It’s only a matter of time now before the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 commence. So far this summer’s European Championship has been a highly contested one with not too many one-sided encounters and some pretty exciting matches. With some of the top ranked nations not playing up to their standards in the group stages, the tournament has become wide open with one-half of the knockout stage draw featuring some of the pre-tournament favourites and the other half consisting of the tournament’s dark horses.
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As a result, heavyweights Italy and Spain locked horns in the round of 16 with Italy taking revenge over Spain for their 2012 final defeat at Kiev. However, England couldn’t take advantage from their easy draw as they were beaten by a resilient Iceland team who continue their dream run in their first major tournament.
The quarter-finals feature some nail-biting clashes which includes Germany taking on rivals Italy at Bordeaux and two of the tournament’s dark horses Wales and Belgium facing off at Lille. Another dark horse encounter features Poland and Portugal at Marseille while hosts France take on surprise package Iceland at Saint-Denis.With only hours remaining before Poland and Portugal get the quarter-finals underway, let’s take a look at 5 players to look out for in the last eight.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Portugal’s talisman had a poor start to his tournament as he couldn’t score in Portugal’s opening two matches against Iceland and Austria, missing a penalty in the latter. However, he found his form in Portugal’s 3-3 draw against Hungary as he scored a brace and provided an assist, thus rescuing Portugal from an embarrassing group stage exit.
In Portugal’s 1-0 win over Croatia in the last 16, it was Ronaldo’s shot whose rebound was headed in the back of the net by Ricardo Quaresma. The Portugal captain has so far had an OK tournament as apart from the match Hungary, he hasn’t been able to make a significant impact in the tournament so far.
Ronaldo will be looking to come a step closer in fulfilling his dream of winning a major tournament with Portugal as the Selecao take on a Polish side who have been quite resilient at the back, conceding only one goal throughout the tournament. Portugal might be the favourites to steal a semi-final spot but they will require Ronaldo’s killer instinct to overcome an impressive Polish defence.
#2. Robert Lewandowski, Poland
The Poland captain scored 13 goals during the qualifiers which tied him with Northern Ireland’s David Healy for the most number of goals scored in Euro qualifying.However, he hasn’t been able to replicate his qualifying form in the final tournament so far. Lewandowski is yet to score a goal in the tournament and hasn’t been much of a goal threat either.
The Bayern Munich man has led Poland to their best performance at the Euros and will be looking to end his goal-drought against Portugal and lead Poland to the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1982. A lot will be expected from the Polish skipper in Poland’s quarter-final meeting against Portugal and Lewandowski will be looking to find his form.
#3 Gareth Bale
The Welshman has made a great impact in his first international tournament and has inspired Wales to the quarter-finals where they now face a tough Belgium side who have found their form after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Italy in their tournament opener. The Real Madrid player has scored three goals in the tournament so far with the first two being free-kicks. He also set up Wales’ winner against Northern Ireland in the Round of 16 as his delivery was turned in by Gareth McAuley into his own net.
With Belgium up next, Wales are bound to face their most difficult challenge in the tournament as the Belgians were in terrific form in their Round of 16 game against Hungary whom they thrashed 4-0. The Wales-Belgium match will arguably be the most anticipated match of the quarter-finals and Bale will have to be at the top of his game if Wales are to make it to the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time in their footballing history.
#4 Eden Hazard
The Chelsea man had a disappointing start to his tournament as he couldn’t score or create goals in Belgium’s opening match against Italy. He later made amends by playing some dazzling football in Belgium’s next two group games against Ireland and Sweden, providing an assist in each game.
His best performance of the tournament came in Belgium’s last game against Hungary as he assisted Belgium’s second goal scored by Michy Batshuayi and scored the third himself in an eventual 4-0 win for Belgium. Hazard was adjudged the Man of the Match for a second time in the tournament, having been awarded the same in Belgium’s group game against Sweden.
So far, the winger has been phenomenal for Belgium, scoring a goal and providing three assists in the tournament so far. Hazard’s consistency will be needed as Belgium now take on their qualifying rivals Wales in the final eight. If Hazard can continue his good form then Euro 2016 might be Hazard’s tournament.
#5 Dimitri Payet
The West Ham midfielder has been one of the tournament’s best players so far and is surely one of the contenders to be named the Player of the Tournament. Payet began his tournament brilliantly by providing an assist for Olivier Giroud’s opening goal and scoring a brilliant left-footed winner in France’s 2-1 win over Romania.
He followed this with another brilliant performance against Albania, scoring France’s second goal in a 2-0 win. Payet was adjudged the Man of the Match in France’s opening two matches before being benched for the final Group Game against Switzerland. However, the winger came off the bench and hit the crossbar with a thunderous volley.
The former Marseille man was brilliant in midfield during France’s 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in the the Round of 16 as he created attacks continuously and kept putting pressure on the Irish players. Payet will have to be at the top of his game when France take on a resilient Iceland team in the quarter-finals and will be expected to provide the likes of Griezmann and Giroud with scoring opportunities.
