RANKING AND PREDICTING THE EURO 2024 ROUND OF 16 MATCHES
After two weeks of play that included major upsets and surprising eliminations, the European Championship has reached the knockout stage.
Based on FIFA rankings, the 2024 Euro tournament had the two biggest upsets in its history when No. 48 Slovakia beat No. 3 Belgium and No. 74 Georgia defeated No. 6 Portugal nine days later.
2022 World Cup semifinalist Croatia was shockingly eliminated after failing to win a match in Group B, accruing a meager two points and finishing third. Euro 2020 quarterfinalists Czechia and Ukraine also failed to qualify out of their respective groups.
With the Round of 16 set to begin Saturday, we rank the eight knockout games from most to least intriguing.
1. France vs. Belgium | Monday, noon ET
Both teams had underwhelming performances in their respective groups, but this matchup of titans could produce scintillating soccer. Monday afternoon will be appointment television for world No. 2 France, led by Kylian Mbappe, against No. 3 Belgium, led by Romelu Lukaku.
Prediction: France, 2-1. Mbappe will score twice to send Les Bleus to the quarterfinals.
2. Switzerland vs. Italy | Saturday, noon ET
The defending European champions will have their hands full in a Swiss squad that gave Germany fits in its last match. Italy barely squeaked into the knockouts, needing a 98th-minute score to eliminate Croatia.
Prediction: Switzerland, in penalties, after Italy yet again find a stoppage-time equalizer.
3. England vs. Slovakia | Sunday, noon ET
England manager Gareth Southgate and the "Three Lions" may have lucked out winning Group C and ending up on the easier side of the bracket. However, Slovakia, which defeated Belgium, won't be an easy out.
Thanks to Southgate's tactics, England did just enough to finish first, but his squad only scored two goals in three matches. The tournament favorite must do more offensively.
Prediction: England, 2-1. Despite Southgate's experimental tactics, Harry Kane and friends will get the job done.
4. Romania vs. The Netherlands | Tuesday, noon ET
Unexpected winners of Group E, Romania will face their toughest test in a Dutch squad looking to quell critics of their disappointing third-place group finish. Both teams totaled four goals each in the group stage, so fans could find themselves enjoying a shootout.
Prediction: Netherlands, 3-2. After a chaotic and goal-filled second half, the Dutch advance to the quarterfinals.
5. Spain vs. Georgia | Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
Euro debutants Georgia shocked many by toppling mighty Portugal on Wednesday, but it will run into a buzzsaw in a Spanish side that seems to score goals at will — blasting three past Croatia alone. While it's probably safe to bet against a Georgian victory, it has shown it is capable of making teams uncomfortable with aggressive play and early scoring.
Prediction: Spain, 4-0. 16-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal nets his first Euro tournament goal.
6. Austria vs. Turkey | Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET
Austria topping the French and Dutch in Group D was not on many Euro bingo cards, but it proved its dominance in qualifiers was not a fluke. Turkey came only two goals short of winning its own group over Portugal, so it won't be a pushover.
Prediction: Austria, 2-1, but don't be surprised if Turkey scores.
7. Portugal vs. Slovenia | Monday, 3 p.m., ET
Any other year this matchup would look like a friendly, but Slovenia has an impressive team. Cristiano Ronaldo has had a forgetful Euros, tallying zero goals in the group stage, and Portugal is fresh off one the worst losses in their history against Georgia. Benjamin Sesko and Slovenia have a gigantic opportunity to prove their quiet group stage results are not the norm.
Prediction: Portugal, 2-0. Despite a valiant Slovenian effort, Ronaldo will find his trademark scoring touch again.
8. Germany vs. Denmark, Saturday, at 3 p.m. ET
This is a rematch of the 1992 Euro finals, but this match probably won't offer as much drama. The Germans peppered their group with goals, scoring eight. The Danes, meanwhile, were anemic, only scoring twice and failing to win any of their three matches. The only reason they finished ahead of Slovenia was due to accruing one less yellow card caution.
Prediction: Germany, 3-1. The hosts will be too much for the struggling Danes.
Every knockout match offers ample opportunity for more upsets and drama. Germany, France and Portugal are on the same side of the bracket, opposite England and Italy on the other.
So, fans are either in for a gigantic clash in the finals or potentially a new underdog chasing the crown akin to Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004.
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2024-06-27T20:46:30Z dg43tfdfdgfd