It has been a busy few days at Euro 2016 as we have narrowed the field down from 16 to eight quarter-finalists as we recap all the last 16 action from the past three days.
An Antoine Griezmann double helped hosts France come from behind against a spirited Ireland to book their place in the quarter-finals with a hard-earned 2-1 victory.
Ten-man Ireland fell to a narrow defeat to hosts France
image: theguardian.com
Ireland got off to a dream start after just two minutes as Robbie Brady converted from the penalty spot after Shane Long was fouled by Paul Pogba and the Boys in Green managed to keep the hosts at bay to take the lead into half-time.
However, France came out fighting after the break and deserving equalised when Atletico Madrid man Griezmann headed home from Barcary Sagna’s cross on 58 minutes.
Griezmann netted again three minutes later as he has given the space to send a low side-footed effort past Darren Randolph before Ireland were reduced to ten men when Shane Duffy took out Griezmann just outside the box denying him a goal-scoring opportunity.
Italy kept up thier quest for a second European Championship as Antonio Conte’s men knocked out reigning champions Spain to reach the quarter-finals.
Defender Giorgino Chellini bundled home on the half-hour mark to put Italy in front as David De Gea could only parry Eder’s free-kick and Graziano Pelle sealed the win in injury time with a volley from eight yards.
Slovakia proved no match for Germany as the world champions cruised past Jan Kozak’s side 3-0 to keep up hopes of a world and european double for Joachim Low’s side.
Jerome Boateng’s superb 25 yard volley gave the Germans an eighth minute lead and despite Mesut Ozil’s penalty miss, Mario Gomez doubled their lead just before the break from close range.
Man of the match Julian Draxler scored a deserving goal with a volley at the near post from a Toni Kroos corner just after the hour mark as they set up a quarter-final against the Italians.
Julian Draxler scores Germany’s third in a comfortable win over Slovakia
image: bbc.com
Croatia’s tournament came to a disappointing end as Portugal edged out Ante Cacic’s side 1-0 after extra time in a game that saw no shot on target for 118 minutes.
Substitute Ricardo Quaresma scored the all important goal on 118 minutes as he headed in from two yards from Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross to seal Portugal’s first win at Euro 2016.
Balls and Brawls 