The highly anticipated knockout stage of Euro 2024 is upon us, following an exhilarating group phase that delivered upsets, stunning goals, and unforgettable moments. Out of the initial 24 nations, sixteen formidable teams remain, ready to battle it out for the coveted European Championship trophy in Germany. As the tournament intensifies, here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the round of 16 at Euro 2024.
⚽ Which Teams Have Qualified for the Round of 16 at Euro 2024?
The path to the round of 16 has been paved with drama and excitement. These are the sixteen teams that have successfully navigated the group stage and earned their place in the knockout rounds:
- Germany (Group A Winners)
- Switzerland (Group A Runners-up)
- Spain (Group B Winners)
- Italy (Group B Runners-up)
- England (Group C Winners)
- Denmark (Group C Runners-up)
- Slovenia (Third place, Group C)
- Austria (Group D Winners)
- France (Group D Runners-up)
- Netherlands (Third place, Group D)
- Romania (Group E Winners)
- Belgium (Group E Runners-up)
- Slovakia (Third place, Group E)
- Portugal (Group F Winners)
- Turkey (Group F Runners-up)
- Georgia (Third place, Group F)
⚽ How Did Teams Qualify for the Euro 2024 Round of 16?
Qualification for the round of 16 at Euro 2024 was determined by the group stage performance. The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically secured their spots in the knockout phase. Adding to the drama, the four best third-placed teams across all groups also advanced, creating a diverse and competitive lineup for the round of 16. This format ensures that even teams with a less-than-perfect group stage still have a chance to compete for the championship.
⚽ What is the Knockout Stage Format at Euro 2024?
The Euro 2024 knockout stage is a single-elimination tournament. Starting with the round of 16, each match is a decisive encounter. The winner progresses to the next round, while the loser is eliminated from the tournament. Victories in the round of 16 lead to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals, and ultimately, the final match to decide the Euro 2024 champion. This high-stakes format promises intense and captivating football as teams fight for survival in every game.
⚽ Key Dates for Euro 2024 Knockout Matches
Mark your calendars! Here are the crucial dates for the Euro 2024 knockout stage:
- Round of 16: June 29 – July 2
- Quarterfinals: July 5 & 6
- Semifinals: July 9 & 10
- Final: July 14
⚽ Group Stage Standouts: Best Performing Teams at Euro 2024
Several teams impressed during the Euro 2024 group stage, but Spain stood out as the only nation to achieve a perfect record, winning all three of their group matches. Hosts Germany also demonstrated strong form, securing two wins and a draw. Austria and Portugal both showcased their capabilities with two victories and one defeat each, indicating their potential to make deep runs in the knockout rounds. These teams enter the round of 16 with significant momentum and high expectations.
⚽ Top Goal Scorers Heading into the Round of 16
The race for the Euro 2024 Golden Boot is heating up! Georges Mikautadze of Georgia currently leads the scoring charts with three goals. A chasing pack of five players are tied in second place with two goals each: Jamal Musiala and Niclas Fullkrug from Germany, Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands, Razvan Marin representing Romania, and Ivan Schranz of Slovakia. The knockout stage provides these top scorers, and others, the platform to add to their tallies and potentially become the tournament’s leading marksman.
⚽ Extra Time and Penalties in Euro 2024 Knockout Matches
In the high-pressure environment of the Euro 2024 knockout stage, drawn matches are resolved definitively. If teams are level after 90 minutes of regular play, the game proceeds to extra time, consisting of two 15-minute periods. Should the score remain tied after extra time, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. This sudden-death format adds another layer of drama and tension to every knockout match, ensuring a clear victor on the day.
⚽ Euro 2024 Round of 16 Match Schedule: Dates, Times, and Venues
Here’s the complete schedule for the Euro 2024 round of 16, including kick-off times and host cities:
- Switzerland vs Italy: June 29, 6pm CEST (4pm GMT) at Olympiastadion, Berlin
- Germany vs Denmark: June 29, 9pm CEST (7pm GMT) at BVB Stadion, Dortmund
- England vs Slovakia: June 30, 6pm CEST (4pm GMT) at Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
- Spain vs Georgia: June 30, 9pm CEST (7pm GMT) at Cologne Stadium, Cologne
- France vs Belgium: July 1, 6pm CEST (4pm GMT) at Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf
- Portugal vs Slovenia: July 1, 9pm CEST (7pm GMT) at Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt
- Romania vs Netherlands: July 2, 6pm CEST (4pm GMT) at Munich Football Arena, Munich
- Austria vs Turkey: July 2, 9pm CEST (7pm GMT) at Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig
Euro 2024 Round of 16: Team Routes and Head-to-Head Records
To further understand the upcoming clashes, let’s examine each team’s journey through the group stage and their historical head-to-head records against their round of 16 opponents:
Switzerland
- Route to Round of 16: 3-1 win vs Hungary, 1-1 draw vs Scotland, 1-1 draw vs Germany
- Head-to-Head vs Italy: 8 wins, 29 losses, 24 draws
Italy
- Route to Round of 16: 2-1 win vs Albania, 0-1 loss vs Spain, 1-1 draw vs Croatia
- Head-to-Head vs Switzerland: 29 wins, 8 losses, 24 draws
Germany
- Route to Round of 16: 5-1 win vs Scotland, 2-0 win vs Hungary, 1-1 draw vs Switzerland
- Head-to-Head vs Denmark: 15 wins, 8 losses, 5 draws
Denmark
- Route to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs Slovenia, 1-1 draw vs England, 0-0 draw vs Serbia
- Head-to-Head vs Germany: 8 wins, 15 losses, 5 draws
England
- Route to Round of 16: (Original article missing England’s route – to be researched and added if necessary for better content, for now keeping as per original)
- Head-to-Head vs Slovakia: 5 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw
Slovakia
- Route to Round of 16: 1-0 win vs Belgium, 1-2 loss vs Ukraine, 1-1 draw vs Romania
- Head-to-Head vs England: 0 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw
Spain
- Route to Round of 16: 3-0 win vs Croatia, 1-0 win vs Italy, 1-0 win vs Albania
- Head-to-Head vs Georgia: 6 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws
Georgia
- Route to Round of 16: 1-3 loss vs Turkey, 1-1 draw vs Czechia, 2-0 win vs Portugal
- Head-to-Head vs Spain: 1 win, 6 losses, 0 draws
France
- Route to Round of 16: 1-0 win vs Austria, 0-0 draw vs Netherlands, 1-1 draw vs Poland
- Head-to-Head vs Belgium: 26 wins, 30 losses, 19 draws
Belgium
- Route to Round of 16: 0-1 loss vs Slovakia, 2-0 win vs Romania, 0-0 draw vs Ukraine
- Head-to-Head vs France: 30 wins, 26 losses, 19 draws
Portugal
- Route to Round of 16: 2-1 win vs Czechia, 3-0 win vs Turkey, 0-2 loss vs Georgia
- Head-to-Head vs Slovenia: 0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws
Slovenia
- Route to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs Denmark, 1-1 draw vs Serbia, 0-0 draw vs England
- Head-to-Head vs Portugal: 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws
Romania
- Route to Round of 16: 3-0 win vs Ukraine, 0-2 loss vs Belgium, 1-1 draw vs Slovakia
- Head-to-Head vs Netherlands: 1 win, 10 losses, 3 draws
Netherlands
- Route to Round of 16: 2-1 win vs Poland, 0-0 draw vs France, 2-3 loss vs Austria
- Head-to-Head vs Romania: 10 wins, 1 loss, 3 draws
Austria
- Route to Round of 16: 0-1 loss vs France, 3-1 win vs Poland, 3-2 win vs Netherlands
- Head-to-Head vs Turkey: 9 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw
Turkey
- Route to Round of 16: 3-1 win vs Georgia, 0-3 loss vs Portugal, 2-1 win vs Czechia
- Head-to-Head vs Austria: 7 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw
The Euro 2024 round of 16 promises a series of thrilling encounters. With a mix of group stage dominators and resilient third-placed qualifiers, the knockout phase is set to deliver drama, excitement, and potentially, some major surprises as teams battle for a place in the quarterfinals and continue their quest for European glory.
