Lorraine Williamson
The last matches of the round of 16 in the knock-out stages were played last night. Let´s take a look back at the final 16 teams, and find out who is going through to the quarter finals of the UEFA Euro 2024.
First up, in the round of 16 was Switzerland v Italy.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Switzerland had most of the possession in the first 25 minutes of the game but failed to score when Embolo´s attempt on goal in the 24th minute was saved by the Italian keeper. The Swiss side continued to dominate until eventually the first goal came for them after 37 minutes. Freuler ran into the box to receive the pass from Vargas and sent it past Donnarumma and into the net. One minute into stoppage time of the first half Donnarumma managed to prevent the Swiss going down the tunnel with a 2-0 lead after an attempt from Rieder.
The second half had barely started when just 30 seconds in, Vargas headered the ball into the top corner of the net. It was 2-0 for the Swiss side. Just over 5 minutes later, Italy nearly scored, but the ball hit the woodwork. The same thing happened after 74 minutes. Two attempts by Italy were denied by the post. It was too much to claw back to take the game to extra time. After 2 minutes of stoppage time were added, the match ended 2-0. Italy were out and Switzerland were through.
Germany 2 – 0 Denmark
Under 5 minutes into the game, and Kroos headed the ball into the net for Germany. But the referee signaled the goal would not count due to a foul from Kimmich in the box. A minute later, Kimmich nearly scored, but the shot was punched away by Schmeichel. The Danish goalkeeper made another save with a volley in the 11th minute from Havertz. Twenty minutes in and Germany were all over Denmark.
Just after the half hour mark and the heavens opened. Rain accompanied by thunder and lightening meant play was stopped for a time.
Two minutes after the remainder of the first half commenced, Schmeichel had another fantastic save which stopped Havertz from scoring and kept the game at 0-0.
One minute before the end of the first half, and Denmark came close. But the first half ended goalless.
Three minutes into the second half and it looked like the luck for the Danish side had turned. Following a scramble, Andersen was able to put the ball in the net. But VAR ruled the goal out. Despite the referee allowing the goal, VAR took a couple of minutes to confirm that there was offside during the build up to the goal. Just two minutes later, VAR awarded a penalty to Germany. Havertz stepped up and sent the ball home. It was 1-0 for Germany. Then in the 68th minute, Musiala sent the ball past Schmeichel into the far corner of the net. One minute into stoppage time and it look like Germany could have had their third goal with Schmeichel on the ground, Wirtz manouevered passed him and tapped the ball into the open goal. However, the ball did not count due to offside. The game finished 2-0 for Germany. Denmark ended their journey in the round of 16.
England 2 – 1 Slovakia
The first ten minutes saw a chance for both sides and two yellow cards for England. The next ten saw a chance for Slovakia and another two yellow cards. This time, one for Slovakia and the other for Bellingham. The pace was very fast, but Slovakia appeared to have the upper hand. Then, a header from Kane took a deflection off the post. Minutes later, however, Slovakia took the lead with a goal from Schranz. England had some chances in the remainder of the first half but were unconvincing. The first half finished 0-1.
Then, 5 minutes into the second half, England scored. However, Foden was deemed to be offside, and after a VAR review the goal was disallowed. Despite the majority of possession in the second half, and some chances, they still failed to score. With 9 minutes remaining, England hit the post, it was still 0-1. There were boos from the crowd. Six minutes were added for stoppage time as England looked for the equaliser that would take them into extra time. Then it came in the final minute with an amazing overhead kick from Bellingham. England had another chance.
Not even one minute into extra time, and Harry Kane scored for England. It was now 2-1. The remainder of the play was frantic, but the game ended with 9 yellow cards and England through to the quarter finals.
Spain 4 – 1 Georgia
The Spanish side were all over Georgia with some chances at goal, and some excellent play from youngster, Yamal. However, it was Georgia that were first to score by way of an own goal from Le Normand. Spain continued to dominate, but didn´t manage to score until Rodri put the ball in the net with a strike from 20 yards out. With 5 minutes remaining of the first half, it was all square. And that´s how the first half ended.
An early second-half goal from Ruiz put Spain in the lead. At the 60-minute mark, it seemed that Georgia had a mountain to climb to claw back a goal. And with Spain having 80% possession, it would take a miracle. With 22 minutes left on the clock, Georgia missed a golden opportunity. 74 minutes in, and Jamal put the ball in the net, but it was disallowed for offside. However, just one minute later a goal from Ruiz did count. It was now 3-1. Almost 10 minutes later, Spain made it 4 with a goal from Olmo. The game ended 4-1.
France 1 – 0 Belgium
Tchouameni and Griezmann were involved in a lot of the action, but France failed to follow up on their passes. A rather uneventful first half ended scoreless despite France having the majority of possession.
The first real chance for France came 4 minutes into the second half, but the Belgian keeper sent it wide. From this point, France seemed to ramp up the pressure and had many chances but still failed to score. After 71 minutes, Belgium had their first real chance, but the French keeper saved it well. From this point on, both sides seemed to realise time was ticking, and one goal could secure their place in the quarter-finals. That goal came in the 85th minute for France by way of an own goal by Vertonghen. With 4 minutes of stoppage time added, Belgium did not manage an equaliser. Belgium go home, and France managed to scrape through the round of 16 into the quarter-finals.
Portugal 0 (3) – 0 (0) Slovenia
Ronaldo made it to the starting 11 despite some questions from various media in the lead up to the game. It was almost half time and Portugal had 4 good chances at goal (3 of them by Ronaldo) but they still failed to score. The disappointing first half in this round of 16 match ended goalless.
Slovenia created some chances at the start of the second half, but with Portugal still having the majority of possession failed to turn these chances into goals. Ronaldo continued to have chances at goal, but nothing converted. Four minutes of stoppage time were added but the game remained 0-0 and went into extra time.
At the beginning of extra time, both teams looked to have found extra steam with both looking capable of a goal. Then, in the final minute of stoppage time of the firstg half, Jota is brought down, and Portugal were awarded a penalty. Ronaldo stepped forward to take the shot…..and missed! Ronaldo was in tears as his team-mates consoled him, and the game continued into the second half of extra time. The full-time result after extra time remained 0-0. It was time for penalties.
First to step up was Ronaldo who redeemed himself by putting the ball in the net. Slovenia missed. Fernandes of Portugal made it 2-0 with Slovenia missing their second shot. Silva scored goal number 3 for Portugal, and when Slovenia missed their third, it was all over. Portugal were through.
Romania – Netherlands
After a controversial goal that saw Romania through to the last 16, they had a fight on their hands to score against the Netherlands. Despite this, they fought hard and started well against a somewhat nervous Dutch side. But then after 20 minutes, the Netherlands found their feet with a goal from Gakpo as he slammed the ball into the net. With the Netherlands having some 95% possession, Romania were defending well and having some chances at going forward. The first half ended 0-1.
Despite Romania´s continued determination, they just can´t break through the Dutch defence. Then in the 64th minute a second goal for Gakpo was disallowed for offside after a review from VAR. But then with an assist from Gakpo, the second goal for the Netherlands came after 83 minutes when Malen tapped the ball home.
With 7 minutes of normal time remaining, Romania had an impossible task, and indeed the team visibly deflated. A third goal, 3 minutes into stoppage time sealed the victory for the Netherlands.
Austria – Turkey
The game kicked off with end-to-end play and in the first minute this resulted in a goal for Turkey. Demiral latched onto a corner that the Austrian side failed to clear and took advantage sending it into the net. Austria seemed taken aback by Turkey´s early lead, and it took them another 10 minutes or so to get back in the game. As the game nudged towards half time, the sides seemed fairly equally matched but with Turkey showing the slight upper hand. Half time came and it was 0-1 for Turkey.
The second half kicked off and the Austrian side began to mount pressure, but it was Turkey that provided the second goal. Once again Demiral scored, this time with a header into the back of the net. Thirty minutes of normal play were remaining.
Six minutes later, Austria answered with a goal from Gregoritsch. Austria now had a chance. For the remainder of the game, Austria continued to attack while Turkey mainly defended. The final 10 minutes of the game were fast and furious as both sides fought hard. Despite some incredible saves in stoppage time, this edge-of-the-seat match ended 1-2. Austria were going home.
Quarter finals
The quarter-finals will take place as follows:
- Spain v Germany – Friday 6pm
- Portugal v France – Friday 9pm
- England v Switzerland – Saturday 6pm
- Netherlands v Turkey – Saturday 9 pm
Semi-finals and finals
The semi-finals will then be played on the 9th and 10th with the final on Sunday July 14.