The UEFA Euro 2024 is already underway, exciting football fans across the world with thrilling matches and incredible moments. Hosted by Germany, the tournament has brought together 24 of Europe’s best national teams, all contending for the famous crown. The Euro 2024 group stage has already produced fierce competition and unexpected upsets, paving the way for an even more thrilling knockout phase.
The excitement reaches new heights as the Euro 2024 Round of 16 kicks off, marking the beginning of the knockout phase, where every match is a battle for survival. But we have witnessed some extraordinary moments on the stage, from last-minute winners to equalizers, from upsets to drama in the end. Let’s relive some of the best moments we witnessed in the group stage clashes.
Best Moments of Euro 2024 Group Stage
Spain outclassed Croatia
The first game of Group B was surely a battle between two of the finest European teams but the result didn’t defy the statement, as three first-half goals by Spain was enough for them to start their euro journey in full swing. Spain has always looked dangerous when it comes to talent and depth in squad. But they had been very unfortunate after their last major celebration, which came 12 years ago when they won their second successive UEFA European Championship in 2012.
Will they do it again? They got 9 out of 9 in the group stage, but their journey will not be easy as they might face the host Germany in the potential quarter final if both teams manage to win their round of 16 matches. Croatia, on the other hand, was not able to make their way to the knockout stage as they finished third in their group.
Slovakia Stunned Belgium
In a stunning upset at Euro 2024, Slovakia claimed a remarkable victory over Belgium. The game ended 1-0 to Slovakia as Ivan Schranz scored the only goal of the game in the 7th minute of the match when the ball came right into his feet after Belgian keeper managed to save one attempted shot and he made full use of the rebound to make it a historic goal for Slovakia.
Despite having more possession of the ball and more attempted shots on target, Belgium was not able to pass the ball through the back of the net. An Exciting point is that all the teams from this group took four points in the Euro 2024 group stage. Romania topped the table due to better goal difference, whereas Belgium secured second place and Slovakia came third but managed to qualify for round of 16 due to overall better goal difference in third position.
Romania is the only team that got eliminated from this group. Let’s see how these teams proceed, but somehow Belgium apparently got the toughest opponent, the world cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, France. While Slovakia will play England, Romania will try their luck against the Dutch.
Germany’s late equalizer vs Switzerland
This Euro 2024 group stage has surely seen some nail-biting moments. This match was one of them when the Swiss managed to get better over Germany in their own backyard. Despite all their efforts, Germany found no way to score until the last moments of the match arrived. Everyone was in their seats as Switzerland had a historic night after Dan Ndoye scored the goal in the 28th minute of the match. Then they did all they could to stop the German force.
But Niclas Fullkrug, who came out of the bench with his astonishing header, broke the deadlock and gave German fans the moment to celebrate in stoppage time. And the match ended 1-1, with Germany on the brink of their historic defeat, taking one point off it.
Italy’s battle of survival against Croatia
This one is surely the best we have seen until now in the Euro 2024 group stage. I hope we see more of this kind. Croatia played Italy in the battle of survival in Leipzig. Croatia, which was unable to win their first two matches, gave all they had against Italy. For both teams, this was the crucial game to sustain in the championship. In the 53rd minute of the game, Croatia got the penalty after VAR intervened. All eyes were on their legend, Luca Modric, but the Italian keeper guessed the right way and made the save. The score remained 0-0.
But right after two minutes, he made up for his missed penalty, and Croatia were in front. At that moment, Croatia was enjoying the second position in the group and a spot in the round of 16. But their happiness turned into tears of sadness when, on the last kick of the game, in the 90+7th minute of the game, Zaccagni curler hit the back of the net, scores were level, and the referee blew the final whistle. Croatia needed a miracle that didn’t happen to go forward, and Italy qualified for the Round of 16, where they will play the Swiss.
Georgia’s dream win
Georgia is playing their first major tournament, and they have already beaten the 2016 European champions, Portugal, and they are through to the knockout stage. On the last matchday of the Euro 2024 group stage, Georgia needed a win to go through. Portugal was never an easier opponent as they have two in two wins and were looking to extend their perfect record, but it didn’t happen as they were unable to score any while Georgia enjoyed two moments of celebration.
Georgia didn’t hesitate to make their early impact on the game, as they scored their first goal right after two minutes of kickoff. But Cristiano and Co. pushed hard but didn’t find the way; however, Georgia extended their lead to 2-0 after Mikautadze stepped up and scored from the spot. Cristiano Ronaldo was subbed out in the 60th minute of the game, as he had already received a yellow card after engaging with the referee. He still has to wait to become the first player to score in six European Championships, as he just got one assist in this campaign. Portugal will play Slovenia in the knockout round and might play France or Belgium if they go through.
