ponsaelius

Emerson is obviously not as good but he was the first choice left throughout qualifying and had a good relationship with Insigne.

Belgium have 3 or 4 genuine world class players but I'm not sure they have any god given right to be winning ahead of other big sides in the tournament. They're a small country and the talent pool only goes so far. They don't seem to have a left back in the whole country of international standard. The back 3 is ancient. Once you get into the squad players there's clear weaknesses in depth. It's a generation, particularly at this stage of their cycle, more akin to the likes of Czech Republic in 2004 or Croatia a few years ago. Martinez has done a good job overall and fallen short against very good sides. The big fuck up was Wales in 2016 when they still had Wilmots.

Forza Azzurri! Gutted for Spinazzola mind.

Subs they've made have been ropey. On Mancini if they concede.

He's had so many injuries over the years. real shame.

Verratti off and Spinazzola going off. Big changes to the dynamic of the team. If Belgium get an equaliser I'd fancy them in extra time.

Immobile has had a proper stinker. Lack of a proper striker gonna cost Italy.

I'm so, so happy for Insigne.

That is never a red. Just like his one against Real Madrid.

Also that Zakaria goal is a nightmare all-round because they really needed him to step up but he's shrank confidence wise since it.

Swiss been rattled by Spanish high press and ability with the ball. Plus losing Embolo is massive. Change of system has gradually got them more competitive in midfield but as a trade off they're finding it harder to play out from the back.

Sky Italia reckons De Bruyne fit but Hazard out.

Would love another Schwiiz upset but Xhaka being suspended is a huge blow.

There's argument to be made that making a massive big deal about national anthems, and the 'offensiveness' of defiling them with boos and whistles, is overtly nationalistic in and of itself. At the end of the day it's just a daft song. And this is just another example of the theatre of football.

So what, man. It's just a bit of theatre.

Apparently Gosens is an injury doubt? Crease if we switch a 3-4-3 to match up and then Germany ditch with wing-backs.

This tournament is massively proving the depth of European football mind. No mugs whatsoever in the last 16.

I have just been giggling manically for the last 5 minutes

Not always the most exciting but genuinely think Petkovic has done a brilliant job over the years, squeezing every last bit out of this squad. Always qualify with ease, get out the groups, and then are unlucky to be narrowly defeated in the knock outs.

No. 2016 also had 24 teams and the same format.

Already more goals (110) in this tournament than last time (108).

I think they've done OK to be honest. Narrowly losing to Argentina in a quarter final which was basically a home tie for them, and then narrowly to France in the 2018 semi-final is hardly criminal underachievement. Winning international tournaments is hard. Even this time you can't really say if they fail to reach the final they've been disastrous as they're probably going to have to go through 3 other pre-tournament favourites to get there. The big blemish is definitely Wales in 2016 though. They should have definitely made the final and probably won that tournament with most of this current squad in their mid-late 20s and most other nations underperforming.

37. But yes - almost definitely.

Belgium have been woeful.

Bilbao's would have been great.