The Euro 2020 Quarterfinals are set, the Round of 16 is complete and what a spectacle of football it was. Major national sides were knocked out of contention. Super teams didnt show up and champion winning players ending their Euro 2020 title hopes with an early knockout exit of the tournament. Modern day classic matches and historical moments in the Round of 16 saw jaw dropping action and late drama that decided National hopes for European glory.
Saturday the 26th June saw the first match of the Round of 16 knockouts kickoff between Group A runners up Wales take on runners up in Group B Denmark. Kasper Dolberg's brace in the 27' and the 48' minute inspired a Danish onslaught against Wales as Denmark beat Wales 4-0. Two more goals from Joakim Maehle and Braithwaite placed a hammer blow to the Welsh team, as star Gareth Bale or nobody else could find the back of the net to save some kind of hope. A late red car for a sloppy tackle from Harry Wilson concluded Wales fate in the Euro 2020 as Denmark still playing for fellow team Christian Eriksen who collapsed during a match in the Group stages.
The second match of the Round of 16 clashes saw Group A winners Italy challenge an Austian outfit that could challenge the Azzuri to the win. But a stalemate in 90' minutes resulted in our first extra time game in the Euro 2020. Extra time was clearly needed to wake both teams up at the championship situation as both Italy and Austia scored in extra minutes.But it was the Italians who powered over the Austrians. Federico Chiesa put the Azzuri up in the 95' minute before Matteo Pessina closed the door for the Austrians only before Sasa Kalajdzic gave a bit of hope, which wasnt enough as the Azzuri booked their place in the Quarterfinals of the Euros.
Sunday the 27th June, second match day of the Round of 16 fixtures saw the day kickoff with the Netherlands as Group C winners take on Czech Republic as they book a place in the knock out stage with a 3rd place promotion in the Group stage. The balance of the game was forced in the underdog Czechs as key defender Matthjis de Ligt was sent off in the 55' minute. It didn't take long for the Czech's to take advantage as Tomas Holes scored in the 68' minute before Patrick Schick killed off the orange dream and sent the Netherlands packing and advancing to the Quarterfinals as an unlikely contender for the title.
Belgium vs Portugal was one of the highlight fixtures for the Round of 16 clashes as Group B winners took on the Euro Champion title holders Portugal who qualified through the 3rd place rule that was implemented for this tournament. A late first half goal from Thorgan Hazard put the Belgium side up 1-0 heading into half time. But Portugal had no fire in them to mount any sort of come back to challenge the Belguim side who seems stronger than ever competing in a tournament. The game ended 1-0 to Belgium and Portugal exits the Euro 2020 tournament without being able to defend the title further in the knockouts.
Monday the 28 June marked day 3 of the Round of 16 matches as two runners up in Group D and E. Croatia took on Spain in a iconic clash between the two teams, an early own goal from Pedri put Croatia up at 20' minutes before Paolo Sarabia and Caesar Azpillicueta scored for the Spainiards before Ferran Torres made it 3-1 to Spain in the 76' minute. But hope was not lost, an 85' minute goal from Mislav Orsic made it still possible before late injury time drama saw Mario Pasalic score the crucial goal to force extra time as the match ended at 90' min 3-3. We would have to wait till the second half of extra time for Spain to end of hope for the Croatian side as Alvaro Morata and Oyarzabal closed the game for Spain and book a place in the Quarterfinals.
Another crazy match between Group F winners and World Cup winners France as the took on Switzerland for a place in the next round. The Swiss was up a goal early 15' minutes in the match before Karim Benzema showed his world class and put in a brace after half time to put the French up 2-1 before Paul Pogba's wonder goal surely would've ended it for Switzerland. However that was not meant to be, Haris Seferovic scored another before Mario Gavranovic equalised for the Swiss to force another extra time match of the day. No goals in extra time forced a penalty shoot out for the first time this tournament, only for world star Kylian Mbappe to miss his penalty attempt that ended Frances European Championship hopes and helped Switzerland to advance to the quarterfinal.
Tuesday the 29th June saw a match between two European juggernauts as Group D winners England took on Group F runners up Germany. A historical match indeed. An quiet first half saw no goal but three yellow cards, before Raheem Sterling put the Three-Lions ahead in the 75' minute. Harry Kane sent the German packing their bags with a 86' minute closer to send England into the Quarterfinals as they finally get revenge for the 2010 World Cup.
The final Round of 16 match was a close encounter between Sweden and the Ukraine. Sweden who were Group E winners were looking to overpower the Ukraine National side advanced through the 3rd place rule. Man City player Oleksandr Zinchenko put the Ukraines up 1-0 in the 27' minute before Swedens Emil Forsberg equalised before half time. The second half was a stale mate on action which resulted in yet another extra time extravaganza for the Euros. A red car for Marcus Danielson for a reckless challenge in the 99' minute of extra time saw an exhausted Sweden side concede late in the 121' minute to Artem Dovbyk which helped the underdog story of Ukraines European Championship to continue into the Quarterfinals.
EURO 2020 QUARTERFINAL FIXTURES ARE SET
Switzerland take on the might Spain in the first quarterfinal match on Friday 2 July. Spain look like clear favourites for this fixture as they lead the tournament with ball possession with 67.5% top 2 in passing accuracy 89% and 3rd in total attempt with 68.They will need Dani Olmo and Moreno to continue their form in assists as they both have 2 each.Alvaro Morata will need to finish all those shots on target. The Swiss have secret weapons of their own. Haris Seferovic is tied in 3rd place in top scorers with 3 goals this Euros, Steven Zubar lead the Euros with asssists with 4 and Manuel Akanji who ranks 3rd in ball recovery with 32%. They rank in the top 4 of the tournament in total attempts with 60 and rank 3rd in tackles with 63% . Expect this match to be closer than expected, Spain didnt show ultimate dominance in their Round of 16 match against Croatia who some may argue is a better team than the Swiss but the better team is still competing and in the Quarterfinals.
The second quarterfinal for the 2 July is a super match between Belgium and Italy. This match will be battled out on the field as not much can separate these two big national teams for Euro glory. The Belguim side will be relying on Romelu Lukaku who is tied in 3rd place top scorer with 3 goals so far this tournament. Key midfielders Alex Witsel and Dedryk Boyata are vital as both rank in top 5 in passing accuracy. 97.7% and 97.5 respectfully. Belgium ranks in the top 6 in passing accuracy with 87.8%, top 3 in possession with 54.3%. Both Italy and Belgium are tied in 2nd with clean sheets this tournament.However Belgium ranks sixth with save this tournament. Injuries for Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne may be a concern for the Belgium squad, but a intense match we are all looking forward to see.
The 3 July will see the second round of quartfinal fixtures as the matchday kicks off with the Czech Republic face Denmark. Denmark who are strong with total possesion with 56% this tournament, second in total attempts with 77, third with balls recovered with 187, key man Simon Kjaer leads team with 32 and Tottenham star Pierre Holjberg leads team with 2 assists this tournament. The Czech Republic will be relying on forward Patrick Schick who is second top scorer with 4 and most on target. The Czechs rank fifth in balls reovered with 184 and will be hoping the Danish don't put up a serious fight as both teams look to continue on in this Championship.
The last quarterfinal features England who take on the Ukraine sqaud. England will need their top scorer this tournament Raheem Sterling to make an impact early, with the help of unlikey man of the hour Jack Grealish who has 2 assists in two games. England do however hold the most clean sheets this tournament with 4 and will be looking to keep the opposition out of the goal area in this match. Ukraine have key element for themselves to overcome the Three-Lions, they also have a key defensive setup which may be critical to overcome if England wish to 'bring it home'. Goalkepper Heorhiy Bushchan is currently the only shotstopper still in the tournament with the most saves with 13. Vitaliy Mykolenko and Serhiy Kryvtsov are the rock in th Ukraine defense with both ranking in top 5 in ball recovery this Euros and the team ranking in the top 5 for saves this competition, and winning 56% of their tackles. A semi final waits for the victors.
Expect many goals this weekend as the Euro Quarterfinal are set to start the beginning of the end of a fanatastic football competition with massive headline fixtures taking place. A total of 123 goals have been scored in the tournament so far , 70 goals coming in the second half alone. An average of 2.80 goals a game at 32 minute a goal has been the form on this Euros, let hope for more goals and more drama. Interesting facts heading into this weekend quarterfinals. Both Group A teams Italy and Switzerland are still in competition as well Group B teams Belgium and Denmark. We shall see who advances to the next round of this years Euros.
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