Euro 2020 (2021) Round of 16

Euro 2020 Knockout Stages (Round of 16)

Wales vs Denmark 0-4
Denmark's shooting was in good condition today. Wales was outclassed. The fairy tale for Denmark continued.

Italy vs Austria 2-1
In the first half and second half, it was like a give-and-take with the possession. When near goal, both teams could not easily pass the defence line. So it went all the way to extra time.

In extra time, Austria was tired and Italy took most of the possession. Ultimately, Italy was able to score twice. Austria needed to catch up so they brought up their energy again and was able to pull one goal back but it was not enough.

Netherlands vs Czech Republic 0-2
It was even competition until in the second half when a Dutch player committed a foul by falling down and handling the ball that resulted in a red card. It didn't seem intentional but VAR clearly showed that he touched the ball with his hand, thus the decision was made. Then Czech Republic had a corner kick chance where they successfully connected it with headers for a goal. Another goal was to follow as Netherlands was one man down and were pulled up to the front to focusing on equalizing, that in turn opened the back line. Netherlands tried their best but could not connect with goals. Czech Republic's winning was unexpected. That means that it's Czech Republic vs. Denmark in the next round.

Belgium vs Portugal 1-0
The beginning of the first half was dominated by Belgium but then Portugal took dominance in possession from the halfway point. However, a counterattack move provided Belgium's Hazard with a chance and he scored a magnificent long range shot that was too quick and powerful for the keeper to stop. In the second half, Portugal continued their efforts but their final touches had some shortcomings and luck was not on their side either as one shot hit the post. Belgium has a really tough game ahead of them as they face Italy in the next round.

Croatia vs Spain 3-5
Spain dominated play as expected but what was unexpected was the Spain keeper's ball trapping. It all happened in the 25th minute when a Spanish player made a strong and quick backpass to the goal keeper whereby he angled his foot improperly, and that turned a back pass into an own goal. Fortunately for Spain, they were able to equalize later on.

Spain continued to take advantage of possession in the second half. There was a great cross and that led to another goal for Spain. Then Croatia's defence went to sleep and allowed Spain to add to their score. Near the end of the second half, Croatia was able to capitalize in front of the goal post as the ball passed the line. Croatia's spirits came back up thereafter. Their efforts paid off at stop itch time with a cross and a great header connection, so the score was levelled. After an exciting ending to the second half, both teams had 3 goals and had to go into extra time.

In extra time, it seemed like Croatia lost their fuel as their back line opened up and that allowed Spain to score twice.

France vs Switzerland 3-3 (Penalty Shootout: 5-6)
It was actually Switzerland that began being more threatening. Them having the ball for the most part led to a first goal from a cross linked with a header. France in turn pushed up and tried to level the score. Swiss on the other hand tried to counterattack. France had a few shot tries but they were out of target.

In the second half, Switzerland was given a chance of penalty kick but Lloris blocked it which gave France hope. Not too long afterwards, France equalized then doubled in score immediately after that thanks to Benzema. The mental game tipped over to France's favour from then on. A third goal was one of the greatest of the tournament as France's Pogba shot, while standing from outside the box, that was a cracking curler to the corner of the net. However, Switzerland was not ready to give up as they scored one from a cross and header connection. They kept knocking on the door and were able to equalize thanks to one deadly pass that penetrated France's open defensive line. Like Croatia vs Spain, this game also had to go into extra time with 3 goals a piece.

In extra time, fatigue affected the players as some sat on the ground due to cramps and all their legs were tired out, slow and sloppy. So it came to the tournament's first penalty shootout.

Swiss started off the shootout as kicker and succeeded as he targeted the top left corner. France replied the same way. Swiss' second kicker went to the right in a calm manner for another goal. France also went right and scored. Swiss then went for the bottom left and scored. France copied and went left and Switzerland's Sommer guessed correctly but could not block it. Swiss went left and France's Lloris guessed correctly as well but could not stop it from goal. France and Swiss succeeded in scoring all 5 goals. In sudden death, it was Mbappe's turn to kick; his shooting condition had not been good throughout the match. Bad luck would have it and his shot was read by Sommer. It took one block for Switzerland to win it all. Thus, Switzerland made history in going to the quarter finals for the first time ever and they will face Spain.

England vs Germany 2-0
First half was neck and neck between these teams with England being a bit more threatening in attack, but ended scoreless. In the second half, Germany took most of the possession but England's counterattack was more lethal which led to two goals in the last 15 minutes or so.

Sweden vs Ukraine 1-2
Sweden was dynamic and fast paced as they led the attacks but their finishes were lackluster. It was Ukraine that actually got the goal first with a counterattack. However, near the end of first half, Sweden was able to catch up from an amazing long range shot by Forsberg.

In the second half, Sweden continued to dominate in possession; that meant that Ukraine had to be in counterattack mode. Ukraine had an opportunity to score but it hit the post. Sweden's Forsberg in turn also hit the post. Then he had another chance at goal but hit the post again. Both teams made the effort to score one more but to no avail and they went into extra time.

In extra time, both teams were tired out. Sweden's troubles began in the latter half when a Sweden player committed a dangerous tackle with a consequence of a red card; the victim had to put a large ice pack on his leg. Sweden was a man down and they were forced to go into defensive mode, lessening their chances for goal and allowed more control for Ukraine. At the end of extra time, Ukraine's one swift counterattack connected with a header and that decided their fate as victors. Therefore, Ukraine will face England in the next round.