, Portugal tackle table toppers Hungary, in a match of redemption for Portuhal and a statement of return to prominence for Hungary.
As regards the third place hopefuls; Northern Ireland lead with three points and plus one goal difference, Slovakia have three points and no goal difference, Portugal with two points and no goal difference, Czech Republic have one point, minus one goal difference and two goals for, Romania have one point, minus one goal difference and two goals for, Sweden sits bottom of the table with one point, minus one goal difference and one goal for.
Nothing big has changed on the scorers chart apart from the fact that there are now five players still tied though but on 2 goals each: Lukaku, Payet, Stancu, Morata and Bale. No Ronaldo neither is there Ibrahimovic.
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After the second round of group matches, all the teams now know where they stand in this competition; some are out, some have advanced with a match to spare, some are assured of qualification but not positions while others have wide and slim outside chances.
The hosts are already through with a match to spare, 6 points in the bag with two goals from Payet. In the final round of group matches starting later tonight the hosts face Switzerland who need a draw while Romania must beat Albania by at least 2 goals without conceding and France beat Switzerland with a 1-0 scoreline.
In group B, England will finish in the top three as they prepare to face Slovakia who can still qualify by beating England. Wales may go through with four points but they face a Russian side that can still make it through. All to play for in this group.
All of Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland can still make it to the second round considering the newly introduced berth reserved for four third placed finishers. As a matter of fact Northern Ireland tops the table of best third placed teams so far.
In group D, Spain are already through, Croatia are assured of a top three finish with four points while Czech equally stand an outside chance of progressing as they face fellow outside chance hopeful, Turkey who have no point.
Like France and Spain, Italy have a hundred per cent record and have qualified without conceding a goal, only Spain are yet to concede with a hundred per cent record, and the Azurris have netted thrice while the Spaniards have a quadruple. Rising power in world football, Belgium follow closely with three points after losing their opening fixture to Italy. Sweden lie third with a point gotten against Republic of Ireland who are unfortunate to concede an own goal from Clark in the 71st minute then lost to Italy. Sweden will fancy their chances against Belgium while Republic of Ireland will need a miracle to go through when they face Italy.
Hungary lead group F with four points and are assured of finishing in the qualification zone. Iceland follow while CR7 and Portugal surprisingly lie third with draws from two fixtures. Iceland face Austria in the battle for survival as they are on two and one points respectively, thus one of them will definitely go out. In the other game that will mark the end of all group proceedings, Portugal tackle table toppers Hungary, in a match of redemption for Portuhal and a statement of return to prominence for Hungary.
As regards the third place hopefuls; Northern Ireland lead with three points and plus one goal difference, Slovakia have three points and no goal difference, Portugal with two points and no goal difference, Czech Republic have one point, minus one goal difference and two goals for, Romania have one point, minus one goal difference and two goals for, Sweden sits bottom of the table with one point, minus one goal difference and one goal for.
Nothing big has changed on the scorers chart apart from the fact that there are now five players still tied though but on 2 goals each: Lukaku, Payet, Stancu, Morata and Bale. No Ronaldo neither is there Ibrahimovic.
Follow us
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com
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