Euro 2020 is taking place in 11 host cities across Europe. There will be 51 matches at the end of the tournament in July when the competing nations are beaten.
Here is a look at each match in the competition, ranked from worst to best.
Denmark vs. Finland – UEFA Euro 2020: Group B / Friedemann Vogel – Pool / Getty Images
Group B: June 12
The game that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons after the Danish star Christian Eriksen went into cardiac arrest and collapsed just before half time. It could have been fatal but too quick reactions from his teammates, match officials and medical staff.
When Eriksen was stable in hospital, the game resumed, probably at the request of the Danish players. But it should never have been allowed to continue and several in the Danish camp later said that they did not get much choice without continuing.
Spain vs. Sweden – UEFA Euro 2020: Group E / Marcelo Del Pozo – Pool / Getty Images
Group E: 14 June
Few chances and a disappointing end got the meeting between Spain and Sweden 0-0. The Spaniards passed the ball to death from start to finish but rarely asked meaningful questions from their opponent, who knocked the ball away quite a bit each time.
Alvaro Morata was obliged to miss a great chance for Spain, while Alexander Isak and Marcus Berg both wasted good opportunities for Sweden.
Wales vs. Switzerland – UEFA Euro 2020: Group A / Marcio Machado / Getty Images
Group A: June 12
There was nothing that separated Wales and Switzerland on the second day of the tournament after a Kieffer Moore headline interrupted a former Breel Embolo head.
Both teams took some time to get started and even when they did, it was up to individuals like the aforementioned Embolo and Moore to make differences rather than a collective effort.
England v Croatia – UEFA Euro 2020: Group D / Pixsell / MB Media / Getty Images
Group D: 13 June
The story before and after the game focused on England taking revenge on Croatia for the semi-finals of the World Cup 2018, although it had probably already been achieved in the Nations League 2018/19, but the game itself was not very special.
Croatia was a disappointment and there were only four shots on goal from both teams together in 90 minutes.
Belgium vs. Russia – UEFA Euro 2020: Group B / Isosport / MB Media / Getty Images
Group B: June 12
Belgium looked impressive when they flexed their muscles with a 3-0 victory against Russia to start their campaign. It was a relatively comfortable evening for the highest ranked side of the tournament, with Russia just a shadow of the team they had been in 2018.
Romelu Lukaku scored two goals, one goal in each half, and dedicated his first to Inter team-mate Christian Eriksen, whose collapse when he played for Denmark had happened just a couple of hours earlier.
Scotland vs. Czech Republic – UEFA Euro 2020: Group D / Petr Josek – Pool / Getty Images
Group D: 14 June
Scotland’s first tournament game in 23 years took place in front of almost 10,000 fans at Hampden Park and the structure, including the Scottish anthem, was an emotional one.
Unfortunately for the Scots, the game included one of the best goals you will ever see at a European Championship tournament when Czech striker Patrik Schick made an incredible effort from the halfway line and immediately made a meme of Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall.
Poland vs. Slovakia – UEFA Euro 2020: Group E / Lars Baron / Getty Images
Group E: 14 June
Poland were disappointed and Slovakia impressed in a game that was generally expected to go the other way. Slovakia were the better team in the first half, with strikers Robert Mak and Ondrej Duda causing special problems, but another Poland emerged after half time.
The direct equalizer led to 15 minutes of Polish pressure before Grzegorz Krychowiak was sent off and the balance of power shifted again.
Hungary vs. Portugal – UEFA Euro 2020: Group F / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Group F: June 15
Portugal left it late to beat Hungary in what threatened to be a hostile environment for visitors to Budapest, but a trio of goals in the final stage saw one of the favorites to lift the trophy to a winning start.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two of Portugal’s goals. His first in the game was his ten in European Championship tournaments and broke Michel Platini’s long-standing record that had been set since 1984. He then extended his own new record to 11.
Austria vs. Northern Macedonia – UEFA Euro 2020: Group C / Daniel Mihailescu – Pool / Getty Images
Group C: 13 June
An excellent opening goal from Austria’s Stefan Lainer and Northern Macedonia’s first goal in their first appearance at a major tournament from national hero Goran Pandev, made a strong first half from the clash in Bucharest.
Austria won by two goals late, although the game was hampered by accusations by Marko Arnautovic who used racist language against two Macedonian players during his celebration.
France vs. Germany – UEFA Euro 2020: Group F / Markus Gilliar / Getty Images
Group F: June 15
France gave the impression that there was still much more to give when they beat Germany 1-0 in Munich in their competitive opening game. A lone own goal from Mats Hummels decided it, but the French were still superior and were well worth winning.
Kylian Mbappe scored what would have been a wonderful second goal for France which was ruled out as he had deviated marginally off the side before getting the ball.
Turkey vs. Italy – UEFA Euro 2020: Group A / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Group A: 11 June
Despite being the first European Championship final, Italy delivered a perfect opening ceremony that became more gripping from this year’s delay and everything that has happened globally due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Andrea Bocelli’s rendition of Nessun Dorma was sensational, while social media blew away the little car that took the ball on the field. Everything contributed to the spectacle as a whole and the game itself was not bad either.
Netherlands vs. Ukraine – UEFA Euro 2020: Group C / ANP Sport / Getty Images
Group C: 13 June
In what was their first tournament game since the 2014 World Cup, the Netherlands avoided a comeback fear against Ukraine in a five-goal thriller in their opening game in Amsterdam.
Even the goalless first half had given a lot of excitement, with both teams attacking and creating chances. The Dutch ran into a 2-0 lead early in the second half, only to be snapped back by two quick Ukraine goals. Denzel Dumfries won it late for the home team.
Wales celebrate after scoring against Turkey in Group A / Marcio Machado / Getty Images
Group A: 16 June
After securing an affordable draw against Switzerland in their opening group game, Wales knew they needed another big performance against Turkey to increase their chances of escaping Group A.
Not only did Robert Pay’s boys get the job done, they did it in an exciting style – goals from Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts that made Gareth Bale’s penalty for the second half irrelevant.
But do not worry, the Welsh legend was at the top of his game despite this blip – putting Ramsey up with a deliciously chipped ball, as well as dictating the game all the time against a surprisingly flat Turkey.
For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!
