PORTUGAL 1-0 TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC 2-1 ITALY
STORY OF THE DAY It ain’t really a proper tournament until there’s an upset. If you don’t count England and the Netherlands being held to draws in their opening matches – and you shouldn’t – then Euro 96’s first shock comes in the Friday night fixture at Anfield. Italy, the 1994 World Cup finalists, are downed by the Czechs in their first Slovakialess tournament.
After just four minutes, and years before he started to resemble Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt, Sparta Prague’s 23-year-old Pavel Nedved puts the Czechs ahead. Enrico Chiesa soon finishes a three-on-two counter-attack to equalise, but Luigi Apolloni’s red card and Radek Bejbl’s sidefooted volley – all in the first half – leaves a much-changed Italy fearing they may need to win their final group game to reach the last eight. Fortunately, it’s only against Germany.
In the earlier tie, Portugal dominate again but lack a cutting edge again, until defender Fernando Couto tires of the tippy-tappy and smashes home a left-footed volley from 18 yards. Turkey, like Romania the previous day, sadly pack their suitcases and say farewell. THE GOOD It’s a day of celebration for the Czechs but top marks go to Couto. Having put Portugal ahead, the 6ft centre-back – bound for Bobby Robson’s Barcelona that summer – darts off towards the dugout for an entirely deserved forward somersault routine; even as he lands on his feet, he has both arms aloft and pointing heavenwards like an unusually hairy gymnast. Well done, sir.
THE BAD Arrigo Sacchi’s rotation selection. Fearing Germany more than the Czechs, the Italy coach rests his productive front two of Casiraghi and Zola, along with Alessandro Del Piero and Angelo Di Livio. To be fair to Sacchi – which the Italian press most certainly aren’t – Chiesa scores and substitute Casiraghi fluffs a late chance, again set up by Zola.
THEY SAID WHAT?! “There are a couple of possibilities from this tournament. Either I will be kissed all over my bald head or I will have tomatoes thrown at it” – Sacchi.
THE MEDIA “Vogts keeps cool as Basler lets off steam” is The Independent’s headline after midfielder Mario moans, “I haven’t just had an operation to sit on the bench.”
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