As the dust settles on the Euro 2024 group stage and with time to catch our breath before the knockouts, it’s time to reflect on the tournament so far.
Our Euro 2024 awards honour the best – and worst – of the group stage action.
Best Moment
Group B was billed as the Group of Death pre-tournament and ended in dramatic fashion.
As Spain cantered to first place, Croatia looked set to condemn holders Italy to an early exit. Leading through Luka Modric’s goal deep into stoppage time, Croatia were on course for the knockouts and the Azzurri were facing an embarrassing elimination.
Then came a twist in the tale as Mattia Zaccagni secured the Italians a Lazarus-like return to life in the tournament. Riccardo Calafiori’s driving run opened up the space for Zaccagni who bent a beautiful finish into the far corner, a 98th-minute bolt from the blue to send Italy through and Croatia crashing out.
WOW! ????
Mattia Zaccagni equalises right at the death for Italy who now qualify through to the round of 16! ????????#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #CROITA pic.twitter.com/MyNiDgoCmE
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 24, 2024
An honourable mention for Christian Eriksen scoring Denmark’s first goal of the tournament. Three years ago, the midfielder collapsed at Euro 2020 and required life-saving treatment on the pitch. After returning to the sport, he celebrated a wonderful moment with a major tournament goal for the Danes.
After Euro 2020: “I told the medical people to keep my boots because I won’t need them again” ????
Euro 2024: Christian Eriksen scores Denmark’s opening goal ⚽️
The beautiful game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mOuj29FpCx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 16, 2024
Best Player
Football will miss Toni Kroos.
The Germany midfielder has been in Kroos-control throughout the group stage as the metronomic heartbeat of Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
The 34-year-old leads the tournament for passes into the final third, progressive passes, passes completed, and passes completed inside the final third, while just three players have created more chances.
???? It seems like this Toni Kroos guy is a pretty decent player…
And he’s showing no signs of slowing down ????#Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/y63q5qkS9U
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) June 24, 2024
His return to the Germany squad has helped turn the host nation into real contenders, with his immaculate control of games. The dream send-off is a real possibility for the soon-to-retire great.
Breakout Player
It might be a stretch to call Nico Williams a breakout player given his excellence at Athletic Bilbao across the last two seasons, but this certainly feels like a coming-of-age tournament for the winger.
Spain have been the most impressive outfit at Euro 2024 and qualified for the knockout rounds with a perfect record and no goals conceded. La Roja have moved on from their tiki-taka era with Luis de la Fuente’s team built around the dynamic wing-partnership of Williams and Lamine Yamal. Despite a combined age that is younger than Cristiano Ronaldo, the duo have dovetailed to devastating effect in the group stage.
Spain have the most lethal wide threat at the Euros. Italy were not able to cope with them in wide areas. The electric 1v1 dribbling of Nico Williams balanced by the creative abilities & decision-making of Lamine Yamal. Top. pic.twitter.com/hvQEiZgebE
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) June 20, 2024
Williams has impressed with his fleet-of-foot and desire to take on defenders, setting off a scramble for his services. A £43m release clause looks real value.
Best Goal
Turkey have been great entertainment at Euro 2024 with the Crescent-Stars compiling their own Goal of the Tournament competition.
Mert Müldür and Hakan Çalhanoğlu each had contenders of their own, but it’s Arda Güler who claims our Best Goal of the group stage.
A stunning strike from the Real Madrid teenager.
WOW! WOW! WOW!
What a goal for the “Turkish Messi” ????????#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #TURGEO pic.twitter.com/0QbOMynXNr
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 18, 2024
Best Game
Güler’s Golazo came in our favourite game of the tournament so far as Turkey took on Georgia in an epic.
A pre-game storm continued onto the pitch with a thunderous atmosphere and swirl of chaos. Tournament debutants Georgia – the lowest-ranked team in the tournament and only qualifiers through the Nations League route designed to help the cause of minnows – gave their all, with the contest packed full of end-to-end action and quality in moments.
Mert Müldür lashed a stunning volley into the top corner for Turkey, before Güler guided an unstoppable effort into the top corner after Georges Mikautadze netted Georgia’s first-ever tournament goal.
In stoppage time, Kerem Akturkoglu sealed the win on the break, turning in an open net after a lung-busting run on the counter, with Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili thrown up for a set piece.
Best Upset
Slovakia stunned Belgium in a mad-cap Group E that saw all four teams finish on four points, but the upset of the group stage is Georgia’s 2-0 win over Portugal.
The 74th-ranked team in the world beat a heavily-fancied (if rotated and already qualified) Portuguese team in their final fixture to progress to the knockout rounds in their first-ever major tournament.
Just look at those scenes.
Georgia STUN Portugal for the biggest win in their history! ????
It’s utterly incredible scenes in Gelsenkirchen.
It’s what dreams are made of.#EURO2024 #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/Er8W6wBhTb
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 26, 2024
Best Stat
If ever there was a statistic to show England’s issues, this is it.
3 – Phil Foden has passed the ball more times to Jordan Pickford (3) than to Harry Kane (1) at EURO 2024. Ineffective. pic.twitter.com/EmOeGIXTmD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 26, 2024
Best Tweet
The England memes have been far better viewing than the football from Gareth Southgate’s side so far…
Pickford 0.4 seconds after making a save pic.twitter.com/n1Oj70nljt
— Dobby Club (@DobbyClub06) June 20, 2024
While Scotland suffered perhaps the most awkward Auf Wiedersehen in history…
This is so painful. The juxtaposition between the oompah music and their faces ???????? https://t.co/6tvfhQMNZK
— Nick Reilly (@NickJWReilly) June 24, 2024
Read – Euro 2024 – Best XI from the tournament’s Group Stage
See more – Euro 2024 Golden Boot standings as big names fail to fire
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