Euro 2024: Headlines from the round of 16

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With the round of 16 reaching its culmination, all roads now lead to the quarter-finals for the remaining eight teams vying for glory at Euro 2024. 

The Germany-based tournament certainly hasn’t disappointed, with shock results, wonder goals and dominant performances throughout. 

The first knockout round featured all of the above, making it hard to predict for those who dabble in betting on football online. 

That said, let’s take a look at the headlines from the recent round of 16. 

Edgy England leave it late against Slovakia

Despite entering Euro 2024 as one of the pre-tournament favourites, England have yet to find their spark in Germany and were just seconds away from crashing out of the competition in what surely would have been dubbed a national disaster. 

Ivan Schranz gave the 45th-ranked team in the world the lead in the 25th minute and Slovakia were on the cusp of a historic victory and their first quarter-final appearance at the Euros before Jude Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick with England’s first shot on target in the 95th minute. 

That took the wind out of Slovakia’s sails and the momentum shifted going into extra-time as it took the Three Lions’ talisman Harry Kane just one minute to head in what would ultimately be the winning goal.  

Dominant Dutch see off Romania

The Netherlands have a squad littered with star talent, yet they are considered merely outsiders to win the European Championships. 

However, their dominant victory over Romania deserves rave reviews and is perhaps an indication that Ronald Koeman’s side needs to be taken more seriously in Germany. 

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Dutch in the 25th minute, and despite numerous chances to extend their lead, the game wasn’t put to bed until late on when substitute Donyell Malen scored a brace. 

Diving Diogo Costa sends Portugal into the last eight

By this stage, we all know that Cristiano Ronaldo loves being front and centre at both club and international level. 

That’s why the 39-year-old was left in tears on the pitch and at half-time in extra-time when his penalty was saved by Slovenian keeper Jan Oblak. 

Ronaldo did convert from the spot in the preceding shoot-out, but he was by no means Portugal’s hero as Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia’s attempts to book his nation’s place in the last eight.

Spectacular Spain spare their blushes against Georgia

Spain were infamously knocked out of the 2022 Qatar World Cup by underdogs of the tournament Morocco in the round of 16 ,and it looked like La Roja were going to suffer a similar feat when dark horses Georgia took the lead inside 20 minutes. 

However, Luis de la Fuente has transformed Spain into a swashbuckling side and they came back to win convincingly. 

Rodri got them on level terms before half-time and second-half goals from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo sealed a comfortable 4-1 win. 

Tricky Turkey upset Austria

The upset of the round of 16 came in Austria vs Turkey, as Vincenzo Montella’s side stunned Ralf Rangnick’s men to progress to the quarters for the first time.

Austria had been one of the standout teams of the group stage having topped Group D containing France, the Netherlands and Poland, but all their hard work came undone in a 2-1 defeat. 

Turkey were 3/1 in places to win the game in the EURO 2024 winner bets. However, two goals from Merih Demiral gave them a comfortable advantage and Turkey held on to secure the win.. 

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Defending champions Italy were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland, hosts Germany marched into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Denmark and France found a late goal to beat Belgium 1-0. 

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