Three powers reach Euro 2016 quarterfinals

- Host France, World Champions Germany and World No. 2 Belgium all beat their opponents to reach Euro 2016 quarterfinals on Sunday.

Ireland took a surprise 1-0 lead after only two minutes when France midfielder Paul Pogba made a foul on Shane Long from behind and Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli immediately pointed at the penalty spot.

Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann scored twice for France in the 58th and 61st minute, helping France beat Ireland 2-1, and they will next face the winner of another match between England and Iceland.

World champions Germany beat Slovakia 3-0 to the Euro 2016 quarterfinals in Lille.

Only eight minutes into the game, a corner for Germany was cleared only to the top of the box, and the centre-back Jerome Boateng stroke a volley that sailed towards the bottom corner past the hand of Slovakia keeper Matus Kozacik.

In the 43rd minute, German winger Julian Draxler made an Okocha-style dribble on left flank, dancing past a defender and delivering a pinpoint cross to the goal mouth. Gomez stuck out his boot at the front post to convert the cross.

Wolfsburg winger Draxler shone again in the 63rd minute with a close-range volley to seal the win.

Germany will face either Italy or Spain in the quarters.

Belgium beat Hungary 4-0 to reach Euro 2016 quarterfinals in Toulouse and will face Wales in Lille next Friday for a place in the semi-finals.

Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld' s header broke the deadlock for Belgium in the 10th minute from De Bruyne's free kick, and substitute Michy Batshuayi scored the second in the 79th minute from captain Hazard' s pass, who scored his own goal just one minute later.

Atletico midfielder Yannick Carrasco, 23, added the final goal in injury time.

"It's great, we're into the quarter-finals after a deserved win," said Hazard,"We could have scored more goals, and although their goalkeeper pulled off some great stops we're not complaining

source : xinhua