EURO 2020 Knockout Stage | Best Bracket Ever
The European Championships have been great so far. But they are going to be getting extremely better with the crazy matchups we have in the EURO 2020 Knockout Stage.
Wales vs Denmark
Wales, a surprise Euro semifinalist five years ago, once again advanced past the group stage by finishing second in Group A. The Danes overcame the sudden, shocking absence of star Christian Eriksen in their opener and clubbed Russia in the group-stage finale, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time since 2004.
Italy vs Austria
Italy might have been the class of the group stage, outscoring its opponents 7-0 and easily winning Group A. Italy looks like the best team in the tournament and Austria should be scared. Austria is back in the round of 16 for the second straight tournament after beating North Macedonia and Ukraine in Group C play.
The Netherlands vs the Czech Republic
After a shaky few minutes in its opening 3-2 win over Ukraine, Netherlands stormed through Group C and didn’t allow a goal in its final two matches. Since that match, Netherlands has looked like one of the best sides in the tournament with players like Denzel Dumfries looking amazing and new PSG player Gini Wijnaldum.
The Czech Republic earned a third-place bid out of Group D, with Patrik Schick scoring all three of its group-stage goals. The Czech Republic were leading their group till the last matchday of the group stage.
Belgium vs Portugal
It’s the biggest matchup of the round of 16. Belgium, the world No. 1 that went unbeaten and barely scored upon in the group stage, faces defending champion Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, the tournament’s leading goal scorer with five. This matchup is a matchup some people thought would be the finals and we get to see it in the Knockout Stage. Should be a super exciting match and Portugal will be playing another world powerhouse.
Croatia vs Spain
Both teams woke up from early-tournament slumbers in their third group-stage games, with Croatia scoring a 3-1 win over Scotland and Spain thumping Slovakia, 5-0. Even with an offense that at times is too pass-happy, Spain allowed only one goal over its first three games.
France vs Switzerland
Defending World Cup champion France could only manage draws in its final two Group F games but still finished atop the standings coming into EURO 2020 knockout stage. Switzerland, which is back in the knockout round for the second straight tournament, is one of two round-of-16 participants with a negative goal differential (joining Ukraine).
England vs Germany
Moving on with our EURO 2020 knockout stage preview, let’s talk about another massive matchup! Group D winner England scored only two goals over its first three games, the fewest of any team to advance, but didn’t concede any, either (only Italy matched that). Germany’s hopes of a fourth straight run to at least the Euro semi-finals looked to be petering out against Hungary on Wednesday, but Leon Goretzka’s game-tying 84th-minute goal got Die Mannschaft through to the next round.
Sweden vs Ukraine
With Emil Forsberg (three goals) leading the attack, Sweden was the surprise Group E winner and will look to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2004. Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk have scored all four goals for Ukraine, which never has advanced past the round of 16.
