The esports tournament is finally here, so here’s a round-up of the first three head-to-heads.
Game 1
MattFleish21 V Ledinger (Italy V France)
Leg 1
The game began with both teams failing to capitalise on chances, mainly due to solid defences making last-minute tackles. In the 25th minute, France won the ball in midfield and Dembele played it through to Griezmann who buried it into the back of the net to break the deadlock. Dembele hit the post on the brink of half-time meaning the score remained 1-0. After the break, Italy turned the game around with Barella sending the ball into the top corner just 5 minutes in, followed by him playing the ball across goal to Insigne who passed it into an open net to take the lead. In the 90th minute, Barella skipped past two defenders and scored his second of the game to make the final score 3-1 to Italy.
Leg 2
Unlike the first encounter between the two sides, France were the more dominant team this time. With intricate passing and sharp shooting, they had the majority of the possession. In the 19th minute, France produced an excellent piece of play – the ball was crossed towards the back post, headed towards the centre of goal to Dembele who volleyed it into the back of the net. The score remained 1-0 to France until the 59th minute when Pogba found himself free in the penalty area and was able to sublimely score past an unexpecting keeper from a Dembele cross. France won 2-0, meaning Matt Fleisher was through to the semi-final, winning on away goals.
Game 2
SIRKillsaLot16 v Fawndaffodil35 (France V Germany)
France began the game as the more controlling side with more possession and quicker, sharper passing. It showed early on, as 10 minutes in, the ball was crossed in to Giroud who was able to finish from close range. Shortly after, German keeper, Manuel Neuer, produced two world-class saves to keep his side in the game and the score at 1-0. On the brink of half-time, Matuidi skilfully dribbled from the half-way line to goal and drilled the ball into the top left corner to extend France’s lead to 2-0.
After the break, Germany tried to create momentum but were cut off, leaving Mbappe through on goal. He was never going to miss. 3-0 France. However, minutes after, the leading team were caught out on the counter-attack and Gnabry, who looked like shooting, neatly passed to Gotetzka who only had to pass the ball into an open net. Just as Germany were beginning to look more dangerous, France won a promising corner. The ball was whipped into Pogba who towered over the German defenders to send it flying past Neuer. To top off a dominating performance, Griezmann scored France’s 5th goal of the game in the 89th minute.
Final score: France 5-1 Germany
CTSPORTS 