Johannesburg – Italy smashed an 82-year-old record on Saturday night when they defeated Austria in the last 16, with the Azzurri now having gone 31 games unbeaten.
However, it was a match that didn’t go according to the script as Roberto Mancini’s men struggled to break down an Austria side that fought until the very final whistle.
Indeed, with the game having gone to extra time, a moment of absolute brilliance from Federico Chiesa was required to break the deadlock, the Juve man expertly bringing down the ball with his right (beating his man in the process) before lashing home with his left.
A late rally from Austria saw them rewarded with a deserved consolation goal, but Chiesa’s fellow substitute Matteo Pessina had already bagged his second of the tournament by that time.
Ultimately, that was enough to get the job done and set up a date with either Portugal or Belgium.
Up next at the Euros
The Netherlands are heavy favourites to see off the Czech Republic when they meet on Sunday, with Frank de Boer’s side seemingly clicking into place at the perfect time in their final group match – a 3-0 win over North Macedonia.
The near-telepathic Memphis Depay-Gini Wijnaldum partnership continues to go from strength to strength for the Oranje, while the superb Denzel Dumfries has been a constant threat from wing-back throughout the tournament.
With the Czechs having progressed to the round of 16 by virtue of finishing as one of the best performing third-placed group stage sides, the likelihood is that their time has come.
Still, they’d have Patrick Schick’s (probable) goal of the tournament to take home with them.
There’s been plenty of record-setting so far in this competition, but none will be more impressive than if Cristiano Ronaldo can strike at least one more time to become the outright top scorer in men’s international football.
The nature-defying Selecao captain matched Iran legend Ali Daei’s record of 109 goal in Portugal’s 2-2 draw with world champions France last time out, and will certainly back himself to find the net again regardless of the opponent.
That said, Belgium are no slouches, boasting a perfect campaign so far.
With Roberto Martinez able to call on the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, the Red Devils’ ‘Golden Generation’ are slight favourites in this one and ousting the holders would go some way to convincing fans that they do in fact have what it takes to lift a trophy.
• Depay has been directly involved in 13 goals in his last 10 appearances for Netherlands in all competitions (9 goals, 4 assists), while Wijnaldum has struck three times in his last three games.
• Ronaldo is now the top-scoring European player at major tournaments (World Cup and Euros), with his brace against France moving him beyond Miroslav Klose (19) to 21 goals.
• Since (and including) the 2014 World Cup, De Bruyne has created 71 chances in major tournaments, more than any other European player in that time – 44.
Saturday’s results:
Wales 0-4 Denmark
Italy 2-1 Wales (AET)
Today’s action:
Netherlands vs Czech Republic
Belgium vs Portugal
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
Sunday World
