Wales wins Group B and Slovakia holds England.

Final match day in Group B

Russia v Wales | Toulouse

Slovakia v England | Saint-Etienne.

England was sitting top of Group B as the undefeated in the group with 4 points and a (+1) goal difference. Wales and Slovakia sat right under England with 3 points each. They both have identical statistics in Group B, but head-to-head match up placed Wales above Slovakia. Russia had only 1 point and a (-1) goal difference.

Final match day in Group B was sure to be more exciting than what Group A had to offer. Unlike Group A, the table can change tremendously by the end of 90 minutes.

England will be fine with a draw against Slovakia, but that result will allow the possibility for Wales to win the group. No English fan will like the look of that table.

Wales can’t afford a loss to Russia, and a draw will work for the Welsh if England takes care of Slovakia.

A draw against England will work for Slovakia if Russia beats Wales. Russia can’t afford anything other than a win, and some help in goal difference.

None of the teams can really afford to lose their match. England was in the best position, and a draw won’t be the end of their world. Unless of course, Wales got a win.

The matches were being played simultaneously. At half time, Wales had done what was expected of them by putting 2 goals into the Russians net. As usual Wales tactics involved a condensed backline and a Gareth Bale to terrorize opposition back line with his pace and power.  Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring for Wales in the 11th minute, and Neil Taylor doubled the lead nine minutes later.

England was having a hard time breaking down Slovakia’s defense. Slovakia was very much aware of the importance of a point in this match. They camped around their penalty box and hoped for counter attacks that barely came through.

“It’s a special moment for Welsh football,” says @FAWales midfielder Joe Allen.#EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/GS9Cb9RP9z

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 20, 2016

Gareth Bale scored the third goal for Wales in the 67th minute. It was also the third straight match that Gareth Bale had found the net for Wales.

He has scored so far in every match he played in the 2016 European Championship, making him the top goalscorer so far in the competition.

Romelu Lukaku (Belgium), Dimitri Payet (France), Álvaro Morata (Spain) and Bogdan Stancu (Romania) are right behind him with 2 goals each.  Stancu can’t add to his tally as Romania was eliminated by Albania in their final Group A match. 

England never got through Slovakia’s defense. Almost every potential shot had a Slovakian player between the ball and the goal. Slovakian’s Robert Mak was out of the match in the 85th minute. With no substitutions left, Slovakia had to play the rest of the match a man down. The numerical advantage England received at the end of the match was not enough to get them a win.

Wales finished as Group B winners, and England is the runners-up. Slovakia still has a chance of advancing into the knockout stage, but Russia waves goodbye to France and the 2016 European Championship.  

Final Group B table looks like this…..