Euro 2016

By press time, this was turning out to be one of the worst Euros ever for those who love goals. Only 34 goals had been scored at the time of writing this, an average of a goal every 48 minutes. At 1.83 goals per game, the average is the lowest since 1968 when seven were scored in five matches for a mean of 1.40.

If scoring continues at the current rate, despite the low average, there will be around 93 goals, ahead of the record of 85 from 2000 (in 31 rather than 51 matches). We have a boring tournament so far but who cares? Results matter and that is why we have this column, so let’s see how things go this week.

SATURDAY

BELGIUM              4-1  IRELAND     3pm

Belgium did not turn up in their opener against Italy. No, it wasn’t just that Italy had the defence to reckon with, the Belgians were just pathetic. For 70 minutes, Romelu Lukaku was clueless. He could not position himself for passes. He was marked out of the game. Divock Origi changed the tide but a little too late. Coach Marc Wilmots needs to swing the axe now. No second chance needed on the basis of the first game performance. If he does, I see Belgium coming back to life with some attacking football to savour because this fixture could spell their doom. Ireland proved to Sweden they had come for the championship and will try to do the same, but I don’t see their aging defence lasting this time.

ICELAND     2-2   HUNGARY           6pm

Iceland did not get a point against Portugal because they are lucky, they got it because they had a game plan against Cristiano Ronaldo. The petulant forward was left frustrated to boiling point. But Icelanders will care for less if they can do the same to Hungary.

Portugal     1-1   AUSTRIA        9pm

Austria will be out of the tournament if they lose this. Beaten hands down by Hungary, the Austrians will have come all out for this fixture, but it isn’t any good for Portugal who must get Ronaldo to play rather than show his dirty side. If Austria can hold Portugal for  45 minutes, frustration will get the better of the Portuguese and allow them make mistakes. A draw on my card.

COPA AMERICA

ARGENTINA     3-1   VENEZUELA                1Am

Argentina have come this far without starting their best player and skipper Leonel Messi and defensive linchpin Javier Mascherano. But the Barca duo could be unleashed now.

MEXICO     2-2   CHILE      4Am

Defending champions Chile will be folding out in post-match shootouts at the hands of Mexico.

OTHER FIXTURES

ROMANIA             2-0   ALBANIA      9pm

SWITZELAND     1-3   FRANCE      9pm

SLOVAKIA            2-2   ENGLAND   9pm

RUSSIA                 0-3   WALES         9pm

N. IRELAND         0-4   GERMANY  6pm

UKRAINE              0-1   POLAND      6pm

CZECH REP        0-2   TURKEY      9Pm

CROATIA              1-1   SPAIN           9Pm

jacobs.seaman@newtimes.co.rw