England under-fire as Slovakia plan major coup

With the group stage finished all eyes now turn towards the Round of 16 and the start of the knockout fixtures.

The standout tie sees France taking on Belgium, while one of the fairy tale stories of the Euros Georgia will look to continue their remarkable run against Spain.

Wide World of Sports breaks down the eight match ups that will set up the championship for the pointy end.

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Switzerland vs Italy

The Italians literally left it to the final kick of the group stage as a Mattia Zaccagni’s dramatic equaliser against Croatia guided the defending champions into the round of 16.

Italian manager Luciano Spalletti though will be aware his team will need to improve their performance if they are to overcome an always tough Switzerland team.

The Swiss overcame a tricky group and were unfortunate not to finish above hosts Germany after conceding an injury-time Niclas Fullkrug goal on the final match day.

Italy will need Federico Chiesa and Nicolo Barella to be at their very best if they are to see off the challenge of a Switzerland team, who will be heading into the contest high on confidence led by their inspirational captain Granit Xhaka.

Tip: Italy

Germany vs Denmark

Hosts Germany will head into their round of 16 game confident they can grow on a positive group stage showing.

German coach Julian Nagelsmann will once again look to young talents Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala to help guide the team past a plucky Denmark outfit who finished second behind England in Group C.

Ultimately Germany should have too much for a Danish team who appear to be coming to the end of a generation, but as this tournament has showcased, underestimate a team at your peril.

Tip: Germany

England vs Slovakia

England‘s turgid group performances have been well documented as Gareth Southgate has seemingly struggled to inspire a talent-laden squad.

England’s struggles down the left, as well the midfield makeup has only piled the pressure on Southgate and his team ahead of the knockout rounds.

Whether England have enough time to address these issues, only time will tell, as Southgate and his coaching team look to utilise the talents of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden especially.

Slovakia will be aware of the noise around England and will look to stifle the space the English players are able to operate in.

Tip: England

Spain vs Georgia

This contest brings together the most impressive team against one of the feel-good stories to emerge from the group stage.

Spain has been the clear standout throughout the tournament so far as the control and movement especially out wide through the skill and pace of both Lamina Yamal and Nico Williams lit up the group of death.

The ability of Spain’s midfield led by the class of Rodri to possess and link both defence and attack has also played a key role in Spain’s showings so far and will be an area they will look to dominate once again.

Georgia, on the other hand, will look to their own star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who was instrumental in their defeat of Portugal.

Georgia will once again head into this contest as heavy underdogs, but Spain will be wary of taking them lightly.

Tip: Spain

France vs Belgium

On paper, this looks to be the standout fixture of the last 16, as many experts’ favourites for the tournament, France, take on a Belgium team that still possesses the quality of Kevin De Bruyne and the goal-scoring threat of Romelu Lukaku.

France have been far from their best so far at the Euros with star player Kylian Mbappe suffering a nasty broken nose, while the French’s much-vaunted attack has failed to fire.

France have shown in previous tournaments that the bigger the game the better they perform, while Belgium will need to lift if they are to challenge a French team that possesses undoubted quality across the pitch.

Tip: France

Portugal vs Slovenia

Portugal, despite slipping up in their last group match against Georgia, were relatively comfortable in securing their qualification.

Much of the discussion around the Portuguese has been about how Roberto Martinez best utilises Cristiano Ronaldo amongst the galaxy of youthful attacking options at his disposal.

In truth, Portugal should have too much for a Slovenian team which has already surpassed pre-tournament expectations by reaching the round of 16.

All eyes will be on Ronaldo to see if he is able to get off the mark for the tournament while Slovenia will look to their own hitman, Benjamin Sesko, to keep the Portuguese defence honest.

Tip: Portugal

Romania vs Netherlands

On the face of it, the Netherlands should have far too much for a Romanian team that lacks the star power of previous generations. Romania, though, have showcased an unyielding team spirit in their run to the knockout stages as they topped a group featuring Belgium.

The Dutch’s struggles up front have been well highlighted with Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay carrying the load for a team which lacks a clinical edge.

Ronald Koeman will know his team’s performances have been scratchy up to this point and will be hoping his team leader and captain, Virgil van Dijk, can help guide them through this tricky encounter.

Tip: Netherlands

Austria vs Turkey

In what could be the most intriguing round of 16 fixture, an energetic Austrian team will take on an always passionate Turkey.

Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian outfit were ultra-impressive in topping a group containing both France and the Netherlands, with their high pressing performances laying the foundations for the attacking talents of Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic to shine.

Turkey themselves have shown glimpses of their best form with midfield leader Hakan Calhanoglu and bright young talent Ardu Guler key. They’ll need to continue to shine if Turkey are to make the quarter finals.

Tip: Austria