How the Hammers got on in their group stage games at Euro 2016

With all of the group stage games being over and the knockout stages starting this Saturday I decided to look at how each Hammer fared in their group stage games. Have they been able to carry over their club form to the international stage?

Dimitri Payet

When I wrote my preview piece for Euro 2016 I questioned whether Payet would start for Les Bleus due to the magnificent attacking talent that they boasted. Three games later, Payet is indispensable for the hosts. He started the first game for France and although they were nervy in the opening stages, afraid of taking risks, Payet was the bright spark. Starting on the left hand side he constantly drifted inwards, bringing the ball up the pitch with confidence and linking midfield with attack. His talents are all too familiar with West Ham fans though the French were yet to see his real quality. It looked like the first game would end in a draw but with one minute to play, on his weaker foot, Payet unleashed a devastating strike from outside the box, beating Tatarusanu and sending cheers throughout all of France.

They now had a new hero.

Payet was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch with six take-ons and eight chances created. He had us in awe throughout the game. His tears after being subbed off showed what that game not only meant to him but what it meant for the country. This passing plot (kindly provided by @11tegen11) shows how central he was in the first game.

Then came the second game against Albania and as usual, Payet was the best player on the pitch. He was crucial to France’s attacks and his technical ability meant that a goal was inevitable. No player created more chances than Payet (6) and he scored France’s 2nd in the 96th minute. Two goals in two games. Not bad right?

Didier Deschamps decided to rest him for the game against Switzerland and his quality was sorely missed with France struggling to create good chances after a bright start. In a match where the quality of the Swiss shirts was one of the more talked about aspects, we all got what we wished. Payet replaced Kingsley Coman in the 63rd minute and following a powerful run from Moussa Sissoko, Payet nearly challenged himself for goal of the tournament with an exquisite volley which rattled the bar, reminiscent of Juan Mata’s goal v. Manchester United in 2012. Had Payet’s free-kick late in the game not been blocked by his team-mate it certainly looked like it was going to be three goals in three games for our #27.

He has certainly been one of the best players in the tournament, if not the best. With more and more clubs rumoured to be interested here’s hoping we see him in the Olympic Stadium next season. We’ve got Payet.

Next game - France v. Republic of Ireland (26th June, 2pm).

James Collins

Many did not know what to expect when it came to Wales this tournament. It was their first major tournament in 57 years and their debut in the Euros. They faced tough games in the group stages but it’s fair to say that they have surprised almost everybody. Now Collins has not played a single minute of Wales’ campaign so far with manager Chris Coleman mainly bringing on midfielders and attackers but every player plays a part, right?

Wales started their campaign off with a thrilling 2-1 win over Slovakia following a trademark Gareth Bale free-kick and a late winner from Hal Robson-Kanu. Then came the ‘Battle of Britain’ in which Wales got dominated, as expected, and were unlucky to concede the goals in the manner that they did. A 2-1 loss to England meant that they needed to beat Russia in order to guarantee their spot in the last 16 and a convincing 3-0 win over Russia meant that they finished 1st in their group.

It’s unlikely that we’ll see our Ginger Pele start any of Wales’ future games this tournament but it’s good to see Wales progressing out of the group stages.

Next game - Wales v. Northern Ireland (25th June, 5pm).

Angelo Ogbonna

Like his fellow centre-back Ogbonna is not a starter for his national team and their defensive performances in the first two games have done nothing but prove that this is the correct decision. The first two games saw the Italians concede zero goals with the Juventus trio of Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci being very tough to beat with their aggression and excellent positioning.

Italy put on a masterclass against Belgium in their opening game, defeating them 2-0 in a game where tactical intelligence beat pure individual talent. The defence was especially brilliant in this game with balls from deep allowing Italy to break lines and this eventually led to Emanuele Giaccherini’s opener.

A 1-0 win over Sweden guaranteed Italy 1st place in Group E and meant that they could afford to rest some players. With Chiellini dropping to the bench Ogbonna was handed his first start of the tournament and though he put in a decent performance, the difference in the quality of the Italian defence was evident. Ogbonna’s first start was not a happy one with Italy conceding their first goal of the tournament and losing their first game. Like his fellow centre-back it’s unlikely that we will see Ogbonna feature again in this tournament.

Next game - Italy v. Spain (27th June, 5pm).

Darren Randolph

Randolph has started all three games and the boys in green have certainly exceeded expectations. Against Sweden, Randolph made a good save to prevent Ciaran Clark from scoring an own-goal but good work from Zlatan Ibrahimovic meant that Randolph could not prevent another own-goal with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

He then faced a devastating attack of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne and as expected, they ran riot. Randolph was powerless to prevent three goals from the Belgians in the space of thirteen minutes and with the Belgians having seventeen shots, it was a busy afternoon for our Irishman.

Then came the battle of the Hammers with Randolph facing off against Ogbonna and to the shock of many, Italy were defeated 1-0 after a Robbie Brady goal. An uninspiring Italian attack failed to test Randolph in the game and he certainly had some fun with a Cruyff turn in the 34rd minute. Finishing 3rd in Group E meant that the Republic of Ireland qualified for the last 16 and Randolph will face off against West Ham teammate Dimitri Payet.

Next game - France v. Republic of Ireland (26th June, 2pm).

The tournament has been a very good one for the Hammers with all four players progressing out of the group stages.