Brighton at Euro 2020: Moder helps Poland to point against Spain
If you were ever in any doubt about whether Jakub Moder was a good signing for Brighton, then his performance in Poland’s second Euro 2020 (in 2021) group game against Spain should have provided an answer.
It was Moder who began the move which led to Robert Lewandowski’s equaliser with a moment of class. The midfielder produced a lovely little turn to escape the attentions of two Spanish midfielders before threading a forward pass which led to a cross being headed home by the Bayern Munich striker.
Moder had spent most of the first half on defensive duties in a holding midfield role as Spain dominated but struggled to do much with their possession. Robert Sanchez must feel right at home in his new role as his nation’s third choice goalkeeper.
After failing to score against Sweden despite having 85 percent possession, Spain did at least hit the back of the net this time. Alvaro Morata notched midway through the first half after VAR – working very well at Euro 2020 without bungling Premier League officials cocking up every review – ruled him to be onside.
There was a further VAR intervention when Moder was adjudged to have fouled Gerard Moreno shortly after the Poland equaliser, giving Spain a penalty and the chance to secure their first win at Euro 2020 (in 2021).
Moreno though did more Brighton things by putting the spot kick against the post, followed by Morata smashing the rebound off target. Spain & Hove Albion, indeed.
Euro 2020 (in 2021) Group E remains on a knife edge with Spain and Sanchez third and Moder and Poland fourth. Both sides could yet qualify for the knockout stages depending on what happens on Wednesday, when Poland face Sweden and Spain take on Slovakia.
Joel Veltman and the Netherlands are assured of their place in the last 16 after victory against Austria made it two wins from two. Memphis Depay converted a penalty and the wonderfully named Denzel Dumfries doubled the advantage in the second half for the Dutch in Amsterdam.
Veltman was an unused substitute alongside former Brighton number two goalkeeper Tom Krul. The Netherlands need just a point from their final group game with North Macedonia to guarantee top spot, meaning that Frank de Boer is expected to make changes which could see Veltman get his first start of the tournament on Monday.
Belgium needed the inspiration of Kevin De Bruyne to come from behind and beat a Denmark side fired up to win for Christian Eriksen. The Danes led 1-0 inside of two minutes in front of an emotional Parken Stadium in Copenhagen thanks to Yussuf Poulsen’s opener.
The ball was kicked out of play in the 10th minute for a minutes applause for Eriksen. At half time, Roberto Martinez sent on De Bruyne from the bench and one assist for Thorgan Hazard and one goal for himself later and Belgium had the game won 2-1.
Like Veltman, Leandro Trossard was an unused substitute. He too will be hoping for game time in the Red Devils’ final group game against Finland with Belgium also having secured their place in the second round.
The return to fitness of Harry Maguire meant that Ben White was not even named amongst the substitutes as England laboured to a 0-0 draw against Scotland.
Quite how a Three Lions team with so much attacking talent in it managed to produce the most boring game of the tournament so far is testament to the strange job Gareth Southgate is currently doing. With qualification still not guaranteed, it seems unlikely that White will feature against Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
In the Copa America, Moises Caicedo was booked as Ecuador drew 2-2 with Venezuela. The teenage midfielder got 90 minutes under his belt in a game in which his country twice led and had over 66 percent possession – another nation doing their bit to be like Brighton.
Ayrton Preciado gave Ecuador a half time lead in Rio de Janeiro, only for Edson Castillo to level things up six minutes after the restart. Gonzalo Plata then put Ecuador back ahead with a glorious goal sprinting the length of the pitch to finish but a stoppage time equaliser from Ronald Hernandez ensured the spoils were shared.
Ecuador now have one point from two games in Group B. Four of the five teams in the group qualify for the next round, with Caicedo and Co still to face Brazil, Colombia and Peru.
Maty Ryan kept a clean sheet and captained Australia as the Socceroos beat Jordan (the country, not Katie Price) 1-0 to make it eight wins from eight games in World Cup qualifying and Alireza Jahanbakhsh picked up a yellow card as Iran beat Iraq 1-0.
