5 things we learnt from the Euro 2016 qualifiers this week

The continent of Europe moved two steps further towards realising the 24 teams which are set to partake in Euro 2016 in France. Some outfits sealed their berth in the finals, whereas some couldn’t muster a challenge. Some sauntered their way, whereas others faltered. As we witness the end of the international break for club football to roll back into focus, we take a look at the five things we learnt from the Euro 2016 qualifying matches during the international break.

#1 Wayne Rooney becomes England\'s most prolific, but is he the greatest?

Wayne Rooney became the first English player to score 50 goals in international matches

The wait was finally over for Wayne Rooney. What started so emphatically against Australia all those years ago, met with a rabble-rousing eventuality on Monday night as the Three Lions striker struck a penalty to surpass Sir Bobby Charlton on the all-time scoring charts for his record-setting 50th goal.

The 29-year old inscribed his name in the hallmarks of England football as one of the true legends in the history of the team, but the question that now lingers is whether Rooney is certainly the greatest of them as well. While the Manchester United star has been through the thick of the things with the side for the past 11 years, in all honesty, he’s still some distance from being outrightly hailed as the best to ever grace the badge of the Three Lions.

Rooney has always stepped up to the plate to help his side earn a berth in the major competitions but flattered to deceive when it mattered the most. Since his debut for England more than a decade ago, the former Everton man has featured in 6 major tournaments with England and the best he has finished is a quarter-final appearance in three of them (2006 World Cup, Euro 2004 and Euro 2012).

What’s more significant is that only six of the half-century of strikes he’s accrued have come in those tournament propers, which doesn’t make for a good reading. Time is running out for Rooney as he has not many opportunities left to truly shine for his country.

#2 Netherlands in danger of missing out on Euro 2016

Can Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie inspire Netherlands to a playoff spot?

The post-World Cup hangover hasn’t just finished yet for Netherlands, for their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 took another massive hit this week after two back-to-back crushing defeats to Iceland and Turkey. And with that, the Dutch sit fourth in Group A, two points adrift of the Turks who occupy the play-off position.

The 2014 World Cup Bronze-medalists had a turbulent time since Louis van Gaal vacated the managerial post for Guus Hiddink, losing the steam that took them to third place in the Brazil showpiece and getting reduced to mere pedestrians.

In the eight qualifying fixtures played so far, the Oranje have won a measly three, losing four of the remaining games. They now face the serious prospect of missing out on a Euro for the first time since 1984.

With just two more games to go, a trip to Kazakhstan and a home game against Czech Republic, anything less than six points would do no good for the Netherlands.

#3 Thomas Muller key to Germany\'s fortunes

Thomas Muller currently leads the European goalscoring charts for club and country this season

Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller starred for Die Mannschaft once again as he displayed yet another spectacle of his impressive scoring prowess at the international stage. A wonder strike against Poland and a brilliant brace against Scotland later on saw the 25-year-old take his Germany tally to 30 goals. – a really compelling figure by all accounts.

Muller has had a great start to the season with the Bavarians and has carried his rich vein of form in the German kit. His presence up front has been menacing, as the forward ran the show with his creativity and intelligent runs. He was the cynosure for four of the six goals scored by the World Cup holders over the week, three of which came through himself, which accentuates his importance to his side.

With a place in the competition all but certain, Germany head to France next year as the heavy favourites for the title and with Thomas Muller by their side, it won’t be surprising to see if the trophy has black and white ribbons on it next year.

#4 Concerns remain in the strike department for Italy

While it has been decent and fair campaign for Italy to say the least, it does, however, conceal the real story. Although the Azzurri are unbeaten in their run so far, the problem actually lies in the offensive end of the pitch.

The 2012 Euro runners-up have struggled to score goals and in the eight qualifying matches have accrued a meagre 10 goals – the lowest tally by a group leader after Wales. They have appeared shorn of ingenuity up front and have snatched away victories only by a hair’s breadth.

To consider the last two games, Italy needed a last gasp strike from Graziano Pelle to secure three points against the 160th ranked Malta, whereas it was only a penalty from Daniele de Rossi against Bulgaria in the following game that sealed a win.

While the former has been decent in the attack, he still isn’t the panacea to their attacking woes. The likes of Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaaraway have blown hot and cold over the years whereas Ciro Immobile and Antonio Candreva are yet to deliver on the international front, despite their impressive records for clubs.

Italy will head comfortably to France as all they now need is a point from the remaining two games. But the real question, however, is how gaffer Antonio Conte will address this issue when they begin their charge towards the title.

#5 Welsh defence deserve credit as much as Gareth Bale

Wales skipper Ashley Williams has marshalled his defence well

The country of Wales will witness their national football team in a major international competition for the first time since 1958, as the Dragons are on the brink of qualification. While the vital cog in the rolling Welsh machine has undoubtedly been Gareth Bale, the Real Madrid winger who has netted six of the nine goals that they have scored in the campaign, some credit for their fairytale run does go to their defence which has been water-tight and one of the meanest in Europe.

Wales maintained a clean sheet in both the matches played during this international week, which means they have let in only two goals out of the eight fixtures played. Led by captain Ashley Williams, the Welsh rearguard has displayed great solidity and confidence, keeping the likes of Belgium and Bosnia at bay.

Their cohesion at the back has been truly commendable and it is going to be just as vital as Bale’s strikes at the other end as Wales look to secure a spot in Euro 2016.