Friday 17 April 2020 15:12, UK
Now the last-16 line-up is complete at Euro 2016, we preview the ties which will determine who makes it into the quarter-finals.
There are some surprise inclusions in the first knockout round, with Iceland among the sides to have caused an upset.
But there are also plenty of Europe's heavyweights still in the competition and eyeing silverware.
Here, we take a closer look at the eight games...
Switzerland v Poland - Saturday June 25, 2pm (Saint-Etienne)
Switzerland emerged from a 0-0 draw against hosts France in their final round-robin game as runners-up in Group A and will now face Robert Lewandowski's Poland.
Defender Fabian Schar had got the Swiss off to the best possible start as his header was the difference between them and Albania.
However, it took a second-half equaliser from Admir Mehmedi to earn the point against Romania that kept Switzerland on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time in their history.
Poland had to overcome a stubborn Northern Irish defence to secure their first three points of the tournament before a goalless draw against world champions Germany all but secured qualification to the round of 16.
A 1-0 win over Ukraine secured the runners-up spot of Group C but the Swiss must beware that Lewandowski is still to find the back of the net at this tournament.
Whoever comes out on top in Saint-Etienne will face the winner of Croatia and Portugal in Marseille on June 30.
Croatia v Portugal - Saturday June 25, 8pm (Lens)
The Croatians produced one of the most impressive results of the tournament thus far in coming from behind and beating Spain 2-1 to snatch top spot in Group D.
Luka Modric's team should really have a 100 per cent record in the tournament having beaten Turkey 1-0 in their opening game but let slip a two-goal lead to draw against the Czech Republic.
The only negative from Croatia has been the crowd disturbances witnessed during Czech Republic's fightback, but their performances on the pitch are winning them many admirers.
Portugal, however, have struggled by comparison. They began their campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw with tournament newcomers Iceland, only to be held to a goalless draw by an unfancied Austria in the following game, which saw captain Cristiano Ronaldo miss a penalty.
Their 3-3 draw with Hungary was surely the game of the tournament so far, skipper Ronaldo scoring his first goals of the competition, but a late goal from Iceland meant they were forced into third spot in the group and will go into their game with Croatia without a win.
Whoever emerges victorious with face either Switzerland or Poland in Marseille on June 30.
Wales v Northern Ireland - Saturday June 25, 5pm (Paris)
Wales may have lost to England but they beat their rivals to top spot in Group B and now march on to the Parc des Princes in Paris to face Northern Ireland.
The 2-1 defeat to England was the only blot on Chris Coleman's record after stirring victories over Slovakia and Russia and in Gareth Bale they have a star performer who is delivering on the biggest stage with three goals in as many games.
There was an air of disappointment in the Northern Ireland camp after their opening 1-0 loss to Poland. The result saw Kyle Lafferty dropped to the bench for their match against the Ukraine and they bounced back to claim a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn.
The three points took the pressure off them in their fixture against world champions Germany, who, despite an almost continuous onslaught, were forced to settle for a 1-0 win against Michael O'Neill's side, thanks largely to the heroics of goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
Their third placed finish set up a clash with Wales, with the winner set to face either Hungary or Belgium in Lille on July 1.
Hungary v Belgium - Sunday June 26, 8pm (Toulouse)
Before Euro 2016, Hungary received more coverage for their decision to include veteran goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly in their starting line-up than for their chances of progressing into the last 16 - but it was the 40-year-old's team who were laughing as they began the competition with a 2-0 win over Austria.
A late own-goal saw them claim a point against Iceland, before an epic 3-3 draw with Portugal, during which they relinquished the lead on three occasions, saw them top Group F on goal difference.
Hungary will now face star-studded Belgium in the last 16, whose false start against Italy, a 2-0 defeat, left them bottom of their group after the opening game.
They made amends against the Republic of Ireland, though, with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku scoring twice as they secured a 3-0 win, before confining Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden to an early plane home. Their 1-0 victory over the Swedes qualified Belgium in second place.
Less-fancied teams have already pulled off a number of shock results in this tournament, but the talented Belgians will be favourites to progress and set up a quarter-final tie with the winners of Wales against Northern Ireland on July 1 in Lille.
Germany v Slovakia - Sunday June 26, 5pm (Lille)
Germany are aiming to emulate Spain and France and lift the European Championship trophy while World Cup holders - but will face a tough test against Slovakia.
With wins over Ukraine and Northern Ireland, plus a 0-0 draw against Poland, the Germans have been workmanlike rather than spectacular but now they are into the knockout rounds, many expect Joachim Low's side to step up.
Slovakia began the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Wales. An impressive win over Russia followed, before a determined, defensive display against England ensured a qualifying spot.
Slovakia's backline will be extensively tested once again when they meet Germany, with the winner facing either Italy or Spain in Bordeaux on July 2.
Italy v Spain - Monday June 27, 5pm (Saint-Denis)
Group E was supposed to be the 'group of death' but Antonio Conte's men not only finished top but won it with a game to spare.
Built on the solid foundations of Juventus' Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, the Italians kept clean sheets in their first two group games, before making eight changes and losing their third 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland.
The current European champions, Spain, may have suffered a shock defeat to Croatia but still look strong enough to go far in the tournament, with Alvaro Morata netting three goals already.
Victories over Czech Republic and Turkey preceded their first defeat in the Euros since 2004 but Spain will be re-focused for this mouth-watering clash with Italy.
The winner could be heading for another blockbuster encounter, should Germany see off Slovakia in their last-16 tie.
France v Republic of Ireland - Sunday June 26, 2pm (Lyon)
France's progress in the tournament has more to do with Dimitri Payet than anyone else. His two goals helped Les Bleus dispatch Romania and Albania to leave the hosts sitting top of Group A. The West Ham star was left on the bench for the goalless draw against Switzerland but once on, he was only denied a winner by the crossbar.
The French have undoubted individual quality throughout the squad but manager Didier Deschamps is struggling to find a system that creates goals. Sound familiar England fans? He'll hope home support can give his side the edge.
The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, left it late to secure their progression to the last 16, but an 85th-minute header from Robbie Brady helped secure an historic win over confirmed Group E winners Italy.
The previous two games had seen Ireland denied by an own goal against Sweden and blown away by Belgium. But their fully deserved win over Italy offers hope to their many travelling fans that Ireland can pull off another big result against the tournament hosts.
The winner will play England or Iceland in the Stade de France on July 3.
England v Iceland - Monday June 27, 8pm (Nice)
Throughout their Group B campaign England played attacking football, dominated the midfield and defended resolutely enough. So how did they finish second in the group? By not taking their chances.
The Three Lions have had 64 attempts at goal but have only scored three goals in draws against Russia and Slovakia and a last-minute win over Wales. Against Iceland, England will need to improve their accuracy.
The competition's smallest nation, Iceland have been perhaps its biggest surprise. Following their high-profile 1-1 draw against Portugal, they were two minutes from securing a victory against Hungary in their first ever tournament, only to fall victim to a Birkir Saevarsson own goal, which cancelled out Gylfi Sigurdsson's earlier penalty.
They were not to be denied, however, as an injury-time winner against Austria gave them their victory at last and simultaneously forced Portugal down into third spot in Group F, to set up a tie between the Nordic side and England.
If England can overcome their resolute opponents they will play the winner of France v Republic of Ireland at the Stade de France on July 3.
