After 13 breathless days of soccer, Euro 2024 shrinks from 24 groups to 16. There was loads of drama to savour because the teams concluded, with Croatia bowing out, France and Belgium ending second of their teams, and Georgia making but extra worldwide soccer historical past.
Forward of the event ESPN ranked all the collaborating nations 1-24 so as of how seemingly they had been to win Euro 2024. Now, following the conclusion of the group stage, we’ll rank the remaining 16 once more on that very same, easy premise. The eight groups who’ve been knocked out have additionally been included and listed so as of how spectacular they had been (or, in some instances, weren’t.)
We have taken under consideration as many elements as we are able to, however it’s price making an allowance for these three as you learn by means of:
– How have the workforce really carried out at Euro 2024?
– How conceivable is it that the workforce enhance from right here?
– Which facet of the knockout bracket are they on?
You will see the bracket referenced rather a lot, because it’s actually essential. With Spain, Germany, Portugal and France all on one facet, it is turned out to be extremely lopsided. That has created attention-grabbing alternatives for some, whereas concurrently making the trail actually treacherous for others.
Earlier rating: 15
Scotland‘s marketing campaign was bitterly disappointing. They opened up the event with a 5-1 shellacking by the hands of Germany, scored a single (closely deflected) aim, and totalled a miserly 0.9 Anticipated Objectives (xG) throughout three group video games. Not less than the followers placed on a chic present.
Earlier rating: 18
Serbia completed backside of the lowest-scoring group — the one which, collectively, scored fewer objectives than Germany did and actually despatched followers to sleep at factors. That is a one-way ticket to the gutter of this rating.
Earlier rating: 16
Hungary obtained some hype heading into this event, however had been finally squeezed out on the very finish of the group stage by Georgia’s exceptional win over Portugal. Frankly, that is soccer justice at work: Hungary’s A hundredth-minute winner in opposition to Scotland might have been an unimaginable second, however virtually all the soccer they performed up till that time was torrid.
Earlier rating: 19
Poland had been mathematically eradicated from Euro 2024 earlier than they’d even performed their third group sport, dropping to each Netherlands and Austria. That made their final match, in opposition to France, a real free hit. And so they put a significant spanner within the works by scooping a draw and stopping the French from topping the group. It was at all times going to be a troublesome group to navigate. However with Robert Lewandowski managing an harm and lacking minutes, it turned inconceivable.
Earlier rating: 24
Albania suffered the misfortune of being positioned in a horrendous group alongside Spain, Italy and Croatia, however made an actual fist of their try to upset the chances. They scored the fastest-ever European Championship aim (23 seconds) in opposition to Italy and fought to the final in opposition to Croatia, equalising within the 94th minute. Their willpower and spirit added a lot to the event. As did their followers.
Earlier rating: 20
Czechia‘s group stage effort could be summed up by the phrase “almost.” They almost held Portugal to a attract sport one; they almost beat Georgia in sport two; they usually almost sprung an upset, with 10 males, in opposition to Turkey in sport three. Ultimately, a single level is all they acquired, however they had been in competition from begin to end, and had been oh-so-close to pulling one thing off.
Earlier rating: 8
Croatia’s bizarrely poor European Championship type continued as they had been eradicated on the group stage. And it occurred in simply concerning the cruellest potential manner. They conceded ludicrously late equalisers to Albania (94th minute) and Italy (98th minute) having already misplaced 3-0 to Spain, leaving star participant Luka Modric in tears as he bows out of worldwide soccer and a nation in disbelief.
Earlier rating: 12
No workforce at Euro 2024 can really feel extra laborious performed by than Ukraine, who accrued 4 factors from three video games and nonetheless acquired knocked out. They’re going to head house, but have to observe Denmark and Slovenia contest the spherical of 16 — regardless of the actual fact each solely managed three factors and neither gained a sport.
2:20
Was this Euros a step to far for this Croatia era?
Alejandro Moreno wonders who will step up for Croatia now that Luka Modric’s era is nearing their finish with the nationwide workforce.
Earlier rating: 21
Slovenia made historical past by qualifying for the knockout stage of a event for the primary time ever — and did so off the again of three consecutive attracts. Having didn’t win a sport in what was clearly one of many weakest teams, it is unlikely they will get a lot additional now the power of the opponent will increase considerably.
Earlier rating: 22
Just by qualifying for Euro 2024, Georgia made historical past. In reaching the spherical of 16, they’ve captured hearts and minds everywhere in the world. What an unimaginable experience it has been for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia & Co. to date.
Their “reward” for making the knockouts is a bout with Spain, the workforce many would counsel have regarded like the very best on the event to date. That is an enormous consider why they rank simply fifteenth, however we’re acutely conscious that writing off this group of gamers is a harmful transfer.
Earlier rating: 23
Together with Georgia, Romania are shock qualifiers for the spherical of 16, as few gave the Tricolorii a lot of an opportunity of escaping a gaggle containing Belgium, Ukraine and Slovakia — and even fewer thought they’d end high.
Romania are robust to gauge, as that blistering 3-0 victory over Ukraine in sport one now feels a very long time in the past. Since then, they have been comfortably dispatched by Belgium and floor out a draw with Slovakia. It is robust to flee the sensation they burst into the event however at the moment are tapering off.
Earlier rating: 13
Turkey turned up and performed precisely as marketed: Vibrant and bold in assault, however nervous and shaky on the again.
They’ve scored a number of the finest objectives of the event, conceded by far the worst personal aim (sorry, Samet Akaydin), and can not seem to get by means of a sport with out some type of goalkeeping mishap. All of it feels very flamable, so that they slot in among the many decrease of the groups within the knockout part.
Earlier rating: 11
Earlier than the event, we requested which Denmark would present up: The frighteningly energetic Euro 2020 model, or the languid World Cup 2022 equal. The reply? Seemingly, it is the latter; they drew all three group video games and lacked any actual attacking verve.
Three factors proved sufficient to qualify for the knockouts, however the journey seemingly would not go a lot additional. Hosts Germany are up subsequent, then probably Spain, then probably Portugal. Few — if any — are holding out hope the Danes can negotiate that gauntlet of video games.
Earlier rating: 17
Slovakia have been one of many tales of the event. They kicked off with an upset win over Belgium that was barely fortuitous however nonetheless genuinely-earned, after which secured qualification with a degree in opposition to Romania in sport three. They’ve performed good soccer all through, with Napoli maestro Stanislav Lobotka on the coronary heart of all the things good.
Beating England within the spherical of 16 is a troublesome ask, however they’re defensively strong and know how you can pluck a aim from someplace in midfield when wanted.
2:17
Why Belgium should be excellent to beat France
Julien Laurens believes Belgium should play the right sport to have any probability of beating France regardless of having problems with their very own.
Earlier rating: 6
Belgium’s Euro 2024 expertise to date has been downright weird. They’ve had extra objectives chalked off by VAR (3) than anybody else, making striker Romelu Lukaku simply concerning the unluckiest man in Germany this month, and of their last match they appeared to sleepwalk to a 0-0 draw with Ukraine that put them second in Group E, pushing them over to the sturdy facet of the knockout bracket.
Are they good, dangerous, or unlucky? It is laborious to nail down which one it’s, however at the least on a person stage, it is debatable that solely midfieders Kevin De Bruyne and Amadou Onana are having good tournaments.
Belgium’s punishment for relinquishing first place within the group is a round-of-16 bout with France. In the event that they in some way surpass Les Bleus, Portugal are seemingly up subsequent. It is a gruelling path that, on this summer time’s proof to date, they will not be capable to navigate.
Earlier rating: 7
From the primary minute of the group stage to the final, Italy have conspired to do issues the laborious manner. They conceded the earliest aim on report at a European Championship — 23 seconds into their opener in opposition to Albania — and solely secured qualification to the knockouts with a 98th-minute equaliser in opposition to Croatia.
They had been excellent in opposition to Albania — higher than the early shock and eventual 2-1 scoreline advised — however acquired thumped by Spain and struggled in opposition to Croatia. The place does that depart them? Plonked in the midst of the ultimate 16-team rating, which can be an admission that we’re nonetheless undecided what they’re able to.
Earlier rating: 14
The Swiss had been reported to be low on confidence heading into Euro 2024, however what we have seen on the event suggests in any other case. They’re unbeaten, dealt with Hungary with ease and got here inside a few minutes of beating Germany to win Group A.
Defensively they appear strong, midfielder Granit Xhaka and defender Manuel Akanji are having fun with sensible tournaments within the backbone of the workforce, and whereas they’ve sourced objectives from totally different locations. They seem to be a legit menace.
They have been positioned simply forward of Italy on this rating as a nod to their higher performances within the teams, however the match between them this Saturday within the spherical of 16 genuinely appears like a coin flip.
Earlier rating: 9
There have been instances the place Netherlands have regarded defensively strong; there have been instances the place they’ve regarded offensively thrilling. Irritatingly for supervisor Ronald Koeman, it is uncommon that these two mix to type a whole efficiency. However maybe they’re saving it for the knockouts?
The Oranje landed a beneficial round-of-16 tie (on paper) in Romania, so ought to really feel assured they will attain the quarterfinals — the place, probably, they will get one other crack at an Austria facet who beat them 3-2 within the group stage.
Cody Gakpo‘s had an awesome event to date, scoring twice and looking out like a robust ‘Plan A’ in assault, however extra shall be wanted from midfield, and from captain Virgil van Dijk in defence, if this workforce are to actually succeed this summer time.
Earlier rating: 10
Austria weren’t solely thrilling to observe within the group stage, however they backed up these performances with outcomes. Their extremely energetic model ratcheted up the tempo of video games and pushed some good sides — notably France and Netherlands — to the restrict.
In beating the Dutch 3-2 within the last group sport, Austria gained Group D and slipped into the softer half of the knockout bracket, making them arguably essentially the most spectacular workforce on that facet primarily based on the soccer we have witnessed to date.
Turkey look beatable, then maybe they will need to beat the Dutch once more. Their greatest enemy, although, is likely to be their very own self-discipline — supervisor Ralf Rangnick is having to rotate his workforce closely with a view to keep away from suspensions, as their aggressive model picks up yellow playing cards for enjoyable.
2:12
Why struggling England are nonetheless Euro 2024 favourites
Frank Leboeuf assesses England’s hopes within the knockout phases of Euro 2024.
Earlier rating: 3
England have been a significant disappointment at Euro 2024 to date, taking part in by far essentially the most anaemic attacking soccer of any of the large nations and managing only one win from a gaggle containing Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia.
Based mostly solely on what we have seen, they’re no match for the opposite massive weapons on this event however, curiously (and considerably luckily), their path to a possible last avoids each single one of many elite groups.
England’s hardest potential path to the ultimate is Slovakia, then maybe Switzerland, then Austria or Netherlands, however the issue is that in the event that they face any of the highest 4 on this rating in that last, they will seemingly lose. It is a rating of who’s almost definitely to win the event, not simply attain the ultimate.
The best way England have performed, there is not any assure they will get there anyway; they’ve an terrible lot of enhancing to do, quick, and there have been only a few rays of sunshine. Maybe the factor to hold on to is that the defence has been pretty strong — they’ve conceded the bottom xGA (Anticipated Objectives Towards) of the event (1.1), though high quality of opponent should be acknowledged right here — so if their star-studded assault can discover some stability and fluency, England may immediately burst into life.
However, primarily based on present proof, that appears like a good distance away.
Earlier rating: 4
One of many biggest compliments you possibly can pay a world facet is to say they appear like a membership facet. On the ball, that is Germany.
With veteran midfielder Toni Kroos on the coronary heart of a fluid passing sport, younger Jamal Musiala‘s electrical dribbling opening up groups and Ilkay Gündogan dropping into the areas created, this assault has regarded improbable.
However there are some issues for coach Julian Nagelsmann on the subject of the defensive facet of the sport. The areas behind Germany’s adventurous full-backs look ripe for counter-attacking, plus they will now need to cope with enforced absences to what has to date been an unchanged beginning XI. Jonathan Tah is suspended for the round-of-16 conflict with Denmark and Antonio Rüdiger has a thigh challenge. Instantly, Germany might go from unchanged XI to wholesale adjustments in a heartbeat.
Their path to a possible last might nicely embody Spain, then Portugal or France, as they’re on the robust facet of the bracket, so, all in all, placing them fourth on this rating feels honest.
1:03
Ogden: France actually disappointing at Euro 2024
Mark Ogden assesses France’s second place end in Group D at Euro 2024.
Earlier rating: 1
France’s shock draw to already-eliminated Poland had a nasty impact on their event hopes, because it knocked them into the sturdy facet of the bracket. Now, as an alternative of negotiating the likes of England and Italy en path to a possible last, they are going to seemingly have to overcome two of Spain, Portugal and Germany.
That, plus the curious nature of the 2 objectives they’ve mustered to date (an personal aim and a penalty) has led to many being down on Les Bleus, however there’s some balancing elements to think about.
First, France haven’t any challenge firing themselves up for giant opponents (actually, the final time they performed a “weaker” facet, they acquired knocked out by Switzerland.) Second, they might not have scored many, however their complete xG in a troublesome group was 5.8 — the very best in your entire event.
It hasn’t been classic France however, like with England, there’s severe capability to enhance. Maybe going through Belgium within the spherical of 16 is the spark they want.
Earlier rating: 2
In rating Portugal second, we’re largely ignoring the 2-0 defeat to Georgia in sport three. In spite of everything, there was zero jeopardy for the Seleção, as they’d already been confirmed as group winners, and that was mirrored in each efficiency and workforce choice.
The efficiency that beat Turkey 3-0 in sport two? The last-gasp winner in opposition to Czechia, refusing to be held, in sport one? That is the true Portugal … we predict.
There isn’t any doubting this squad’s high quality and depth, however supervisor Roberto Martínez has used three totally different techniques in three video games. Good or silly? Good to get everybody concerned, or disruptive of type and movement? The solutions shall be decided by outcomes from right here, and a tie in opposition to Slovenia within the spherical of 16 appears like an excellent one to get going once more.
Earlier rating: 5
We have seen some massive scorelines at Euro 2024, however the single most dominant and irresistible efficiency was delivered by Spain in what ended up as only a 1-0 win over Italy.
It was sufficient for a lot of to take a seat up and take discover. Spain got here up in opposition to a top-10 facet on this event and systematically took them aside, solely missing the second and third objectives to place a flourish on the consequence. That has led to them rising to the highest of this rating as, to place it merely, they’ve set a benchmark for efficiency at these finals.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are thrilling from the wings; Fabián Ruiz is having the event of his life in midfield; and, regardless of a number of adjustments to personnel, the defence are but to concede.
Spain are the one workforce to win all three video games in your entire event. It is clear they deserve high spot on this rating. They’re the facet to beat.
