Iniesta continues to shine as Spain start to show their true colours

Euro 2016 may have been a slow burner but, despite the odd dud game, we’ve still witnessed 47 goals in 24 matches, crammed into just nine action-packed days. Football lovers the world over are putting their social lives on hold. Our Euro expert ADRIAN CLARKE (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) is one of those. He hasn’t missed a kick, and here’s his take on the second round of games…

BEST PLAYER – ANDRES INIESTA (SPAIN)

Iniesta in action against Turky. Photo: AP

Spain’s mercurial midfielder was in magisterial form for the second match running. Leading the terrible Turks a merry dance with his silky touch, fab flicks, and perfect slide rule passes, the 32-year-old has proved he’s a worthy successor to Xavi,.

Criminally underrated by so many people, Iniesta is currently battling it out with Dimitri Payet for Player of the Tournament honours. His MD2 performance was just about perfect.

BEST YOUNGSTER – ARLIND AJETI (ALBANIA)

Albania's Ajeti gets to the ball before France's Olivier Giroud. Photo: Reuters

None of the hyped-up whiz kids caught my eye in this round of fixtures, but little known 22-year-old defender Arlind Ajeti did impress me. Displaying stoic enthusiasm, the centre-back, who came in for suspended captain Lorik Cana, did a brilliant job shackling Olivier Giroud and the French attack.

Brave and aggressive, it was no coincidence France struck two late goals immediately after he had to come off in the 85th minute. Playing for Frosinone in Italy he’s not a big name, but Ajeti was excellent.

BEST GOAL – MAREK HAMSIK (SLOVAKIA) V RUSSIA

Marek Hamsik celebrating after scoring Slovakia's second goal against Russia. Photo: Reuters

Spain’s glorious 21-pass move for their third goal against Turkey was in the shake-up, but as the linesman’s flag should have ruled it out, Marek Hamsik’s nonchalant winner against Russia gets my goal of the round.

With Slovakia’s opponents daydreaming from a short corner, the Mohican-haired midfielder had time to look up and fizz the sweetest of howitzers’ into the far top corner, crashing in off the far post to add a nice bit of spice. The Slovak’s ice-cool celebration earned him bonus points from me.

BEST SAVE – ROBERT ALMER (AUSTRIA) V PORTUGAL

Austria's Robert Almer in action against Portugal last week. Photo: AP

Goalkeeping standards have been decidedly average at Euro 2016, with match-defining saves as rare as red cards (another surprise) but Austria’s No. 1 was in sparkling form at the Parc des Princes.

Showing no signs at all of a ‘small mentality’ the Austria Wien stopper frustrated the moody Cristiano Ronaldo with a string of saves. The standout stop saw him react to a wicked second-half effort that was flying towards his bottom left corner. Diving sharply, Almer pushed Ronaldo’s strike round the post in glorious fashion.

BEST TACTICS – MICHAEL O’NEILL (NORTHERN IRELAND) V UKRAINE

Michael O'Neill celebrating with Aaron Hughes and Jamie Ward after Northern Ireland's Niall McGinn scores their second goal against Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

Upset by his side’s limp defeat to Poland, the Northern Ireland boss shook up his squad by making FIVE changes for a must-win second game, dropping top scorer and qualification hero Kyle Lafferty to the bench and changing his system completely.

It was a ballsy move that paid off handsomely in front of an army of ecstatic green and white fans in Lyon.

Expecting one style, and getting another, Ukraine had no answer to the Ulstermen’s sprightly attack, sensible distribution, and granite defending. When Gareth McAuley broke the deadlock, heading home an O’Neill-inspired training-ground free kick, it was a fitting reward for his manager’s tactical spunk.

BEST TEAM – SPAIN

Sergio Ramos in acrobatic action for Spain during their 3-0 demolition of Turkey. Photo: AP

My pre-tournament picks are warming up nicely. Dominating Turkey from start to finish with the kind of sweet flowing football, slippery movement, and a decisive edge that made them champions in 2008 and 2012, their 3-0 win could easily have been doubled, and there would have been no complaints.

It wasn’t much of a test, but Vicente del Bosque’s reigning champions looked a well-oiled machine in Nice. They will take some stopping.

WORST TEAM – SWEDEN

Sweden's Erik Johansson looking down in despair after the 1-0 loss to Italy. Photo: AP

In fairness to the Swedes, I’d say Turkey, the Republic of Ireland and Ukraine performed worse than they did in MD2, but their sluggishness and conservatism against Italy was a real trial to watch. 

Despite having the mighty Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks, Erik Hamren’s side became the first European Championship finalists since 1980 to fail to register a shot on target in their first two group games. That’s poor. Their fans have had precious little to get excited about.

BIGGEST FLOP – CRISTIANO RONALDO (PORTUGAL) V AUSTRIA

Cristiano Ronaldo holding his face in frustration after missing his penalty against Austria. Photo: Reuters

I’m beginning to wonder if Ronaldo’s quest to become the first player to score at four successive Euro finals isn’t meant to be. He played OK, and was in the thick of the action against Austria, but in front of goal, he endured an absolutely horrendous evening, one of the most embarrassing of his career.

Hitting the post with an awful penalty, seeing a goal disallowed, and missing a myriad of decent chances, the Portuguese icon suffered badly. If he doesn’t find his shooting boots quickly, his country will be out.

KEY TREND – LATE GOALS AND SUPER SUBS

Eder (top) scored a late winner for Italy against Sweden while Daniel Sturridge made an impact from the bench when he scored England's winner against Wales in stoppage time. Photos: AP and Reuters

Don’t leave Euro 2016 matches early! Six of the 12 MD2 games featured critically important goals scored very, very late on to swing the result, and it’s a pattern that featured in the first batch of games too.

Substitutes are having a big say as well. France, Czech Republic and England all picked up points thanks to super subs that made game-changing impressions.

DON’T MISS - CROATIA V SPAIN

Expect a thriller when Spain (top) take on Croatia on Wednesday morning in their final Group D game. Photos: Reuters and Getty Images

The best two teams in Group D go head-to head on Wednesday morning in a shoot out for top spot. Croatia will miss the injured Luka Modric, but they’re playing some lovely football and should give the holders their stiffest test so far. It will be high-quality fare.

TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT SO FAR  (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany) - Was outstanding against Ukraine, and is yet to see his goal breached. He’s probably the best keeper on the planet

Defence:

Right-back: Kyle Walker (England) - The Spurs defender has enjoyed two superb outings, showing great pace, drive and confidence on the big stage.

Centre-back: Jerome Boateng (Germany) - Won his duel with Bayern teammate Robert Lewandowski hands-down. Not even close. Two top performances.

Centre-back: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy) - Had an easy ride against Sweden, but was immense in the Belgium clash. The Italian’s a class act.

Left-back: Jordi Alba (Spain) - A bundle of energy down Spain’s left, the Barca star has shone brightly in the first two matches. Provided a good assist v Turkey.

Midfield:

Centre-midfield: Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) - He’s been Man of the Match in both group games. The Arsenal new boy’s passing, tackling and midfield dominance has been terrific.

Centre-midfield: Andres Iniesta (Spain) - It’s like watching a master at work. The Spaniard has oozed quality in the group stages, toying with opponents beautifully.

Attacking midfield: Dimitri Payet (France) - Payet-mania is sweeping through the host nation and I understand why. He’s produced brilliant back-to-back displays and two wonderful goals.

Right-midfield: Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium) - The Irish couldn’t get close to the Belgian maestro in Bordeaux. His running power, balance and end product was in a league of its own.

Left-midfield: Ivan Perisic (Croatia) - Inter Milan’s left footer has been the most eye catching winger at Euro 2016. Has scored a great goal, and given his markers a torrid time in both games.

Forwards:

Centre-forward: Alvaro Morata (Spain) - His movement is phenomenal. Putting missed opportunities in the opener behind him, Morata was razor sharp and in clinical form against Turkey. A top talent.

About the author:

Adrian Clarke is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of the English game. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for TODAY, and several major football websites. Follow him @adrianjclarke