France and Kingsley Coman’s dream of a home triumph in the 2016 European Championship lives on after the hosts overcame Ireland 2-1 in Lyon on Sunday to book a quarter-final tie against either England or Iceland. The French fell behind after just two minutes to a Robbie Brady penalty, but Antoine Griezmann struck a quickfire brace after the break on 58 and 61 minutes to turn the game on its head, with the Irish further handicapped by a straight red card for Shane Duffy in the 66th minute. Coman came on as a half-time sub and added new impetus to the hosts’ wing play, but the FCB starlet was himself substituted in stoppage time with an injury.
Champions Spain meet Italy
Spain face Italy for the third time in a row in the knockout stages of the EURO when the 2008 and 2012 European champions meet the four-time world champions on Monday evening. The skilled holders go into the meeting with the Squadra Azzurra as slight favourites. “It’ll be a hard job of work. Scoring goals and creating chances against Italy is very tough,” commented Bayern man Thiago, who just as in the group stages is likely to start on the bench. Recent history favours the Iberians, who won 4-0 in the 2012 final and in the 2008 quarter-finals. The Italians last prevailed at the 1994 World Cup.
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