Top three storylines for Euro 2024 quarterfinals

Only eight teams remain in the UEFA European Championship. As the suspense rises this weekend, there are three key narratives to keep an eye on.

Will football come home?

The heroics of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane saved England from an embarrassing Round of 16 exit.

The Swiss made easy work of defending champion Italy in the Round of 16 and continue to play spoiler in major tournaments. Its stingy defensive presence, having only conceded three goals all tournament, could prove challenging for England, who've managed only 3.76 expected goals for in four games.

The offensive struggles were on full display against Slovakia in the Round of 16.

England manager Gareth Southgate is under immense pressure to finally deliver some hardware since taking the helm in 2016. Switzerland's style calls for Southgate to step out of his usual conservative approach if England wants to advance.

Despite the negativity surrounding the English manager's tactics, clutch goals from young superstar Bellingham and seasoned veteran Kane could provide the spark their side needs to finally bring football home.

Can the Cinderella run continue?

Turkiye made history Tuesday with its nail-biting win against Austria in the Round of 16.

Goalkeeper Mert Gunok was their hero, making an acrobatic save in the dying seconds of the match to keep it 2-1. He leads all goalkeepers to make the quarterfinals in saves.

Turkiye, although the underdog, should like its chances against a Dutch side that finished third in its group.

Turkiye has scored the third-most goals in the tournament, promising to test Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk and the rest of the Dutch defense.

Which giants will fall?

The quarterfinals feature two heavyweight matchups. Spain and Germany face off on Friday, with both squads in fairly comfortable positions.

Spain sailed through Georgia in the Round of 16 with a 4-1 victory. It looks to capitalize off young stars Pedri and Lamine Yamal to recreate its Euros dominance over a decade ago.

Tournament host Germany has a star boy of its own in Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, the current favorite for player of the tournament.

Both sides lead the field in goals scored and passing completion percentage. The game, a replay of the 2008 final, promises to be free-flowing with high-quality chance creation.

France and Portugal meet Friday in a rematch of the 2016 final. If Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal want to win again, the Al-Nassr striker will need to emerge out of a historic goalless slump.

The French are tough to beat, allowing just one goal all tournament, but have also failed to score a goal in the run of play.

Portugal and Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, coming off arguably the most impressive goalkeeping performance in Euros history, looks to keep it that way.

However, a French side with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe will back themselves to keep Costa busy.