The action turns to Group C on day 12, as Ukraine face Poland, Northern Ireland have the daunting task of facing world champions Germany in a crucial encounter.
Ukraine are the only team from the group that can no longer qualify for the knockout stages after 2-0 defeats against Germany and Northern Ireland in their two group outing.
Mykhaylo Fomenko’s team have under-performed and now only have pride to play for in this group, but could still have a big influence on who qualifies for the knockout stages of the competition.
Poland can confirm their place in the knockout stages with a victory in this clash. However, a draw could be enough to give the Poles runners-up spot, if Northern Ireland fails to beat Germany in other game.
Whatever happens Poland look likely to make it to the knockout stages, as four points should be enough to seal a spot in the last 16, even if the unexpected happens and they suffer a defeat in this clash. A win could be enough to seal top spot in the group.
Northern Ireland face the difficult task of facing world champions Germany in their last group. Germany have collected four points from their two games so far, but Joachim Low’s side were underwhelming last time out in their goalless draw with Poland, failing to get a shot on target.
Boss Joachim Low may react to that poor display against Poland with changes in personnel, as he seeks to find a bigger attacking threat from his team. The world champions realistically only need a point to qualify for the knockout stages, but will have to record a victory in this game to ensure they top the group, or Poland could pip them to top spot and secure an easier draw in the last-16.
Northern Ireland recorded their ever win at a European Championships last time out by beating Ukraine 2-0. The win gave Michael O’Neill’s side a very good chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.
They are currently third-place in the group and a draw would surely seal their place in the last-16, while they could qualify with a defeat, but that depends on results from the other games.
Group D also reaches its conclusion on Tuesday, Czech Republic face Turkey and Spain go head-to-head with Croatia.
Czech Republic’s 2-2 draw with Croatia last time out means that they can still qualify in second-place, but they would need to defeat Turkey and then hope that Spain defeat Croatia in the other game.
A win would also guarantee the Czech’s finish in third spot and that could be enough for them to qualify as one of the best third-place teams. Pavel Vrba’s team will be without influential attacking midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who has a thigh problem.
Turkey’s Euro 2016 campaign has been very poor so far, as they have suffered defeats in both of their games. A 3-0 defeat in their last outing against European champions has made their chances of making it the knockout stages very slim.
Fatih Terim’s side would need a win and improve their goal difference, as their goal difference is currently -4, which is currently the worst of any team hoping to make the knockout stages.
The other group in the game is between Croatia and European champions Spain. Croatia needs to avoid defeat to confirm their place as group runners-up. However a win would mean top spot for Ante Cacic’s team.
Croatia threw away a two-goal lead against the Czechs last time out to draw 2-2, but a draw would be enough to take them through in second place. Even a defeat could see them through as one of third-place teams.
Spain’s 3-0 defeat of Turkey in their last game meant that Vicente del Bosque’s side have two wins out of two games in France. The European champions only need a draw to finish top of the group and get an easier passage in the knockout stages.
Del Bosque could rotate his squad with qualification for the last-16 already sealed, although La Roja will not want to lose their momentum by failing to win this clash.
Day 11 of Euro 2016 saw Group B decided, with Wales recording a big win over Russia and England frustrated by Slovakia.
England dominated against Slovakia, but could not find a way past a stubborn Slovakia defence, despite having 30 shots on goal against Jan Kozak’s men. Jamie Vardy had England’s best chance of the first half, firing at Slovakia ‘keeper Matus Kozacik when through on goal.
Nathaniel Clyne saw an effort saved by Kozacik in the second half and substitute Dele Alli saw an effort cleared near the line by Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel. England continued to press and Slovakia produced a back against the wall defensive display to record a draw.
The draw means that England finished the group in second-place, going through on a bit of a whimper, with Slovakia taking third and a likely spot in the last 16 as one of the four best third-place teams. England will face the team that finishes second in Group F and Slovakia will face a much tougher prospect of facing a group winner.
Wales produced a superb display to hammer Russia 3-0 in the other group game and in the process seal top spot.
The Welsh Dragons roared into action early on and established a two goal lead in the first 20 minutes. Aaron Ramsey was played through on-goal by Joe Allen and the Arsenal man kept his cool to dink the ball over Igor Akinfeev.
Chris Coleman’s side doubled their lead on 20 minutes. Gareth Bale’s deflected pass found its way through to Neil Taylor in acres of space on the left. The Swansea full-back advanced on the ‘keeper and beat Akinfeev at the second time of asking.
Ramsey picked-out Bale, who lifted the ball over Akinfeev to seal what was a vital victory for the Dragons. Wales will now face one of the best third-place teams on Saturday afternoon.
Day ten at Euro 2016 was an untypically quiet one in Group A, as Switzerland and France played out a draw and Albania defeated Romania to record their first ever victory at a major international tournament.
France had the better chances in the game, as Paul Pogba was denied by a superb save by Swiss ‘keeper Yann Sommer, prior to hitting the bar. West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet has scored twice so far during this tournament and with 15 minutes remaining smashed a powerful effort off the bar.
In the end the draw suited both teams, France topped the group and Switzerland finished second and now head through to the knockout stages.
The other game in Group A saw Albania record their first ever victory at a major tournament by defeating Romania 1-0 in Lyon. Romania dominated possession, but struggled to create many chances.
In fact Albania should have taken the lead through Ermir Lenjani who missed a chance from close-range. The Albanians did take the lead on 43 minutes though. Ledian Memushaj fired in a cross from the right, which looked to be an easy take for Romania ‘keeper Tatarusanu, but the giant ‘keeper misjudged the ball and Armando Sadiku was there at the far post to head into an empty net.
Romania would have been expected to come out all guns blazing in the second half, but created very little. There one chance of any not came with just 14 minutes left on the clock, as substitute Florin Andone smashed an effort against the bar.
Romania produced few scares for the Albania’s and Gianni De Blasi held on for victory that saw them finish third in the group, which could yet be enough to see them through to the knockout stages.
Euro 2016: Day Eleven
Day eleven sees Group B come to a conclusion with England, Wales, Slovakia and Russia all with a chance to progress to the knockout stages of the competition.
England top the group having recorded a dramatic last-gasp victory over neighbours Wales last time out courtesy of a Daniel Sturridge toe-poke.
The win put the Three Lions in complete control of the group, as they head into the last round of group games on four points and top of the pile. A long with fellow substitute Jamie Vardy, Sturridge made a big impact in the win and both are now tipped to be in the Three Lions starting line-up for this clash.
In truth England had looked far more dangerous with the lively Vardy and Sturridge on the pitch, following their half-time introduction. With England virtually assured of their place in the knockout stages boss Roy Hodgson may make other changes to his starting eleven.
A win would ensure that the Three Lions go through as group winners, although a draw could be enough if Wales fail to win against Russia.
Slovakia saved their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages with a 2-1 win over Russia last time out. The goal scoring heroes were Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik and they are likely to be key players once again for Jan Kozak’s side.
Hamsik was the star of the show in qualifying and again the star against Russia. If Slovakia are to get anything out of this game then he could be a vital player for his team.
Slovakia could qualify for the knockout stages with a win or a draw. A win could see them win the group, depending on the other games result, while a draw would give them a chance of finishing as one of the best third-place teams, again depending on the other game in the group.
The other game in Group B sees Russia face Wales in what is a crucial game for both nations, with both of the countries able to make it through to the knockout stages.
Russia came into this tournament with key midfielders Igor Denisov and Alan Dzagoev and it has shown in their attacking play.
A 2-1 defeat against Slovakia last time out means they have picked-up just one point from two games, so a draw in this clash would not be enough to see them through to the knockout stages. However a win for Leonid Slutskiy’s side could change the scenario completely. History is on Russia’s side in recent games against Wales, as they have won the last three meetings.
They are slight favourites heading into this game and a win in this clash would move them above the Dragons in the standings. Much will depend on what happens elsewhere though.
Wales were on the back foot for much of their clash against England in the 2-1 defeat, but will still have been disappointed to have conceded a stoppage-time goal. For much of the game the Welsh back line defended stoutly, just like they had against Slovakia in their opening group game.
Chris Coleman’s side will fancy their chances of achieving at least a draw in this clash, especially with the sublime skills of Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale in their starting line-up. The former-Tottenham star has not been at his best in France, but has scored in both group games so far.
Wales know that a draw is likely to be good enough for qualification for the knockout stages and may even see the Dragons finish as runners-up in the group, which is if England defeat Slovakia in the other group game.