2024 Euro Cup Group Stage Round 3

Written By: Danny Albers 

Group A 

1. Germany VS Switzerland

Result: Draw 1-1 (Germany: 2-0-1, 7 Points; Switzerland: 1-0-2, 5 Points) 

Germany won group A, but this was the first time we saw the hosts look a tad bit vulnerable. Germany’s star studded attack kept the pressure on Switzerland the entire game, but it was Switzerland who scored off a Dan Ndoye goal in the 28th minute. Switzerland would maintain the lead for all 90 minutes. Of the 18 shots that Germany sent on goal, they finally found the back of the net when Niclas Füllkrug scored 2 minutes into stoppage time. Both teams seemed happy with the result. 

2. Scotland VS Hungary

Result: Hungary wins 1-0 (Scotland: 0-2-1, 1 Point; Hungary: 1-2-0, 3 Points) 

This is what international soccer is all about. The entire game we felt like we were waiting for something exciting to happen. A 0-0 game as exciting as a college football shootout. Scotland stole a point from a good Switzerland in their last game. They came into this game with expectations. Hungary, after losing their first two games, were just looking for a miracle at this point. The Scotland offense disappeared once again. They mirrored the pathetic performance against Germany, but this time 0 shots were on target. They were lucky to get to stoppage time tied at 0. But 10 minutes into stoppage time, on the last play of the game, Kevin Csoboth sent a cross into the back of the net to erupt the Hungarian fans and destroy the hopes and dreams of the Scottish fans. Hungary needed a miracle, and they got it. They're still alive for a potential 3rd place spot in the knockout stages. 

Group B 

1. Albania VS Spain

 

Result: Spain wins 1-0 (Albania: 0-2-1, 1 Point; Spain: 3-0-0, 9 Points)

Albania is going home without a victory in the 2024 European Championship. Spain completed the clean sweep in the group. Ferran Torres scored in the 13th minute, and that’s all they needed. Spain got a bit complacent, giving Albania way too many chances on net, almost scoring a couple times. They switched their focus from touches and possession to bend don’t break defense and clearances. That will not win them games at the next stage of the tournament.  

2. Croatia VS Italy

Result: Draw 1-1 (Croatia: 0-1-2, 2 Points; Italy: 1-1-1, 4 Points) 

The European Championship is all about heartbreak. It felt like yesterday we were watching Italy steal a game away from England. Italy knows how to survive. Although they would still have probably made it to the knockouts as a 3rd place wild card, who knows what 1 seed they’d get. And when Luka Modrić scored in the 55th minute on a rebound giving Croatia a 1-0 lead, it began to look like that was going to be their fate. But 8 minutes into stoppage time, Mattia Zaccagni curved a miracle goal past the Croatia goaltender to tie the game 1-1. Italy now knows they will play Switzerland in the round of 16. As for Croatia, they will go home empty handed. A wild game to close out group B, full of excitement and heartbreak. 38 year old Luka Modric won man of the match in what is likely his last international game of his career. It’s a heartbreaking end to what is probably the greatest career in Croatian soccer history. 

Group C 

1. Denmark VS Serbia

Result: Draw 0-0 (Denmark: 0-0-3, 3 Points; Serbia: 0-1-2; 2 Points)

Group C didn’t provide much highlight goals from the group stage. What has been a pretty evenly matched group full of low scoring affairs ended with two 0-0 draws to end the group. Denmark was pretty consistent. They played a strong defense but really lacked any offensive attack. They limited Serbia to only 1 shot on target, but only provided 3 themselves. The possession game was pretty equal to. Denmark is going to be a tough team to beat, but they will need to get more creative offensively if they are going to make it past the round of 16. They have Germany in the first round of the knockouts, and that is a complete mismatch. Germany brings a star studded, electrifying offensive unit who scored 5 goals against Scotland in the opener. Based on what I’ve seen from Denmark in group C, I’m not sure how they beat the hosts.  

2. England VS Slovenia

 

Result: Draw 0-0 (England: 1-0-2, 5 Points; Slovenia: 0-0-3, 3 Points) 

Although England has won Group C, there isn’t an English fan out there that feels comfortable or happy about the way this team played, and especially finished the group. For a team loaded with talent, to only score 2 goals in the group stages has to be demoralizing. Especially when defensively they limited shots on goal to a minimum and dominated possession. They had a 91% pass accuracy, 74% possession, and they had significantly more shots on target than their opponents. It has to be even more unsettling that England is one of 1 of 4 teams that might have to play the Netherlands in the group stage. An overall disappointing group stage for England.  

Group D 

1. France VS Poland

 

Result: Draw 1-1 (France: 1-0-2, 5 Points; Poland: 0-2-1, 1 Point) 

After Kylian Mbappe broke his nose in the opener, France’s rhythm got knocked out of sync. With Mbappe back, they looked much more like themselves, shooting 8 out of 19 shots on target. After a scoreless first half, France would get set up for a penalty shot. Kylian Mbappe would send a laser to the back of the net to give them a 1-0 lead. He took his mask off and posed for the rocking French crowd. You have to give Poland a lot of credit as they never stopped playing despite their place in the standing. Robert Lewandowski would get a second chance at a penalty kick in the 79th minute after an early movement from the French goaltender Hugo Lloris off the line. The Polish striker Lewandowski would convert on the second opportunity, tying the game at 1. So France wasn’t able to beat Poland, and was shocked to see Austria knock them out of their top spot. As the runner up, France will now play the runner up from group E. After Slovakia upset Belgium in the opener, there’s a good possibility that we get a star studded matchup between Belgium and France to start knockouts. 

2. Netherlands VS Austria

Result: Austria wins 3-2 (Austria: 2-1-0, 6 Points; Netherlands: 1-1-1, 4 Points) 

An absolute collapse by the Dutch side who had a chance to win Group D. A critical mistake by Donyell Malen in the 6th minute causing an own goal put Netherland behind 1-0. Netherlands would get a boost from elite goalscorer Cody Gakpo in the 47th minute. However, the Austrian offensive attack that exploded on Poland came to play today. Romano Schmid scored in the 59th minute to put Austria back up 2-1. But the stars were out for the Dutch. Atletico Madrid star Memphis Depay scored in the 75th minute to tie the game. Momentum looked like it was switching to the favor of the Dutch. But in a series of shocking events, Austrian/Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a goal in the 80th minute silencing the crowd with shocked expression as Austria took the lead, and held on to a 3-2 win over the favored Netherlands. 

Group E 

1. Slovakia VS Romania

Result: Draw 1-1 (Slovakia: 1-1-1, 4 Points; Romania (1-1-1; 4 Points) 

Slovakia and Romania were very evenly matched. Slovakia had a chance to take a stranglehold on the group when Ondrej Duda scored in the 24th minute. But Slovakia would commit a penalty allowing Romania to get a PK attempt. Romanian Rǎzvan Marin would score on that PK attempt to tie the game 1-1. With that PK goal, Romania not only tied the game, but positioned themselves to win the group. All 4 teams would finish with 4 points. Romania won this group based off a 3-0 win over Ukraine in their first game. But they’ve struggled in the last two games, getting beat by Belgium, and tying a Slovakian team who looked like the better team for the majority of the game.   

2. Ukraine VS Belgium

 

Result: Draw 0-0 (Belgium: 1-1-1, 4 Points; Ukraine 1-1-1; 4 Points) 

It’s a shame Ukraine had such a terrible game against Romania because I thought they were the most impressive team in the final 2 games. They played Belgium the best despite the 0-0 draw. Ukraine’s attack rivaled a star student Belgian side, and the possession distribution was substantial. The Belgians didn’t look lost, Ukraine just had an answer for everything the Belgians threw at them. A really good effort for Ukraine despite the result. As for the Belgians, they’re limping into a game against France. 

Group F 

1. Georgia VS Portugal 

Result: Georgia wins 2-0 (Georgia: 1-1-1, 4 Points; Portugal: 2-1-0, 6 Points) 

You have to give Georgia credit, they came right out and punched Portugal in the mouth. Khvicha Kvaratskelia scored in just the 2nd minute of the game. The goal seemed to throw Portugal off a little bit, and the composed Portuguese side seemed a little lost. Ronaldo had some near misses, and Portugal finished with 22 shots on goal. But a critical penalty allowing Georges Mikautadze to step up and score completely took the life out of the Portuguese. This was not how Portugal wanted to end the group.  

2. Turkey VS Czechia

Result: Turkey wins 2-1 (Czechia: 0-1-2, 1 Point; Turkey: 2-0-1, 6 Points) 

The final match of the group stage got chippy. Czechia would be penalized with 2 red cards, and 5 yellow cards. Turkey would get 11 yellow cards in the game. Turkey played a balanced offense, and their fresh legs helped them in the second half against Czechia who were playing with a man down. Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored in the 51st minute to help Turkey to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Tomáš Souček answered back in the 66th minute with an electric goal. It looked like Czechia was going to get out of this with 3 points, however the pressure that Turkey put on the Czech defense finally broke through 4 minutes into stoppage time when Turkey’s Cenk Tosun scored the game winning goal.