The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament is electrifying football fans across the globe, delivering a spectacle of thrilling matches, unexpected upsets, and unforgettable goals. As the group stage progresses towards its climax on June 26th, the stakes are higher than ever. For eight national teams, the journey will end here, while the remaining sixteen will advance to the coveted knockout stage.
Securing a spot in the knockout phase is determined by finishing in the top two of each of the six groups. Adding another layer of intrigue, the four best third-placed teams will also earn their ticket to the round of 16. This unique qualification system intensifies the competition within each group, making every match crucial in the quest for Euro glory.
When teams are tied on points, the Euro Cup League Table employs a specific tiebreaker system. Unlike some other major tournaments, overall goal difference is not the initial deciding factor. Instead, the first tiebreaker is points earned in head-to-head matches between the tied teams. If teams remain inseparable after this, then the goal difference across all group matches comes into play. These rules ensure that the Euro Cup league table accurately reflects performance and direct competition.
The knockout stage drama begins with the round of 16 from June 29th to July 2nd, followed by the quarter-finals on July 5th and 6th. The semi-finals are scheduled for July 9th and 10th, all leading up to the grand finale in Berlin on July 14th.
Let’s delve into a detailed analysis of each group in the Euro Cup league table, examining the current standings and projecting potential pathways to the knockout stage.
Euro Cup League Table: Group A
Hosts Germany have emphatically secured their place in the knockout rounds, sending a strong message to their rivals. Victories against Scotland (5-1) in a dominant opening match in Munich and Hungary (2-0) in Stuttgart have propelled them to the top of the Group A Euro Cup league table with a perfect record.
Switzerland currently occupies the second spot, following a solid 3-1 win over Hungary on June 15th and a 1-1 draw against Scotland on June 19th. Their consistent performance positions them favorably to advance.
The stakes are high for the remaining teams. Scotland will need to fight hard to secure points in their final match to keep their hopes of third-place qualification alive, while Hungary faces a must-win situation to have any chance of progressing.
The Group A winner is set to face the runner-up from Group C in Dortmund on June 29th, promising an exciting round of 16 clash. The Group A runner-up will have a challenging encounter against the runner-up from Group B in Berlin on the same day.
Euro Cup League Table – Group A Standings:
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Germany (Q) | 2 | 6 |
| Switzerland | 2 | 4 |
| Scotland | 2 | 1 |
| Hungary | 2 | 0 |
Euro Cup League Table: Group B
Group B, often dubbed the ‘group of death,’ has lived up to its billing, showcasing intense competition and high-stakes encounters. Spain has emerged as the dominant force, clinching the top spot and qualification to the knockout stage with a decisive 1-0 victory over Italy. This result solidified Spain’s position at the summit of the Euro Cup league table for Group B.
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Spain defeated Italy 1-0, securing their top position in Group B of the Euro Cup league table.]
Italy now faces a critical final match against Croatia. A draw would be sufficient for the Azzurri to advance, while a defeat could see Croatia leapfrog them in the Euro Cup league table. Albania also remains in contention and could reach four points if they manage to upset Spain. The scenario could become even more complex if both Albania and Croatia reach four points, potentially eliminating Italy and necessitating a tiebreaker based on overall goal difference between Albania and Croatia, given their 2-2 draw. The other team might still have a chance to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
This group witnessed a historic moment when Albania’s Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in European Championship history, just 23 seconds into their match against Italy on June 15th. Despite this early setback, Italy demonstrated their resilience, securing a 2-1 victory with goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella before halftime.
Earlier on the same day, Spain delivered a commanding performance against 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, winning 3-0. Goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Carvajal sealed a dominant victory. Morata’s goal marked his seventh in European Championship history, placing him among the all-time top scorers, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Michel Platini.
Euro Cup Top Scorers – All Time:
| Player | Country | Goals | Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 14 | 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024 |
| Michel Platini | France | 9 | 1984 |
| Alan Shearer | England | 7 | 1992, 1996, 2000 |
| Alvaro Morata | Spain | 7 | 2016, 2020, 2024 |
| Antoine Griezmann | France | 7 | 2016, 2020, 2024 |
Croatia came close to a 2-1 victory against Albania on June 19th, with a goal from Andrej Kramaric and an own goal by Klaus Gjasula. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Gjasula redeemed himself by scoring at the other end in the fifth minute of added time, securing a 2-2 draw.
Looking ahead, the Group B winner will play a third-placed team on June 30th in Cologne. The Group B runner-up will face the runner-up from Group A in the opening match of the knockout stage in Berlin on June 29th.
Euro Cup League Table – Group B Standings:
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 2 | 6 |
| Italy | 2 | 3 |
| Albania | 2 | 1 |
| Croatia | 2 | 1 |
Euro Cup League Table: Group C
England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark has secured them at least a third-place finish in Group C, accumulating four points from their first two games. This positions them favorably in the Euro Cup league table for Group C. Denmark and Slovenia are level on points in second place, with identical records and a draw in their head-to-head match.
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England drew 1-1 with Denmark, maintaining their lead in Group C of the Euro Cup league table.]
Serbia scored a late equalizer against Slovenia on June 20th, earning their first point of the tournament and keeping their qualification hopes alive.
England currently leads Group C after their 1-0 victory against Serbia on June 16th. A draw against Slovenia in their final group match on June 25th would guarantee their progression to the last 16. Denmark will face Serbia simultaneously in a crucial match that will significantly impact the Euro Cup league table standings.
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England secured a 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening Euro 2024 match.]
The winner of Group C will play a third-placed team in Gelsenkirchen on June 30th. The runner-up will face the winner of Group A in Dortmund on June 29th, a potentially daunting task against Germany based on current Euro Cup league table projections.
Euro Cup League Table – Group C Standings:
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 4 |
| Denmark | 2 | 2 |
| Slovenia | 2 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2 | 1 |
Euro Cup League Table: Group D
Group D has been dominated by the news surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s injury. France’s captain suffered a broken nose in their 1-0 victory against Austria on June 18th, following a collision with Austria’s Kevin Danso. Mbappe, a key player and the Golden Boot winner at the 2022 World Cup, was on the bench for France’s subsequent match against the Netherlands.
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Kylian Mbappe’s injury has been a major talking point in Group D of the Euro Cup.]
Despite the injury, Mbappe played a crucial role in the win over Austria, initiating the attack that led to Maximilian Wober’s own goal, securing three points for France and a good position in the Euro Cup league table.
The Netherlands also started strong, defeating Poland 2-1 on June 16th, thanks to a late goal from substitute Wout Weghorst. The former Manchester United forward scored just two minutes after entering the game.
However, Poland’s struggles continued with a 3-1 defeat to Austria on June 21st, effectively eliminating them from Euro 2024. The Netherlands and France played to a 0-0 draw in Leipzig, leaving both teams tied at the top of the Euro Cup league table.
The Group D winner will play the runner-up from Group F in the last round of 16 match on July 2nd in Leipzig. The Group D runner-up will face the runner-up from Group E the day before in Dusseldorf.
Euro Cup League Table – Group D Standings:
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2 | 4 |
| France | 2 | 4 |
| Austria | 2 | 3 |
| Poland (Eliminated) | 2 | 0 |
Euro Cup League Table: Group E
Group E witnessed the biggest upset of the tournament so far when Slovakia stunned Belgium with a 1-0 victory in Frankfurt on June 17th. Considered the biggest upset in European Championship history based on FIFA rankings, this result dramatically shifted the dynamics of Group E in the Euro Cup league table. Earlier that day, Romania impressed with a 3-0 win over Ukraine, highlighted by a spectacular long-range goal from Nicolae Stanciu.
Ukraine rebounded strongly with a crucial 2-1 victory over Slovakia on June 21st, earning vital three points and moving them up to second place in the Euro Cup league table.
Belgium, still reeling from their opening defeat, will need Romelu Lukaku to find his scoring form as they face Romania on June 22nd. Lukaku has faced criticism for his recent performances in major tournaments.
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Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku needs to find his form to boost their Euro 2024 campaign.]
The Group E winner is slated to play a third-placed side in Munich on July 2nd. The Group E runner-up will face the runner-up from Group D the day before in Dusseldorf.
Euro Cup League Table – Group E Standings:
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Romania | 1 | 3 |
| Ukraine | 2 | 3 |
| Slovakia | 2 | 3 |
| Belgium | 1 | 0 |
Euro Cup League Table: Group F
The Group F match between Turkey and Georgia on June 18th has been hailed as one of the most captivating games of Euro 2024 so far, ending in a 3-1 victory for Turkey. Spectacular long-range goals from Mert Muldur and Arda Guler for Turkey, and a goal from Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, showcased the attacking flair of both teams.
In the dying moments of the match, with Georgia pushing for an equalizer and their goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joining the attack, Turkey capitalized on the open net. Kerem Akturkoglu scored to secure a 3-1 win, solidifying Turkey’s position in the Euro Cup league table.
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Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1 in a thrilling Group F match at Euro 2024.]
Later that night, Portugal secured a last-gasp victory against the Czech Republic. This match saw history made as Portugal’s Pepe, at 41 years old, became the oldest player to ever feature in a European Championship. Cristiano Ronaldo also set a record, becoming the first player to participate in six editions of the tournament.
Portugal will next face Turkey on June 22nd, and Ronaldo will be eager to score in his record-extending sixth Euro appearance after failing to score against the Czech Republic. Georgia and the Czech Republic will face each other earlier on the same day, both knowing that a defeat would severely jeopardize their chances of advancing from Group F in the Euro Cup league table.
The Group F winner will play a third-placed team in Frankfurt on July 1st. The Group F runner-up will face the Group D winner the following day in Leipzig.
Euro Cup League Table – Group F Standings:
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 1 | 3 |
| Portugal | 1 | 3 |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 0 |
| Georgia | 1 | 0 |
The Euro Cup knockout stage bracket will be updated as the tournament progresses.
(Top photo: Denmark scores against England; Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
