The drama at Euro 2020 is increasing round by round, and the stars who make up 90 minutes of Our 21 have a big word.
18 of the 21 made it to the 16s with their nations, and although not everyone did on the pitch when the nerve-o-meter goes into exaggeration, many played major roles in their sides until the quarterfinals.
Let’s take a look at how they progressed in the 16s.
Williams is comforted by Joe Allen / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images
Williams played 50 minutes in Wales’ 4-0 defeat against Denmark and unfortunately played a big role in Kasper Dolberg’s second goal.
The Liverpool defender cleared the ball directly to the Nice striker and the mountain got bigger and bigger for Wales to climb before it inevitably became insurmountable.
Damsgaard is in good shape / Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Damsgaard has started Denmark’s last three matches and has not yet made a foot mistake.
He got an hour against Wales, looked dangerous all the time and started Dolberg’s first strike. Will almost certainly start again against the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.
Raspadori can get a chance against Belgium / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
Italy’s close encounter with Austria was a nail-biter, so much so that young Raspadori did not get a chance from the bench.
Baumgartner misses an opportunity / Carl Recine – Pool / Getty Images
Baumgartner scored the decisive goal against Ukraine to send Austria through Group C like others, but was a little more subdued against Italy as his side seemed to contain his strongly favored opponents.
He was excellent defensively and made four tackles before being replaced late by Alessandro Schopf.
Not The Light’s Finest Hour / BERNADETT SZABO / Getty Images
The Netherlands may have been favorites to get past the Czech Republic, but De Ligts’ red card ten minutes after half-time changed all that.
The Juventus star tangled up with Patrik Schick and handled the ball at the edge of the area. He was sent off and Oranje lost 2-0.
Gravenberch during training / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Gravenberch could only see when manager Frank de Boer turned to Quincy Promes, Wout Weghorst, Steven Berghuis and Jurrien Timber to get the Netherlands back in the game.
He leaves the tournament after making two appearances, including a start against Northern Macedonia.
Hlozek says himself about / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
When 18-year-old Hlozek entered the fight against the Netherlands, the Czechs were very much in “run down the clock” mode.
Still, the Sparta Prague forward got four touches of the ball when his side eased over the line.
Doku was left on the bench / Isosport / MB Media / Getty Images
Understandably, Doku was still on the bench when Belgium pushed past Portugal.
The 18-year-old’s impressive performance against Finland in the group stage, however, shows that he is a dangerous alternative for Roberto Martinez if he uses him against Italy.
Felix Portugal was sent home / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Unfortunately for Felix, his Euro 220 campaign was ruined by injury and fitness problems, which means that his short come against Belgium was his only appearance in the tournament.
He did well during his short trip and made Selecao look much more threatening in attack, but that did not stop Roy Keane from putting him in afterwards.
Mendes did not get a minute at Euro 2020 / Gualter Fatia / Getty Images
A frustrating tournament for Minge’s sporting CP youth. He made no appearances in the group stage, after picking up a muscle injury after the first game and looking from the side when his crashed out in the 16s.
Brighter times are ahead for the 19-year-old.
Pedri set an early setback against Croatia / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
We could call Pedri’s performance against Croatia a mixed bag, but even though he scored an own goal, he was still brilliant.
The Barcelona prospect constantly demanded the ball and pulled appropriate strings in midfield, which helped Spain enjoy all possible freedoms on Croatia’s right side. Switzerland should be seriously worried about him.
Torres scored his second euro goal against Croatia / MARTIN MEISSNER / Getty Images
Didn’t expect an extra kick when he got in the 88th minute, just moments before Mario Pasalic made a dramatic equalizer.
However, Manchester City looked ahead soon Alvaro Morata bag Spain’s fourth and decided to join the team later, rounding off a 5-3 victory with their own strike.
Foden has not played since a draw in Scotland / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
England beat Germany the other day, if you had not heard it, but the Foot was nowhere to be seen.
Gareth Southgate’s system change meant that Foden, Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka all scrapped for a space on the wing. Saka got the nod, which means that Foden has to wait until Saturday to make his next impression.
The case was bright against Germany / Carl Recine – Pool / Getty Images
In a world of Fodens, Grealishs, Sanchos and Rashfords, it is Saka who gets the starting spot in England’s attack right now together with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.
He gave Antonio Rudiger plenty of grief along Germany’s left, although his influence diminished during the second period and he was replaced by Grealish. Decent change, that.
Training in Bellingham, England / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
With Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips firm favorites in midfield, Bellingham have some work to do to get a few minutes in the knockout stages.
Jordan Henderson got the nod as the Three Lions’ late replacement, so the Borussia Dortmund teenager had to see the chaotic joy from the bench.
Musiala entered the fight in stoppage time against England / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Musiala showed his game-changing ability against Hungary in the group stage, but when he came on against England, the match was already over.
There was no time to influence and the 18-year-old leaves the tournament with two replacement appearances under his belt.
Kulusevski tries to avoid a challenge / Robert Perry – Pool / Getty Images
Kulusevski was light without doing too much damage to Ukraine’s defense in Sweden’s 16 defeat.
A positive coronavirus test disrupted his preparations for the tournament and he did not look like he could have been, and came out halfway through the first extra period.
Isak performed well throughout Euro 2020 / Andy Buchanan – Pool / Getty Images
Some luck to get an assist for Emil Forsberg’s deflected strike, Isak just could not give the goal threat that Sweden otherwise needed against Ukraine.
But he has been brilliant during most of the tournament and will probably have success on the international stage in future competitions for the Scandinavian nation.
