Euro 2016 has provided plenty of drama, and the real action still hasn’t even begun.
The quarterfinal round begins Thursday with some fantastic matchups, including a 2006 World Cup semifinal showdown between Italy and defending world champion Germany. Spain and England, two other soccer heavyweights, won’t participate in the quarters after Round of 16 losses to Italy and Iceland, respectively.
Here’s our predictions for the final stages of the European championship.
Belgium will reach the final
The Belgians have a very favorable road to the final. England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France all were/are on the other side in the “bracket of death.”
Belgium’s quarterfinal matchup is against Wales — a solid team but one that has been out-possessed and out-shot for the majority of the tournament. After being shut out by a really strong defensive team in Italy to begin the group stage, Belgium has scored eight goals in its last three games, including a 4-0 thumping of Hungary in the Round of 16.
Belgium, with all its attacking talent, should have enough firepower to advance past Wales and either Poland or Portugal en route to their second Euro final.
Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal past Poland
Poland is in the quarterfinal without a brilliant performance from world-class striker Robert Lewandowski. It’s possible a breakout will happen versus Portugal — a weak squad aside from Ronaldo — but it’s hard to bet against arguably the best player in the world.
Ronaldo has two goals and an assist through four games at the Euros, and he should be able to create plenty of chances against a Poland back line that isn’t elite. He’s already averaging 7.8 shots per game.
Look for Ronaldo to score at least one goal and help Portugal earn a semifinal berth, likely against Belgium.
A France-Italy ’06 World Cup Final rematch would be fun, but it won’t happen
French fans would go crazy during a rematch of the 2006 World Cup Final, especially with it being on home soil, but it’s unlikely Italy will advance past Germany in the quarterfinals. Germany is the reigning World Cup champion and entered the tournament as the favorite to win, and nothing has happened to suggest that should change.
Italy manager Antonio Conte delivered a tactical master class in the 2-0 Round of 16 win over Spain, but Germany is a more dangerous opponent. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is in top form, the midfield is defending well and creating chances, and the forward group is deep and talented.
Expect a Germany vs. France semifinal.
Germany will win Euro 2016
I picked France to win at the beginning of the tournament, and the French have played pretty well so far, but their defense worries me if Germany is their semifinal opponent.
Germany has scored six goals in four games, but more impressively it has allowed zero goals in that same span. The Germans thoroughly destroyed Slovakia 3-0 in the Round of 16 and sent a message to the rest of the field as a result.
Germany should beat Italy for the first time in a major competition, end France’s run on home soil and defeat Belgium in the final to become the first nation to win the World Cup and European Championship back-to-back since France did it in 1998 and 2000.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
