Nearly two days after their awe-inspiring 0-0 draw with Slovakia, England have learned their last 16 fate.
Failure to get past Martin Skrtel and his pals coupled with a Welsh win over the Russians meant that Roy Hodgson’s men would be through as runners-up from their group and would therefore, in theory, be handed a more difficult tie.
It was also known England’s next opponents would be the runners up in Group F, a group containing Portugal, Iceland, Hungary and Austria. With the group still tight, England could’ve faced any of them.
With seconds to go, it seemed that Portugal, drawing their match with already-qualified Hungary 3-3 would be facing England in Nice.
We should’ve known better.
In a tournament of late goals, Iceland scored a winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time against Austria, enough for them to leapfrog Portugal as group runners up.
Although Iceland have shown that they’re no mugs, surely England supporters will be delighted that they’re not facing a Portuguese side who have Cristiano Ronaldo back amongst the goals.
Thanks to results in Group E, Wales will now play Northern Ireland their last 16 game.
Robbie Brady’s late goal to give the Republic of Ireland a win over Italy now means they will face France in the Round of 16.
At the start of Euro 2016, few football fans would have all of the Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland to get out of the groups.
Those fixtures in full:
Wales vs. Northern Ireland – Saturday 25 June – Parc de Princes, Paris
France vs. Republic of Ireland – Sunday 26 June – Stade des Lumières, Lyon
England vs. Iceland – Monday 27 June – Allianz Riviera, Nice
Bonne chance boys.
