WOMEN’S UEFA EURO KNOCKOUT PREDICTIONS

UEFA / Soccer

Written by Aaron Cantin

The 2022 Women's European Championship in England is in full swing, following a brilliant group stage that had tons of goals - with no 0-0 draws at all - and plenty of talking points. Now, the field has been cut in half, and we're left with the quarterfinal qualifiers.

Can hosts England roll past a Spain side that's found form and confidence in the wake of Alexia Putellas' serious knee injury? Will red-hot France have enough to get past the Netherlands after losing Marie-Antoinette Katoto to a torn ACL? And is the tournament setting up nicely for Germany to make a deep run to the final?

Source (Background Photo): UEFA

England vs Spain

England had as close to a perfect group stage as possible. After a nervy 1-0 opening-round win over Austria in front of a record crowd at Old Trafford, England demolished Norway 8-0 and closed out the group with a 5-0 over Northern Ireland. Spain has had to battle a growing injury list, having lost Jennifer Hermoso and Putellas before their tournament began. Despite their tag as one of the tournament's favourites, they were pretty mediocre through Group B: having opened with a comfortable 4-1 win over Finland, they were outclassed by Germany 2-0 than needed a last-gasp winner from Marta Cardona to edge past Denmark.

Prediction: There will be some nervy moments, but England will come through winning 3-1.

Germany vs Austria

Germany got their Euro 2022 campaign off to a strong start with a controlled win against Denmark, keeping the 2017 runners-up starved of the ball. Germany then took the measured approach to sit back against Spain, denying their opposition any clear route to goal. Having already scored six goals through five different players and confirming they'd be progressing to the last eight as group winners after just two games, Germany wrapped up their group campaign with a relaxed 3-0 win over the lowest-ranked team in Group B, Finland.

Given a bumpy ride, Austria started their Euros off in the opening game against the hosts, England. Despite a good early showing, Austria fell into a 1-0 loss before digging out a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland five days later. With the group hanging in the balance, Austria showed their balance against Norway claiming a 1-0 win and setting up a clash with Germany.

Prediction: Germany controls the game from start to finish winning 2-0.

Sweden vs Belgium

Not off to the best start this summer, Sweden just about recovered from a mixed showing against the Netherlands (taking a point from their first outing) to post a less than comfortable 2-1 win over a defensively solid Switzerland. Going into their final group game with Group C wide open and no team eliminated or guaranteed progression, Sweden dug out their best football of the month to steam to a 5-0 win over Portugal, pipping the Netherlands to the top spot in the group on goal difference.

The surprise package of the quarterfinals, Belgium did things the hard way during the group stage. Conceding early to France in their second group game, the Red Flames recovered well to draw level. Having posted two strong defensive performances, Belgium finally got their win as Evrard claimed her first clean sheet as they triumphed over a sloppy Italy side.

Prediction: Sweden has found their groove and will continue to get better. 2-0 Sweden.

France vs Holland

Both teams are yet to lose in this tournament and have exactly the same results so far, too, with two wins (against Italy and Belgium for France, against Switzerland and Portugal for the Netherlands) and a draw (Iceland and Sweden), the same amount of goals scored (8) and almost same conceded (3 for the French, 4 for the Dutch).

France showed great quality in the first half against Italy and good patches against Belgium, but overall they've been too inconsistent. The Netherlands also had moments of brilliance during the group stage, like at the start of the second half against Sweden or very late against Portugal, but it's not enough and, again, not consistent enough to really challenge for the title.

Prediction: This will be the game of the quarterfinals and will go the distance. Anything is possible in penalties but I will take France to prevail.