EURO2024 hasn’t just been a good tournament. It hasn’t even just been a great tournament. No, these European Championships have been perhaps the most special we’ve seen in a long time – and we’ve only just concluded the group stage.
While the rambunctious scorelines might’ve dampened a little as it went on, the drama certainly didn’t. We’ve seen some incredible goals, some fantastic performances and, above all, some truly excellent games of football. Here are FromTheSpot’s five best of EURO2024 so far.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
Embed from Getty ImagesOn the surface, a 3-0 victory doesn’t seem to present the most enthralling contest, but that doesn’t tell the whole story for this match. What was so intriguing about Spain’s 3-0 win over Croatia in their opening game wasn’t necessarily the drama, but the fascinating role reversal of the two sides.
For the first time in 136 games, Spain didn’t keep the most possession. That’s 136 games and 16 years, by the way; the last time they didn’t keep the most possession was in the final of EURO2008. That is significant.
But despite the fact Spain had less of the ball, fewer shots and fewer passes, there was no real doubt that they thoroughly deserved to win the game. This was the arrival of Luis de la Fuente’s rendition of la Roja, and they’re different to everything we’ve seen before.
Since then, they’ve been more typical in terms of ball retention, but unlocking a more dynamic and direct version of Spain was really interesting to see, and that they could change style so dramatically and still comfortably win the game (barring a ridiculous Bruno Petković penalty blunder) was really quite refreshing.
Fast-forward to now, and Spain are probably the favourites to go all the way. They won their next two games – the only team to do so – and they did that without conceding a goal – again, the only team to do so. De la Fuente’s side have shown they can play against anybody with any shape and any system and still win with relative ease. They are, truly, a frightening proposition.
Türkiye 3-1 Georgia
Embed from Getty ImagesWith all the deserved Georgia mania taking place at the moment, it’s easy to forget that Türkiye not only defeated them on matchday one, but finished above them in the group, too.
This was a game that had everything: end-to-end drama, the beginning of a remarkable underdog story, phenomenal goals and even a goalkeeper coming up for a corner before going on to regret it.
When Mert Müldür cannoned in his incredible volley to open the scoring, everyone reached a consensus that this was probably the goal of the tournament so far. But then, Arda Güler went and one-upped him, curling in an absolutely gorgeous strike from miles out. To beat Giorgi Mamardashvili has not been an easy thing to do at this tournament, so that alone is testament to the quality of the goals.
3-1 was a really harsh scoreline for Georgia, too. The only reason they conceded goal number three was because they were pushing and pushing for an equaliser until the very end – but they pushed a tad too hard, bringing Mamardashvili into the box before the dreaded ‘empty net at the end of a corner when your keeper just came up’ trope was played out in full effect.
This game represented so much besides just being a thrilling contest. It was an indication that Georgia were not at the EUROs to make up the numbers, and perhaps more potently, it was an indication that Türkiye were not going to let the disaster of 2021 haunt them anymore. It was a terrific start to Group F.
Croatia 2-2 Albania
Embed from Getty ImagesWe’re back with Croatia already, but this time it’s not because they were absolutely outplayed. Yes, they did concede in the 11th minute to the second-lowest ranked side in the tournament, but from then on out, they were absolutely the better team.
67% possession and 22 shots with no goal frustrated them right until the 74th minute, when Andrej Kramarić finally notched the equaliser. By this point, they’d earned a bit of luck, and got it when Klaus Gjasula inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to put Croatia in front for the first time in the tournament.
By the 94th minute they were home and dry. Until they weren’t. A minute later, Albania broke Croatian hearts to snatch an equaliser right at the very end. Who was the scorer? None other than the man who put Croatia in front, Klaus Gjasula.
That was one of the lesser-known stories from a group stage full of blockbusters. In a little over 20 minutes, Gjasula went from villain to hero in the most dramatic way possible.
But, moreover, this game was Croatia’s tournament all over. If this is the last dance for Luka Modrić and his golden generation, it has emphatically ended in heartbreak; their next game, a 1-1 draw with Italy was an even more brutal pill to swallow, as Mattia Zacagni equalised for the Italians in the 98th minute, ending Croatia’s tournament in the process.
It’s been a tough ride for them. Ultimately, their 2-2 draw with Albania did neither side any favours, contributing to both of their group stage eliminations. But that’s football for you; there are always winners and losers, except sometimes, when there are only losers.
Netherlands 2-3 Austria
Embed from Getty ImagesIf you hadn’t been paying attention to what Ralf Rangnick and Austria have been cooking for the last year or so, you certainly are now. They were a handful of people’s dark horse shout, but I don’t think anyone – not even Austrians – would’ve predicted them to top a group with France and the Netherlands.
But here we are at the end of the group stage and that’s exactly what they’ve done – and they did it in some style, too.
Their final group match was one full of twists and turns with a fair helping of VAR controversy, as is customary in 2024, but despite that and despite the fact they let the Netherlands score twice, there’s no real doubt that Austria thoroughly deserved to win.
It was one of those fantastic games when the scoreline chopped and changed throughout the entire match. Austria led, but then they didn’t. They led again, but then they didn’t. Finally, in the 80th minute, they took the lead and kept hold of it.
And while they are excellent in possession, there is perhaps no side in the competition better off the ball than Rangnick’s Austria. They press with the organisation and coordination of a club side, and that is no mean feat in tournament football.
So they topped their group in a brilliant match and have a real chance – given the side of the draw they’ve fallen on – to go on a very deep run indeed.
Georgia 2-0 Portugal
Embed from Getty ImagesThe very last game of the group stage was probably the most seismic in terms of its significance.
Georgia were ranked 75th in the world before the tournament started (they’ve since moved up to 74th), the lowest in the tournament. They were given no chance. Portugal, on the other hand, were ranked sixth. And with one point to their name and facing a clash with European giants, Georgia’s coffin looked all but nailed.
But then, somehow, they won – and they won deservedly. This Georgian side doesn’t just have Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (who was, admittedly, absolutely excellent in this game), but also the tournament top scorer in Georges Mikautadze and the best goalkeeper in Giorgi Mamardashvili. This is a remarkable feat for the lowest ranked side in the tournament.
So, on the final day, they took their all or nothing mentality and applied it in a way no one besides they themselves could’ve predicted: to take on, and beat, Portugal.
Now, Georgia are in the round of 16, something that was all but unforeseeable even two weeks ago, and their players have all written themselves a permanent place in the Georgian history books. And that is what the European Championships are all about.
You can keep up to date with everything that happens in the round of 16 and beyond right here at FromTheSpot.