The knockout round of the European Championship kicked off last Saturday and shocking results have been recorded with big teams sent packing from the competition, while players also making a name themselves.
Thorgan, celebrates with his brother, Eden, the only goal of the game vs. Portugal. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ
Denmark becomes the first time to reach the European Championship 2020 quarter finals after thrashing Wales, 4-0 in Amsterdam on Saturday.
Back to his club’s ground, Kasper Dolberg hits a double, the first making him the first Danish to score in an European Championship knockout round since 1992, while his second makes him the first player of his country to score a double in the European Championship since Niklas Bendtner, against Portugal, in 2012.
Late goals from Joakim Mæhle and Martin Braithwaite between a Harry Wilson red card for a lazy challenge on Mæhle helped Denmark complete the demolition of Wales, who were unable to match their semi final finish in the last edition.
Later on Saturday, Italy were made to sweat to seal their passage into the next round of the tournament as they needed extra time to see off Austria, in an evenly contested match between the two, at Wembley.
It was Austria who even found the back of the net but were unlucky, as Marko Arnatovic’s effort in the 65th minute was cancelled out by the VAR.
Substitutes, Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina have the Azzurri 2-0 in front as they managed a record breaking 1, 168 minutes without conceding, before Sasa Kalajdzic pulled one back for Austria. Austria then push for another but it wasn’t meant to be, as Italy booked their passage to the next round, where they will face Belgium, in Munich on Friday.
Italian players Matteo Pessina, Federico Chiesa and Manuel Locatelli celebrate against Austria. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ
The Netherlands were bundled out of the tournament after recording a third consecutive loss to Czech Republic, in a 2-0 humbling on Sunday, at the Puskas Arena, in Budapest, Hungary.
After a goalless first half, PSV Eindhoven striker, Donyell Malen had the chance to put the Netherlands in front but made a mess of it, only for Matthijs de Ligt to be penalized for a handball, and received a marching order seconds later.
The Czechs then scored through Thomas Holes and Patrik Schick to advance into the quarters where they will take on Denmark, on Saturday.
Later on Sunday, defending champions, Portugal were eliminated from the tournament by one of the favourites for this edition, Belgium. Thorgan Hazard scored the only goal of the game in the 42nd minute, when his effort from yards out swerved right to beat Rui Patricio in the Portugal goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal then dominated proceedings as they push for an equaliser, but none of their four shots on target out of 23 could beat Thibaut Courtois in the Belgium goal, as they Red devil’s seal a quarter final date with Italy.
Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s loss to Belgium. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Sport360°
Kevin DeBruyne and Eden Hazard both hobbled off injured in the match but Roberto Martinez has confirmed that the duo are fit and will feature in their next game with Italy.
Spain needed extra time to overcome Croatia in an eight goal thriller. It was Croatia who took the lead through an unusual source after Pedri Gonzalez’s back pass from midfield proved difficult for Unai Simon to get under control, and the Barcelona man gets awarded an own goal, it Spain did level before half time through Pablo Sarabia.
Luis Enrique’s side then scored two more in the second half through Cesar Azpilicueta and Ferran Torres to lead 3-1. However, Croatia battled back with goals from Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic to force extra time.
Spain were able to blow their opponent away in the first half of extra time thanks to goals from Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal ensuring that Spain makes it to the quarter finals of the competition, where they will play Switzerland in St. Petersburg on Friday.
Switzerland produced the biggest upset of the tournament so far, beating world champions and favourite to win the European Championship 2020, France in a penalty shootout in Copahaghen, Denmark on Monday night.
It was an exciting match that saw six goals in normal time, with Switzerland taking an early lead through Haris Seferovic. Ricardo Rodriguez then missed a penalty to double his side’s lead, only for France to the score three times, two from Karim Benzema and another Paul Pogba’s worldie in the 75th minute.
However, as they said, it is not easy to beat a man that does not give up, Switzerland’s resistance paid off with two late goals, Haris Seferovic’s second of the game and Mario Gavranovic leveled things up at three all in the 90th minute. Neither half of extra time produce a goal and the game went to penalties.
Switzerland celebrate shootout win over France. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ
Yann Sommer became the hero of the night, as he denied Kylian Mbappe in the last kick of the shootout as Switzerland advance, bettering their round of 16 finish in 2016. They will now meet Spain, in the quarter finals.
England beat Germany 2-0 to progress to the quarter final of the tournament thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. The games was evenly contested before the introduction of Aston Villa captain, Jack Grealish, who was heavily involved in both goals, and getting an assist for the second.
England are now into the quarter final of a major tournament in consecutive fashion, since 1996. While it was also a sweet revenge for England manager, Gareth Southgate who missed in a penalty shootout back in the European Championship 1996, when Germany advanced to the final at the expense of England.
England will now meet Ukraine in the quarters in Rome on Saturday, after Andriy Shevchenko side eliminated 10man Sweden in extra time on Tuesday night.
Oleksandr Zinchenko had given Ukraine the lead but Emile Forsberg brought forth his fourth goal of the tournament to level things up at one all at the break. Neither side could get a winner in the second half and the game proceeded to extra time.
Disaster strucked for Sweden, eight minutes into extra time as Marcus Danielson was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Artem Biesiedin and Janne Andersson’s men decided to sit back and see the game out at 1-1.
But their hearts were broken in the first minute of added time in the second half of extra time, when Artem Dovbyk made it 2-1, connecting with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s cross and planting his header into the back of the net.
The quarter final will not feature any of the nations from the group of death after Portugal, France and Germany were all eliminated at the earliest they can be, in the tournament. While the Netherlands will also be disappointed, getting knocked out in the round of 16, after staying 100 percent in all three group games.
STAT ZONE
Denmark are the first side to score four goals in consecutive games in the history of the European Championship.
With his red card against Czech Republic, Matthijs de Ligt is now the youngest player to receive a red card in an European Championship finals, beating the record set by Nathan Ampadu in the last round.
Matthijs de Ligt looks dejected after his red card against Czech Republic. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ
All four of Netherland’s red cards at the European Championships have come against Czech Republic / Czechoslovakia: Johan Neeskens (1976), Wim van Hanegem (1976), John Heitinga (2004) and now Matthijs de Ligt (2020).
Thomas Müller has never scored for Germany at the Euros having made 15 appearances. None of his 31 shots have find the back of net.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
