Euro 2020: 5 Takeaways from the Round of 16

The Euro 2020 round of 16 finished with a tightly contested affair between Ukraine and Sweden which was edged out by the Andrey Shevchenko-coached Ukraine to complete the teams that will move onto the quarterfinals. Even before this thriller, the knockout stage has been an absolute pleasure for all neutral fans with late goals and upsets the making the headlines.

Bet Central highlights what stood out in this Round of 16. 

https://www.central.bet.co.za/soccer/euro-2020/

Organisation Trumps Flair

The Netherlands fell to the Czech Republic in a game marred by contrasting styles. The Dutch employed their all-action high tempo game plan under coach Frank de Boer and for large parts of the game looked like they would breach the Czech defence, but the team with less star quality withstood a barrage of attacks with Tomas Kalas and Ondrej Celustka standing out in a highly organised defensive effort.

Goals against the run of play from Tomas Holes and Patrick Schick ensured that the well organised side progressed to the quarterfinal. 

Euro 2020 – Team Of The Group Stage

Biggest Upset of the Tournament

When Kylian Mbappe’s penalty was saved by Yann Sommer, it brought the curtain down on an absolute bonkers day of football at Euro 2020. It also brought an end to the world champions’ Euro title quest and at the hands of unfancied Switzerland, it was the biggest upset of the tournament

France were the favourites for the title and bowing out to the Swiss was unexpected, but the Swiss were full value for their win staging a spectacular comeback when they looked dead and buried.

Culmination of Mbappe Nightmare

Ever since Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old heir apparent to the great Thierry Henry, he has hardly put a foot wrong. Rightly referred to as a future Balon d’Or winner, but the 2020 Euros will be a tournament he will want to forget quickly. He never quite got into his groove in this tournament and his awful outing in this round of 16 was the culmination of a nightmare in the French shirt in the Euros.

He is both young and talented enough to bounce back from this tournament. Brazilian football icon Pele sent him a tweet encouraging him to look forward, a sentiment which is testament to how highly rated the 22-year-old Frenchman is.  

Euro 2020 Individual Outrights – Player Of The Tournament (Updated)

Belgium Move from Dark Horses to Strong Favourites

Both 2016 finalist Portugal and France were pre-tournament favourites. The Dutch surprised all and sundry with their style of play and along with the aforementioned teams went into the last 16 as the stronger candidates for victory, but with all 3 swept aside in this round. Eyes will now be fixed on the Belgian side who eliminated the Portuguese courtesy of a Thorgan Hazard wonder strike.

While Italy and England may have a great chance with the talent and quality in their squads, the Belgians have a settled squad that’s been together for a number of years under coach Roberto Martinez.

England Should Not Be Overconfident

Social media was abuzz with tweets and posts that “It’s coming home” after England’s resounding victory over Germany and to be fair, Gareth Southgate’s side performed very well and look to be clicking at the right time. They should, however, not be overconfident going into the quarterfinals in the perceived easier side of the draw

Denmark, Czech Republic and Ukraine have all been excellent and won’t be walkovers by any means, England should draw confidence from their victory over the Germans, but must be vigilant that their quarterfinal opposition and potential semi-final opponent will give them a run for their money.