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Italy’s abysmal run and Germany’s exit in the quarterfinals were just a few of the unforgettable moments of Euro 2024, not to mention Croatia’s group-stage exit.
New records were set, fabulous goals were scored, and memorable moments were created. Join us as we relive the events that unfolded in Spain’s journey to European conquest for a record fourth time.
The group stage
Twenty-four nations gathered at the gates of Euro 2024, knowing only one winner would emerge after a one-month-long contest which took place across 10 locations in Germany.
While fans across Europe were united by football, 24 participating countries were divided into six groups from A to F.
As expected, Spain had little difficulty reaching the last 16, but some, such as Italy, were lucky to reach the knockout phase. Italy managed thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer resulting in a 1-1 draw against Croatia.
Meanwhile, in Group A, host nation Germany established themselves as tournament favourites after a 5-1 win over Scotland before Spain snatched the baton following a 100% winning record in the group stage. Germany were joined by Switzerland in the next round.
In Group B, Spain and Italy went through to the next round, while Group C winners England were joined by Denmark and Slovenia.
In Group D, Austria and France got themselves a place in the knockout stage along with the Netherlands, who finished as one of the best-placed third teams. Polish skipper Robert Lewandowski could only lead his side to the next flight home as the first nation to be eliminated at Euro 2024.
Meanwhile, despite failing to produce his best, Kevin De Bruyne, along with an unlucky Romelu Lukaku, were able to get Belgium into the knockout phase from Group E. Romania and Slovakia joined Belgium in the next round.
Ronaldo helped Portugal to the top of Group F, while Turkey and surprise package Georgia finished close behind in second and third place, respectively.
Memorable Matches
The Group stage produced many of the memorable games of Euro 2024.
Germany vs. Scotland, Match Day 1
The opener was certainly one of the games to watch as Germany picked Scotland apart in a 5-1 win.
Die Mannschaft slipped into European Championship history as the first team to score five goals in an opening match since the maiden edition in 1960, when Yugoslavia defeated France 5-4.
In addition, Antonio Rüdiger became the first player to score an own goal at Euro 2024 after helping Scotland with a consolation goal.
Turkey vs. Georgia, Match Day 1
This blockbuster contest between Turkey and Georgia, which ended in a 3-1 win for Turkey, on Match Day 1 made history after featuring the youngest player to score on his Euro debut.
Arda Güler’s wonder goal not only finished in 5th place on the rankings for Goal of the Tournament but also left him as the youngest player to score on his Euro debut at the age of 19 years and 114 days.
Croatia vs. Albania, Match Day 2
We saw Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure after failing to score from open play at the Euros. While goals are great, atoning for one’s error after putting the ball into the wrong net is even more satisfying.
Albania’s Klaus Gjasula was left basking in euphoria after a stoppage-time goal against Croatia helped him salvage a point for his side following an own goal in the 76th minute. His goal forced the game to a 2-2 draw at full-time.
Croatia 1-1 Italy, Matchday 3
This Match Day 3 thriller finished in remarkable fashion after a solo run from Riccardo Calafiori made Mattia Zaccagni’s stoppage-time goal possible.
The wonder goal not only finished in 9th place on the Euro 2024 Goal Rankings but also helped Italy sneak into the knockout phase while sending Croatia out of the tournament.
What’s more?! This fixture features the oldest goal scorer in European championship history, after Luka Modrić’, aged 38 years and 289 days, redeemed himself moments after missing from the penalty spot.
Netherlands 2-3 Austria, Matchday 3
Arguably one of the most exciting games of the just concluded Euro 2024. This five-goal thriller between the Netherlands and Austria not only featured wonder goals at both ends of the pitch but also left Austria as the winners of Group D.
While Memphis Depay came up with a remarkable goal, it was Marcel Sabitzer’s goal from an impossible angle that eventually won the game for Austria.
The round of 16
While France vs. Belgium failed to live up to expectations, England vs. Slovakia produced many nail-biting moments, most notably Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal.
Italy’s exit in the round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland was one of the tournament’s early surprises. But then again, a less-than-impressive showing against Spain in the group stage exposed plenty of the Azzurri’s weaknesses at both ends of the pitch.
Easy victories for Spain (4-1) and Germany (2-0) against Georgia and Denmark got both nations, who would eventually meet in the quarterfinals, over the line.
The Quarterfinals
Narrowed down to eight, England came up with another trump card in the form of Saka’s leveller for a 1-1 draw against Switzerland before going on to win via penalties, 5-3. It was a remarkable left-footed curler of irresistible likeability in the 80th minute from the edge of the box.
Despite Ronaldo’s best attempts, Portugal crashed out following a 5-3 penalty loss to France. The Netherlands, on the other hand, got through after an expected 2-1 win over Turkey.
What game was the most memorable in the quarterfinals?
Germany vs. Spain
Yes, you got it right! Our pick is Germany vs. Spain.
This quarterfinal fixture between Germany and Spain lived up to its expectations as one of the most exciting games of Euro 2024.
After Spain’s 2-1 win, Germany became the first host nation in the history of the tournament to crash out at the quarterfinal stage.
The Spanish win marked a bitter ending to Toni Kroos’ illustrious football career.
… and Semifinals
Spain took on France, while the Netherlands were left with England in the semifinals. It was Dani Olmo’s winner that sent Les Bleus out of the tournament following a comeback 2-1 win for La Roja.
Netherlands vs. England
Netherlands vs. England is our pick for the most memorable game of the semifinals.
Xavi Simons’ remarkable opener against England came in 10th on the Top 10 Goals of the Tournament.
However, it was Ollie Watkins’ goal in the final minute of regular time that stole the show, as he was left enjoying his five minutes of heroic fame right after full-time.
His goal gave England the 2-1 win, following a leveller from Harry Kane much earlier.
Despite playing for only nine minutes, Watkins walked away with the Man of the Match Award.
Spain are champions!
A 2-1 win over England at the Olympiastadion Berlin helped Spain become the first country to win the European Championship title four times, as Álvaro Morata lifted the title in front of 65,000 spectators.
Nico Williams had put Spain in the lead before England struck via Cole Palmer. However, Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal in the 86th minute gave La Roja their first European title since 2012.
At the end of the tournament, the Luis de la Fuente-led side had won seven successive matches at EURO 2024, becoming the first to ever do so without requiring a win via a penalty shoot-out.
Goal of the tournament
As expected, Lamine Yamal’s 25-yard stunner against Mike Maignan in Spain’s 2-1 win over France was awarded the goal of the tournament.
Jude Bellingham’s bicycle kick in the 2-1 England win, after added time over Slovakia in the round of 16, came in 2nd, while Xherdan Shaqiri’s goal in Switzerland’s 1-1 draw with Scotland on Matchday 2 came in as third.
Team of the tournament!
Surely, what would a competition be without a team of the tournament?
The official all-star team of UEFA EURO 2024 features representatives from four-time champions Spain, finalists England, France, host nation Germany, and Switzerland.
Among them were Mike Maignan (France), Kyle Walker (England), Manuel Akanji (Switzerland), and Marc Cucurella (Spain). Player of the tournament Rodri (Spain) and Dani Olmo (Spain) also joined the list, alongside Lamine Yamal (Spain) and Jamal Musiala (Germany).
Nico Williams (Spain) also made the cut.
Euro 2024 in numbers
Here are a few stats from Euro 2024!
Top scorer
With three goals, neither Harry Kane nor Dani Olmo could score in the final. Their failure ensured six players walked away with the top scorers’ award.
Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, Germany’s Jamal Musiala, the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo, and Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz also finished with three goals each.
Highest assists
Young Player of the Tournament, Lamine Yamal, was the King of Assists after giving four assists to his teammates.
Coupled with his one goal, his contribution makes up 33% of Spain’s tally of goals at the tournament.
Top scoring nation
Four-time winners Spain scored the most goals at Euro 2024, 15, while Germany comes in next with 11 goals. Spain also had the most tackles (88) and the highest number of ball recoveries (290).
Clean sheets
France, who crashed out at the semi-finals had the highest number of clean sheets (4).
Most saves
While we speak of goals, heroic antics between the sticks are usually overlooked. Did you know Georgia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili made the most saves (29) at Euro 2024?
Most tackles
Jude Bellingham made the most tackles (24), while his English teammate Declan Rice made the highest number of ball recoveries (46).
That’s a wrap!
Euro 2024 may be over, but the action never stops, as a game is always around the corner. In less than a month from now, the 2024–25 Premier League season will kick off with its maiden fixture, Manchester United vs. Fulham.
The Serie A, Ligue 1, and Bundesliga will also kick off in mid-August, while La Liga begins later in the month.
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