The exciting knockout round of Euro 2024 is underway, promising even more nail-biting matches, celebrations, and heartbreak as the competition intensifies. After battling it out in the group stages, 16 teams have emerged victorious and are now locked in a fight to secure a coveted spot in the quarter-finals, taking them one step closer to the championship. This text dives into which teams have advanced and who England will face in the next stage, as the journey to the final in Berlin unfolds.
1) Germany
Germany, the tournament host, clinched the first quarter-final berth after a contested 2-0 victory over Denmark. They emerged on top of Group A, which also featured a determined Switzerland team. Their next challenge in the quarter-finals will be Spain, who dominated Georgia 4-1 to advance. Spain has only conceded one goal throughout the competition, maintaining a winning streak.
2) Switzerland
Switzerland secured their place in the next round with a convincing 2-0 victory over Italy on Saturday. Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas found the net for the Swiss. They came close to upsetting the host nation Germany in their final group match, conceding a late equalizer from Niclas Fullkrug. Despite some pre-tournament skepticism, Murat Yakin’s team is exceeding expectations with strong performances, just like the one against Italy.
3) England
England staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Slovakia 2-1 in extra time. Trailing late in the game, Jude Bellingham delivered a sensational overhead kick just seconds before the final whistle. Captain Harry Kane then added a header in the opening minute of extra time to secure the victory. This win came after England had struggled through their group stage matches. Despite topping the group, they faced a supposedly easier opponent in Slovakia, ranked much lower in the world rankings. However, the underdogs nearly caused a major upset.
4) Spain
Spain is on a roll! They’ve dominated the tournament so far, winning all their matches in the group stage without giving up a single goal. This impressive performance earned them a spot in the knockout rounds, where they faced Georgia in the round of 16. Despite a scare from an early own goal, Spain bounced back in style, scoring four unanswered goals through Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo. Now, they face a tougher challenge against Germany in the quarterfinals, a match that could be a preview of the final.
