Excitement intensifies as knockout stages take shape

Photo: Reuters

Euro 2020 has delivered plenty of drama so far, albeit a year late, but there promises to be plenty more in store as the continent's biggest teams enter the tournament-defining games in the third and final round of group stage matches.

Only three teams have secured a place in the next round so far: Italy from Group A and the Netherlands from Group C – both of whom are looking to make a point to prove after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup -- and Belgium from Group B.

There would be a far larger scope for disappointments and early exits were the round of 16 to be made up of only first and second-placed teams at the conclusion of the group stages. However, 'wildcard' entries for the four best third-place finishers means that most big teams can reasonably expect to hang on and make it through to the next round. Goal difference then becomes a bone of contention, although getting points on the board is still a prerequisite.

A re-match of the 2016 Euro final between France and Portugal in Group F could prove to be one of the most crucial fixtures of the group stages. A draw would perhaps be enough for both teams to advance, but a heavy loss one way or another could knock one of 2016's finalists out at the first hurdle.

Fernando Santos' side looked lost against Germany in a 4-2 defeat on Sunday, the 66-year-old completely flummoxed by Joachim Loew's 3-4-3. Then again, world champions France did themselves no favours as they followed up their win against Germany with a rescue mission during a 1-1 draw against Hungary.

At the least that kept things interesting in the group of death, but Hungary coach Marco Rossi would not rule out the possibility of his side springing a surprise. "We are fighting tooth and nail for our place in the sun. The mother of idiots is always pregnant," he said, referring presumably to those who continue to doubt Hungary despite creditable performances.

England, who were especially toothless against their oldest rivals Scotland, will be especially desperate to get off the mark. The self-anointed favourites have lacked that spark in both games as Gareth Southgate's underwhelming team selection and tactics gelled perfectly with the indifferent attitude of his players.

Spain also find themselves in a spot of bother following their second consecutive draw in the tournament after being let down again by their forwards, chiefly Alvaro Morata, whose shooting boots are yet to re-appear since vanishing during an ill-fated flight to London. Coach Luis Enrique must surely also shoulder some of the blame for some awkward decisions, but everything now hinges on their final game against Slovakia. Nothing less than a win will guarantee La Furia Roja's continuation.

Another interesting twist is that the teams that are scheduled to play later will have a much clearer idea of who their opponents could be in the next round. Some hugely optimistic England fans even went so far as to suggest that Southgate intentionally drew the match versus Scotland so that he would have a window to finish second in the group if that would set them up against relatively weaker opponents. That sort of mindset does not really invoke winning mentality, but teams will certainly be looking for any edge that they can get.