Image: Thorgan Hazard celebrating after scoring the win against PortugalCristiano Ronaldo turned his attention to the sky and threw off the captain's armband. He then sank to the ground shaking his head.He has set new records in this tournament, surpassing Miroslav Klose to become Europe's top-scoring player at major tournaments.The final whistle in Seville proved that it won't end with him hoisting the trophy.Portugal, reigning champions after their victory over France in 2016, will be returning home at the last-16 stage following a loss to Belgium 1-0. This may prove to be Ronaldo's last appearance at an European Championship.He did have his moments at Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja. Thibaut Courtois was forced to save with a long save in the first half. Diogo Jota then got up after the break, using some nimble footwork and powerful free-kicks. His best efforts did not suffice in the end.His remarkable legacy will continue to live on. His five goals in the group stage suggest that he might defy his years for many more years. Perhaps the future is in Belgium, not Portugal.Image: Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't stop Portugal's defeatRoberto Martinez's team was far from their best in Seville. Portugal scored 23 goals to Portugal's six. They managed just six shots in the 90-minute match. The holders won the second period and they pressed for an equaliser.Their resilience is a positive sign for a side with attacking strengths already well-known, but whose defense is often viewed as weakness.It was certainly not a weakness Sunday night. Courtois was a great reminder of his outstanding stature as a goalkeeper, especially when he stopped Andre Silva at close range in the final minutes. The players in front of him were equally impressive.Thomas Vermaelen was a great backline manager, while Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, who were former Tottenham team-mates, displayed all their experience. Ronaldo had to look deeper for the ball and keep clear chances to a minimum.Belgium's defensive players will be tested again with doubts about Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne's availability for Friday night's quarter-final match against Italy. They can stop Ciro Immobile and his team if they keep Ronaldo at bay.Nick WrightImage: Frank de Boer couldn't inspire the DutchFrank de Boer looked dejected at the end of the Puskas Arena match, knowing that the Czech Republic will soon be back in force and the Netherlands' shock exit. If his team made it to the final at Wembley, he had said he would "swim through the canals in Amsterdam" if they won the trophy.The Netherlands collapsed shortly after De Ligt was dismissed for a cynical, handball just 10 minutes into the second period. The goal came in less than a minute and effectively ended the game.Donyell Malen hesitated at several occasions - none more than when he ran through the Czech defense to one-on-one match Tomas Vaclik. The ball was then taken from his feet and he attempted to turn the 'keeper. De Ligt was ejected in 60 seconds.Image: The Netherlands fans are left with many more questionsDe Boer's team failed to score despite showing glimpses of the same swashbuckling football that had helped them so well in a gentle group stage.Quincy Promes was brought in as the head coach searched for a solution. However, the Czechs took control of the match and may have won by more goals than they scored.Gary Neville, ITV studio host, stated that "the first Czech goal was coming." They had the Dutch on the ropes. De Boer's men looked so weak after the sending off, you would be hard-pressed to believe. They did not tactically adapt. They gave up.The tournament that promised so much was ended abruptly. This was a sad and untimely lesson. De Boer, having lost their three Euro final knockout-phase matches will now hope to be able to rebuild before Qatar.Ben GroundsImage: Patrik Schick of the Czech Republic celebrates with Tomas HolesWhile elite level is not without its challenges, the margins for victory can be very narrow, but there are certain teams that you enjoy playing against.In five of their seven last international matches against the Netherlands the Czech Republic scored at least two goals. This includes both their European Championships games (the other being a 3-2 win at Euro 2004).Their famous victory in Budapest of 2-0 on Sunday was celebrated by Jaroslav Silhavy, their head coach. He smiled wide and broad as the River Vltava as he celebrated.Image: Czech Republic boss Jaroslav Sihavy celebrating after the winThe Czechs were unable to prepare for their trip because of injuries to their captain Vladimir Darida. Their flight to Budapest was cancelled Saturday morning after an inflatable slide was accidentally installed on their private plane.Silhavy made sure his players were on the right side in a game that was evenly poised at the hour mark and turned in their favor after De Ligt’s moment of madness. This victory was deserved because of the ruthless manner in which the Dutch were "punched and kicked", as Neville pointed out.Tomas Holes, the goal scorer, said that "they were the favourites in the game, it was an unreal feeling beating such a team by 2-0." "They were more adept with the ball than we were, and we struggled to keep them in check, but our team performance ensured that we didn't give them too much space."Image: Holes' goal broke down the deadlock after just 69 minutesThis competition offers second chances, and Czech Republic has turned around their Euro 2020 fortunes to book their quarter-final clash against Denmark. They only reached the knockout stage after finishing third in their group.Despite all the talk about permutations, tournaments rarely turn out as you expect. This side of the draw is growing increasingly attractive for England. But beware these dark horses.Patrik Schick, co-hosts, and their personal struggles have made them believe that they can repeat their runners up place at Euro 96. They also hope to achieve their dream of winning the Grand Prix.Ben GroundsImage: Italy was not at their best in their 16-match match against AustriaAfter impressing in the group phase, Italy was given the opportunity to perform for their fans at Wembley. They outnumbered their Austrian counterparts inside that stadium by a large margin. It had been three matches in Rome, but this match felt like home.The sun shining, the Italian songs being sung in the stands, made it easy for their fans to enjoy their performance in the first period. Roberto Mancini's team also demonstrated the difference in quality between the two sides.It would have been a better shot for Ciro Immobile if the shot had hit the woodwork rather than going in. The Azzurri had a well-deserved lead at the break. Meanwhile, the fans were captivated by the roaring runs of Leonardo Spinazzola as well as his combination play with Lorenzo Insigne.It was shocking to see Italy drop off in the second period. They became sloppy and slow all over the pitch, and Austria capitalized to give them a real scare. VAR denied Marko Arnautovic a head opener.Substitutes Federico Chiesa (and Matteo Pessina) saved the day. However, after Sasa Kalajdzic's late goal to set up a nervy final, and a series of Austria openings, many would likely have left Wembley thinking about whether Italy could win the Euros.The defense suddenly seemed less watertight. The attack flow was not as fluid. Italy will face Portugal or Belgium in Munich in the quarter-finals, followed by France or Spain in the final. These are likely to be their opponents.Italy will face different challenges from each side, but Mancini can be proud of the team's determination to win and their 31-game unbeaten streak. It will be interesting to see how brave Austria respond to Italy's rapid start to Euro 2020.Peter SmithImage: Kasper Dolberg, Denmark's second goal scorer, celebratesSo Denmark marches on.Although it has been only two weeks since Christian Eriksen's heart attack in the opening game of their group match against Finland, those traumatic events at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium (from which Eriksen is currently recovering) seem to have galvanized Kasper Hjulmand’s men.After losing their first two games, the Danes were victorious in a thrilling 4-1 victory over Russia. They then went on to win against Wales and became the first European Championship side to reach the knockout stage.They have lost their greatest star Eriksen. However, new stars are emerging in Eriksen's absence. There is also a growing belief that Denmark, 1992 champions, might be able to repeat that feat.Kasper Dolberg, who scored two goals in Yussuf Puulsen's absence, was the star performer against Wales. Joakim Maehle, wingback, was equally impressive scoring for the second consecutive match. And then there was Mikkel Damsgaard.He is an attacking midfielder for Sampdoria, Italy. When he scored the opening goal against Russia, the 20-year old became the youngest Danish player to have scored at a European Championship. In Amsterdam, he put on another impressive performance.Damsgaard was on the left side of Denmark's attack, but he drifted through the last third and Wales was unable to contain him.He was the architect for the opening goal, wiggling away from Aaron Ramsey, and feeding scorer Dolberg. But that was only one of many great individual moments.Damsgaard already appears to be one of the tournament’s top players. He and Denmark's other rising stars are now attempting to win glory against the Czech Republic or the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.Nick WrightImage: Joe Rodon consoled by Gareth Bale after Wales' defeatIt feels almost like 1992 for Denmark, but it was not a Super Saturday in Wales. Alun Wyn Jones was expelled from the Lions tour in South Africa, just as Kasper Dolberg's footwork was leading them to a merry dance at Amsterdam.Dolberg, who was the second Danish player to score 2 goals in a knockout match at a major tournament against the Netherlands 29-years ago, continues the comparisons with the summer when Denmark won surprise champions of this competition.They could have met in the final four but Wales never got going. They rarely threatened after the first 10 minutes.After having travelled 5,350 km from Baku to Rome to the Netherlands, Wales appeared tired and disoriented.Robert Page's team made Turkey look poor in the second game in Baku. However, it was an accomplishment in itself to get through the group stages. His players were overwhelmed by 16,000 Danes who galvanized their team at Johan Cruyff arena.Page hopes this will be a valuable learning curve for his young squad. They have had to face Italy twice and are outclassed by Denmark's well-trained side. This is the squad with the lowest average age in the tournament.Page will address leadership and discipline issues to keep their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign on track.He will then know if Gareth Bale is part of his future plans, and speculation will swirl about his future in the game.The 31-year old has gone 15 games without scoring for his nation. While injuries have hindered his career, it is still clear that Wales' presence in Qatar depends on their decision to talisman.Ben Grounds
