EURO 2024 Group Stage Wrap-Up: England Tops Group C, Denmark, Austria and Poland Advances to Super 16

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The EURO 2024 group stage has come to an exhilarating conclusion, with groups C and D providing plenty of drama and excitement. Fans witnessed some of the tournament’s biggest teams battling it out for a place in the knockout rounds.

Euro 2024 Group stage

In this comprehensive wrap-up, we’ll dive into the key moments and outcomes from the final matches of these groups, highlighting the performances of England, Denmark, Austria, and Poland as they secured their spots in the next phase of the competition.

EURO 2024 group stage: England Tops Group C Despite Lackluster Performance

England secured their place as Group C winners, but their journey was far from impressive. A goalless draw against Slovenia in Cologne saw Gareth Southgate’s team advance, although their performance left much to be desired in Euro 2024.

Tactical Choices and Performance

Southgate made a single change to the starting lineup from their previous matches, with Conor Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield. The team was set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Gallagher positioned ahead of Declan Rice. Despite this, England struggled to find rhythm and creativity in the early stages of the match.

Bukayo Saka had a goal ruled out for offside, which was the closest England came to scoring in the first half. The fans’ frustration was palpable, as scattered boos were heard when the team left the pitch at halftime.

Second Half Adjustments

In an attempt to inject some urgency into the team’s play, Southgate brought on Kobbie Mainoo for Gallagher at the start of the second half. This substitution brought a slight improvement, with Manchester City teammates Phil Foden and John Stones combining for a chance that was ultimately cleared off the line.

Despite the increased effort, England couldn’t break the deadlock, resulting in a 0-0 draw. While the result ensured England topped Group C, the performance raised concerns about their form heading into the knockout stages.

Slovenia Advances

Slovenia’s solid defensive display earned them a spot in the next round as one of the best third-place finishers, completing an unbeaten group stage campaign. Their disciplined performance against England was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline.

Denmark Edges Slovenia to Secure Second Place

Denmark also advanced from Group C, albeit in a peculiar fashion. Their 0-0 draw with Serbia saw them edge into second place, thanks to their higher position in European qualifying rankings, as all other tiebreakers were level.

First Half Battle

The first half was a test of endurance for Serbia’s goalkeeper Predrag Rajković, who made several crucial saves to keep Denmark at bay. Denmark had the ball in the net once, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Rajković before the finish.

Second Half Drama

The second half saw Serbia have their moment of frustration when Luka Jović’s finish was ruled out for offside. In the dying minutes, Aleksandar Mitrović almost secured a dramatic winner, but his shot narrowly missed the target.

With the match ending in a draw, Denmark’s qualification confirmed due to their superior qualifying ranking compared to Slovenia. They will face hosts Germany in next round, a challenging but exciting prospect.

Austria Triumphs in Group D Thriller Against Netherlands

Austria emerged as surprise winners of Group D following a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Netherlands. This match was packed with excitement and saw multiple lead changes, ultimately securing Austria’s top spot.

Early Lead and Dutch Response

Austria took an early lead within six minutes, courtesy of an own goal by the Netherlands’ Donyell Malen. The goal came from an Alexander Prass cross that Malen inadvertently turned into his own net. In response, Dutch manager Ronald Koeman made an early substitution, bringing on Xavi Simons for Joey Veerman.

Simons’ introduction had an immediate impact, as Cody Gakpo equalized just two minutes into the second half following a swift counterattack initiated by Simons.

Austria’s Resilience

Austria regained the lead through Romano Schmid, who capitalized on a rebound from a Florian Grillitsch cross. The Netherlands equalized again, this time through Memphis Depay, who connected with a knockdown header from Wout Weghorst.

However, Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer delivered the decisive blow with ten minutes remaining, beating Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen at his near post to secure a memorable victory for Ralf Rangnick’s side.

Poland Forces France to Settle for Second Place

In Group D’s other match, Poland held France to a 1-1 draw in Dortmund, a result that saw France settle for the runner-up spot.

First Half Opportunities

France had the first significant chance, with N’Golo Kanté setting up Ousmane Dembélé, only for Polish goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski to deny him. Poland then came close through Robert Lewandowski, whose header narrowly missed the target.

Second Half Drama

France returned from halftime with renewed determination, with Kylian Mbappé coming close on two occasions. Their persistence paid off when Dembélé won a penalty after being fouled by Jakub Kiwior. Mbappé converted the spot-kick to give France the lead.

Poland was later awarded a penalty following a foul by Dayot Upamecano on Karol Świderski. Although Mike Maignan saved Lewandowski’s initial attempt, the Barcelona striker scored on the retake, securing a valuable point for Poland.

Conclusion

The conclusion of the EURO 2024 group stage has set the stage for an exciting knockout phase. England, Denmark, Austria, and Poland have all advanced, each with their own unique journeys and challenges. England’s underwhelming performance raises questions about their form, while Denmark’s peculiar qualification method adds an intriguing twist. Austria’s thrilling victory over the Netherlands and Poland’s resilient draw against France highlight the unpredictable and competitive nature of this tournament.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the knockout rounds, all eyes will be on these teams to see how they perform under increased pressure. England will need to address their lack of creativity, while Denmark faces the daunting task of playing the hosts, Germany. Austria will aim to continue their surprising run, and Poland will look to build on their strong group stage performances.

Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as EURO 2024 continues to deliver thrilling football action. Make sure to follow your favorite teams and keep an eye on the emerging storylines that will shape this year’s Euros.

What do you think about the performances of these teams in the group stage? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know which team you believe has the best chance of winning EURO 2024. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more in-depth coverage and analysis of the tournament as it unfolds.

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