The own goal top scorer (Own goal), a mixed French team, matches full of twists and turns… The group stage of Euro 2024, which ended on Wednesday, June 26, provided several lessons on the European competition. France 24 takes stock.
Published on: 06/27/2024 – 4:32 p.m.
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Straight to the goal against his side
Georgian striker George Mikautadze, with three goals in as many games, tops the list of top scorers at the end of the Euro 2024 group stage. Several players are within one goal of him, including Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Dutch attacking player Cody Gakpo – both with two goals each. But the attacking star of the moment in European competition has no identity, no nationality, no face: it is the own goal (own goal).
No less than seven CSCs were registered during the group stage. One of them notably allowed the French team to win against Austria (1-0) or even for Spain to win by the smallest of margins against the Italy (1-0). Euro 2024 is off to a good start in this area to beat the record… of Euro 2021. During the previous edition, Eleven own goals were scored. A record that could perhaps fall this summer in Germany.
Read alsoThe program for the round of 16 of Euro 2024
This observation is combined with a lack of efficiency and/or an offensive breakdown of several selections over the last two weeks. England and its offensive armada, presented as one of the best before the tournament, scored only two small goals against teams who seemed well within their reach. The Blues are also among the absent subscribers: although qualified in the round of 16, the French team had to rely on a CSC and a penalty goal to reach the final phase table.
Half-tone Blues
In three matches, the France team struggled to convince despite qualifying for the round of 16. Pragmatic football advocated by Didier Deschamps once again worked for the Blues to get out of their group D, in particular thanks to an impermeable defense which only conceded one goal against Poland – and moreover from a penalty.
But the French internationals, with or without Kylian Mbappé, have failed to finish on numerous occasions. The French number 10 missed clear chances against Austria and against Poland, Antoine Griezmann scored against the Netherlands, Ousmane Dembélé – although at the origin of the penalty in the last match – struggled to materialize its offensive contribution from a statistical point of view… The French offensive line is not really on the attack at the moment.
Read alsoFind the complete table for the final phase of Euro 2024
They will need to find this efficiency again to win on July 1st against Belgium – although the Red Devils were not any more brilliant in the offensive domain. The fact remains that the truth of a group stage is often not that of the final table, as sums it up by L’Équipe journalist Vincent Duluc : “In a final phase, you should never rely on the first round. You should even forget it, and know that the resumption of this neighborhood quarrel (between Belgium and France, Editor’s note) in a direct elimination match will transfigure the balance of power that these last few days have suggested.”
One out of four match finishes was stunning
The group stage was nevertheless spectacular on several occasions: of the 36 matches played, nine had a stunning outcome in added time – a quarter of the matches.
Croatia was the biggest victim of these reversals of fortune: after losing their first match, the Vatreni were held by Albania in the last minute of play (2-2). Then they experienced their biggest emotional rollercoaster in their match against Italy: while the Croatians had qualified for the round of 16 for almost a half, the Squadra Azzura buried their hopes by scoring on the last play (1-1).
Turkey also stood out – in a good way – in money time, hitting the nail on the head against Georgia (3-1) then taking the lead against the Czech Republic (2-1). These spectacular outcomes are already more numerous, before the final phase, than during the previous Euro – five goals were then scored in added time of the second half.
Georgia’s already historic journey
For its first participation in a Euro, Georgia did much better than just showing up. Considered as the Little Thumb of the committed selections, the Crusaders have evolved with values of solidarity, combativeness and speed on the counter to escape from group F.
This commitment was not enough for them to avoid defeat against Turkey (3-1) in their first match, but it allowed them to pick up a point against the Czech Republic (1-1). Above all, this selection that no one expected at this level – despite a Georges Mikautadze – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia offensive line which has nothing to envy of other great teams – achieved the feat of beating Portugal (2-0) to secure a historic qualification in the round of 16.
1 – Georgia have secured their first victory in a major competition, qualifying for the last 16 of the EURO. They are the first European team to get out of the group stage for their first participation in a major tournament (World Cup + EURO) since Iceland in 2016. Surprise. pic.twitter.com/nXogMOnjou
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 26, 2024
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One of the great architects of this success remains Willy Sagnol. Since taking office in February 2021, the French coach of Georgia has given momentum to the Crusaders which is currently allowing them to overturn mountains. “When you’re one of the ‘small’ teams, you know you have nothing to lose. The only thing I said before the competition is that no matter what happens, you don’t have to not have regrets at the end”, declared Willy Sagnol after the victory against Portugal.
Georgia will now face Spain, another giant of European football, in the final phase. “Probably the strongest team in the first round,” the coach believes, but “what is certain is that we will fight until the last minute. That’s La Roja warned.
The elimination of Croatia marks the end of the Modric generation
Croatia had accustomed football fans to better international performances. Vice-champions of the 2018 world championship and third in the 2022 World Cup, the Vatreni were eliminated from Euro 2024 in the group stage. A first since Euro 2012.
And twelve years apart, we take almost the same players and start again: Spain finished first in their group in both editions, Italy second and Croatia third. Only Ireland and Albania differ, respectively fourth in 2012 and 2024. During the competition in Germany, the Croatians appeared awkward, often lacking inspiration in their play and even their master weapon – the three-man midfield of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic – was not as flamboyant as usual.
38 – At 38 years and 289 days, Luka Modric is the oldest goalscorer in EURO history. Immortal.#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/PfC9ggC5f3
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 24, 2024
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Croatia’s golden generation appeared to be aging in this competition, and their inability to maintain results until the end of the match was fatal, particularly against Albania and Italy. Finally, in the game of the best thirds, the Vatreni did not weigh heavily with two points on the clock. Their supporters will always be able to console themselves with Luka Modric’s goal scored against Italy. The 2018 Ballon d’Or further wrote his legend, becoming the oldest player to score a goal during a Euro. Perhaps a farewell international goal for the 38-year-old.
