sport news Euro 2020: Can England get past Germany? Guide to the last-16

sport news Euro 2020: Can England get past Germany? Guide to the last-16
sport news Euro 2020: Can England get past Germany? Guide to the last-16

And that's that - the Euro 2020 group stages are over and now it's time for the business end. 

The tournament has been up and running for nearly two weeks now and it has given just as much drama as a regular league season. Shocking moments, unexpected results and signs of unity togetherness have accompanied the goalscoring action so far this summer.

But after a few days of permutations and potential possibilities, we now know the 16 teams competing in the knockout rounds and their potential routes to the July 11 final at Wembley.

Sportsmail analyses the eight ties that will greet us when the do-or-die ties start this weekend... 

The Euro 2020 group stages have come to an end after nearly a fortnight of dramatic action

The Euro 2020 group stages have come to an end after nearly a fortnight of dramatic action

Sportsmail analyses the eight ties that will greet us at the last-16 stage of the tournament

Sportsmail analyses the eight ties that will greet us at the last-16 stage of the tournament

WALES vs DENMARK (Saturday June 26 - 17:00 BST - Amsterdam)

Tournament form so far (Win-Draw-Loss): 

Wales: 1-1-1 (Form Rating: 6/10)

Denmark: 1-0-2 (Form Rating: 6/10) 

On paper, Wales looked like they were set for a difficult group stage this summer. 

Derailed by Ryan Giggs' suspension just before the tournament and thrown in with Roberto Mancini's Italy, knockout stage regulars Switzerland and the hipster pick for 'dark horses' Turkey, many thought Rob Page's men would struggle to get beyond the first round.

Wales got through a very difficult Euro 2020 group with Italy, Switzerland and Turkey

Wales got through a very difficult Euro 2020 group with Italy, Switzerland and Turkey

But how wrong those sceptics were in the end. Wales breezed through the group in second place and didn't even need to win their final game against Italy to make it through to the last-16. 

Remaining on-par with the likes of Switzerland and Turkey shows Page's men will be a tough ask for anyone in the knockout stages. After a slow start, star men Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale are starting to peak at the right time, Danny Ward looks like a force to be reckoned with in goal while Joe Rodon and Kieffer Moore do not look out of place at this level. 

Despite a very different squad to the team that played in Euro 2016, Wales appear to have the same togetherness that accompanied them to the semi-finals. The fact they will be able to take more fans to Amsterdam for this last-16 tie rather than the costly trips to Baku could be an important factor this weekend.

Wales will now face Denmark in the last-16 who are everyone's second best team at Euro 2020

Wales will now face Denmark in the last-16 who are everyone's second best team at Euro 2020

Denmark had to deal with Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest in their first match with Finland

Denmark had to deal with Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest in their first match with Finland

Wales will face a Denmark side who has become everyone's second team after Christian Eriksen's shock collapse in their opening match of the tournament against Finland. 

After bravely coming back on the pitch to play out a 1-0 loss to Finland, Denmark showed heart in a slight defeat to Belgium before a 4-1 win over Russia sealed their knockout spot and provided every fan with a feel-good moment in this tournament.

The Danes can now put the Eriksen incident behind them and focus back on the knockout games that await. Since winning Euro 92, Denmark have only been to the quarter-finals once since then - in Euro 2008 - so will want to get past this one. 

Star men 

Wales: Aaron Ramsey - Gareth Bale was the man on everyone's lips at the start of the campaign but it's the Juventus midfielder who is Wales' best player in the tournament so far.

Aaron Ramsey (right) holds important experience and is Wales' brightest spark at Euro 2020

Aaron Ramsey (right) holds important experience and is Wales' brightest spark at Euro 2020

Ramsey has linked up with Bale to excellent effect and his goal against Turkey in the group stages finally got the ball rolling again for Page's men. He may miss a few, but the 30-year-old's ability to create chances from deep is a useful asset for Wales.

Denmark: Youssef Poulsen - Two goals in the tournament so far means Poulsen is the man who Wales will need to look out for in Denmark's final third. 

The 27-year-old will chase down everything and is a real fox in the box. He makes up a decent spine in this Denmark side which includes Premier League players Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas Christensen and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.  

Denmark's Youssef Poulsen has two goals at the European Championship so far this summer

Denmark's Youssef Poulsen has two goals at the European Championship so far this summer

ITALY vs AUSTRIA (Saturday June 26 - 20:00 BST - Wembley)

Tournament form so far (Win-Draw-Loss):

Italy: 3-0-0 (Form Rating: 10/10)

Austria: 2-0-1 (Form Rating: 7/10)

Very few had Italy on their contenders list to be lifting the Euro 2020 title on July 11 - that's not the case now after a brilliant group stage for Roberto Mancini's side. 

The Azzurri won all three of their matches in convincing style. Turkey and Switzerland were swotted away by 3-0 scorelines which gave them the luxury of resting several key men for the visit of Wales in the final group game. 

Italy were perfect in Group A and are currently on a 30-match unbeaten run in internationals

Italy were perfect in Group A and are currently on a 30-match unbeaten run in internationals

Italy's strength in depth will be key for their title chances. When Marco Veratti doesn't play then Manuel Locatelli can slot straight in. Francesco Acerbi can deputise well should Giorgio Chiellini fail to recover in time. 

Up front, Andrea Belotti, Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi are all exciting options that didn't even start the country's first two games in the tournament. Ciro Immobile, Domenico Berardi and Lorenzo Insigne will be a tough trio to oust. 

Italy have been exceptional all round and are on a 30-game unbeaten run, while they have won their last 11 matches without even conceding a goal. 

The Azzurri have the most successful manager in the tournament in Roberto Mancini (above)

The Azzurri have the most successful manager in the tournament in Roberto Mancini (above)

But Austria come into the knockout stages with some excellent strength in depth of their own. 

The likes of Christoph Baumgartner, Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer are excellent options up front, but Michael Gregoritsch and Sasa Kalajdzic have shown they can do some damage off the bench.

At the back, David Alaba, Martin Hinteregger and Stefan Lainer have shown they can affect both ends of the pitch. Write off this Austria side at your peril. 

Italy face an Austria side who had to work to get out of their group with Holland and Ukraine

Italy face an Austria side who had to work to get out of their group with Holland and Ukraine

Star men

Italy: Ciro Immobile - The Lazio man has struggled to produce consistent performances at international level but goals in the opening two games of this tournament stand him in good stead of the knockouts.

The 31-year-old doesn't even need to play well to end up on the scoresheet so Austria will need to be alert for the whole 90 minutes on Saturday. 

Austria: David Alaba - Italy's opponents have plenty of options up front but it's at the back where they need to be focused against Mancini's free-scoring Azzurri side. 

The 28-year-old's experience of big knockout matches for Bayern Munich will come in useful at Wembley - the place where the national team captain won the 2013 Champions League title.  

David Alaba will bring vital experience at the back after several trophies with Bayern Munich

David Alaba will bring vital experience at the back after several trophies with Bayern Munich

HOLLAND vs CZECH REPUBLIC (Sunday June 27 - 17.00 BST - Budapest)

Tournament form so far (Win-Draw-Loss):

Holland: 3-0-0 (Form Rating: 10/10)

Czech Republic: 1-1-1 (Form Rating: 6/10)  

As expected, Frank de Boer's Holland breezed through Group C that involved matches against Austria, Ukraine and North Macedonia. 

Holland were another team to get through the group stages with ease by winning every tie

Holland were another team to get through the group stages with ease by winning every tie

Holland were given a right good scare by Ukraine who hauled themselves level from 2-0 down late on, but Denzel Dumfries' late header sealed the victory for the Oranje. 

Routine victories have followed since then but there is still the feeling that De Boer's men are yet to come up against a proper test so far this tournament. 

The Dutch coach also has some selection dilemmas ahead of him - particularly up front. Does the tall Wout Weghorst get the nod over pacy forward Donyell Malen - who impressed in the victory over North Macedonia in the final group game?

Frank de Boer has some selection dilemmas ahead of the knockout stages next week

Frank de Boer has some selection dilemmas ahead of the knockout stages next week

In midfield, teenage options Ryan Gravenberch gave de Boer something to think about over Martin de Roon, who is the more experienced having starred for Atalanta in recent years. 

The Czech Republic are one of the surprise packages of the tournament, with Jaroslav Silhavy's side needing just two matches to qualify for the knockout stages. 

One of the key attributes in this Czech side is their resolute defence from inside their own penalty area, which was clear in the first match against Scotland where their back line put their bodies on the line at Hampden Park. 

But with players such as Tomas Soucek and Patrick Schick, the Czechs show they can produce the goods in the final third when needed. Despite a poor display against England on Tuesday, they should not be underestimated. 

Czech Republic finished third  in Group D after losing to England at Wembley on Wednesday

Czech Republic finished third  in Group D after losing to England at Wembley on Wednesday

Star men

Holland - Georginio Wijnaldum: The 30-year-old is a completely different player to the one we have seen at Liverpool over the past few seasons.

The all-action midfielder is a recognised goalscorer for his country and has scored 25 goals in 78 caps - including four in eight games this year. His late running into the box is a key asset for the Oranje, with Memphis Depay also a threat further in front. 

Czech Republic - Patrick Schick: The 25-year-old is unlikely to take home a Euro 2020 medal but he could take the goal of the tournament prize away with him this summer.

The Czech forward's stunning 50-yard goal against Scotland is already a highlight from this summer and Schick is a surprise contender for the Golden Boot award with three goals. 

Patrick Schick has already scored what looks like being goal of the tournament for the Czechs

Patrick Schick has already scored what looks like being goal of the tournament for the Czechs

BELGIUM VS PORTUGAL (Sunday June 27 - 20.00 BST - Seville)

Tournament form so far (Win-Draw-Loss):

Belgium: 3-0-0 (Form Rating: 10/10)

Portugal: 1-1-1 (Form Rating: 7/10) 

Roberto Martinez's Belgium are another team who expected to win their group, but found it much more difficult to breeze past their first opponents than the other unbeaten teams in the tournament so far.

Belgium also won all of their matches but were made to work hard by the teams in their group

Belgium also won all of their matches but were made to work hard by the teams in their group

The opening match saw the Red Devils thump Russia 3-0 in the first match before things got a little tricker for Belgium from that point.

Martinez's men needed a Kevin de Bruyne substitution to click them into gear against Denmark - a game which

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