Euro 2016 is moving along quickly, with the final two Round of 16 games taking place on Monday. Italy take on Spain in a Euro 2012 final rematch before England play Iceland.
We’ve seen some impressive performances in this tournament, perhaps none more than that of Germany and Belgium on Sunday. The Germans brushed aside Slovakia 3-0, and Belgium put four past Hungary.
Two heavyweights collide on Monday. Euro 2012 finalists Italy and Spain meet earlier this time around, but the anticipation is equally as high. Germany await the winners.
Iceland’s heroic journey to the final 16 has been a joy to watch, but they face a daunting challenge against England and their many attacking options. Who will go onto to play hosts France in the quarter-finals?
Italy vs. Spain (Noon ET)
This game is so tough to call. Italy are rock solid at the back and have the ability to shut down talented teams. They conceded against Ireland, but it was a much-changed Italian side without Gianluigi Buffon or Giorgio Chellini.
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Spain have been inconsistent. They dominated the ball against Czech Republic but left it late to find a winner, but this performance was followed up with an emphatic victory over Turkey. With the group almost wrapped up, Spain were handed their first defeat at the Euros by Croatia to wind up in second place.
Italy have the talent to shut up shop defensively, but you fear for them if they go a goal down early. Italy are set up to frustrate teams and catch them on the counter, and they are masters of executing their gameplan.
Spain of four years ago would stroll past this Italy team, but these two sides are fairly evenly matched here. It could go all the way down to penalties, and there’s only one winner in that scenario.
Prediction: Italy 0-0 Spain (Italy win on penalties)
England vs. Iceland (3pm ET)
There are yet to be any upsets in the Round of 16 — can Iceland be the first? Iceland are yet to lose a game after leaving Group F in second place with a win and two draws.
We can expect them to do what they have done plenty of in this tournament, sit back and defend in numbers and hope to catch England on the counter. This has been the tactic of all three of England’s opponents in this tournament, and it’s worked pretty well.
Russia were able to limit England to just one goal, and a scrappy last-minute equalizer ensured they took a point away from the opener. Wales did nothing going forward but were able to keep England quiet in the first half. A Gareth Bale wonder-strike from a free-kick gave Wales the lead.
England rallied to win 2-1, but had no such luck in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Slovakia.
Unlike the group stages, a draw won’t do, and Iceland will need to show some quality going forward. If they sit back like the others did, England will essentially have 120 minutes to score. Once they get one, it could be game over.
Prediction: England 2-0 Iceland
My Euro 2016 record: 25-17