On Reflection's trends of Euro 2016: Late goals, and what Paul Pogba could learn from Andres Iniesta

There were plenty of late goals in the first round of games, but even more in the second round. Six of the 10 games with goals in them had efforts scored after the 88th minute.

There is a reason for this: if the first game of the group tends to be a cautious one, where not losing is almost more important as winning, there is more urgency in the second game. Some teams pile forward desperate for a winner, like England did against Wales, and others counter on the break against opponents pushing up, as Northern Ireland did against Ukraine.

In both cases, substitutes scored key goals: Daniel Sturridge (and Jamie Vardy) for England, and Niall McGinn for Northern Ireland. In the case of France, struggling to break down Albania for 89 minutes, it was a substitute, Antoine Griezmann, who broke the deadlock with a superb glancing header. The Atletico Madrid striker, last to join the France squad as he was playing in the Champions League final, was always likely to sit out that game.

But it plays into a debate about coaches and selection decisions: does a game-changing substitution mean that the coach got it wrong in his original selection, or got it right in the end? Both France and England are likely to start their next games with the XI that ended their last game. Goals change games, but they also change coaches’ minds.

It used to be relatively simple to plot a course to the final as soon as the draw was made. When this tournament had 16 teams in it, the top side would face the second side in another group, and vice versa. The format, and our calculators, will be sorely tested with this 24-team situation as the final group games come into sight. It’s impossible to know which four of the third-place teams will make it – one win could be enough – and for the teams in the competition, it means scouting three or four potential opponents instead of one or two.

“The 16 teams was ideal. It made for great matches from day one,” said Germany coach Joachim Low. "This is a different situation and a return to the old system is obviously not possible anymore. So we have to accept that. Teams with one point from two matches still have a chance for the last- 16. That is not very fair but it is what it is.”

Wales are the perfect example. Currently second in Group B, they could finish in any of the four positions in their group. But with the situation in other groups also up in the air, they could face any one of 14 teams in the next round. For chief scout Martin Hodge, that is quite a challenge.

No red cards in the second round of games, two games temporarily delayed for differing reasons and two big offside calls going the right way. We are quick to criticise officials when we feel mistakes have been made, so why not praise them when they have made the right decisions?

These include decisions that have clearly been assisted by linesmen behind the goal; like the call to allow Jamie Vardy’s goal for England because the ball came off Ashley Williams and was therefore onside. Mark Clattenburg handled the pressure of Croatia’s draw with Czech Republic – a game delayed after Croatian fans threw flares onto the pitch. The only contentious decision has been the call not to penalise Toby Alderweireld for a neck-high challenge on Shane Long. But after 12 games, that’s quite an impressive record.

One declared before the tournament that he wanted to become a legend. The other said nothing. One has been dropped and was then at the centre of a media storm after he was caught allegedly making an offensive gesture in the direction of the press box. The other has played two games, and been man of the match in both. One has said he wants to be a combination of Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo, Deschamps, Ronaldinho and Iniesta. The other? He is Iniesta.

The difference between Paul Pogba and Andres Iniesta has been stark in the first two rounds of the competition. It may yet be that Pogba puts his stamp on Euro 2016, but at the moment he has been talking himself up and failing to meet expectations. Iniesta, the quiet, understated genius, has simply let his feet do the talking. His two performances, against Czech Republic and Turkey, have been outstanding. “He never looks at you, but always knows where you are,” said team-mate Alvaro Morata.

El Mundo newspaper was astonished that Iniesta did not make it into team of round one, writing: “The algorithm does not understand that giving the penultimate pass [assisting the assist], unleashing chaos without a trace is worth more than taking a thousand shots from distance.” Iniesta will be in the team of round two, and at this rate, captain of the team of the tournament. “One player cannot win anything on their own,” he said. “With us, the most important thing is the team and we could easily divide this [man of the match] award up between everyone in the side.” Pogba could learn from that approach.