The EURO 2024 Round of 16 is in the can, and now we look forward to the quarter-finals, which begin on Friday.
But first, it’s time to update our Power Rankings.
Disagree with our rankings? Of course you do! Be sure to tell us why in the comments.
16. Romania (👎 Last time: 9)
Romania began EURO 2024 with a 3-0 victory over Ukraine, and ended it with a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands. It was a solid effort, but unfortunately they never really laid a glove on the Dutch and were sent packing.
15. Georgia (👎 Last time: 8)
Georgia were a joy to watch in their four games at the tournament, and their goal to take the lead against Spain on Sunday threatened a huge upset, but their first ever European Championship ended with them simply being outclassed by a better team on the night.
14. Italy (👎 Last time: 6)
Their performances in the Group Stage hinted that Italy probably didn’t have enough about them to go far in this tournament, and so it proved as they were put to the sword by a serene Swiss outfit in Berlin. The holders have relinquished their crown.
13. Denmark (👍 Last time: 14)
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand was understandably annoyed after his side were denied the lead against Germany by the tightest of VAR offside calls, but that’s modern football for you. The 2020 semi-finalists are out.
12. Slovakia (👍 Last time: 16)
Slovakia were just seconds away from pulling off one of the biggest international tournament upsets of all-time when Ivan Schranz’s goal looked to have been enough to eliminate an insipid England side, only for a moment of Jude Bellingham magic in the 95th-minute to take the tie to extra-time, where Harry Kane ultimately finished the job. What an effort it was though.
11. Belgium (👍 Last time: 12)
Belgium gave as good as they got in their last 16 tie with France but were beaten by a late deflected goal. Captain Kevin De Bruyne wasn’t happy with a question in the post-match press conference about the Red Devils’ so-called “golden generation” falling short at another tournament, and he’ll no doubt be as disappointed as anyone with their showing this summer.
10. Slovenia (👍 Last time: 15)
It took 120 minutes of backs-to-the-wall defending and heroics from goalkeeper Jan Oblak for Slovenia to take Portugal to a penalty shoot-out, where they were unfortunately met by Portugal’s No 1 Diogo Costa, who refused to be beaten from the spot. How Slovenia were left to rue Benjamin Šeško’s poor finish when he found himself one-on-one with Costa in extra-time.
9. Austria (👎 Last time: 2)
After the high-octane football they treated us to in the Group Stage, many were anticipating a run to the semi-finals, if not better, for Ralf Rangnick’s Austria. But while they can consider themselves somewhat unlucky to be out, they were ultimately beaten by a Türkiye side who absolutely nobody will begrudge a place in the last eight.
8. Portugal (👍 Last time: 10)
We are still yet to see the best of Portugal at this tournament, and their propensity to funnel most of their attacking play towards Cristiano Ronaldo made them a little too one dimensional against Slovenia. They have their goalkeeper to thank for their place in the quarter-finals, where they will take on France.
7. England (👍 Last time: 13)
Journalists across the continent were preparing their obituaries of Gareth Southgate’s England tenure, only for Bellingham to save his manager’s bacon with that stunning late bicycle kick. With Switzerland awaiting the Three Lions in the next round, Southgate will surely have to shake things up tactically, or it really could be curtains for him.
6. Netherlands (👍 Last time: 11)
The shoddy nature of their defeat to Austria in their final group game suggested the Dutch could be in for a tricky game against Romania, but in the end Ronald Koeman’s side controlled the encounter from start to finish, and booked their quarter-final date with Türkiye with consummate ease.
5. Türkiye (👍 Last time: 7)
Türkiye really could pose a significant threat to the Dutch when they meet in Berlin on Saturday, however. Vincenzo Montella’s side were superb in their win over Austria, running and fighting like their lives depended on it, with goalkeeper Mert Günok also coming to his side’s rescue with an outstanding late save. The 2020 Dark Horses are truly realising their potential this summer.
4. France (👍 Last time: 5)
Tipped by many as pre-tournament favourites, Les Bleus still haven’t truly hit their stride yet, and still await a first goal from open play by one of their own players at EURO 2024. That said, they have sleepwalked into the last eight, and will be a huge problem for whoever they face if they do wake from their slumber.
3. Switzerland (👍 Last time: 4)
“Well organised”, “efficient” and “tactically adept” are just some of the many words you could use to describe a Swiss team who have looked unfazed by pretty much everything thrown at them so far this summer. They eased past Italy in the last 16, and will fancy their chances against England on Saturday, because why shouldn’t they?
2. Germany (👍 Last time: 3)
After having a goal of their own ruled out early on, Germany were fortunate that VAR prevented them from falling behind early in the second half against Denmark, before also awarding them a penalty 16 seconds later. That moment proved to be a wake-up call for Die Mannschaft, who navigated a tricky game marred by bad weather to win 2-0 and book their spot in the quarter-finals. They are the top scorers at the tournament with 10 goals so far.
1. Spain (👍 Last time: 1)
La Roja were shaken when they fell behind to Georgia on Sunday, but Rodri’s superb equaliser epitomised the composure they have shown at the tournament, and in the end they cruised to a 4-1 win.
It is perhaps unfortunate that the two best teams at the tournament so far will meet in the quarter-finals, and we will be saying goodbye to either Spain or Germany on Friday night. Whatever you do, do not miss that game.
Source Agencies
