Euro 2016 daily five: Iceland freeze Ronaldo and Co; Pogba carries the hopes of a nation

With Day 5 of Euro 2016 in the books, we have collated some of the best of our content from the last 24 hours in one place. All the latests news, plus group guides, kick-off times and news from around the teams can be found at our special microsite.

1 — Cristiano Ronaldo cuts a frustrated figure

Cristiano Ronaldo’s biennial quest for glory in his country’s colours began unceremoniously. It scarcely improved thereafter. Indeed, there is the temptation to say it started ignominiously.

Portugal’s pretenders were held by Iceland’s underdogs. The dream of conquering Europe will remain just that unless Ronaldo and Co can conjure a way of beating more fancied teams from more populous nations.

Ronaldo is the triple World Player of the Year, the triple Uefa Champions League winner, the man who has scored at least 50 goals in six successive seasons, but Iceland are no respecters of reputations, even those as lofty as his. Nani's first-half effort was cancelled out by a fine volley from Iceland's Birki Bjarnason. Be sure to read Richard Jolly's report on a frustrating night for Ronaldo.

2 — A nation expects Paul Pogba to deliver

Much is expected of France’s talisman Paul Pogba this month and next: That he will assume the sort of status for France that their great attacking midfielders Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini once had, men who guided France to major tournament triumphs at home. The comparisons are onerous, but the coincidences many.

Platini and Zidane both played for Juventus when they spent the summers of 1984 and 1998 leading France to victory at a European championship and a World Cup respectively.

Pogba is a Juventus man, too, at least for the time being. But there is also an expectation that, if he towers over these championships, interest in him from Real Madrid, already simmering, would bubble up into something very persuasive for the player.

But Ian Hawkey writes it's a big "if" at this stage. Even after 77 minutes of action — Pogba was substituted before Dimitri Payet's super winner in the opening 2-1 win over Romania — Pogba's form is under scrutiny, and because France are playing at home, the scrutiny feels intense.

3 — Old man Gabor Kiraly shows young guns age is no barrier

Adam Szalai and Zoltan Stieber struck as Hungary claimed a surprise 2-0 win over 10-man neighbours Austria in their Euro 2016 opener in Bordeaux.

Szalai rewarded his side for a highly proficient display when he netted his first goal for club or country for 18 months after 62 minutes.

Austria, who had hit the post in the first minute, then lost Aleksandar Dragovic to a second bookable offence and Stieber wrapped up victory in the Group F clash from a late breakaway.

The result was unexpected with Austria boasting a technically excellent forward line. But they could find no way past former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly — at 40 years and 70 days the oldest player to feature at a Euros.

4 — England take Gareth Bale’s bait

Wales star Gareth Bale does not care what England camp think of his pre-match attacks and is only thinking about securing a famous victory over them Lens on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward lit the blue touch paper ahead of the Group B fixture when he claimed that Wales have more pride and passion than their English counterparts, and also accused them of arrogance.

England manager Roy Hodgson responded by calling Bale “disrespectful” while Jack Wilshere stated that England have better players and a better team.

“It’s good that they bit,” Bale said Tuesday, before adding: “We know we’re a good team and we know we can beat them on our day.”

Wales have not beaten England since a 1-0 victory over their old rivals in Wrexham in 1984. That fixture also happens to be the last time Wales scored against their neighbours.

5 — Low scoring but still great viewing

The opening round of Euro 2016 is now complete with all teams contesting their first matches. One of the most striking observations from the tournament so far has been the lack of goals, with 22 scored, an average of 1.83 per match. In fact, there have only been three games that have produced two goal margins. However, far from making the tournament dull, it has served a warning of its competitiveness, with the so-called smaller nations more than holding their own against Europe’s giants.

Greg Lea, in today's Euro 2016 talking points, elaborates more on this, as well as looks back on Tuesday's action.

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