Euro 2020 enters its decisive phase. Once the group stage is over, the round of 16 arrives, in which most of the teams have great figures, to whom they cling to continue their path in the championship. For the first time in many years, there are no major absences. All the favorites have passed the group stage and the only weight loss will be that of Robert Lewandowski , as Poland failed to overcome group E.
The great aspirants bring together the majority of the cracks that are still in this European Championship. In fact, few teams that do not have world-class names on their team, such as Ukraine, the Czech Republic or Denmark , cannot count on Eriksen. In the rest of the 16 we find differential players, capable of being decisive with their individualities and who hope to reach the quarterfinals.
If there is one that stands out among all, that is Cristiano Ronaldo. Age cannot beat one of the best players in history, who is willing to break all records in this European Championship. After closing the group stage with five goals, he managed to match Iranian Ali Daei as the top scorer in the history of the national teams, reaching 109 goals. Now, he has the challenge of being the top scorer in a final phase of the Euro, which Platini holds with nine, and, the most important, of revalidating the title achieved in 2016.
It will not be easy for the European champion to reach the quarterfinals. In front will be Belgium. Another of the great favorites, which features figures of the stature of De Bruyne, one of the best players in the world today, and Eden Hazard. It remains to be seen the level of the Madridista, still limping from his latest physical problems. There is also Lukaku, differential in the first phase.
France, full of stars
But if there is a team in which it is difficult to choose one of its stars, that is France. For something they are the great favorites to be in the final and proclaim themselves champions. Griezmann and Mbappé led the world champion, until now the presence of Karim Benzema has joined. The three form the best trident of a national team at this European Championship, but they are not alone. They also have N’Golo Kanté, one of the candidates to lift the Ballon d’Or this year, with Paul Pogba or with Raphael Varane. Switzerland will be measured.
On the way to France, the Spanish team could be crossed in those quarterfinals. Those of Luis Enrique lack a star that stands out above the rest. Without too many veterans and with many promises, Spain has a more choral cast in terms of prominence. But to overcome Croatia, they will be important to the goals of one of the top European scorers of the season, Gerard Moreno, who has not yet been released. He is accompanied by Morata, Koke, Busquets, Alba and Marcos Llorente.
La Roja will face the runner-up in the world. Croatia got in extremis in the round of 16, thanks to its captain and main pillar. Luka Modric is the leader of a veteran team in which the passing of the years begins to take its toll. Even so, he has the invaluable help of Ivan Perisic, who is also one of the great players in the Balkan team.
Kane vs. Kroos and company
One of the great games of the last 16 will be the one that measures Germany against England. Together with Belgium-Portugal it is the great highlight of the first knockout round. In it you will be able to see players like Harry Kane or Raheem Sterling on the part of the English and others like Toni Kroos, Müller, Neuer or Kimmich in the Teutonic box.
One of the games in which there may be surprise is Italy-Austria. Roberto Mancini’s selection lacks great stars, but it does have very important players such as Verratti, Bonucci or Ciro Immobile. With a great game displayed in this group stage, they have become one of the favorites, but first they will have to overcome the Austria of David Alaba, who resigns to stop dreaming.
Finally, there is the Netherlands of Wijnaldum, Depay and De Jong, who want to play an important role and whose crosses, a priori, favor them to reach the semifinals. They will meet the Czech Republic in the second round. The one who wants to repeat the great performance of 2016 is Gareth Bale’s Wales , who then remained at the gates of the final and who will now face Denmark in the round of 16.
