The first of the Euro 2016 quarterfinals saw Portugal beat Poland on penalties in front of a 62,940 strong crowd in Marseille to book their spot in the last four. The Selecao may have their critics- they qualified third in their group and have not won a single game in 90 minutes of football at the Championships (five draws), but they find themselves as semi-finalists and their record of reaching five semifinals at major tourmaments since 2000 is second to no European nation bar Germany.
Portugal will face either Wales or Belgium for a spot in the final. Let’s take a look at the other last eight ties left to be played.
Wales v Belgium
The winner of this tie gets to play Portugal and given the way the Seleccao have scraped their way into the last four, both will fancy their chances against Fernando Santos’ side.
This is probably the biggest night in Welsh football history since their historic 1958 WC quarterfinal against Brazil.
On paper Belgium are the stronger team (they’re ranked second in the world), but the Red Devils haven’t lived up to their potential and star Welsh forward Gareth Bale reckons Wales are a bit of a bogey side for Marc Wilmots’ men, having taken four points out of a possible six against them in qualifying.
However Belgium will count on their fans to show up- this game is being played in Lille, only 10 miles away from the Belgian border, and Welsh fans are expected to be outnumbered by their Belgian counterparts.
Few expected Wales to progress this far- no one expected them to top their group ahead of England and Slovakia, and defender Chris Gunter might even end up having to miss his brother’s wedding if Wales win their quarterfinal.
There were technical deficiencies on display in their group loss to Italy, and Wales, with the likes of Bale and Ramsey in decent nick, can exploit those flaws. Bale is the running for the Golden Boot having scored three in four games, and Chris Coleman will again be banking on the Real Madrid star to take his side forward.
Germany v Italy
This is the tastiest tie of the lot, and it pits tournament favourites Germany against Italy, who have been the surprise package of the tournament so far.
The Italians put on a tactical masterclass against defending champions Spain and Chelsea fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of Antonio Conte managing their side at the conclusion of the Euros.
Plus, there is an Italian hoodoo- Germany have never beaten Italy in a major competition in the last five decades. However Die Mannschaft did win 4-1 in a friendly in March and will be looking to avenge their Euro 2012 semifinal loss against the Azzurri.
Despite Italy’s superior record against the Germans in major competitions and their fantastic showing in this tournament, the bookies have the Germans as favourites. William Hill, who are offering an £20 free bet on a £10 deposit, have Germany at 13/10 to win, with Italy being quoted at 14/5.
There is also this little fact that in the last two Euros that the Republic of Ireland played in, both the finalists were from their group. That would mean a Belgium v Italy final, for what it’s worth.
France v Iceland
Tiny Iceland are everyone’s favourites after upsetting England and are having a dream run at these Euros. Icelandic shirts have sold out at major football shops and over 10% of the nation is at the Championships supporting their country.
France left back Patrice Evra has called for his side to “wake up“. France haven’t been at their best at these Championships, needing late goals and a strong second half performance against Ireland to make it to the last eight, and we’ve yet to see a complete 90 minute performance from Les Bleus.
France, as hosts and with the likes of Payet, Griezmann and Coman in their ranks, should be a bridge too far for Iceland, but we said the same for England, and we all know how that game panned out!