We hailed the arrival of the second round as the beginning of the business end of the European Championship - and business has been booming!
After a remarkable group stage, the eight last-16 fixtures were just on a completely different level entirely, with no shortage of thrills, spills, incident and goals… lots of goals.
Things began with Denmark’s utter destruction of Wales in Amsterdam, followed by Italy edging out Austria 2-1 at Wembley - the first of four games to head to extra-time.
Czech Republic produced the first shock of the round with their 2-0 win over Holland - a result which ultimately ended Frank de Boer’s tenure as Orange boss - before a resolute defensive display from Belgium saw them KO holders Portugal and top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Then the madness really began.
Spain led 3-1 late against Croatia in Copenhagen, threw that lead away to go to extra-time, and won the game again to emerge 5-3 winners and book their spot in the last eight.
France led Switzerland 3-1 too late in the day in Bucharest, but just like La Roja let their lead slip.
The difference with Les Blues however was that there was little reaction in the added 30 minutes and the world champions were ultimately dumped out on penalties, Kylian Mbappe missing the crucial final spot kick.
England claimed a first win over Germany in the knockout rounds of a major tournament since 1966 the following day, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane goals ensuring their passage into the last eight.
And there Gareth Southgate’s men will meet Ukraine, who saw off Sweden in a hard fought encounter with a last gasp extra-time winner.
So now we head into the quarter-finals, with the question remaining: Who will outlast the rest?
Here are Mirror Football’s fresh power rankings - here's the late slate for clarity - with just eight sides remaining.
Note: This isn't necessarily a ranking of the best teams and who is better than who, but more an exact science* based on their group stage draw, squad strength and current form.
(*Not an exact science)
Quarter-final fixtures
- Switzerland vs Spain
- Belgium vs Italy
- Czech Republic vs Denmark
- Ukraine vs England
What is your scoreline prediction for England versus Ukraine? Comment below.
8. Ukraine
Previously: 15 (of 16)
Talk about fine margins and doing things by the skin of your teeth!
After losing to both Netherlands and Austria in the group stage, Ukraine only reached the knockout stages as a best third place side because of their win over North Macedonia - and even then only because Sweden scored a 92nd minute winner against Poland in another group.
That duly led them to a last 16 meeting with the Swedes, who they outlasted after a fierce, sometimes brutal encounter, during which their woodwork was twice struck.
Andriy Shevchenko insists his side won't be scared of England when the two meet in Rome, and there's no doubt he is impressing with his tactical acumen and decision making at these finals, but we have them down as being seriously outmatched against the Three Lions.
Throw in fatigue and injury issues, plus their over-reliance in attack on Andriy Yarmolenko, and surely Rome is the end of the road.
7. Switzerland
Previously: 14
Having been royally slapped by Italy in the group stage, Vladimir Petkovic apologised, vowed it wouldn't happen again, dusted his side down and claimed an emphatic win over Turkey to book a last 16 showdown with France.
That was meant to be the end of their Euro 2020 adventure and after a mad four minutes - Ricardo Rodriguez's penalty miss, Karim Benzema's two goals - were followed by Paul Pogba making it 3-1 to Les Bleus, they looked done.
But the Swiss had no intention of going quietly into the night, battled their way back and claimed the most unlikely of penalty shootout wins. Haris Seferovic scored twice, Granit Xhaka was immense, Manuel Akanji barely put a foot wrong.
Now it's onto Spain and a first meeting at a major finals since 2010 and the two sides' opening game at that World Cup - which Spain of course went on to win.
Can they produce another major shock in St Petersburg? It's going to be extremely tough to match their exertions against the French again.
6. Czech Republic
Previously: 13
Jaroslav Silhavy's side produced arguably the smartest tactical display of the last 16, as they saw off Netherlands.
After an initially nervy opening against the Oranje, the Czechs took charge of proceedings and full advantage of the 30 second period where Donyell Malen should have scored before Matthijs de Ligt's red card.
They were good value for their 2-0 win, with Tomas Holes outstanding and Patrick Schick again scoring, and having popped up on the 'easier' side of the draw, could well produce a repeat of Euro '96, when they reached the final.
They've only conceded twice in their four games and now must hold firm against a Denmark side who have scored eight goals in their last two matches.
The Danes' are slight favourites, but Silhavy's team will no doubt be well prepared, and will back themselves in Baku.
5. Denmark
Previously: 10
The Danes picked up right where they left off against Russia as they pulverised Wales in their last 16 encounter in Amsterdam.
They were far too good for Robert Page's men, with Kasper Dolberg's inclusion in the starting lineup proving inspired as the Nice striker scored twice.
Perhaps it wasn't a 4-0 game, but it was a commanding performance - they changed formation early doors to match up and subsequently dominate midfield - and they took full advantage, ruthlessly so, when Wales went down to 10 men.
Joakim Maehle continues to really impress at wing-back, Martin Damsgaard is making a difference and Martin Braithwaite looks to have found his feet in attack also.
4. Spain
Previously: 7
The first team ever to score five goals in back-to-back matches at the European Championships, the cava that Luis Enrique was waiting to pop is certainly open now.
La Roja have grown into this tournament and their rollercoaster 5-3 win over Croatia showed many sides to them.
They were brilliant with the ball for large spells, showed character to come from behind after Unai Simon's mistaketo lead 3-1 and then again after throwing away that lead to reset themselves before extra-time, immediately taking charge with two goals to seal the tie.
Alvaro Morata's goals have been questioned but he fired the crucial fourth and his all-round game was outstanding, showing why Luis Enrique persists with him, while Pedri is thriving, trusted in midfield.
They're creating chances galore in this competition and their possession style looks well set to take advantage of what will surely be a tired Swiss side. And if Plan A doesn't work, Enrique is showing himself to be extremely adept when it comes to using his bench.
3. Italy
Previously: 3
Italy extended their unbeaten run to 31 games with a 2-1 extra-time win over Austria in the last 16, but Roberto Mancini's men are a tad fortunate to have escaped the meeting with Franco Foda's side.
Having been so effervescent in the group stages, they allowed the Austrians to dullen their creativity for large parts at Wembley, and had Marko Arnautovic held his run slightly, then his header would have counted and they Azzurri would have been heading home now.
Instead, Munich's Allianz Arena awaits, and a mouthwatering showdown with Belgium.
Certainly, they have the attacking tools required to hurt Roberto Martinez's men and also the defensive nous to stop Romelu Lukaku and co.
Marco Verratti will be key if they're to control proceedings and keep up their record of never losing to the Belgians at a major tournament.
Each of Italy's previous three quarter-finals at this stage of the European Championships have ended in penalty shootouts (one win, two defeats). It could be a long night in Bavaria.
2. England
Previously: 5
England dropped in our previous rankings after drawing Germany in the first knockout round, but Southgate's men produced a fine, educated display to keep Die Mannschaft at arm's length before clinching a win through Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.
Still to concede, they had Jordan Pickford to thank for keeping that record in tact, a number of fine stops - notably from Timo Werner and Kai Havertz - ensuring another clean sheet.
The big thing however, amid all the scrutiny, was Gareth Southgate's decisive management in changing formation paying off, and his fine use of substitutes to win the game. He brought on Jack Grealish at just the right time, switched Raheem Sterling to the right - moves which freed Luke Shaw to push on more - and watched his side end their horrible record against the Germans in knockout games.
Now, there is a route to the final open in front of them which couldn't be more ideal if they had been allowed to select the opponents themselves, with an out-on-their-feet Ukraine side up first.
Is football coming home'? Possibly. However, they're still not our No.1.
1. Belgium
Previously: 2
So can the golden generation finally claim a major trophy? If nothing else, the win over Portugal showed that this vastly-experienced side aren't going anywhere without a fight.
The Red Devils eased through the group stages, but were far from comfortable against Cristiano Ronaldo and co, who outshot them 23 to six and were probably the team across the 90 minutes - certainly, Ronaldo and Fernando Santos would agree.
Thorgan Hazard's long-ranger, which Rui Patricio should have done better with - won it. Other than that, they didn't create much in the final third, certainly not in the penalty area.
But Belgium showed grit and determination. They made the game messy, sullied it with fouls and wasted time after Kevin de Bruyne's injury-enforced substitution. Their game management was largely excellent, with Martinez delighted by their pragmatism; the ex-Everton boss has learned that there is more than one way to win footbal's biggest matches.
Thomas Vermaelen rolled back the years and Thibaut Courtois had an answer to everything when called upon. Axel Witsel, who recovered from a ruptured Achilles in just five months - it should take double that time - led with his character.
Messrs Hazard and De Bruyne will hope to be fit to face Italy and they'll hope they're there to make the difference. Romelu Lukaku likewise. After finding another way to win and ending the holders' defence of the trophy, and despite being on the tougher side of the draw, Belgium take our No.1 spot.
