Today [Saturday, June 11] was the second day of the European Championships in France, and there was drama, heartbreak, and brilliant goals all around.
Switzerland beat Albania 1-0 this morning, Wales defeated Slovakia 2-1 at midday, and England threw away their win, in a 1-1 draw with Russia.
In a feisty game, Fabian Schär‘s goal for Switzerland was the decider for his team. There were 27 fouls in the game, and Albania’s captain, Lorik Cana, was sent off in the 36th minute after his second yellow card.
Wales, playing in their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, played a great game against Slovakia. Gareth Bale, Welsh hunk and Real Madrid superstar, curled home a free-kick early on in the 10th minute, and Slovakia responded with a goal from Ondrej Duda in the 61st minute. Wale ultimately prevailed, with Hal Robson-Kanu slotting home the deciding goal in the 81st minute.
https://twitter.com/RMadridBabe/status/741666836744392704
In the final game of the day, England, with a fresh, young squad, took on Russia in a game that was all about momentum. England was the better team throughout the game, creating several chances in the first half. Russia came out and played with much more energy in the second half, but England finally beat the Russian keeper, Igor Akinfeev, in the 73rd minute from a beautiful free kick from Eric Dier. As the game came to a close, Russia continued to launch long balls into the box, and in stoppage time, Vasili Berezutski headed home the goal for Russia, leaving England fans extremely bitter once again.
Russia celebrate the goal that grabbed them a late draw.#ENGRUS #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/gXpx0wr9U9
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 11, 2016
Sometimes a draw feels like a defeat. #ENGRUS #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/ivlUKOxRR7
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 11, 2016
The action returns tomorrow with three more games, including the reigning world champs Germany, taking on Ukraine at 3pm EST on ESPN.