Euro 2016 Bracket: Title Odds, Semifinals Schedule After Quarterfinals Results
The Euro 2016 semifinals are set following Sunday's quarterfinal match between France and Iceland, with the favored France side claiming a 5-2 victory in the friendly confines of Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
France move on to square off with Germany in an intriguing semifinal showdown, while Portugal and Wales will also fight for the right to play in the grand finale.
Below is a look at the quarterfinal results, updated title odds and the schedule for the Euro semifinals, followed by a preview of what's on the horizon to conclude the championship.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| Thursday, June 30 | Poland | 1-1 (3-5 pen.) | Portugal |
| Friday, July 1 | Wales | 3-1 | Belgium |
| Saturday, July 2 | Germany | 1-1 (6-5 pen.) | Italy |
| Sunday, July 3 | France | 5-2 | Iceland |
| Wednesday, July 6 | 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. BST | Portugal vs. Wales | Lyon |
| Thursday, July 7 | 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. BST | Germany vs. France | Marseille |
| Sunday, July 10 | 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. BST | TBD vs. TBD | Saint-Denis |
| Germany | 15-8 |
| France | 19-10 |
| Portugal | 18-5 |
| Wales | 17-2 |
Euro 2016 Semifinals Preview
Arsenal veteran Olivier Giroud had two goals on Sunday and put a big dent into Iceland's hopes early with a magnificent finish in the 12th minute off a wonderful through ball by Blaise Matuidi.
Then Paul Pogba headed home a corner kick from Antoine Griezmann at the 20-minute mark. Griezmann helped on Dimitri Payet's subsequent goal, France's third, and capped the first-half scoring with his Euro-leading fourth goal in the 45th minute on a great chip shot, courtesy of Complex Sports:
Iceland were trailing for only 21 minutes of the entire tournament entering Sunday's match, making France's decisive, dominant triumph over the upstart underdogs all the more impressive. They became the first team to score four first-half goals in the history of a Euro match, per ESPN's Paul Carr.
Sunday's romp gives France huge momentum entering their next match with Germany, who needed a gritty penalty-kick session to advance past Italy.
Germany are the highest-ranked team remaining according to FIFA at No. 4, but as Iceland proved, anything can happen on the big international stage.
What should especially help France's cause is Germany's litany of injuries. Their only true striker, Mario Gomez, is out for the rest of the European Championship with a torn muscle in his hamstring. Midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira are also doubtful for the semifinal.
"I am especially sorry for Mario. He has produced strong performances in the Euros and helped the team a lot, not only with his goals," Germany coach Joachim Low said, per BBC Sport. "For us it means that we have to accept a new situation and find solutions. And we will do so."
But OptaPaolo highlighted how the Germans managed to persevere through a dearth of chances in their last outing:
The good news is Germany have arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Mauel Neuer, who made two stops during the wild penalty kick sequence Saturday versus Italy.
Neuer has the ability to keep Germany alive with a brilliant save or two. Their shorthanded attack will have a tough time getting on the sheet on Thursday, though, especially against an adversary who was firing on all cylinders on Sunday and will be playing on its home turf.
As for the semifinals that was already locked in before France's win, Wales are in uncharted territory and are essentially playing with house money at this juncture. The pressure falls on Portugal to live up to their billing as favorites—and on superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a battle of Real Madrid teammates, Ronaldo and Wales' Gareth Bale will be the focal points of discussion surrounding Wednesday's semifinal opener. Bale has taken the reins of his team and was the Euro co-leader with three goals before Griezmann got on the board against Iceland.
Wales boss Chris Coleman is making sure his players remain focused on the task at hand, rather than bask too much in the glory of advancing to their first semifinal.
"[The] time for us to start reflecting on this tournament will be when we go home. And that time is not now," Coleman said, per BBC Wales Sport. Coleman added, per BBC Sport's Tom Rostance, "I promise you my players and staff won't be thinking about winning this tournament. They'll be thinking about Portugal."
Coleman's midfield and back line will take a hit due to the suspensions of Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies, which may prove costly against Portugal.
As Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe explained in this featured video, Portugal's own issues may prevent them from capitalizing on the situation. Ronaldo hasn't played to his standard during the European Championship, and Portugal's tactics in the midfield aren't sound.
Based on France's current form and Wales' collective mentality, they appear to be the two likely Euro 2016 finalists.
