2024 Euro Cup: BreakingDown the Round of 16

 Written By: Danny Albers 

The Round of 16 featured some incredible matchups. Many teams made statements (Switzerland, Germany, and Spain, Netherlands) while other teams barely survived to fight another day (England, France, Portugal). Let’s take a look at each game. 

Round of 16 

1. Switzerland VS Italy

 

Result: Switzerland wins 2-0

Italy was hoping their struggles in the group stage would dissipate once they got to the knockouts. But this Italian team looked dead in the water. They only had 1 shot on target in their 11 attempts, looking like the shell of the team that went on a magical run to win the European Championship in 2020. Switzerland deserves a lot of credit as they jumped out on Italy early. Remo Freuler scored for Switzerland in the 37th minute. Switzerland would strike again with a goal from FC Augsburg’s winger Ruben Vargas. Their defense crippled the Italian offense, and now Switzerland will get a second crack at the Germans. Switzerland had Germany on the ropes for much of their first appearance before Germany scored late to tie the game. Switzerland certainly can become public enemy number 1 and eliminate the hosts. They can beat any team in the tournament. 

2. Germany VS Denmark 

Result: Germany wins 2-0 

A weather delay seemed to have thrown some of the players off in this game, especially Denmark, a team who struggled to score all tournament. Germany was granted a penalty kick in the 53rd minute that was successfully converted for a goal by Kai Havertz. That seemed to wake the German team up with a rocking home crowd behind them. Just a short time later, Jamal Musiala would score in the 68th minute to lock in a win against Denmark. Denmark struggled to put together legitimate chances at the net, only having 2 shots on target. Germany looks to face their only demon in this tournament so far in Switzerland next round. They tied in the group stages. 

3. England VS Slovakia

 

Result: England wins 2-1 in ET

The most exciting game of the entire tournament so far saw an English team dead in the water come to life in stoppage time. Slovakia got off to an incredible start when Ivan Schranz scored in the 25th minute for the Slovakians, giving them a 1-0 lead, England did not lack chances to tie this game up, the most prominent coming from Phil Foden who scored, but jumped offsides so the goal was taken away. It wasn’t until 21-year phenom Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid scored a beautiful goal 5 minutes into stoppage time to tie the game, sending the English faithful into a frenzy. Jude would later be fined for a crude gesture toward his crotch after this goal. But England was back to life, and in the very 1st minute of extra time, Harry Kane sent a rebound to the back of the net to score for England and give them a 2-1 lead. Once Kane scored that goal, you felt any life left in Slovakia evaporate. The English might be celebrating now, but if they play like this against Spain, they’re sure to be made an example of. 

4. Spain VS Georgia

  

Result: Spain wins 4-1 

Not a single person on the Spanish side doubted this result. A dominant performance from start to finish for Spain. Georgia did score first to cause some concern for the Spanish faithful, when in the 18th minute, Robin Le Normand of Spain knocked a ball into his own net. But in the 39th minute, all would return to normal as Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder leveled the game with a goal to make it 1-1. Much to Georgia’s surprise, the game would go to halftime tied. But in the early moments of the second half, Spain’s Fabian Ruiz scored to ignite the Spanish fans in attendance. And from there, Spain put on a master clinic. Spain would score 2 more times, one from Nico Williams in the 75th minute and one from Dani Olmo in the 83rd. But where Spain was dominant was their unrelenting pressure they put on Georgia. Spain had 35 shot attempts that saw 13 of them on target. Georgia finished the game with 0 shots on target off 4 attempts. In typical Spain fashion they had 792 passes in the game. Spain proved to everyone why they’re the favorite to win this tournament. 

5. France VS Belgium

Result: France wins 1-0 

This was not the game we thought we’d get by these teams. A flat performance from both sides with Belgium and France only to threaten a handful of teams combined. Belgium’s disappointing tournament would end on an own goal by Jan Vertonghen, an ending that felt appropriate for the star studded Belgian team that finished with a record 1-2-1. France stays alive, but they have a lot of work to do to return to where they know they can be playing at. It’s been a strange tournament so far, one filled with injuries and flat performances. But France is always a threat to go on a run. 

6. Portugal VS Slovenia

Result: Draw 0-0 (Portugal wins 3-0 in Penalties) 

Even at 39 years of age, Christiano Ronaldo could be seen crying after missing a critical PK in extra time. It was an opportunity that would have won the game for Portugal. A game that was dominated by Portuguese, but Slovenia just continued to find ways to survive. Portugal pressured throughout the game with 6 shots on target off 20 attempts. They controlled the ball for 72% of the time. Ronaldo would not miss when the game went to penalties. Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes clinched the tough win for Portugal, scoring the 3rd and final goal in penalties. This is probably not the way Portugal wanted to play, especially after dropping their 3rd game to Georgia 2-0. They’re offense, although threatened a lot, never found their footing in this game and weren’t able to convert on those chances. If they play like this against France, Mbappe and company will beat Portugal. 

7. Romania VS Netherlands

 

Result: Netherlands win 3-0 

The Dutch woke up in this tournament having the type of game that they had hoped to have the entire time. They were a 3rd place wildcard coming in after being embarrassed by Austria, a team who they will avoid in the next round. The attack was similar to what we’ve seen Netherlands star studded offense do in the past, but the difference was the defense. They only allowed one shot on target which was sent away while Memphis, Cody Gakpo, and co. went to work. Gakpo would start things off in the 20th minute, scoring to put the Dutch up 1-0. A key substitution sending Donyell Malen in with fresh legs would pay major dividend as he’d score 2 clutch late goals to give Netherlands a commanding 3-0 lead. The scoreboard was much closer though, as Netherlands could have easily won this game 6-0 if a couple bounces went their way. Their attack was relentless in this game. They seemed to have found their form going into a game with Turkey. 

8. Austria VS Turkey 

Result: Turkey win 2-1 

The Turkish side showed a lot of resilience fighting off a relentless Austrian attack. It all began in the very first minute when Merih Demiral, the hero for Turkey scored to punch the Austrians right in the mouth on the very first minute of play. Quick starts seemed to be a habit for the Al-Ahli Saudi FC defender. He’d score again in the 59th minute to give Turkey a 2-0 lead. But Austria never stopped pressing with a total of 21 shot attempts. Austrian and Freiburg striker Michael Gregoritsch scored in the 66th minute to cut the lead in half. There were a couple of close calls down the stress, but the thin Turkish defense held on to win the game and advance to the quarterfinal.