The Round of 16 in Euro 2024 brought some thrilling moments as two teams secured their spots in the quarterfinals. In a match between Netherlands and Romania, Cody Gakpo stood out with his stellar performance, scoring his third goal of the tournament. Gakpo’s contribution was crucial as the Netherlands managed to secure a convincing 3-0 victory. Not only did Gakpo score, but he also assisted in the match, making him his country’s youngest player to achieve such a feat in a major tournament knockout match since Marco van Basten in 1988.
In another exciting fixture, Turkey faced off against Austria, with Turkey emerging victorious with a 2-1 win. The Turkish team’s goalkeeper, Mert Gunok, played a pivotal role in securing their spot in the quarterfinals. Gunok’s save in the dying moments of the match had an “Expected Goals on Target” value of 0.93, making it the most unlikely save in stoppage time in major tournaments since 2018. Turkey’s Arda Guler also made a significant impact, becoming the third teenager to both score and assist in the same edition of the Euro, following in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Notable Performances
Throughout the Round of 16 matches, several players showcased their talent and skill on the field. Netherlands’ Xavi Simons became the first player to provide 3+ assists at Euro 2024 and the second player to provide 2+ assists in a single game at the tournament. Turkey’s Merih Demiral made history by scoring the earliest goal in Euro knockout round history, finding the back of the net in just 57 seconds against Austria. Bart Verbruggen also made a mark, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in Euro history with a clean sheet in a knockout stage game.
One of the notable trends in Euro 2024 has been the impressive performances of young players. Through the Round of 16, there have been 17 goal contributions from players under 22 years old at this European Championship, just one away from tying the record set in the 2004 edition. The 2004 tournament featured young talents like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Arjen Robben, who made significant contributions to their respective teams.
The Round of 16 in Euro 2024 provided fans with thrilling matches, standout performances, and historic moments. As the tournament progresses to the quarterfinal stage, football enthusiasts can look forward to more exciting action on the field. The young talents shining in this edition of the Euro showcase the bright future of football and the potential for more memorable moments in the remaining matches.
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