The group stage of Euro 2024 has almost been and gone. A fortnight of epic action on German soil has seen some big upsets and some rather predictable outcomes too. As we prepare to enter the knockout stages of the last 16 and beyond, it’s time to turn our attention to what’s most likely to happen in the latter stages of the tournament.
Euro 2024 has been well received across the continent. When there is a major international or continental football tournament during the close season it always helps to keep football front and centre in popular culture. That’s aided by the release of new football video games and even football-themed slots like Gold Trio Football which are highly featured at this time of the year in online casino game libraries.
Below, we make three bold predictions for the rest of the tournament, based on what we’ve seen with our own eyes at Euro 2024.
Spain to win Euro 2024
No other nation has impressed in this summer’s Euro 2024 finals quite like the Spaniards. It’s all the more impressive when you consider that few pundits and analysts were talking up Spain’s chances of winning the tournament in May. In their so-called “Group of Death” in Group B, Spain brushed aside Croatia and Italy with relative ease, scoring four and keeping clean sheets in both contests.
Spain’s new-look squad is brimming with youthful exuberance, with the likes of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal providing the pace and creative flair for central striker, Alvaro Morata.
Portugal to face Spain in the semi-finals
Spain’s near neighbours, Portugal, have been another surprise package. They started the competition as dark horses, rather like the Spaniards, and are now firmly in the conversation to win the tournament. They too won their opening two group games to top their group.
Cristiano Ronaldo is playing in his sixth European Championships and will be looking to finish his time for the national team in style. This is likely to conclude with a semi-final encounter with their bitter rivals, Spain, providing the teams maintain their current trajectories.
Germany on a collision course with Spain in the last eight
Tournament hosts, Germany, have also topped their group to secure a simple passage into the last 16. They will be facing the runners-up of England’s group, before more than likely encountering Spain in the quarter-finals.
Germany have impressed more than the likes of pre-tournament favourites England and France, so with the home crowd behind them there’s still a chance they could cause an upset and dump Spain out en-route to the last four.
There’s so many exciting trials and tribulations on the horizon in the last 16 and beyond. A summer of tournament football really is one to savour until next season’s fixtures are published.
Image credit – Photo by Peri Stojnic on Unsplash
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