After 36 matches, Euro 2024 has progressed to the all-important knockout stage, beginning with the spherical of 16 on Saturday.
Al Jazeera picks out the 4 key matches on this spherical:
⚽ Germany vs Denmark
When: June 29, 9pm native time (19:00 GMT)
The place: BVB Stadion in Dortmund
Germany and Denmark will meet in a rematch of the 1992 Euro last after they face off in Saturday’s match in Dortmund. Whereas hosts Germany have been unbeaten within the match with two wins and a draw, Denmark is but to have a good time a win, drawing all their group video games whereas scoring solely twice.
Heading into the match as underdogs, Denmark will search historic inspiration from their miraculous Euro 1992 finals efficiency in Gothenburg. In that match, they pulled off one of many greatest last upsets ever, beating then-world champions Germany 2-0 to win their first and solely main soccer title.
“It’s a robust workforce we’re going to face and somewhat bit like the large nation in opposition to the little nation,” Denmark’s assistant coach Christian Poulsen informed reporters forward of Saturday’s spherical of 16 conflict. “However we’re going to enter the battle and hope we will do the identical as we did in ’92.”
The Danes will depend on veteran midfielder Christian Eriksen and forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Jonas Wind to problem Germany, who’ve a star-studded squad that includes Euro 2024’s joint-second high scorers Jamal Musiala and Niclas Fullkrug, in addition to breakout star Florian Wirtz.
Earlier than the knockout match, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will face a troublesome resolution: Retain his religion within the under-performing Kai Havertz within the beginning lineup or begin Fullkrug after his stoppage-time equaliser off the bench within the final sport in opposition to Switzerland.
Traditionally, Germany is near unbeatable as soon as they attain the knockout stage on the Euros. Of the ten instances Germany has made it by, they’ve gone on to succeed in the semifinals on 9 events and the ultimate six.
The Germans are stage with Spain with three European Soccer Championship titles. Beating Denmark on Saturday strikes them one step nearer to a document fourth title – and with the added motivation of doing in order the Euro 2024 host nation, in addition to being the proper ship off for German celebrity Toni Kroos, who will retire from soccer after the match.
However Denmark, who reached the semifinals on the final version of Euro 2020, might be no straightforward pushover for the Germans.
⚽ France vs Belgium
When: July 1, 6pm native time (16:00 GMT)
The place: Dusseldorf Area in Dusseldorf
France and Belgium have one factor in widespread: Each groups have struggled in assault at this match.
Whereas two-time world champions France haven’t scored from open play to this point, Belgium have scored solely twice in three matches.
These stats sound weird given the attacking expertise in each these star-studded groups – the French boast the likes of celebrity Kylian Mbappe and skilled ahead Antoine Griezmann, whereas Belgium are blessed with probably the greatest playmakers on the planet, Kevin De Bruyne, and towering striker Romelu Lukaku.
Regardless of bagging solely two targets within the group stage – an personal aim in opposition to Austria and a penalty scored by Mbappe – France defender Saliba is assured his teammates will step up within the knockout in opposition to Belgium.
“It’s clear that we have now to be extra harmful with our set items, particularly me. I feel I haven’t even touched one, so we will do higher,” Saliba mentioned.
Attacking points will not be the one downside Belgium are coping with. Followers booed and whistled the workforce after their goalless group match draw with Ukraine in Stuttgart and captain De Bruyne informed his gamers to go away the sector with out thanking the supporters.
Defender Thomas Meunier mentioned the fan response was “out of proportion”, including that the workforce “all the time performs to win”.
Belgium, who’re nonetheless looking for their first main soccer title, have proven little or no intent on the match for followers to imagine they’ll outclass France, who’ve gained the Euros twice and are thought of by many pundits to be the match favourites.
Monday’s contest would be the 76th assembly between the 2 sides, though their first within the Euros since 1984.
⚽ Austria vs Turkey
When: July 2, 9pm native time (19:00 GMT)
The place: Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig
Taking part in speedy and entertaining soccer, Austria and Turkey have been two of essentially the most thrilling groups within the Euro 2024 group stage.
Not many anticipated Austria to win a gaggle which included match heavyweights France and the Netherlands, however Ralf Rangnick’s younger facet pulled off the unthinkable with their glorious attacking show.
Now not taking part in with a defensive mindset, Austria scored six targets within the three group matches with six completely different gamers registering a rating, suggesting the workforce is well-balanced and unselfish in assault.
“It’s unimaginable to complete high of the group that was the toughest attainable based mostly on UEFA coefficients,” Rangnick mentioned. “We began with an unfortunate personal aim in opposition to France, handled all of the stress placed on us to win in opposition to Poland, after which to finish as group winners is one thing very particular,” added the ex-Manchester United interim supervisor, who is thought for his counter-pressing ways.
The Austrians, who’ve little star energy and haven’t gone past the final 16, entered the match as darkish horses however have now elevated their standing to title contenders. Standing in Austria’s means on the first hurdle might be acquainted foes Turkey, whose marketing campaign has been nothing wanting dramatic.
Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu have been among the many goalscorers as Turkey netted a powerful 5 instances within the group stage. However in addition they leaked an equal variety of targets, revealing the dearth of solidity in defence.
Austria gained 6-1 when these groups final met in a pleasant in March however Turkey, the 2008 Euro semifinalists, are excessive on confidence this time and can possible pose a greater problem.
Nonetheless, the Turks will play the spherical of 16 match with out their inspirational captain Calhanoglu, who’s suspended after choosing up two yellow playing cards. His enormous absence could also be all of the motivation the Austrians want as they try to succeed in the quarterfinals of the Euros for the primary time.
⚽ Portugal vs Slovenia
When: July 1, 9pm native time (19:00 GMT)
The place: Frankfurt Area in Frankfurt
Strain might be on Portugal to regroup shortly after their second-string facet suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to match debutants Georgia within the last Euro 2024 group sport on June 26.
As they gear as much as face Slovenia within the final 16, most followers would choose Portugal because the clear favourites, however a fast take a look at historical past and the shape information would possibly recommend in any other case.
Portugal have confronted Slovenia solely as soon as – shedding 2-0 to them in a pleasant in March 2024. Cristiano Ronaldo was a part of the workforce that began in that sport, although Portugal have been lacking their key duo of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes within the midfield.
Each Silva and Fernandes have discovered the web at Euro 2024, however Portugal’s ageing celebrity ahead and captain Ronaldo has but to get on the scoresheet, regardless of having essentially the most makes an attempt on aim.
In what have to be a worrying improvement for Portugal, for the primary time in his profession, the 39-year-old Ronaldo has not scored within the group stage of a serious worldwide match.
A Portugal facet that has not hit high gear will possible face issues in opposition to Slovenia, preferring sitting deep and irritating their opponents, as they demonstrated in opposition to England in a 0-0 draw of their last group stage match in Cologne.
“Slovenia are a workforce that performs like a membership, with brutal defensive synchronization and two influential strikers. We have to put together properly for the sport, however this isn’t a pleasant,” Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez mentioned, referring to his facet’s loss to Slovenia again in March.
The Slovenians, taking part in within the Euros knockouts for the primary time after grabbing three attracts, are additionally harmful on counterattack.
Key striker Benjamin Sesko, standing a towering 1.95 metres (6.5 ft) and blessed with excellent athleticism for a participant his dimension, is one among Europe’s most fun younger forwards and is taken into account Slovenia’s huge matchup menace up entrance versus Portugal.
