The round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2024 was wrapped up yesterday and saw late goals, penalty drama and disappointing exits.
Fans were beginning to think the tournament had became boring but the first set of knockout matches delivered plenty of excitement.
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Defending champions Italy slumped to a disappointing exit after a dreadful performance against Switzerland.
Goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas either side of half-time were enough to put the Swiss into the Euro quarter-finals for just the second time in their history.
Germany 2-0 Denmark
This matchup was certainly a dramatic one with the game being suspended at one point due to a severe thunderstorm.
Nico Schlotterbeck scored early on for Germany but this was ruled out for a soft foul on a Denmark defender. Joachim Andersen was then denied his first goal for his country by the VAR.
A penalty from Kai Havertz put Germany in the lead before Jamal Musiala netted soon after to seal the victory.
England 2-1 Slovakia
The Three Lions put on yet another poor performance and were lucky to have made it past Slovakia.
Ivan Schranz put his side in the lead midway through the first-half with his third goal of the tournament. Phil Foden had an equaliser ruled out by the VAR for an offside.
It looked to be all over for England until Jude Bellingham netted a brilliant overhead kick in the fifth minute of additional time to take the tie to extra-time. Harry Kane scored a header early on in extra-time to secure an unconvincing win for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Spain 4-1 Georgia
An own goal by Robin Le Normand gave Georgia a shock lead in the first-half but a neat left footed finish from Rodri restored parity for Spain.
Fabian Ruiz headed in a second for his nation in the second-half before goals from Nico Williams and Dani Olmo capped off the win.
Despite their exit, Georgia can be proud of their performances having made it to the knockout stage in their debut tournament.
France 1-0 Belgium
In a rematch of the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final, France were victorious despite yet another unconvincing display.
An 85th minute own goal by Jan Vertonghen was all that separated the two sides. Didier Deschamps should be worried that his team are yet to score a goal from open play in this tournament amid their poor performances.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (3-0 on penalties)
After a stalemate 90 minutes, this showdown went to extra-time and Slovenia hearts looked to be broken when Portugal were awarded a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up but was thwarted by a brilliant Jan Oblak save.
Benjamin Sesko had the chance to be his nation’s hero when he was put through on goal after a mistake by Pepe but was denied by Diogo Costa.
Costa continued his heroics in the shootout, saving all three Slovenian penalties. Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva all scored their spot kicks to seal their nation’s place in the quarter-finals.
Romania 0-3 Netherlands
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the first-half with a brilliant finish after cutting inside onto his right foot.
Donyell Malen scored a late brace to secure the win for his nation and put them into the next round.
Austria 1-2 Turkey
Austria have impressed many in this tournament and were expected to go far but were ultimately stopped by Turkey.
Merih Demiral scored inside the first minute after some chaos in the Austria penalty box following a corner. He then headed in his second of the game to extend his side’s lead in the second-half.
Michael Gregoritsch netted soon after to give Austria a lifeline. Christoph Baumgartner was denied a last minute equaliser from point-blank range by a sensational save by Fehmi Gunok.
Quarter-finals
Following the round of 16, the quarter-final ties are now confirmed.
Spain vs Germany (5 July)
Portugal vs France (5 July)
England vs Switzerland (6 July)
Netherlands vs Turkey (6 July)