You’d have to be some kind of prophet, or a very wealthy gambler, to have predicted the make-up of Euro 2020’s last eight.
What a remarkable tournament it has been so far. Upsets and own goals galore, a VAR system that actually works and even England beating Germany. What on earth is going on?
The emotionally-charged Danes, resurgent Spaniards, and French-slaying Swiss join an England side seeking an end to the 55 years of hurt, a golden Belgian generation desperate to cash in, the powerful Czechs, ruthless Italians and free-flowing Ukrainians in the quarter-finals.
Here’s the lowdown on each of the teams gunning for a spot in the semi-finals…
England are one of the last eight teams remaining in a thrilling European Championship
SWITZERLAND
How did they get here?
With the best performance in the country’s history, that’s how they got here. Let’s be honest, France were ripe for the taking and there was an arrogance in thinking they could lean on moments of quality to carry them through.
But Didier Deschamps’ tactical meltdown aside, the Swiss were magnificent.
They know Vladimir Petkovic’s system inside out and have a number of solid if unspectacular players who love representing their country. Arsenal fans must look at Granit Xhaka in disbelief – he’s the hard-nosed, technically-gifted midfielder they’ve craved for so long when he dons a Switzerland shirt.
There was a huge outpouring of emotion as Switzerland beat France on penalties to progress
Yan Sommer (left) was the penalty hero after saving from Kylian Mbappe in the shootout
To miss a penalty at 1-0 up against the world champions, go 3-1 down and still have the capacity to drag themselves back into the game, forcing extra time and penalties was remarkable.
They were frankly unlucky not to beat Wales in the opener, completely shown up by Italy but demonstrated just what they can do in a 3-1 win over Turkey in Group A.
Backing up a once-in-a-generation performance a few days later will be a big ask but if Petkovic can bottle that magical spirit of the French fightback, who knows…
Best player so far
Breel Embolo. A tricky choice given Xhaka’s outstanding work and Manuel Akanji’s rock-solid defending but Embolo offers a real point of difference to this team.
He’s a supreme athlete and seems to have matured after being burdened by expectation as a promising youngster.
Embolo, 24, will surely have plenty of suitors banging on Borussia Monchengladbach’s door this summer. He scored against Wales, has blistering pace and is the perfect partner to the battling Haris Seferovic up front. The Spanish are there to be counter-attacked and Embolo’s success at sniffing opportunities in behind could be key.
Breel Embolo (centre) has been a handful for defenders to deal with all tournament
Strengths
The Swiss are well drilled and know their system. Petkovic’s three at the back works well with the hard-working and intelligent Silvan Widmer and Steven Zuber on the flanks. Resilience is the key strength, they don’t know they’re beaten and possess a steel to stick in the game when they’re losing momentum.
Weaknesses
The creative burden lies with Xherdan Shaqiri and if the diminutive playmaker has an off night there can be a lack of cutting edge. Any team aside from the French should have seen out that last-16 tie without any issues.
Fun fact
This is the first time in 67 years (World Cup 1954) that Switzerland have reached the quarter-final of a major tournament.
SPAIN
How did they get here?
The Spanish were blunt in their opener against Sweden in a dour stalemate and it was a similar story against Poland in a 1-1 draw to follow up.
Luis Enrique’s team play some lovely football but don’t have a killer instinct in the final third. So their 5-0 demolition of Slovakia in the final group game was a perfect antidote.
They carried that momentum forward to slot five more past the Croatians in the last-16 in one of the games of the tournament. Luka Modric and Co forced a last-gasp equaliser to take it to extra time but Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal put the game out of reach.
Spain will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals after finding a way past Croatia
Best player so far
Pedri. What were you doing aged 18? This special talent is the present and future for Barcelona and Spain.
His positional play is so intelligent, passing a joy to behold and sticky first touch makes up for his slight frame.
He’s played every minute of all four games for Spain so far and Enrique trusts Pedri implicitly.
Strengths
Spain dominate the ball. In almost every game they play, they will have more control and possession than the opposition.
Xavi and Iniesta are long gone but the legacy of that legendary Spanish side remains in the way La Roja go about their business. Sergio Busquets pulls the strings and everyone is incredibly comfortable holding onto the ball.
Pedri (left) has been one of the shining lights of the tournament so far for La Roja
Weaknesses
There is uncertainty at centre-back and the aerial bombardment at the end of the Croatia game exposed Pau Torres’ limitations. Teams might now see that as the blueprint to get at this defence but it is at the top end of the pitch that doubts still remain.
Morata carries a huge weight of expectation and, even though he shifted the monkey off his back with a goal against Croatia, he does not seem to be the goalscorer who can lead them to the championship.
Fun fact
Spain’s thrilling win over Croatia was the second highest-scoring game ever in the tournament, behind only Yugoslavia’s 5-4 win over France in the semi-finals in 1960.
Alvaro Morata silenced his critics with a goal in extra time against Croatia
BELGIUM
How did they get here?
One of only two sides remaining in the competition to have won every game so far, the Belgians might not have the strongest team overall but their top stars shine the brightest.
Romelu Lukaku smashed in a brace in a comfortable opening win over Russia, the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard against Denmark completely turned the game around after half-time and it was Lukaku again on the scoresheet against Finland to cap off a perfect group phase.
The Portugal game was always going to be a tricky one to be negotiated. Thorgan Hazard’s swerving strike proved decisive but at what cost? De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were both forced off with injuries and are major doubts for the game against Italy. The Manchester City midfielder is arguably the best player at the tournament and will be sorely missed.
Belgium battled past Portugal with a narrow 1-0 win sending them through to the next round
Best player so far
Romelu Lukaku. The Inter Milan striker has backed up his Scudetto-winning campaign in Italy with more prolific form. His power and clinical edge in front of goal makes him so hard for centre-backs to deal with. He’s currently on three goals but will fancy his chances for the Golden Boot if Belgium can find a way past Italy on Friday.
Strengths
When fully fit, Belgium have the best striker and midfielder in the tournament in Lukaku and De Bruyne. They would both start for any other team in world football and having both men is a luxury most coaches can only dream of.
Kevin De Bruyne will be a massive miss for Belgium if he misses the Italy game
Weaknesses
Defensively, there are questions about the creaking bones of some aging legs. Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen have an average age of 34 and it remains to be seen whether they can hold up the deeper into the tournament we go.
Fun fact
Thorgan Hazard has scored four goals for Belgium since his brother Eden last scored for the national team.
ITALY
How did they get here?
Roberto Mancini’s juggernaut keeps rolling on. We’re so accustomed to seeing the Azzurri creep their way to the latter stages of major tournaments through organisation, iron-clad winning mentality and counter-attacking that it has been refreshing to see a total change of tack.
They smashed three past Turkey in the curtain-raiser and another three past Switzerland, who showed against France they are no pushovers.
Then a slender 1-0 win over Wales confirmed a perfect group record before Austria pushed them hard in the last-16.
David Alaba and Co put up an almighty fight to take the game to extra time but eventually the resistance was broken by substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina.
Italy have been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament so far this summer
Best player so far
Jorginho. The Chelsea midfielder has had his fair share of criticism for being too passive but so many managers see his value. The control he brings to midfield is of huge importance and he is undoubtedly the quarterback.
Strengths
The power of the collective is what this team is all about. Of course, the defensive knowhow and miserly streak is still there with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, but there is a great mix of youth and experience.
Mancini is one of the managers with the greatest pedigree in the competition and has forged a great team spirit on an incredible 31-game unbeaten run.
Leonardo Bonucci is still going strong and Italy have as strong a defence as ever
Weaknesses
If the game is tight, there’s nobody on the Italy team who could be described as an out-and-out game changer. There’s no superstar or talisman and in one sense that’s a strength of this side. We’ll see if it becomes a problem when the strains of knockout football begin to tell.
Fun fact
Italy have gone to extra time on eight occasions in the European Championship, more than any other team in history.
CZECH REPUBLIC
How did they get here?
Scottish fans look away now. The Czechs announced themselves at this tournament with that wondergoal lob from Patrik Schick that is probably still keeping David Marshall up at night.
The striker followed up his brace at Hampden Park with a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Croatia to secure passage to the next round.
The Czechs fell short against England, their potential semi-final opponents at Wembley, but the job had been done by then.
Patrik Schick scored one of the goals of the tournament from 49 yards in against Scotland
Few expected them to put Holland to the sword but after a hard-fought 55 minutes, the game changed with Matthijs de Ligt’s red card.
Tomas Holes and Schick notched the crucial goals against the 10 men and teed up a quarter-final with Denmark that should hold no fear for Jaroslav Silhavy.
Best player so far
Schick. Who else? There are a few teams in the Euros who would kill for a marksman like the 25-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star.
He can score all kinds of goals, is great in the air, which is crucial in this side, and is the key man. Schick also links play very well and brings a workmanlike midfield up the pitch. He’s integral to everything positive about this team.
Schick has been outstanding for the Czech Republic and come up with key goals for the team
Strengths
The Czechs might be the most dangerous team from set-pieces and crosses left in the Euros. Major tournaments can often be won and lost by the smallest of margins and this is a huge feather in their cap. They are physically imposing and the likes of West Ham’s Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal typify what they are all about.
Weaknesses
England showed that if you can match the Czechs for desire and confrontation that their pockets of quality in the team can be neutered. Any top side will know they’ve been in a game but it would be a miracle if they were to go beyond a semi-final.
Fun fact
Schick’s wonder strike was scored from exactly the same distance – 49 yards – as Pedri backpass for Unai Simon’s own goal for Spain against Croatia.
Tomas Soucek is a key man for the Czech side in the heart of their midfield
DENMARK
How did they get here?
The Danes have experienced just about every emotion en route to their quarter-final date with the Czech Republic.
Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest on the pitch in the opener against Finland was a harrowing moment for the football world and it seemed for a dreadful half an hour or so that an unthinkable tragedy had occurred.
But the arresting image of Eriksen’s devastated team-mates forming a shield around him and the captain Simon Kjær consoling Eriksen’s wife will live long in the memory. The response of the team was heroic in adversity and they now have every neutral behind them.
Christian Eriksen is recovering and doing well after his cardiac arrest against Finland
The Danes have pulled together and coped admirably with everything thrown at them
The Danes went on to lose the opener to Finland by a solitary goal and suffered a 2-1 defeat by Belgium in the following clash. But a thumping 4-1 win over Russia ensured progression and the way they dismantled the Welsh 4-0 in the last 16 was so impressive.
Denmark were picked as dark horses before the tournament started and are now fully justifying that tag. Losing a player of the calibre of Eriksen is tough to take but they have coped phenomenally well.
Best player so far
Mikkel Damsgaard. The 20-year-old Sampdoria midfielder was a player few outside of Denmark or Italy were aware of before the Euros.
But he has been a shining light, offering the kind of creativity and technical prowess Eriksen usually brings to the side. Damsgaard also has a goal in him and the powerful strike against Russia was one of the goals of the tournament.
Mikkel Damsgaard, 20, has been one of the standout players for Denmark
Strengths
The togetherness of this team has been forged in the aftermath of Eriksen’s collapse and that is an incredibly powerful tool to have. But this group have quality too. Kasper Dolberg, Damsgaard, Youssuf Poulsen and Martin Brathwaite all offer goal threats, the midfield of Pierre Hojbjerg and Thomas Delaney are rock solid and a back three of Andreas Christensen, Kjaer and Jannick Vestergaard offer real quality too. In short, the Danes have a very well-balanced side capable of upsetting anyone on their day.
Weaknesses
The defeat by Belgium showed that against the very best quality and without Eriksen they do not have quite enough in midfield to match up with top sides in the centre of the pitch.
Fun fact
Denmark previously made history with their 4-0 win over Wales, becoming the first team ever to score four goals in successive European Championship games – only for Spain to then go one better with back-to-back five-goal hauls.
The Danes will be hopeful of progressing to the semi-final having coasted past Wales
UKRAINE
How did they get here?
It feels as though Ukraine have jumped into these quarter finals via the trap door. They only just managed to beat North Macedonia in the group stage and survived a couple of real scares in that game.
Defeat in their thrilling opener against Holland was followed by a 1-0 loss to Austria in the last group clash but three points was enough to set up a last-16 tie with Sweden.
Andriy Shevchenko’s men rode their luck against the Swedes on Tuesday night and it seemed as though the game was destined for a shootout.
But Artem Dovbyk’s 120th-minute winner sparked scenes of jubilation and ensured a date in Rome with England on Saturday night.
Artem Dovbyk scored a dramatic 120th-minute winner for Ukraine to break Swedish hearts
Best player so far
Andriy Yarmolenko. The West Ham winger has never been able to stay fit enough for a solid run in the Premier League but there is no doubting his quality. He relishes being the main man for Ukraine and is so often the difference maker in the final third. Only Shevchenko has more than his 42 international goals.
Strengths
Perhaps unsurprisingly for the team playing in the image of one of Europe’s great strikers, Ukraine are fun to watch going forward. They have flair and creativity greater than the sum of their parts and a solid midfield three to back them up in Mykola Sharapenko, Taras Stepanenko and Serhiy Sydorchuk.
Opposition teams have no doubt about who the danger man is, Andriy Yarmolenko (centre)
Weaknesses
This team will always give up chances and goals. They are the weakest team left in the competition defensively and England’s forwards, Harry Kane in particular, will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing them. Ukraine have already conceded six so far and unless Shevchenko makes a miraculous tactical shift that will continue.
Fun fact
Oleksandr Zinchenko is the fifth different Manchester City player to score at Euro 2020 (also De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Aymeric Laporte, Torres) – only Atalanta (also five) have had as many different players score at the tournament.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is one of the Manchester City players to star at the Euros
ENGLAND
How did they get here?
How bizarre it is to see an unflappable England side at a major tournament. The fans’ feathers have been ruffled by Southgate’s conservative team selections but the pragmatic manager has justified his decisions with gritty, hard-nosed tournament football that we’re more used to seeing from our more successful continental rivals.
The opener against Croatia was dull but assured and England never really felt in danger. Scotland was a blot on the copybook but a stalemate against the fired-up Auld Enemy was hardly a disaster. If there were any lingering doubts about how England will go about the Euros, they were put to bed with another steely display against the Czech Republic in a 1-0 win.
All the conservatism would have been completely pointless without Tuesday’s win over Germany. It feels strange to write those words. A win over Germany. But England grew into the game magnificently and were clinical in the second half when Jack Grealish came on to lift the team to another level.
England have restricted their opponents to the lowest xG (1.3) of the tournament and are the only side yet to concede.
England broke their hoodoo against the Germans and dumped them out the tournament
Gareth Southgate’s side are now into the quarter-finals and will take on Ukraine
Best player so far
Sterling. The Manchester City winger has fully repaid the loyalty shown in him by Southgate with three goals so far. He’s a constant threat, has the pace to get in behind, is willing to take a player on and will not shirk his defensive duties. Sterling has become undroppable.
Strengths
Few would have predicted that England’s strength in this tournament would be the defence. If anything, most anticipated that it would be an area of fragility, but with the shield of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips in front, Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Tyrone Mings have been exceptional when called upon, as have Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier. Jordan Pickford looks unrecognisable from the gaffe-prone Everton keeper and seems to grow a foot taller in an England shirt.
John Stones and his fellow England defenders have acquitted themselves admirably
Weaknesses
England can improve in transition and knit play together with more fluency between midfield and attack. All too often the forward play has been too slow and predictable. It will be fascinating to see if Mason Mount is put straight back into the team for Ukraine.
Fun fact
Kalvin Phillips regained possession of the ball 11 times against Germany, the most by an England player in a Euros match since Tony Adams did so 13 times, also against Germany, at Euro 1996.
Kalvin Phillips was a constant menace in midfield and has been integral for England