No team managed as many shots as Portugal in its opening two games at Euro 2016, yet all they have to show for it is one goal, two points and a possible early exit from the competition. One of the most technically gifted of the 24 teams, Portugal managed 50 goal attempts in its two games, featuring 17 on target, 17 off target and 16 which were blocked. After Germany, it is also the team that has enjoyed the most possession, at an average of 62 percent per match. But poor finishing means it goes into Wednesday's Group F match against Hungary in third place and a distinctly uncomfortable position. Only a win over the unbeaten Hungarians will take it into the last 16 without depending on other matches. Hungary, meanwhile, needs a draw to make sure of a top-two finish although even if it loses it could qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams. Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of Portugal's biggest culprits, missing an easy chance late in the 1-1 draw with Iceland and firing a penalty against the post late in the Austria match. Portugal's players have offered little insight into what is going wrong, saying merely that if they keep trying, the goals will start flowing eventually. "We did everything well, but once again the ball didn't go in....what can you say?" said Nani after the goalless draw against Austria Saturday. Irish must beat Italy For Ireland to reach the knockout stages at Euro 2016 it must achieve something it hasn't done in 28 years - win a game at the European Championsip. Martin O'Neill's team faces an Italian side already guaranteed victory in Group E and manager Antonio Conte is likely to field many of his reserves, but it remains to be seen if Ireland can end its long winless streak in this must-win game. Group rival Sweden and Belgium meet at the same time, with the Swedes aiming to finish second in the group by beating the side who hammered Ireland 3-0 last time out. But Ireland could also take that spot behind Italy if it wins and pips Sweden on goal difference. An Irish victory and a draw between Belgium and Sweden could also see Ireland through as a third-placed team. Sweden hopes to make Courtois work Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois may wonder whether he even needs to turn up to face Sweden Wednesday given his opponents' dismal attacking record at Euro 2016. The Swedes have failed to muster a single shot on target in their first two games, a statistic made all the more embarrassing by the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their attack. Their only goal so far was scored for them by Ireland's Ciaran Clark in a 1-1 draw but they have singularly failed to exploit Ibrahimovic's presence and they are now in danger of a second successive group stage exit. A draw at Nice's Allianz Riviera in the Group E match would send Belgium to the last 16 alongside already-qualified Italy and almost certainly send the Swedes scuttling home. A Swedish win would take it above Belgium and ensure second place provided Ireland does not beat Italy. Forward Marcus Berg said the statistics were not a fair reflection of its performances. Iceland to stick with counter-attacks Should tournament debutant Iceland reach the knockout stages of Euro 2016 by securing the result it needs against Austria Wednesday, much credit will go to a dentist and a film director. Iceland, with a population of about 330,000, is the smallest country ever to qualify for the Euros, yet has been undaunted by its casting as minnow, holding Portugal and Hungary to 1-1 draws in Group F through resilient displays. That means a win, or perhaps another draw, against Austria, will put Iceland into the knockout stages, a fairytale outcome which could make for an excellent movie script. Goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson would be the ideal judge of that, having halted his film career to become a full-time professional in 2014, first in Norway and then the Netherlands. Halldorsson, who directed the video for Iceland's 2012 Eurovision song contest entry, has made 14 saves — the most by any keeper at the tournament, but the 32-year-old's game is about much more than just shot stopping. Against Portugal, he tried 28 passes — of which 27 went long — which was the second most from any Iceland player and against Hungary, his 35 attempted passes were more than any teammate. These are statistics that reflect the pressure Iceland resisted in those two matches as they averaged 33.5 percent possession, the lowest at the Euros.
