Euro 2024: The encroachment

After the biggest goal difference for an opening game on Friday, another few firsts on Saturday, the most notable of which is Albania's fastest-ever goal at a Euro tournament and Croatia's disallowed goal for 'encroachment'. It's important to note that we had three very entertaining games with lots of goals and, as far as I could tell, quality football. And it's part of the reason why I love these tournaments: during the regular season, especially if your team is not really doing well. not playing in midweek and with life also getting in the way, I usually only see about a game a week, maybe less. And it's always high stakes, and a lot hinges on the result, and the result becomes the all-important thing. Whereas here, with an abundance of football and, despite various sympathies, being mostly neutral, I can relax and actually watch the football. And rediscover, time and time again, why they call it the beautiful game.

Hungary - Switzerland 1 - 3

Spain - Croatia 3 - 0

Italy - Albania 2 -1

I had Switzerland winning 2-1 in my pre-match predictor, and I thought they'd have to tough it out against a very physical Hungarian team. This is based largely on Hungary's previous performance at Euro 2021, but apparently, things have moved on. And not for the better for our Pannonic neighbors. Switzerland dominated the first half authoritatively, and always looked like they could score more, and indeed, they should have scored more than the two goals they got in at half time. Brilliant pass and a cold, composed finish for the first goal, brilliant shot for the second goal, but both on the back of a shaky Hungarian defense. From my one-eye on football one-eye on work perspective, it looked like Hungary upped their game in the second half. Not in that they became more threatening, but they made it more difficult for the Swiss. By recurring to physical prowess, by and large, as technique is harder to come about. But it was a much more even, much more battled second half, and Hungary might take a hint from it as to how to approach their remaining two games. I am looking forward to Hungary - Scotland, that one's gonna be a battle.

The Hungarian goal felt largely accidental, but these accidents tend to happen when you don't let your opponent create much. 'It's game on' said the commentator, but in all honesty, it didn't really feel like it was. So my prediction would have been spot on in the end, if not for Embolo's pressing in the dying minutes. Which was brilliant, and I loved the flying boot, scoring with the bare foot action, it's dramatic and it shows dedication, but it's these kinds of defending mistakes that make or break a team. He should've never been allowed to get to the ball in that position. Great game by Embolo otherwise, he was all over the place offensively, and in general, great performance by Switzerland. Not a great footballing nation by any means, but if this is the level they're bringing to the tournament, they'll certainly make some waves.

***

Spain - Croatia. I really genuinely thought Croatia's gonna win this one. All the way up to 2-0 for Spain. Though watching back the highlights I must say some of that Croatian defense was really shabby. I can excuse Morata's goal, with a speedy run and inspired finish, though even there he shouldn't have had that much space, but Fabian Ruiz dribbling a line of three before slotting it home is an 80's flashback. All credit to the PSG forward, the goal was absolutely spectacular, but the defense should ask themselves a few questions. 

I guess my backing of Croatia might've been sentimental rather than rational. I am a fan of the courage and the footballing talent constantly coming out of the only Eastern European team to reach a World Cup final in my lifetime. Aware that they're changing generations, but I thought so was Spain. Perisic > Morata, I thought. Apparently not.

Even so, I think Croatia was quite unlucky. Hard to argue when you've lost 3 - 0, but if that triple header would have gotten in at any point, the game would've changed face. And there were a few chances before that. Plus, the weird penalty, the first canceled by VAR, I would think. 'Encroachment' will be more present in the football vocabulary I suspect.

All in all, credit to Spain. They're certainly not as good as 15 years ago, but they're still good enough to punish you on an off day. And I like to think Croatia can do better than this. We will see, but since they've also got Italy in the group, it's looking like 3rd place qualification for them. And the Albania game won't be a walk in the park either.

***

The show on Saturday finishes around 8.15, so by the time I pack up and get to the pub across the street, the Italy game was more or less done. There were still 70 minutes to play, sure, but a rather uneventful 70 minutes. So I've seen none of the goals live, but apparently you were only allowed to get them if your surname starts with B.

Excellent work for Bajrami to chase that ball and score the fastest Euro goal ever, but the fact that Albania couldn't build on it and only enjoyed the lead for 10 minutes shows the gulf in class. Italy wasn't dominant or impressive, but then again Italy rarely is. Fully in control though, goal difference won't really matter, so they pretty much ensured qualification. They need one point from 2 games and, tough as those two games might be, Italy will get it.

Bad news for Albania though, I don't see them getting anything from either Spain or Croatia.