The 2024 UEFA European Championship continues as the quarterfinals kick off on July 5. With only 8 teams remaining, heavyweights are going to clash and exciting games are in store for fans.
Germany facing Spain is one of the most highly anticipated matchups of Euro 2024 so far. They are the top-2 scoring teams in the tournament and both remain unbeaten. The winner of this game is capable of going all the way to the final.
Germany faced a difficult test in Denmark in the Round of 16. The host nation took the lead early in the second half thanks to a controversial handball call in the box. Forward Kai Havertz converted the penalty to make it 1-0, and midfielder Jamal Musiala doubled Germany’s lead in the 68th minute with his third goal of the tournament.
After four games, Spain has emerged as a tournament favorite. Even though the team trailed Georgia in the first half of their Round of 16 matchup, Spain controlled much of the game. Spain has an exciting attack with young forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams and good options off the bench. Midfielders Rodri and Fabián Ruiz have also impressed at the tournament, making Spain one of the most complete teams.
France edged past Belgium in the Round of 16. France’s offense, which has reached the last two World Cup finals, is yet to click at Euro 2024. Belgium kept forwards Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Thuram and Antoine Greizman relatively quiet. It took an 85th minute own goal for France to take a 1-0 lead and advance to the quarterfinals.
While France’s star-studded offense is yet to reach its full potential, the team has been defensively solid. Defender William Saliba has impressed in his first tournament for France at 23 years old, and keeping clean sheets can help the French team go deeper in the tournament.
Portugal also struggled offensively in their Round of 16 matchup against Slovenia. Both teams failed to score in regular time, which sent the game into extra time. Forward Diogo Jota drew a penalty in the first period of extra time to finally give Portugal the advantage. Forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who had made his last 24 penalties in all competitions, stepped up to take it, but goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved his shot. This save reduced Ronaldo to tears because it sent the game to penalties instead of securing a Portugal win.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa kept Portugal’s tournament alive by becoming the first goalkeeper at the European championships to save three penalties in a single shoot-out, which Portugal won 3-0. Portugal will need to step up their game if they are to advance past France, the second-best team in the world.
Switzerland is a national team on the rise. They did not lose a game in the group stage of the tournament, and they knocked out reigning champions Italy in the Round of 16. The team is experienced and well balanced, with midfielders Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler helping the team control games. High on confidence after knocking out Italy, Switzerland will be a real threat for an underperforming England.
England nearly exited the competition in the Round of 16. The team fell behind to Slovakia in the 25th minute when forwards David Strelec and Ivan Schranz combined for Schranz’s third goal of the tournament. Slovakia maintained a 1-0 lead well into the second half, staying compact defensively and frustrating England’s lackluster attack.
Slovakia were seconds away from advancing to the next round, but a hopeful long throw from England defender Kyle Walker in the 94th minute found the foot of midfielder Jude Bellingham who scored with an overhead kick. This last-second magic from the 21-year-old midfielder kept England alive in the tournament and sent the game into extra time. Just 50 seconds into the first period of extra time, forward Harry Kane headed the ball into the back of Slovakia’s net to book England’s ticket to the quarterfinals.
On paper, England have the talent to beat Switzerland and move onto the next round. Based on England’s recent poor performances, it will be a close game and Switzerland have a real shot at causing an upset as long as Bellingham doesn’t produce more last-minute heroics.
The Netherlands faced Romania in the Round of 16 and finally found their scoring form in a 3-0 win. Forward Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a powerful low strike on goal. The Netherlands then piled on the goals late, with forward Donyell Malen scoring twice in the last 10 minutes.
Türkiye pulled off an impressive 2-1 win against Austria in their Round of 16 game. After Austria surprisingly topped Group D with France and the Netherlands, they were labeled a dark horse with the potential to go far. Instead, Türkiye took the lead 57 seconds into the game with a goal from forward Merih Demiral.
Demiral scored again in the 59th minute from a corner to make it 2-0, but Austria nearly managed a comeback. Forward Michael Gregoritsch scored for Austria in the 66th minute to cut Türkiye’s lead in half, and a miraculous save from goalkeeper Mert Günok in the last minute prevented Austria from tying the game. Türkiye will hope to carry this winning momentum into their game against the Netherlands.
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