Eight issues we realized from EURO 2020’s Spherical of 16

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Wow, EURO 2020 Spherical of 16. You simply did that, didn’t you?

The three groups to advance from EURO 2020’s Group of Loss of life didn’t make it a lot additional.

Denmark, lacking its chief after a horrifying on-field incident, is one win from the semifinal.

[ MORE: EURO 2020 hub ]

Belgium, Italy, and England all answered questions on their nationwide groups’ resolve.

Czechia’s assortment of upstarts gained’t be apprehensive concerning the Danes, and Switzerland gained’t fear about five-star Spain after sending France residence.

Like we stated… Wow.

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1. Italy continued to press, till they didn’t | Italy 2-1 (AET) Austria: Women and gentleman, that is not your father’s Italy, neither is it your grandfather’s or nice grandfather’s, and so forth. This group, beneath Roberto Mancini — gasp — presses the opposition excessive up the sector and forces turnovers which lead to a lot simpler (and quicker) scoring probabilities for the Azzurri. It’s hardly a outstanding idea within the fashionable sport, nevertheless it’s clearly a large departure for longtime Italy supporters. Mancini is intelligent, although, and nonetheless instructs the group to drop deeper and deeper after the preliminary line of confrontation is damaged, maybe to maintain the extra ardent gatekeepers of calcio onside. The place Italy received themselves into hassle was once they not regarded to press — or, at the very least, failed to take action successfully — within the second half. At that time, it was a 50-50 sport for them, at finest (AE).

2. Is it coming residence? | England 2-0 Germany: England will head to Rome on Sunday and know that it is going to be the favourite in that sport and — ought to it advance — the subsequent spherical, too. Whether or not Sweden or Ukraine, then Denmark or Czech Republic, England goes to be a nailed-on favourite to succeed in the ultimate. And with the reigning World Cup and EURO champs eradicated within the Spherical of 16, there’s not a group left who can declare expertise will win the day. Southgate’s defense-first ways have gotten him this far and Thomas Muller’s late miss was one of many solely moments of worry England has felt this match. It actually may come residence. Emphasis on the circumstances (NM).

3. Belgium show they’ll win ugly, too | Belgium 1-0 Portugal: It’s all too tempting to anticipate celebrity gamers, particularly within the attacking half, to indicate as much as a significant match and easily dominate from the get-go whereas taking part in thrilling attacking soccer with reckless abandon. Sadly, that’s not often the case, particularly as soon as into the knockout rounds. The unknown with Belgium is exactly that: When it will get all the way down to the enterprise finish of a knockout competitors, can they take the gloves off, go 12 rounds and sneak a call on the judges’ scorecards? Few nationwide sides on the earth will make you battle and grind the best way Portugal do, and did on Sunday, but Belgium handed the check. A serious hurdle cleared, with one other one shortly approaching on the horizon (AE).

4. Strong Czech love their underdog tag | Netherlands 0-2 Czechia: From Holes to Coufal, Soucek to Schick, and Vaclik to Kalas, this Czech Republic facet is filled with stable gamers who like to show individuals unsuitable. That may get you a great distance in a match, and it has. The Czech Republic have a beautiful stability about them and they’re stable defensively however have high quality in assault and from set items. They are going to go into their quarterfinal towards Denmark with a 50/50 probability of reaching the semifinals and lots of will favor this rock-solid group. That is their fourth quarterfinal in seven European Championships, as they love this competitors and made the many of the Dutch implosion (JPW).

5. Spain’s assault on fireplace | Spain 5-3 (AET) Croatia: Spain created so many probabilities of their first two group video games however couldn’t put them away. Then their offense exploded. Spain have develop into the primary group in European Championship historical past to attain 5 targets in back-to-back video games, and it was solely a matter of time. Spain dominate possession and now they only have to maintain placing probabilities away. Alvaro Morata scored a magnificence too as his nice hold-up play helped knit collectively the complete Spanish assault.

6. Impressed Denmark ship | Wales 0-4 Denmark: Denmark was dominant other than the primary 10 minutes and performed as in the event that they knew they have been going to win. After the horror state of affairs with Christian Eriksen of their opening group sport, to struggle again like this and attain the quarterfinals is nothing wanting sensational. They performed very effectively towards the primary group on the planet, Belgium, and battered Russia to succeed in the final 16. Towards Wales they have been composed, intelligent and ruthless. Given they’re on the simpler facet of the draw, you shouldn’t wager towards Denmark making it to the semifinals. A minimum of (JPW).

7. Twenty-five minutes of French dominance | France 3-3 (pens, 4-5) Switzerland: Did the change work? Did the change work? After a short blip on the radar (penalty kick given away, however saved) to start the second half, it was all France — and we do imply, it was all France — till Switzerland hit again out of nowhere 10 minutes earlier than full-time. It’s in all probability value noting as soon as once more that for the entire unbelievable expertise France possess of their squad, Deschamps stays the best street block to successful a second straight main match. They seemingly gained the 2018 World Cup regardless of his finest efforts in any other case, however can they do it once more? (AE).

8. Ten seconds too early for 10-man Sweden | Sweden 1-2 (AET) Ukraine: We don’t know what would’ve occurred in penalties had goalkeepers Robin Olsen and Georgiy Bushchan been known as upon to play the function of hero in penalties, however we all know {that a} 99th-minute purple card to the Swedes didn’t mechanically grant passage to Ukraine. And, in actual fact, the match was into additional time stoppage time when Ukraine struck for the winner, Man Metropolis’s Oleksandr Zinchenko including an help to his purpose to ship the Swedes away from Scotland with no quarterfinal berth. High-quality margins (NJM).