There are just eight teams left in EURO 2024, and the nature of the draw means that all eight will feel there is everything to play for.
We've seen some big names fall already, with Italy, Croatia, Belgium and Denmark all gone after strong performances at recent tournaments.
EURO 2024 thus far has been defined by riveting performances from so-called "underdogs," and it is not out of the question one of them could go all the way.
With the last 16 concluded, we've reassessed our EURO 2024 standings, and power ranked each of the eight teams remaining.
We've based our rankings on a combination of how well the teams have played thus far, how tough their path to the final is, and how likely they are to fight through and go all the way. Let the disagreements begin...
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
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EURO 2024: Power ranking the eight teams remaining
1. Spain
🇪🇸 3-1 🇬🇪
Nico Williams seals it for Spain with a fine finish from a long ball. #EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/EMhxVEMRXE pic.twitter.com/r1sXI5kYXy— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 30, 2024
Even with the early scare against Georgia, Spain have been the most impressive performers at the EUROs thus far.
Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have been shining lights down the wing, bringing a dimension we have not often seen in Spanish teams. Their vibrant attacking play properly clicked against an admittedly exhausted Georgian side, but it is their defensive solidity which has impressed the most thus far.
They have a huge task against the hosts in the quarters - if they get through that, it's hard to see anyone beating them.
2. Germany
🇩🇪 2-0 🇩🇰
That man again... Jamal Musiala races clear of the Danish defence and cooly slots the ball home#EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/2SxrS7LCYi pic.twitter.com/n07O4rwGfQ— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 29, 2024
Unbeaten, and the highest-scoring team in the competition, Germany are not too far off the Spaniards thus far.
They did, however, nearly let first place in the group slip through their grasp on the final day against Switzerland and they laboured at times in their last 16 victory over Denmark.
Nonetheless, if they can find a way to get Kai Havertz clicking up top, then they will pose a mighty test for Spain in the quarters. That game could decide the winners of the tournament.
3. Switzerland
🇨🇭 1-0 🇮🇹
Remo Freuler breaks the deadlock with a fantastic touch to set up a fine left-footed shot past Donnarumma#EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/2SxrS7LCYi pic.twitter.com/rbabOhtWeT— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 29, 2024
We'll be honest, we did not foresee Switzerland being this high when EURO 2024 got underway a few weeks ago.
Though they may not have quite the same array of stars as many of the other teams left, the Swiss have been hugely impressive in the tournament thus far. They were excellent against both Hungary and Germany in the group and, though they struggled against Scotland, they fought well to earn a draw.
Italy were dreadful in their last 16 meeting, but Switzerland were equally excellent and there is every chance they could send England home this Saturday. A semi-final on the "easier" side of the draw is a real possibility for the Swiss.
4. France
🇫🇷 1-0 🇧🇪
Randal Kolo Muani finally breaks the deadlock, with help from a significant deflection off Jan Vertonghen#EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/zu3ycHrNVF pic.twitter.com/BGUFPK6ix3— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 1, 2024
It feels strange to have France this high considering how unnecessarily hard they have made their task.
They threw away top spot in their group with a sloppy late penalty concession against Poland and are yet to see any of their players score from open play.
What has France so high in this list is that they have reached this stage in spite of their above problems, thanks in part to their outstanding defence, which is second only to Spain of the teams remaining. Their quarter-final with Portugal could go either way but France are experts at tournament football, and we see a spot in the last four on the horizon for Didier Deschamps' men.
5. England
🏴 1-1 🇸🇰
What a goal from Jude Bellingham! England have been awful for 94 minutes, only for the Real Madrid man to score a bicycle kick to send this game to extra-time #EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/nj5pyznqfX pic.twitter.com/OiTWN7y3Iy— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 30, 2024
Ah, England.
You can't argue with a 95th-minute overhead kick from one of Europe's best players as evidence that you may have what it takes to go all the way. What you can argue with is the largely wretched performances Gareth Southgate's team have served up during the rest of these European Championships.
They found their way past Slovakia in dramatic fashion but the fact they found themselves in such a desperate situation is an indictment of how they have played thus far.
Switzerland will be a tough side to beat on Saturday and, though they find themselves on the "easy" side of the draw, even the teams on that side may no longer be daunted by the prospect of facing them.
The quality of their squad is unquestionable. The quality of their system and its ability to end the infamous 58 years of hurt, however, is very much in doubt.
6. Portugal
🇵🇹 3-0 🇸🇮 on penalties
The whole remarkable penalty shootout, as Diogo Costa saves Ronaldo's blushes#EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/UDE9CbucXH pic.twitter.com/D8w3uwHPqM— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 1, 2024
Just as England may win the EUROs in spite of their coaching limitations, if Portugal are to win it it will likely be in spite of their 39-year-old passenger up front.
You can't describe Cristiano Ronaldo as the "elephant in the room," given he dominates discussion every time Portugal play. But he is undoubtedly causing issues for Portugal the deeper they go in this tournament, and the undroppable nature of the veteran may ultimately prove costly.
The saving grace is that the rest of the team continues to perform well but extra time and penalties against Slovenia will not help their case against France in Hamburg. Despite all of that, if they get past France it will be a sign that they are back nearing the levels that won them so much pre-tournament hype.
7. Turkey
🇦🇹 0-1 🇹🇷
Less than 2 mins in and Merih Demiral has Turkey in front #EURO2024 #EURO2024📺 @rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Live updates https://t.co/nKnJJUCeDu pic.twitter.com/Ltu3pyz8z5— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 2, 2024
The most rip-roaring, entertaining side to watch at EURO 2024 thus far, with some undeniable weaknesses.
They showed their grit in Tuesday night's thrilling victory to eliminate the impressive Austrians, in the game of the tournament - rivalled only by their equally thrilling win against Georgia in the group stages.
Their toothless performance against Portugal in the group stages may be a more accurate reflection of how they will fare in the latter stages.
Nonetheless, the vibrant attacking talent in this Turkish team can hurt any team, and they have upset the odds thus far.
8. Netherlands
🇷🇴 0-1 🇳🇱
Cody Gakpo cuts in from the left to fire the Netherlands in front - but the Romanian keeper, perhaps should have done better #EURO2024📺 @rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Live updates https://t.co/ouCPaTS4UL pic.twitter.com/Hl9E9hlpuo— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 2, 2024
The least impressive of the big hitters left in this tournament, though they were ruthless in eliminating Romania on Tuesday.
Their group game against France was among the toughest watches of the tournament thus far, and they were well beaten by Austria in Berlin. They may well reach the semi-finals, however, and there is undeniable attacking quality in this team. Cody Gakpo, in particular, has impressed throughout.
SEE ALSO: Hamann Baffled Stray Runners In Romania v Netherlands Were Not Noticed
