Euro 2020 Round of 16 - Day 4 -29 June 2021

Spain through, France out. Shocks, spills and goals galore as the excitement heightened in the tournament. Yesterday gave us two thrilling games. The lead up to the five pm kick off saw Croatia rocked with the news that winger Ivan Perisic would not be available after testing positive to COVID-19. Perisic had been one of Croatia's star performers alongside Captain Luka Modric. With Spain surely already favoured to win this last 16 tie this looked like a tall order for Croatia. In a dramatic game with bizarre and unexpected twists it was the Croats that took the lead with one of the most ridiculous and unnecessary goals you are likely to see. Goalkeeper Unai Simon miscontrolled Pedri's long back pass to let the ball trickle in over his own goal line. Spain reacted well though and showed some fluid attacking football that is so pleasing on the eye. They equalised on 38 minutes through PSG winger Sarabia. Spain were rewarded for their attacking play and looked to be cruising through to the quarter finals by going 3 -1 up. Yet somehow the Croats pulled one back then equalised in stoppage time to take the game in to an extra 30 minutes. Keeper Simon redeemed himself for the Spanish with an excellent save before much maligned Alvaro Morata put them ahead again. The game finished 5 - 3 to Spain. What a performance. Talent, quality, grit, determination and a willingness to keep on playing. Spain must be exhausted after that but must regroup quickly to face Switzerland on Friday.

That humdinger of a game was followed by France V Switzerland. Although France hadn't been at their best in this tournament you always felt like they had much more to come. They started this game with the same lack of intensity and urgency as their previous games. It's as if Deschamp's players know they are that good they can afford to wait for something magic to happen. You can't wait around too long in knockout football though because you are likely to get caught cold. Switzerland, unimpressed with their opponents lack of daring, attempted to get forward. They got their rewards on 15 minutes when Seferović rose brilliantly to plant an excellent header past Lloris. The defending from Lenglet was non existent as he failed to jump or challenge the header in any way, The Swiss then won a penalty after a rash challenge from Pavard. Pavard has had a poor tournament and I wonder why Deschamps never gave Lyon's Dubois a go at right back. The penalty from Rodriguez was tame and Lloris saved. The goal and penalty finally set a light under French arses and at last they sprang in to life. Benzema equalised, then scored to take the lead. The momentum was with the French and Pogba made it three with a sublime strike from outside the area. It was one of the goals of the tournament. With 15 minutes left France could have gone for the jugular or seen the game out sensibly. They did neither and with spirit, endeavor and skill Switzerland equalised with another excellent header from Seferović. Then with time running out substitute Gavranović equalised to take the game to extra time. After a tense 30 minutes the Swiss held their nerve in a penalty shoot out that culminated in Mbappe, of all people, seeing his decisive penalty saved. The Swiss were magnificent but France should never have lost this game. A lack of urgency has cost them dearly. France out and Switzerland through to face Spain in the quarter finals.

Today we have the last two games of the round of 16.

England V Germany - Kick off at 1700 from Wembley Stadium. Live on BBC One and BBC Iplayer.

Here we go then. Both teams need to show their best if they are going to qualify for the quarter finals. Tournament games between these two famous footballing nations are close with Germany normally winning the inevitable penalty shootout. England have been pragmatic in their approach to the tournament so far. Yet they are unbeaten, topped their group and have yet to concede a goal. They have beaten a Croatia side who were good enough to score three against Spain yesterday and a Czech side who are in the quarter finals. Doesn't that deserve some credit? Ultimately England/Southgate will be judged on this game. The introduction of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka last week against the Czechs and the inclusion of Grealish in the starting eleven, gave England much more attacking threat. Surely they both need to start here if fit? Both are fantastic running with the ball and can beat defenders. Saka in particular hardly gave the ball away and drew a lot of free kicks. Both combined to set up the goal for Sterling against the Czech Republic and are a constant threat. It would be nice to see Grealish attack space a bit more instead of waiting to draw the inevitable foul. England haven't made the most of their set pieces so far so maybe it's better for the Villa forward to ride some challenges and see if it leads to more clear cut chances. It will be interesting to see if Henderson starts in midfield. Whilst never spectacular Henderson's positional sense, decision making and leadership seem to give England a bit more attacking mentality. Will Southgate be tempted at any point to go more direct later in the game and give Dominic Calvert-Lewin a go up front? England have plenty of options but the mentality to move the ball quicker needs to be seen for the likes of Grealish, Saka and Sterling to be effective. Harry Kane also needs to get some kind of service to show the quality we all know he has.

We know that Germany are not as strong as in tournaments gone by. No matter what the team though the Germans are always hard to beat. They have shown real quality in the Competition so far yet been inconsistent. They narrowly lost to France in their opening game, thrashed the Portuguese 4-2 in the second then had a scare in their 2 -2 draw with Hungary. Those games showed they have goals in their team but are vulnerable at the back. Thomas Muller should be available after a knee injury kept him out of the Hungary game. The Bayern forward loves to occupy the space behind opponents midfields. He finds space brilliantly, makes clever runs and is integral to Germany playing well. England will need to be vigilant in not letting him have too much space too exploit. Germany have been famous for having prolific goalscorers through their history; Gerd Muller, Klose, Podolski, Klinsmann, Voeller...... That is what this German squad is missing and could possibly cost them in the Competition. It's ironic really that England have the prolific goal scorer in Harry Kane but can't get him to score. Germany have some very creative players. Gundogan and Havertz are always a threat when on the ball and have great movement. England will need to stifle Germany's midfield, as they did against Croatia and the Czech Republic, but be aware of the forward runs from wing backs Gosens and Kimmich. Playing at home should favour England but Germany will relish the chance of playing and winning at Wembley. There is so much history in this fixture. Hopefully the pressure and fear of losing doesn't stifle what could be another great game.

Frenchfooty prediction: England 1 V Germany 1 - Germany to win on penalties.

Sweden V Ukraine - Kick off at 2000 from Hampden Park 2000. Live on BBC One and BBC Iplayer..

Sweden have been one of the most surprising teams of the tournament so far and have managed their games brilliantly. Playing for and getting the draw in their opening game against Spain, meant they could afford to be more attacking in their remaining group games. They beat Slovakia and Poland with midfield Emil Forsberg and striker Alexander Isak looking particularly impressive. The Swedes seem to be one of a few teams to grow in to the tournament. They have grown whilst getting results at the same time though.

Ukraine scraped through their group with just three points. They have scored goals but looked vulnerable at the back, conceding in each of their games. Ukraine have a match winner in forward Andriy Yarmolenko and striker Roman Yaremchuk will be looking to add to his two tournament goals.

This looks like another close game with two well matched teams. I think Sweden's momentum will be enough to get them through.

Frenchfooty prediction: Sweden 2 V Ukraine 1.