Euro 2024: what's the verdict after the first day of the group phase?
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
What conclusions can be drawn from the first day of Euro 2024?
We've already seen a great clash between Croatia and Spain, plenty of goals, plenty of suspense, some superb individual performances, and some tournament favorites confirming their status as the top teams of Europe.
Here's a summary of what we've learned from the first day of the competition's group phase, to help you make your Euro 2024 predictions.
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland
On Friday, there was no match to open Euro 2024. The host nation, Germany, rolled up their sleeves and completely crushed their first opponent, Scotland.
Julian Nagelsmann's men finished the match with an impressive 5-1 scoreline, showing that they will be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.
While Germany confirmed their status, Scotland slightly disappointed our experts, although a tough match was expected for the Tartan Army.
Germany was probably the team that impressed the most
The following day, it was Hungary's turn to offer a rather disappointing match against Switzerland. Trailing 2-0 at the break after a very poor first half, the Hungarians nonetheless reacted, coming back to within a goal of the Swiss and pushing forward at the end of the match.
Unfortunately, Granit Xhaka's team-mates added to their tally with a late goal from Monaco striker Breel Embolo.
It was a truly disappointing match for Hungary! The Swiss, on the other hand, got the job done and did what was necessary, producing some quality play in the first half.
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy and Albania
How catastrophic Croatia's defensive performance was... While Spain played their game, without being flamboyant, Luka Modric's team-mates completely missed the mark, particularly in the first half!
Trailing 3-0 at half-time, the Croatians reacted slightly in the second half, but failed to get back on level terms.
While La Roja showed off their above-average technique and attacking efficiency, Croatia were a real disappointment for our team.
Spain took advantage of a defensively apathetic Croatia to take the lead.
Immediately after this clash, Italy and Albania crossed swords in a bid to join Spain at the top of the group.
And it was the Italians who succeeded. Despite being caught cold by Nedim Bajrami's fastest-ever Euro goal after just 23 seconds, the Squadra Azzura immediately pushed forward to turn the tide. And they succeeded in doing just that, with the score rising to 2-1 between the 11th and 16th minutes.
Clearly not a benchmark match for Luciano Spaletti and his men, but the result is there for all to see! As for Albania, although they still have some work to do offensively (8 shots, only 1 on target), they showed that they can trouble the tournament heavyweights.
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia and England
On Sunday, Slovenia's clash with Denmark was probably not the most eagerly-awaited match of Euro 2024. But it was a very interesting match to watch, in which, in the end, everyone had their half.
While Denmark opened the scoring thanks to the inexhaustible Christian Eriksen, who scored a symbolic goal 3 years after his cardiac arrest at Euro 2021, Slovenia pushed forward in the second half and eventually equalized.
Quite the showing for the Slovenians, a little less so for the Danes, who were aiming for 3 points from this first match.
Bellingham saved the day for the disappointing English.
Immediately afterwards, the tournament favorites, England took on Serbia. Clearly not an easy match on paper, with the Serbians boasting a number of talented players, the Three Lions were nevertheless expected to show the full extent of their talent. But in the end... Gareth Southgate's men settled for the bare minimum with a 1-0 victory.
It was a very average game, with Serbia having most of the possession in the second half and could have equalized. But Jude Bellingham, the inevitable, gave his team 3 precious points with a great header in the 13th minute.
While England's status as favorites is obviously not in question, we expected, and still expect, much better from them. They still have two group matches to go to make sure of their place in the last 16, but above all to show a much better side! Serbia, for their part, have clearly shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the battle for qualification.
Group D: Netherlands, Austria, France and Poland
Before Les Bleus' match on Monday, we were treated to a match between Poland and the Netherlands on Sunday to open the day! And it was a very pleasant match, with a very combative Poland who didn't give up, and who could all the more count on their great goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.
Without the injured Robert Lewandowski, it was his replacement Adam Buksa, the RC Lens striker on loan to Antalyaspor this season, who opened the scoring against all the odds and after the Oranje had played a full 10 minutes.
But the Netherlands held their nerve to win 2-1, and take the 3 points they need before playing the big boys in the group, France.
France and the Netherlands got the job done, but failed to impress.
As for Poland, if they keep playing like this, they can easily make it through the group stages.
As for Les Bleus, despite plenty of chances, it was a tough game! Indeed, Didier Deschamps' men were hampered by Austria's solid defensive unit, but their finishing was lacking, particularly captain Kylian Mbappé, who missed a huge one-on-one. Mike Maignan's teammates may not have had the match of the year, but they did secure the 3 points.
This is good news ahead of the clash with the Netherlands, but it is accompanied by less interesting news for the French nation: Kylian Mbappé, who left with a broken nose, is likely to miss the next game, and his condition will be monitored for the rest of the competition... As for Austria, they'll have to fight hard to reach the last 16, but nothing's lost yet!
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine
Group E kicked off with the first little surprise of Euro 2024! Indeed, while Ukraine were predicted to be the favorite according to the sporstbooks and many experts, including ourselves, the Ukrainians suffered a real rout!
After a very consistent first half, with no clear-cut opportunities for Andriy Lunin's team-mates, they completely cracked! They ended up losing 3-0, putting a thorn in their side for the rest of the competition... Romania, of course, got off to the perfect start.
Belgium missed far too many clear-cut chances.
Immediately afterwards, there was THE big surprise of the first day of the Euro 2024 group stage! Belgium, overwhelming favorites against Slovakia, lost by the slimmest of margins!
Although the scoreline was far from a hold-up by Milan Skriniar and his team-mates, Belgium missed an incalculable number of chances. The man pictured above had 4 or 5 great chances to his name.
An unexpected defeat and the Belgians are already in a difficult situation ahead of their games against Ukraine and Romania... Romelu Lukaku's team-mates have little choice but to win their next two games.
Group F: Turkey, Portugal, Czech Republic and Georgia
Yesterday in the first match of Group F and the penultimate match of the first group stage, we were treated to a superb encounter! Indeed, Turkey and Georgia gave us a real game of soccer, with an attacking edge and some sublime goals.
While Georgia showed no weakness whatsoever, and could probably have achieved more than a 3-1 defeat, they were undone by two superb goals from Mert Müldür and Real Madrid star Arda Güler, who was voted man of the match. In between, it was the much-anticipated FC Metz striker Georges Mikautadze who equalized and put in a fine performance.
However, on a counter-attack at the very end of the match, when Sagnol's men had just missed two huge chances, Turkey widened the gap and killed the game off on the counter-attack and in the goal left empty by Giorgi Mamardashvili, Valencia's goalkeeper in the Spanish Liga.
In any case, it was a superb encounter, and the Turks obviously took a big step towards qualifying for the last 16. A blow for the Georgians, who will have to pull off a minor feat if they are to progress further in the competition...
Turkey vs Georgia, the best match of the first round?
Portugal, for their part, failed to reassure their fans, as did many of the favorites to win Euro 2024 on July 14th! Although the Seleçao had the ball in the first half, they didn't do much with it, and there weren't many great chances to be had in the first half.
And in the second half, it was the Czechs who opened the scoring against all the odds with a superb shot from Lukáš Provod (62nd)! But the Portuguese quickly responded forcing an own goal (69th), before taking the lead at the very end of the match (92nd) thanks to a dubious error by a Czech defender.
A match to forget - or at least one that will not go down in the annals of history - for former Belgium coach Roberto Martinez's men, but one that nonetheless gives them a glimpse of the Round of 16 ahead of their clash with Turkey.
As for the Czech Republic, anything is still possible in this very evenly matched group, and this team is more than capable of taking points against its next two opponents. In any case, this match was reassuring defensively!
