hugopal Nico Williams is ridiculous.
Based on the performances this tournament Germany vs Spain would be deserving of the Final, yet they’re meeting already.
The 24-team format always seems to throw up these early big clashes, compared to the 32-team format.
1990 World Cup, round of 16 saw Brazil vs Argentina, Holland vs West Germany and England vs Belgium. Meanwhile, there was also (at the other end) Costa Rica vs Czechoslovakia.
1986 Italy vs France, Denmark vs Spain, Brazil vs Poland (who had come 3rd in ’82).
They’re exciting tournaments, because 2-3 good teams are squashed into each of the 6 groups, then you get a strong 3rd place team meeting a 1st place team in the next round.
But they’re not good if you want to organise a tournament where the heavyweights don’t clash until the quarters or semis.
