With the click of a finger, the last 16 Euro 2024 done and dusted. Although there weren't many big shocks, some top sides were given a big scare.
England needed Jude Bellingham's 95th-minute free kick to avoid an embarrassing defeat against Slovakia, while Portugal were beaten on penalties by a strong and resilient Slovenia side. France may not have needed extra time or spot-kicks to get past Belgium, but they did need Jan Vertonghen's goal to do so.
The most surprising result of this round came in the capital Switzerland beating a poor Italian team 2-0 without any noise. That means the title holders will no longer be able to defend their title.
Within the drama, there were many different shows. Here are the six stars who stood out the most in the last 16.
Germany's Jamal Musiala has made a name for himself at Euro 2024 so far and produced another strong performance as Germany won 2-0 against Denmark. In a stormy Signal Iduna Park, the Bayern Munich star was part of it.
Having scored two goals in Euro 2024 so far, Musiala added a third in the tournament. Running behind Denmark's back line, the youngster showed great composure over the busy Kasper Schmeichel. He is now the joint leading scorer in the competition.
His trickery also proved difficult for the opposition to contain, drifting across the forward line without his regular attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
When is Rodri uncomfortable? The Manchester City ace took his formidable form to the national team at Euro 2024 and looked well-rested with a 4-1 last-16 win over Georgia as he was suspended for the final group game in Spain.
Sure enough, the defensive midfielder produced another catch moment. He is now renowned for scoring big goals at crucial moments and gifted La Roja their equalizer with a left-footed drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
However, it was his all-around show that was the most entertaining. Incredibly, he had more touchdowns than any other player (129), dropped just eight of 117 passes and recovered the ball 12 times – four more than anyone else on the field.
Rodri is truly a cheat code in the Spanish midfield.
Ruben Vargas had a quiet performance at Euro 2024 bombing up and down the left flank, but saved his memorable performance for the last 16 tie against Italy. Playing a more advanced role, the man from Augsburg was at the heart of everything for Murat Yakin's side.
It was a powerful run by Vargas and a good cross that found Remo Freuler in the box for Switzerland's first game. The 25-year-old's pace proved too much for Giovanni Di Lorenzo and he found a pass that matched his fiery arrow from behind.
However, his most eye-catching goal came 30 seconds into the break. Finding space inside the Italian penalty area, Vargas curled a stunning effort into Gianluigi Donnarumma's top corner. It was an unstoppable strike and moment that booked Switzerland a place in the quarter-finals.
Fabian Ruiz has been one of Spain's brightest sparks in a star-studded midfield, with the Paris Saint-Germain star being asked to play closer to the opposition penalty area than he usually does in the French capital. Luis de la Fuente's orders paid dividends.
The 28-year-old grabbed his second goal of Euro 2024 against Georgia, scoring a strike that put Spain ahead for the first time in the match six minutes after the restart. He would later provide the assist for La Roja's third win.
His attacking influence was clear when you looked closely at the statistics. He attempted seven shots throughout the game, finished four of five and made 12 passes to the final third – creating two opportunities in the process.
If you're going to watch just one player for the rest of Euro 2024, let it be Nico Williams. The tournament's most exciting player and one of the brightest stars in world football, the defender has been relentless and devastating for La Roja.
Surprisingly, Williams registered his first goals of the tournament in the Last 16. He stopped Rodri's effort and a turn of speed, passed the defender and a good finish added the third to Spain's tally. The 21-year-old has not yet been charged with abusing another defense.
He boasted ten touches in the opposition penalty area, only Lamine Yamal had more, and finished the game with the second most assists of any player on the pitch.
Portugal may not have made it to the Last 16 but Diogo Costa didn't. Giving his best impression of Emiliano Martinez, the Porto goalkeeper was the one who decided his country's progress to the last eight in Germany.
Having been untested for most of the game, Costa was called into extra time with the game goalless. A mistake from veteran Pepe allowed Benjamin Sesko a one-v-one, but Costa's strong outstretched leg denied the Slovenian striker at the crucial moment.
Penalties were then kicked. Goalkeepers can boast if they save one goal but Costa managed to stop all three attempts by Slovenia. Slovenia's penalties were decent strikes but matched by better saves.
Costa's left and right saves embarrassed Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.
READ THE LATEST EURO 2024 NEWS, PREVIEWS AND PLAYER RATINGS
Source link
