The first round of group stage matches at EURO 2024 concluded on June 18th, with dominant performances from some of the tournament favorites in Group F.
Turkey secured a 3-1 victory over Georgia in a captivating match, while Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, mounted a comeback to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.
In Group A, hosts Germany and Switzerland both delivered convincing performances in their opening matches of EURO 2024. Another win for either team in their next fixtures would virtually guarantee their progression to the round of 16.
Group B, considered the “group of death” at this year’s tournament, saw Spain take an early lead after a commanding 3-0 victory over Croatia. Despite the surprising scoreline, Croatia’s strong track record in recent major tournaments suggests that the group’s outcome remains uncertain.
In Group C, Denmark’s draw against Slovenia has tightened the competition. England’s narrow victory over Serbia also means that goal difference is tight amongst the teams. An upset remains a real possibility if England fails to address the issues highlighted in their match against Serbia.
Group D is also shaping up to be highly competitive. Despite being favored against their respective opponents, both the Netherlands and France struggled to secure 3 points in their opening matches. Austria and Poland showed encouraging signs, with Poland potentially deserving a point against the Netherlands.
Group E witnessed some of the biggest surprises of the first matchday. Belgium suffered a shock 0-1 defeat to Slovakia despite creating numerous chances. In the other Group E fixture, Romania convincingly defeated Ukraine 3-0, a significant upset considering Ukraine’s higher FIFA ranking.
These unexpected results make the second round of matches even more crucial. Belgium, initially expected to cruise through Group E, now face immense pressure after their setback against Slovakia.
In Group F, while Turkey comfortably defeated Georgia in an exciting four-goal match, Portugal had to work hard to overcome the Czech Republic. Conceicao’s late goal secured a hard-fought 3 points for Portugal. Turkey currently leads Group F on goal difference.
EURO 2024 Match Schedule for June 19th
The EURO 2024 group stage action continues today, June 19th, with three exciting fixtures: Croatia vs. Albania (8 PM CET), Germany vs. Hungary (11 PM CET), and Scotland vs. Switzerland (2 AM CET, June 20th).
The Germany vs. Hungary match is particularly anticipated. If Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany secures a victory and Switzerland avoids defeat against Scotland, the host nation will officially qualify for the round of 16 with a game to spare. This scenario is entirely plausible based on the teams’ performances in the first round of matches.
