FLASHBACK
As the ongoing European Championships reach the knockout stage, it’s worth remembering that this is just the second edition of the tournament to feature a round of 16. The decision to increase the number of participating teams to 24 ahead of Euro 2016 meant that an extra round of knockout fixtures was introduced.
Many were sceptical of the changes to the tournament’s format, but it must be said that the round of 16 five years ago offered up a great deal of drama. We’re all hoping for similar intrigue in the knockout stage of Euro 2020, but for now let’s reminisce on the main talking points from the last 16 in France five years ago.
English Embarrassment
Of course, the last 16 of Euro 2016 conjures horrible memories for fans of the England national team. It was on a fateful night in Nice that England suffered one of the most painful defeats in their history, losing 2-1 to Iceland and crashing out of the competition.
Despite taking an early lead through a Wayne Rooney penalty, England trailed by half-time, and they couldn’t muster a response in the second half. It was Roy Hodgson’s last game in charge, with the venerable manager announcing his resignation after the match.
Italian Joy
Reigning European champions Spain were handed a tricky second-round tie against Italy, after being pipped by Croatia to a top-spot finish in the group stage. It proved to be a disappointing afternoon in Paris for the Spanish, as Italy produced a trademark gutsy display to earn a place in the quarter-finals.
Having gone out of the 2014 World Cup at the group stage, a last-16 exit at the Euros signaled the end of Spain’s reign of supremacy in world football.
Hosts Survive a Scare
We all remember France’s heart-breaking defeat to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final, but the hosts very nearly bid adieu to the competition in the last 16, where a spirited Irish performance almost upset the apple cart.
Robbie Brady’s early penalty gave the Republic of Ireland the lead, and despite France struggling to break the Boys in Green down, an Antoine Griezmann double eventually spared French blushes.
And The Rest
Elsewhere, Xherdan Shaqiri scored one of the best goals of European Championships history, executing a fine scissor kick to save Switzerland’s bacon against Poland, although Poland eventually won on penalties.
Eventual champions Portugal needed extra time to overcome Croatia, Wales edged Northern Ireland 1-0, Belgium hammered Hungary, while Germany cruised past Slovakia.
More of the Same at Euro 2020
We’ve seen plenty of high-quality action in the group stage of Euro 2020, and it’s set to be a thrilling batch of round-of-16 ties. It’s only once you reach the knockout stages that you really get a feel for who might get their hands on the trophy.
The round kicks off with Wales taking on Denmark in Amsterdam on Saturday, while Italy, who were one of the standout teams in the group phase, go up against Austria at Wembley. From there, the
Netherlands v Czech Republic betting will undoubtedly fancy the Dutch when the teams meet on Sunday, with Belgium battling it out with Portugal later that night.
Croatia take on Spain on Monday before France go up against Switzerland, while all eyes will be on England’s clash with Germany on Tuesday, before the round concludes with Sweden playing Ukraine.
The matches will be a great chance for players to get up to speed with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Euro 2020 top scorers charts. Here’s hoping we get plenty of thrills and spills!