Marco Verratti’s return from injury has given new impetus to an Italy side looking increasingly like title contenders at Euro 2020.

England’s Euro 2020 squad have been given a private performance from pop star Ed Sheeran as they relax ahead of their last-16 showdown with Germany.

Gareth Bale and Wales may have been the neutrals’ favourites during their rousing run to the semi-finals of the last European Championship, but as they prepare to face Denmark in the last 16 at Euro 2020 in Amsterdam on Saturday the goodwill is likely to all be for their opponents.

Spain striker Alvaro Morata said he has received vicious abuse on social media during Euro 2020 and that his wife and children have been shouted at on the streets of Seville.

With five goals in three matches, Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo is leading the goal scorers’ chart at the Euro 2020 after the completion of the group stage of the competition. And according to Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld, Portugal’s star forward might be “in the form of his life,” but Belgium can still stop Ronaldo when they go head-to-head in Seville for a place in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

The 16th edition of the European Championship, Euro 2020, began on June 11 with matches in 11 major cities across Europe — for the first time in the 60-year history of the tournament. With the group stage in the books, it’s time for the knockout stage, where standings points and goal differential are jettisoned in favor of pure wins and losses. Let’s take a look at the journey of the top 16 teams so far:

The group stage of Euro 2020 came to an end on Wednesday, and with the last 16 starting at the weekend, AFP Sport looks at five stars of the tournament ahead of the knockout rounds:

England will face Germany in the last 16 of Euro 2020 while Belgium will take on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo came to Portugal's rescue with two penalties to cancel out a brace from France's Karim Benzema in an enthralling 2-2 draw that sent both sides into the Euro 2020 last 16 in a frantic conclusion to Group F on Wednesday.

Sweden winger Emil Forsberg scored a double including the second fastest strike in European Championship history before Viktor Claesson's stoppage-time goal helped them seal a 3-2 win over Poland on Wednesday and top Group E heading into the last-16.

Spain crushed a hapless Slovakia 5-0 in their first Euro 2020 win on Wednesday, setting up a last-16 clash against Croatia, after being set on their way by a calamitous own-goal from keeper Martin Dubravka.

Portugal will have to recover their intensity and hunger to beat France in their final Euro 2020 group game on Wednesday after a disappointing 4-2 defeat by Germany, defender Pepe said on Tuesday.

Despair turned to exhilaration for Denmark as they claimed an astonishing 4-1 victory over Russia to scramble into the last 16 of Euro 2020 on a head-spinning night in Copenhagen on Monday.

Switzerland advanced to the last 16 of the European Championship on Monday without kicking a ball, as the results from matches in other groups worked to their benefit.

Denmark made it through to the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Monday after a convincing 4-1 win over Russia which alongside Belgium's victory against Finland meant they finished second in Group B.

Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice and Memphis Depay added to his goal haul in a 3-0 Netherlands win over North Macedonia on Monday to keep their 100% record at Euro 2020 - but not before surviving some early scares at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Austria defeated dismal Ukraine 1-0 on Monday to finish runners-up in Group C.

Switzerland goalscorer Xherdan Shaqiri said he was “proud” of his side’s performance in Sunday’s 3-1 Euro 2020 win over Turkey as they finished third in Group A.

Roberto Mancini has turned the clock back for Italy, recapturing the atmosphere of the 1990 World Cup the country hosted, with a 1-0 win over Wales capping a perfect Euro 2020 group-stage run.

England’s Phil Foden said his teammates have agreed to copy his dyed blond hairstyle if they win the European Championship.