On Thursday, Spain conquered their group by triumphing over Italy, while England couldn’t mirror that success against Denmark. Our focus now shifts to some compelling Opta insights.
Spain’s victory earmarked them as the first group winners at Euro 2024, causing much chagrin for England.
Before Spain clinched the lead in Group B, England was stymied by Denmark in a stalemate at 1-1, with the Danes coming close to an upset.
Although England’s performance didn’t dazzle, Gareth Southgate’s squad remains atop Group C with four points following earlier draws in the group.
We’ve curated some eye-catching statistical gems from the day’s matches.
Slovenia 1-1 Serbia: Last-second drama thwarts Slovenia
The day commenced with a dramatic twist as Slovenia nearly notched their inaugural Euros win in Munich.
Despite sturdy defense against Serbian strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic by Jan Oblak, Zan Karnicnik almost sealed a historic win for Slovenia with a goal.
Yet, Luka Jovic had other plans, levelling the game with a header in the dying seconds, timed at precisely 95 minutes, marking it the latest goal in Euros history excluding extra time.
The draw keeps hope alive for both teams to hit the round of 16, but it was almost a landmark day for Slovenia in Munich.
While this was Slovenia’s fifth Euro match without a win, Karnicnik’s early goal had fans reminiscing about their last lead in Euro 2000’s 3-3 draw with Yugoslavia.
Serbia’s day was marred by missed opportunities, with only four of their 15 shots hitting the mark, a forgettable outing especially for Mitrovic.
Despite six tries, Mitrovic’s efforts didn’t convert, continuing a curious trend seen at Euro 2020, where players with over six shots failed to score.
Denmark 1-1 England: More woes for Southgate
While Group C’s other game ended similarly, it left English fans wanting more.
Harry Kane’s milestone strike made him the first Englishman and eighth overall to score five goals each at the World Cup and Euros.
His tally also draws him even with legendary scorers Michael Owen and Wayne Fate in major tournaments.
Denmark’s equalizer, thanks to Morten Hjulmand, was his debut goal for his country and the ninth Danish goal from distance at the Euros, a record surpassed by only three nations since 1980.
England has now conceded eight long-range goals at the Euros, a high not eclipsed by any other team since records began in 1980.
This campaign has already seen 13 distant goals, topping the group-stage tally at Euro 2020.
England’s recent encounters with Denmark have yielded only two wins from eight competitive matches, after initially dominating their early meetings.
Spain 1-0 Italy: Pedri echoes Ronaldo, Cristante sets unwanted record
In the day’s final fixture, Spain confirmed their group dominance with a slender win over reigning champions Italy.
An own goal by Riccardo Calafiori marked this unfortunate first for an Italian at the Euros.
Italy will need a significant uptick to threaten in Berlin next month, posting a paltry four shots, their lowest in Euros history.
Conversely, Spain shapes as title favorites, replicating their 2016 group-stage success.
Fabian Ruiz starred for La Roja, replicating a record by David Silva from 2008 for recoveries in the attacking third.
Pedri kept up his consistent play, his 12 major tournament appearances tying a mark set by Cristiano Ronaldo before turning 22.
Bryan Cristante’s swift booking post-substitution is the fastest for a substitute in the tournament’s history since 1980.
