A flurry of games marked the end to the European Championship's group stages. A 2-0 win for Wales against Turkey in Baku all but secured a spot in the round of 16, as they took their tally up to 4 points from 2 games. Italy maintained their formidable form as they brushed Switzerland aside with an emphatic consecutive 3-0 win. Italy then hosted Wales in Rome where despite a resolute performance, a harsh red card dented and ultimately diminished their chances of recovering from a 1-0 deficit. However despite the loss, Switzerland's 3-1 win against Turkey wasn't enough for them to leapfrog Wales as Italy finished 1st, Wales 2nd, Switzerland 3rd and Turkey 4th.
In Group B, a Russia win against Finland boosted hopes of qualification while denting the hopes of Finland. A strong performance from Denmark saw them ultimately undone by Belgium as a strong 2nd half performance saw them recover from a goal down. That then left a nervy final day as Finland faced off against Belgium in St Petersburg. 2 late goals from the number-one ranked side left Finland's qualification hopes in the balance. However, a strong performance from Denmark in Copenhagen saw both Russia's and Finland's hopes ruptured as an emphatic 4-1 win meant the side who started the day without a point in 4th advance to the round of 16 in 2nd.
Group C's second round of fixtures saw Ukraine fend of an attempted late comeback from North Macedonia to pick up their first points of the tournament. Netherlands hosted Austria at the Johan Cruyff arena as they kept their first clean sheet of the tournament in a 2-0 win against Austria. In the final games, Netherlands made it 3 wins from 3 as they brushed North Macedonia aside with a brace from Wijnaldum and a goal from Depay. Austria's slim 1-0 win over Ukraine booked themselves a place in the last-16 for the first time.
In Group D, England hosted Scotland as they rediscovered their fierce rivalry when they met for the first time at a major tournament since Euro 96. Despite such an atmosphere, the result wasn't to match as the teams played out a 0-0 draw- much to the delight of Scotland fans as they kept their hopes of qualifying alive. At Hampden Czech Republic and Croatia played out a 1-1 draw to leave it all in the balance come the final fixtures. The final games saw an improved England performance as they beat Czech Republic 1-0 but it was heartbreak in Scotland as they where beaten 3-1 at Hampden by Croatia.
Group E saw Sweden establish their place at the top with a late penalty guaranteeing them a valuable 3 points. Spain once again drew in Seville as Morata's goal was cancelled out by Lewandowski's header. Spain's struggle in front of goal didn't last long however as they guaranteed themselves qualification with a ruthless 5-0 win over Slovakia. Poland's hopes of qualification where distinguished as despite Lewandowski's efforts, Poland succumbed to defeat.
In the final group (Group F), Hungary's hopes of an unlikely qualification where significantly boosted as they drew 1-1 with France. Portugal where beat in Munich, as they aided Germany (with 2 own goals) towards a 4-2 win. In the final fixtures, Hungary raced into an unexpected lead through Szalai. It took Germany until the 66th minute to equalise, before straight from the kick off Hungary restored their lead. A spirited performance from Hungary ultimately proved to little as Germany's Goretzka equalised for Germany on home turf. In Budapest a 2-2 draw featuring 3 penalties was enough for both France and Portugal to qualify as they concluded the group stages.
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