Bale and Ronaldo on course to clash in semi-finals
Alex ChafferJune 24, 2016
Potential fairytales, possible upsets and the road to a blockbuster clash. The opening Euro 2016 knockout games have it all, including two of world football's biggest stars in Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Image: Getty Images/S. Forster
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Following a turbulent and unpredictable Euro 2016 group stage, Saturday sees the beginning of the knockout matches for the 16 teams remaining, with three mouthwatering games on the schedule after two rest days.
Switzerland and Poland, who finished second in their respective groups, meet in Saint-Etienne, before two of world football's biggest names, and club colleagues, will look to take the next step on the road to a possible meeting in the semifinals.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal face Croatia in Lens and Wales, with Ronaldo's Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale leading the charge, take on fellow minnows Northern Ireland in Paris.
"We've come through a massive journey," Bale, the tournament's joint top scorer with three goals, said on Friday.
"We've been in some bad places," added the 26-year-old. "We were 112th in the world and now we're in the last 16 of the Euros. These are the days to enjoy."
The rise of Welsh football in some ways mirrors Bale's career. Starting as a full-back with English side Southampton, he is now a key part of Real's potent “BBC” attack. The chance has finally arrived for him to have a moment in the spotlight playing for his country at a major tournament.
Ronaldo is still searching for international gloryImage: Reuters/K. Pfaffenbach
A potential blockbuster
Bale is hoping his nation's dream run continues on to a last-four showdown with Ronaldo, who is often seen as a mentor, or even a rival, for the Welshman.
The three-times World Player of the Year scored his first two goals of the tournament in the final group stage match against Hungary and appears to have rediscovered his best form at just the right time.
"Everyone knows Cristiano and what he can do at any time, in any minute in a game. I am 100 percent sure he will go on and score more goals now," Portugal teammate Nani told reporters on Friday.
"No one can say anything against him. He is a fantastic player. He showed it again against Hungary when everyone was talking about him - he has shut them all up now," Nani added.
Bale and Ronaldo have never faced each other on the international stage and only on three occasions were they on opposite sides at club level: when Bale was with Tottenham Hotspur and Ronaldo with Manchester United in the Premier League.
It's been a tournament of pure joy for Northern Irish fansImage: picture-alliance/dpa/Y. Kochetkov
Northern Irish heart, Croatian class
Wales' opponents on Saturday are another team who unexpectedly made it past the group stage: Northern Ireland. The support from the Northern Irish fans has been hailed, along with their Republic of Ireland counterparts, as the best at the tournament.
Spurred on by their cheering hordes, the likes of Kyle Lafferty, Gareth McAuley and in-form goalkeeper Michael McGovern will be hoping to shatter Welsh dreams, and thwart their world-class striker.
Portugal's opponents Croatia have been one of the tournament's best teams. Despite conceding two late goals in a draw with the Czech Republic, beating Spain and Turkey with an unexpected confidence has made them one of the favourites on the 'weaker' side of the draw.
Despite missing the final group match, star-man and another Real talent, Luka Modric, is expected to be fit to take his place alongside fellow midfielders Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic. Croatia will be counting on their more consistent form prevailing.
Stars of Euro 2016
Football may be a team game, but great individuals are more often than not the difference between winning and losing. Here are some players to watch at the Euro 2016.
Image: picture alliance/dpa
David Alaba, Austria
He may be "just a defender" for Bayern Munich, but he is the heart of Austria's midfield. Alaba's three goals and three assists in qualifying, helped Austria qualify outright for the first time.
Image: Reuters
Gareth Bale, Wales
Even at age 26, Gareth Bale is already one of the best players to ever suit up for the Welsh national team. Now the Real Madrid forward will aim to help Wales put in a good showing in their first appearance in a major tournament since 1958.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Guez
Hakan Calhanoglu, Turkey
Hakan Calhanoglu is a free-kick wizard for Bayer Leverkusen, but he is much more than that when he plays for Turkey. At 22 years old, he is one of the most important players Turkey have and, combined with Arda Turan in attack, he could help Turkey make some noise in the knockout stages.
Image: picture-alliance/empics/O. Humphreys
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved everything a player can at the club level, but he has yet to win a major trophy with his country. With Portugal still lacking the superstars other countries have at their disposal, the Real Madrid forward will be key to Portugal being competitive in France.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Leong
Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne was a major force in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil two years ago, helping Belgium reach the quarterfinals of the tournament. Now he will be the centerpiece of the Red Devils' attack as he tries to help Belgium lift their first major trophy.
Image: AFP/Getty Images/J. Thys
Artem Dzyuba, Russia
Russia have escaped only one group stage in a major tournament, but they may have found the striker to change their fortunes. Artem Dzyuba had eight goals for his nation as they qualified with ease, and the Zenit St. Petersburg striker will be key if the country want to make a run in the European championship.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Perez
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden
Playing the last international tournament of his career, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the driving force for Sweden in France. Strong, shifty and arrogant, he is always a player that demands attention when he steps onto a football pitch.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Nackstrand
Andres Iniesta, Spain
He may be playing in his last European Championship, but Andres Iniesta will be an integral part of any success that Spain enjoy in France. With long-time teammate Xavi now out of the international picture, he will be the leading presence on the pitch as Spain try to complete their Euro hat trick.
Image: picture alliance/Demotix
Lorenzo Insigne, Italy
After taking a big step at the club level with Napoli in Serie A, Lorenzo Insigne (right) will try to do the same with Italy at the European championship. The 24-year-old forward made just one appearance at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil two years ago, but after 12 goals and 10 assists in Serie A, Italy coach Antonio Conte will have a tough time leaving him out of the squad.
Image: Getty Images
Harry Kane, England
Tottenham's Harry Kane burst onto the scene in the Premier League in 2014-2015, and may now be about to taste success at the international level. He scored three goals in five qualifying matches, and with Leicester City's Jamie Vardy as his strike partner, he may score a lot more in France.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. West
Robert Lewandowski, Poland
He was the first player in 39 years to score 30 Bundesliga goals, and now Robert Lewandowski hopes to bring his goal-scoring ability to the European championship. Some may doubt the quality of players around him, but that did not stop the Bayern Munich striker from being the top scorer in qualifying with 13 goals in 10 matches.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Zborowski
Manuel Neuer, Germany
His sensational display at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil got him on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, and now Manuel Neuer will look to perform similarly in France. The defense in front of him is still a question mark, so Germany may need his heroics if they are to lift another major trophy.
Image: A. Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
Paul Pogba, France
The young midfielder has already developed into a star with Juventus, but he could become a superstar if he helps France win the European Championship as hosts. As a box-to-box midfielder, he will be crucial for the French at both ends of the field.
Image: imago/MIS
Andriy Yarmolenko, Ukraine
He is a player many top European teams have their eye on, and he could show the world why when he performs for Ukraine at the European championship. He helped Dynamo Kyiv get out of the group stages of the Champions League, and he will try to help Ukraine to do something similar in France.
