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An eventful group stage at Euro 2020 drew to a close with a dramatic final day of games in Group E and F.
Sweden survived a late rally from Poland to win a five-goal thriller in St. Petersburg to win Group E ahead of Spain, who thumped Slovakia 5-0 in Seville for their first win at Euro 2020.
There was more drama and intrigue in the 'Group of Death' Group F. With Portugal opening the scoring against France in Budapest, they looked on course to top the group and book an 'easier' Round of 16 game against Switzerland at Euro 2020.
However, France hit back through a Karim Benzema brace to turn the game on its head before Ronaldo completed a brace of his own to force a share of the spoils.
In the other group game in Munich, Germany twice rallied from a goal down, their second equalizer coming six minutes from time, to hold Hungary to a 2-2 draw and avert a group-stage exit at Euro 2020.
The sequence of results meant Germany pipped Portugal to second place, owing to a better head-to-head result. The reigning champions booked their place in the Round of 16 as one of four third-placed teams.
Elsewhere, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands topped their groups without dropping a point, the former doing so without conceding a goal. Denmark became the first team in European Championship history to reach the knockout stage after losing their first two games at Euro 2020.
Croatia, the finalists at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, left it late to join group winners England in the Round of 16.
The knockout stage of Euro 2020 begins on Saturday, 26th June, after a two-day gap. With a bevy of blockbuster matchups in store, let's take a look at five Round of 16 games to watch out for:
Euro 2020 - Top Round of 16 Matches
#5 France vs Switzerland (29th June, Bucharest)
Despite boasting an embarrassment of riches at their disposal, reigning world champions France are yet to hit their stride at Euro 2020.
Les Bleus opened their campaign with an unconvincing 1-0 win over fellow heavyweights Germany in Munich before they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Hungary in Budapest.
A brace by Karim Benzema helped France overcome an early deficit and share the spoils against reigning European champions Portugal. With Germany failing to beat Hungary in the other game, Les Bleus topped the group and will meet Switzerland, who finished third in Group A.
The Swiss opened their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-1 draw at Wales before suffering a 0-3 defeat against Italy in Rome. However, a 3-1 win over Turkey helped them book their place in the Round of 16.
France may have struggled to live up to their favorites tag at Euro 2020 but are unbeaten in ten games. Switzerland have had two goalless draws with France in two of their last three meetings at major tournaments (2016 Euros, 2006 FIFA World Cup).
But considering the quality of personnel in their respective ranks, anything but a France win would be a huge surprise.
#4 Italy vs Austria (27th June, London)
One of two teams yet to concede a goal at Euro 2020, Italy have followed up their perfect qualification campaign with an imperious group-stage outing.
The Azzurri beat Turkey, Switzerland and Wales to top Group A and book a Round-of-16 meeting in London with Austria, who finished behind the Netherlands in Group C.
Roberto Mancini's men are unbeaten in an impressive 30 games in all competitions and have emerged as one of the teams to beat at Euro 2020.
Austria, meanwhile, beat North Macedonia and Ukraine either side of a defeat to group-winners, the Netherlands.
Led by David Alaba, Austria have been decent at Euro 2020 without setting the stage on fire. Against Italy, though, Austria have lost four of their five competitive meetings (twice apiece at the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships).
Considering the same and Italy's sparkling recent form, it is difficult to foresee anything but an Azzurri win in London on Sunday.
#3 Croatia vs Spain (28th June, Copenhagen)
After two disappointing draws to open their Euro 2020 campaign, Spain came to the party with a convincing 5-0 win over Slovakia in Seville. But with Sweden beating Poland in the other group game, the three-time winners had to settle for second place in the group.
Luis Enrique's men, who are without a Real Madrid player in their squad for the first time at a major tournament, will now meet 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists Croatia in a blockbuster Round-of-16 clash in Copenhagen.
Much like Spain, Croatia have taken their time to get into their groove at Euro 2020, beating Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow in their third game to reach the knockout round.
Spain and Croatia have split their four previous competitive meetings. In their last meeting at the Euros, Croatia beat Spain 2-1, but both teams have had several personnel changes since that meeting.
Both Spain and Croatia topped their respective Euro 2020 qualifying groups. But the latter have shown indifferent recent form and have largely relied on the ageing Luka Modric for inspiration.
While this game could go either way, La Roja would start as the marginal favorites.
#2 England vs Germany (29th June, London)
England may have scored just twice at Euro 2020, the fewest goals scored by a group winner in European Championship history.
But the Three Lions, one of two teams yet to concede a goal at Euro 2020, have gone about their business with efficiency and have displayed remarkable defensive resilience. England have conceded just once in their last nine games in all competitions.
For a place in the quarter-finals, the Three Lions will take on Germany at Wembley on Tuesday. Ahead of their eighth meeting against Die Mannschaft, England have failed to beat Germany in a knockout game since the 1966 FIFA World Cup final.
However, Germany have not looked at their fluent best at Euro 2020, losing to France and salvaging a last-gasp draw against Hungary either side of a convincing win over Portugal.
Germany are without a recognized striker at Euro 2020, and England have also struggled upfront at the tournament. Nevertheless, the Three Lions will fancy their chances against Germany, considering their superior defensive solidity and talent in their roster.
#1 Portugal vs Belgium (27th June, Seville)
Cristiano Ronaldo has single-handedly led Portugal's charge at Euro 2020. His second goal against France on Wednesday, his fifth of the campaign, kept the reigning champions in the tournament after Les Bleus overturned a 0-1 deficit to lead 2-1.
However, a loss to Germany and a draw against France meant Portugal finished third in their group and will now lock horns with top-ranked Belgium in a blockbuster Round-of-16 clash in Seville.
The Red Devils have been impressive at Euro 2020, winning all three games while conceding just once. Comparatively, Portugal's defense has been a huge cause for concern - the holders have shipped in six goals in three games.
Against the prolific Romelu Lukaku, who has scored 50% of Belgium's goals at Euro 2020, and the brilliant Kevin De Bruyne, Portugal will have their task cut out at both ends.
The reigning champions will have to get their act together upfront to complement their captain, who has been involved in six of Portugal's seven goals at Euro 2020. Portugal will also need their defense to redeem itself after forgettable outings against Germany and France.
Considering the array of attacking talent at both teams' disposal, this game could be an absolute humdinger. Despite a leaky defense, Portugal will fancy their chances against Belgium thanks to the imperious form of the 36-year-old Ronaldo, who seems to be a man on a mission at Euro 2020.
