From broken records to broken noses: Euro 2024 matchday one roundup

It didn’t take long for the UEFA European Championship to burst into life. It’s only been 18 months since the last major tournament, but so quickly does the landscape of international football change that European fans have been chomping at the bit for it to start.

A captivating round of fixtures was kicked off on Friday 14 June at the Allianz Arena in Munich, and within 10 minutes the capacity crowd erupted for the host nation’s opening goal. Germany’s demolition of Scotland to start the tournament was a rare statement win in this first batch of group stage games, with tight contests occurring, despite significant gaps in UEFA rankings, the theme for the round.

Spain and Germany have dealt with a downward trajectory in their major tournament successes since 2014, but were the two teams out of the pre-tournament favourites to show impressive displays in their opening game.

Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side put out a confident attacking performance against an ageing Croatian team who failed to keep up with Spain’s pace in transition and midfield dominance. Their 3-0 win was particularly important given their group of death with Italy and Albania could potentially come down to goal difference.

Some of the tournament’s favourites did not hit the ground running in the same way however, with unconvincing wins going to England, France, Portugal, and Italy

Germany have shared Spain’s struggle for goals in recent tournaments since the retirement of Miroslav Klose, but they have appeared to turn that corner with a five-goal start to their campaign, aided by a dismal Scottish performance exemplified by Ryan Porteus’ dangerous ankle-high challenge which received a red card on the stroke of half-time. If Germany can keep up this form against more potent opposition they will be a challenging team to beat, especially with the benefit of the home crowds who were refreshingly vocal after a more subdued World Cup in Qatar in the winter of 2022.

Some of the tournament’s favourites did not hit the ground running in the same way however, with unconvincing wins going to England, France, Portugal, and Italy. In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on the endurance required to win a major tournament, and so for teams to peak at the right time is often deemed to be more important than starting strongly during the group stages where perfection is by no means required to progress.

Jude Bellingham’s powerful header was enough for England to beat a gritty Serbian side where the result outweighed the importance of a strong performance. Scrutiny has naturally been directed towards Gareth Southgate and his cautious approach in major tournaments – as always seems to be the case when England scrape past a lesser opponent.

The worry for England fans during Southgate’s tenure has been whether their side would have the firepower to overcome stronger teams in the latter stages of tournaments. For now, however, it is simply the case that any win will do – England sit atop Group C potentially only needing one more win to progress as group winners.

The most thrilling game of this round by far was Turkey against Georgia as both teams played aggressive end-to-end football

France put in a similarly lacklustre display to England but should perhaps be more concerned than their rivals across the Channel as a result of the injury that superstar Kylian Mbappé obtained. His broken nose has ruled him out for at least the rest of the group stage games. The French squad depth should be more than capable to see them progress comfortably but, given Mbappé’s centrality to their play-style, coach Didier Deschamps will have to adapt for their upcoming fixtures against the Netherlands and Poland.

Italy required a moment of brilliance from Nicolo Barella who scored with an outrageous instinctive finish on the bounce, to overcome a dogged Albania who took the lead with the fastest goal in Euros history – taking just 23 seconds. There were scares late on for Italy with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal being forced into some strong saves, but Albania could not produce a breakthrough to shock the current holders.

In Portugal’s Group F clash to close out the opening round of fixtures, a late winner from substitute Francisco Conceição completed the comeback over Czechia who took the lead and were going toe-to-toe with a side that had gone unbeaten in qualifying. A growing trend in international football is that even the lower ranked nations have a young star who is the focal point of the team. The result seems to be apparent in these closer games with the elites of European football, something that will hopefully prove to cause some upsets over the course of the tournament.

The most thrilling game of this round by far was Turkey against Georgia as both teams played aggressive end-to-end football. Turkey scored two outstanding goals – a sublime volley from Mert Müldür, and a beautiful curling finish from teenager Arda Güler – which were much needed given the heroics of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Georgia were still hanging on and conjured up several late chances for an equaliser before a last-minute counter-attack from Turkey finished off the tie.

The first round of fixtures also had one of the best narratives in recent years of football

The first round of fixtures also had one of the best narratives in recent years of football. Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark 1100 days after his cardiac arrest in their opening fixture from the tournament in 2021. It caps off an incredible comeback story for a player who has been a beloved member of his international and club squads. His fairytale game was slightly spoiled by Slovenia’s goal to draw the game, but it regardless remains an incredible moment in Danish football.

These first group games tend to be a good indicator of who are the more threatening teams, but it is important to remember that there is plenty of precedent for teams to struggle early and go the distance in the tournament – notably Argentina in the Qatar World Cup. We will learn a lot more from the next fixtures, with France against the Netherlands, and Spain versus Italy standing out as the heavyweight clashes which will be decisive in these group stage fixtures.