Euro 2020 round of 16 fixtures and analysis
With the group stage fixtures complete and the qualified teams confirmed here is the fixtures and analysis of the round of 16 matches.
EURO 2020 round of 16 games:
Wales vs. Denmark
Italy vs. Austria
Netherlands vs. Czech Republic
Belgium vs. Portugal
Croatia vs. Spain
France vs. Switzerland
England vs. Germany
Sweden vs. Ukraine
Wales versus Denmark
Date/Time : 26th June 2021, 17:00 (CAT)
This game is evenly poised with both teams having some great games in the group stage.
Wales qualified to the round of 16 after finishing second in group A behind Italy and ahead of Switzerland on goals difference with one win, one draw, and losing one. After beating Turkey, drawing Switzerland and losing to Italy.
Denmark managed to qualify for this round after winning just one game in group B. Denmark had to be resilient to qualify in second place after their star man Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in the 10th minute of their first game against Finland.
This game may likely be settled via penalty.
Italy vs Austria
Date/Time: 26th June 2021. Time: 20:00 (CAT)
Italy has been the best preforming team in the group stage, qualifying to the round of 16 by winning group A ahead of Wales, Switzerland, and Turkey winning all their group games without conceding a goal, and scoring 7 times.
Austria qualified to this round winning 2 of their group matches behind Netherlands and ahead of Ukraine and North Macedonia.
It will be hard to look past Italy to win this game as they are the bookmakers favorites for this, Austria will be looking to cause some upset here.
Netherlands vs Czech Republic
Date/Time: 27th June 2021. Time: 17:00(BST).
Netherlands are the favorite to win this game after qualifying for the last 16 with a perfect record winning all their group stage games.
Czech Republic made it to the last 16 via been been one of the best third-placed sides after finishing in 3rd place in group D behind England and Croatia. They will be hoping on their star player Patrik Schick to put in another great performance.
Belgium vs Portugal
Date: 27th June 2021. Time: 20:00(CAT).
This game is one of the standout fixture of the round of 16.
Belgium qualified for this round with a perfect record winning all their matches in group B ahead of Denmark, Finland, and Russia. With Kevin De Bruyne back to full fitness Belgium sure have a chance.
Portugal labored to progress to this round with star man Cristiano Ronaldo firing them through with 5 goals already in the group stage. Portugal qualified as one of the 3rd best teams in the group stage after finishing behind France and Germany in group F which was named the group of death by pundits.
Portugal won their first game against Hungary scoring 3 late goals, then lost 4-2 to Germany in the second game before playing an entertaining 2-2 draw with France in the last game of the group.
Croatia vs Spain
Date: 28th June 2021. Time: 17:00(CAT)
Croatia seems to have gotten their form back after losing to England in their first group game, they went on to draw their second game against Czech Republic, before beating Scotland in their last group game.
Spain were impressive in their last group game beating Slovakia 5-0, after they drew their first 2 group games.
This first is going to be keenly contested and my be settled through penalty.
France vs Switzerland
Date: 28th June 2021. Time: 20:00 (CAT)
France are the favorites for this game, but they have failed to discover their spark so far in the tournament as they were the overwhelming favorite to win the tournament and was named as the Super favorite by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
But after just one win in the group stage, drawing underdogs Hungary and Portugal, with the win over Germany in the first game their only victory so far.
Switzerland will be hoping to cause an upset here after qualifying from group A as one of the best third-placed sides finishing with 4 points behind Italy and Wales.
England vs Germany
Date: 29th June. Time: 17:00(CAT)
This game is one of the two mouth watering fixture in this round along with Belgium and Portugal.
England will want to get one over their arch-rival Germany. They qualified from group D finishing top ahead of Croatia, Czech Republic and Scotland.
Germany wouldn’t want to give any room for mistakes and a ruthless performance like they did against Portugal in their second group stage game will do the job.
Sweden vs Ukraine
Date/Time: 29th June 2021. 20:00(CAT)
Sweden has been very impressive so far in the tournament after qualifying to the round of 16 as the top team of group E ahead of Spain, Slovakia, and Poland. Another great performance will be enough.
Ukraine qualified as one of the best third-placed sides from group C which included Netherlands, Austria, and North Macedonia. Ukraine will want to put in a strong performance here.
