And then there were eight. But which of the Euro 2020 quarter-finalists have impressed most so far?
8. 🇺🇦 Ukraine (👍 Previously: 16)
What a strange tournament from Ukraine so far. Impressive but beaten by the Netherlands, dominant against North Macedonia, then really poor against Austria and now probably a bit lucky to squeeze past Sweden?
They haven’t convinced but they have looked impressive in patches.
7. 🇨🇿 Czech Republic (👍 Previously: 14)
Were solid against the Netherlands and the better side against 11 men, the firmly in control against ten. This was their best performance so far and they fully deserved to go through.
Only England have beaten them and they’ve conceded just twice in four games. A tough nut to crack.
6. 🇨🇭 Switzerland (👍 Previously: 11)
Delivered perhaps the performance of the tournament to knock out world champions France. Switzerland deserved to lead, were centimetres from making it 2-0, then rallied from 3-1 down and held their nerve in the shootout.
Goals are still the main question mark but Haris Seferović seems to have hit a purple patch and the rest of the team looks very solid indeed.
5. 🇧🇪 Belgium (👎 Previously: 3 )
That was not a convincing win over Portugal. Which can happen, for sure. But it’s even more concerning when you factor in the injuries Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard picked up.
Belgium now weren’t at their best against Denmark and Portugal, the two best teams they’ve face, and that has to cause some concern even if they did win both games.
4. 🇩🇰 Denmark (👍 Previously: 7)
Well, well, well. With eight goals in their last two games and a quarter-final against the Czech Republic coming up, nobody should be doubting the Danes anymore.
They’ve attacked well all tournament but things have really clicked in the final third now and the squad look buoyant. Watch this space.
3. 🇪🇸 Spain (👍 Previously: 5)
To think people were worried about their ability to score goals! The defensive breakdown against Croatia will be a small concern but there’s no doubting their firepower now.
With some other big hitters now out, Spain have gone from unfancied outsiders to one of the contenders.
2. 🏴 England (👍 Previously: 6)
England have not lit the Euros up. But you don’t have to in order to go far in an international competition. They haven’t conceded yet, haven’t really looked all that likely to concede at any point, and it does look like title winning form.
Especially now they’ve done it against a bigger side.
1. 🇮🇹 Italy (No change)
We finally saw Italy have to work for a win against Austria. And boy, did they work. Away from the comforts of Rome for the first time, Roberto Mancini’s men needed extra-time to overcome a surprisingly stubborn Austrian backline.
Italy finally did concede, from a corner, but once again looked good at both ends of the pitch.
