The Euro 2024 group stage concluded on Wednesday, ushering in the knockout phases to be held in Germany.
Romania, Belgium, and Slovakia advanced to the last 16, with Ukraine exiting in a historic first— a four-way tie in Group E points.
Over in Group F, Georgia triumphed over Portugal, marking their debut win at a major tournament, while Turkiye scrambled to a victory over Czechia.
As we gear up for the last-16, let’s dissect the key action from Wednesday, courtesy of Opta’s detailed analysis.
Ukraine 0-0 Belgium: Rebrov’s Historical Dismay
Ukraine’s gritty showing will bring little solace to Serhiy Rebrov’s team, having accumulated four points yet finishing last—a Euros first.
The goalless clash persisted Ukraine’s peculiar record: either a dry score or precisely two goals.
For Belgium, their scoring drought continued, netting only once across five recent group matches.
Their attacking struggles precluded what could have been a celebratory match for Lukaku, reaching a landmark alongside De Bruyne.
Lukaku’s ongoing goalless streak spans five group games at major tournaments, a stark contrast to previous performances.
The dynamic duo eyes a rebound against France in Dusseldorf, with Jeremy Doku’s dribbling prowess something the French must heed.
Slovakia 1-1 Romania: Seasoned Pros Steal the Spotlight
Romania emerged from Group E as unlikely victors, advancing for the first time since Euro 2000 after a draw with Slovakia.
Ondrej Duda set the stakes high early, scoring in consecutive tournaments.
However, Razvan Marin’s penalty ensured Romania’s draw, marking his personal scoring streak in recent matches.
Romania has leaned heavily on penalties, with nearly a third of their Euro goals coming from the spot.
Slovakia, reaching their third knockout stage in four tries, saw added value from veteran presence on the field, emphasizing experience in their ranks.
Georgia 2-0 Portugal: Mikautadze Dims Ronaldo’s Shine
Underdog Georgia impressed, advancing to the knockout stage in their tournament debut, a feat unseen since Iceland’s 2016 surprise.
Mikautadze’s penalty and setup for Kvaratskhelia underscored a momentous win as Ronaldo faltered, marking a subdued performance from the football icon.
This loss snapped Portugal’s unbeaten run under coach Martinez, introducing questions of resilience and tactic refinement moving forward.
Czechia 1-2 Turkiye: A Tumultuous Clash in Hamburg
Cenk Tosun’s late heroics pushed Turkiye into the knockout rounds, yet disciplinary woes loomed large.
This match set records for infractions, witnessing the highest tally of cards issued in any Euro match, a chaotic sideline to the main event.
As both teams grappled on the field, discipline took center stage—potentially overshadowing tactical play and setting a tense precedent for upcoming matches.
