Euro 2016 is in full swing and for the last two weeks with witnessed the best Europe has to offer fight it out for places in the round of 16. With some saying that more teams means that there are sides that shouldn't be in the tournament and others saying that more teams creates more competition and chances for the minnows. Whatever you may think, lets take a look at how each group fared.
Group A: France (H), Switzerland, Albania & Romania
France and Switzerland were both the outright favourites to finish one and two in the group and that's exactly how its turned out. A 2-1 over Romania gave France the perfect start to the tournament before scoring two stoppage time goals to get the job done against Albania in game two. Dimitri Payet making himself known on the big stage with two massive goals in both games.
Switzerland boast a pretty good side as well, with the likes of Shaqiri, Rodriguez, Lichtsteiner and new Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka. This was team that overachieved massively at the 2014 World Cup, making the round of 16. A close encounter with Albania saw the Swiss take the cherries in their first game before settling for a draw against Romania in game two.
Qualification for both France and Switzerland had already been confirmed by the time the two met, so we didn't expect much to come out of the match. 0-0 it finished, a very organised defensive display from both sides, the theme of the tournament thus far.
Group B: Wales, England, Slovakia & Russia
Three teams qualified from this group for the round of 16. Wales topped it, England finished runners-up and Slovakia made it in as the third place team courtesy of a good record.
Matchday one for England against Russia was typical of the Three Lions, getting the goal they craved through Eric Dier's free-kick and then conceding with the very last play of the game through a header. It could spell worries for Roy Hodgson as Russia were comprehensively beaten by both Wales and Slovakia.
This was Wales first major international tournament in 58 years and their first match ended in a brilliant 2-1 victory over Martin Skrtel's Slovakia, thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Gareth Bale and a late winner from Robson-Kanu. Wales would go on to score first in their match with England through yet another Bale free-kick that Joe Hart should of stopped. England rallied late though bringing on both Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge in the second half, both scoring to give England the three points.
Wales dominated Russia in their final group game with a stunning 3-0 victory, the largest winning margin at the tournament so far from any team. Goals to Neil Taylor, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale - who tops the tournament's scoring charts - sealed progression for the Welsh.
For Slovakia, a 2-1 win over Russia and a 0-0 draw with England was enough to see them progress through.
Group C: Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland & Ukraine
The World Champions got their tournament going with a 2-0 win over Ukraine. Goals to Shkofran Mustafi and Bastien Schweinsteiger and a scratch and sniff from head coach Joachim Low sealed the three points. Their next game with Poland failed to capture the imagination of fans, a bore 0-0 draw confirming both sides would go through to the knockout stages with Poland defeating Northern Ireland 1-0 on Matchday one.
Northern Ireland was the feel good story of the group stages along with Iceland. Michael O'Neil's side secured their maiden win at a European Championship with two second half goals to oust Ukraine in the poring rain in Lyon. Kevin McAuley's goal in the 49th minute is the country's first goal at a major tournament since Colin Clarke found the net against Spain at the 1986 World Cup.
A brilliant performance from keeper Michael McGovern ensured Northern Ireland only walked away with a 1-0 loss against the Germans meaning they would progress as the third place team. More teams in the tournament, means defeats can also been seen as wins.
Group D
Group D saw Croatia top the group in their final matchup against Spain, winning 2-1 thanks to Ivan Perisic's late goal. Both Croatia and Spain grabbed 1-0 wins in their first matches against Turkey and Czech Republic respectively. Luka Modric's goal for Croatia one of the highlights of the tournament so far.
Matchday two saw a vintage Spain full with brilliant passing and movement, comfortably defeat Turkey 3-0, Juventus striker Alvaro Morata in great form, scoring two goals. Croatia and Czech Republic played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, Czech Republic coming from behind on two occasions throughout the match to earn a point.
Turkey finished third thanks to a 2-0 win over the Czechs in the final group stage game, however it wasn't enough to see them progress to the knockout stages.
Group E
As is the case every time a major tournament comes around, write Italy off at your own peril. Antonio Conte's side went undefeated right up until the dramatic final game, where they'll beaten 1-0 by the Republic of Ireland. Robbie Brady's 85th minute winner enough to send the Irish through as the third placed team.
Many were expecting Belgium to comfortably take care of Italy in the opening group E game, however the result was flipped right on its head, with Italy typically defending brilliantly and counter-attacking with pace, running out eventual 2-0 winners with goals from Giaccherini and Southampton's Pelle.
After narrowly missing out on World Cup qualification in 2014, Sweden came into the Euros with plenty to prove but have lacked any support for superstar skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Two tough games against Ireland and Italy resulted in Sweden being very unlucky not to grab more from both of those games. Eventually, it all ended in heartbreak with a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
Group E was seen to be the group of death in this year's Euros and had Sweden been in a different group, the story might of been a bit different. Anyway, Italy and Belgium go through as one and two and Ireland qualify as the third placed team.
Group F
The final group of Euro 2016 has provided the feel good stories of the competition along with Northern Ireland. Hungary and amazingly, Iceland finished as one and two in the group with Portugal narrowly getting through as the third best team.
Day one saw a traditional rivalry matchup between neighbours Austria and Hungary. A Hungarian side containing the oldest player at this year's Euros, 40 year old keeper, Gabor Kiraly, were too good for Austria, claiming the three points with a 2-0 victory.
Iceland went into their game with Portugal with pretty much their whole country in France and performed gallantly, earning a point with a 1-1 draw. Birkir Bjarnason's strike, the first goal for Iceland at a major tournament which turned out to be their first point as well.
Iceland would then dramatically qualify for the round of 16 with a win over Austria on the final day, courtesy of a 94th minute winner from Arnor Ingvi Traustason sending them through. Portugal would qualify also, playing out the most entertaining game of the competition so far, a 3-3 draw with Hungary in a game where we finally saw Ronaldo come to the fore.
Round of 16 Matches
The knockout stages kick-off tonight with Switzerland taking on Poland. Check below for the rest of the round of 16 fixtures.
Wales vs Northern Ireland - 2:00am AEST
Croatia vs Portugal - 5:00am AEST
Sunday night/Monday morning
France vs Ireland - 11:00pm AEST
Germany vs Slovakia - 2:00am AEST
Hungary vs Belgium - 5:00am AEST
Tuesday morning
Italy vs Spain - 2:00am AEST
England vs Iceland - 5:00am AEST
All the action can be followed on Bein Sports
