The first round of the group stage of Euro 2020 has been played, delivering the expected wins for the favorites and thrilling upsets from the underdogs. With two more rounds ahead, every team still has a chance to qualify for the knockout stage.
Group A
Group A kicked off Euro 2020 with the match between Italy and Turkey. The Turkish team set up a defensive wall that held for only 45 minutes. In the second half, Italy scored three times and won 3:0.
Italy 3:0 Turkey.
Goals: Demiral (own goal), 53 — 1:0; Immobile, 66 — 2:0; Insigne, 79 — 3:0.
In the other Group A match, Wales put up a heroic defense against Switzerland. Like the opening game, all the scoring action came in the second half. Switzerland took the lead on the 49th minute, sparking the game. After playing defensively, Wales pushed forward, and it paid off on the 74th minute. Late in the game, Switzerland scored again, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for offside.
Wales 1:1 Switzerland.
Goals: Embolo, 49 — 0:1; Moore, 74 — 1:1.
Group B
The first Group B match was delayed. We’re talking about the Denmark vs. Finland game, which was halted for a long time after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field. He was saved, and the match was resumed about an hour later. Denmark was shaken and played poorly, leading to their loss, and they even missed a penalty in stoppage time.
Denmark 0:1 Finland
Goals: Pohjanpalo, 60 — 0:1; Højbjerg, 74 — missed penalty.
The second match was a disaster for Russian fans. Belgium dominated Russia, creating few chances but capitalizing on errors. The Russian team gifted opportunities, and Belgium’s world-class players made the most of them.
Belgium 3:0 Russia
Goals: Lukaku, 10 — 1:0; Meunier, 34 — 2:0; Lukaku, 88 — 3:0.
Group C
In Group C, Austria and North Macedonia started the competition. Austria, as the favorite, scored an early goal—a rarity at this Euro. But the joy was short-lived as the score was tied soon after. They only secured the win in the closing minutes, and the on-field action didn’t match the odds at all.
Austria 3:1 North Macedonia.
Goals: Lainer, 18 — 1:0; Pandev, 28 — 1:1; Gregoritsch, 78 — 2:1; Arnautović, 89 — 3:1.
The most high-scoring match of Euro 2020 so far was between the Netherlands and Ukraine. It was a real football thriller with five goals, all coming in the second half. The Netherlands predictably won, but it was no easy victory.
Netherlands 3:2 Ukraine.
Goals: Wijnaldum, 52 — 1:0; Weghorst, 58 — 2:0; Yarmolenko, 75 — 2:1; Yaremchuk, 79 — 2:2; Dumfries, 85 — 3:2.
Group D
England and Croatia opened Group D in a high-profile match, as both teams performed well at the previous World Cup. They met in the semifinals then, with Croatia winning in extra time. This time, it was evenly matched, but England came out on top.
England 1:0 Croatia
Goals: Sterling, 57 — 1:0.
Czechia’s debut was tough. In their match against Scotland, they were slightly outplayed but still managed to win. One of the goals will likely contend for the tournament’s best, with a striker scoring from midfield. But the three points are what matter most.
Scotland 0:2 Czechia.
Goals: Schick, 42 — 0:1; Schick, 52 — 0:2.
Group E
In the penultimate group, Slovakia unexpectedly took the lead by beating Poland. This was helped by the red card to Grzegorz Krychowiak of Lokomotiv on the 62nd minute, after two avoidable yellow cards. As underdogs, Slovakia pulled off the win.
Poland 1:2 Slovakia
Goals: Szczesny (own goal), 18 — 0:1; Linetty, 46 — 1:1; Skriniar, 69 — 1:2.
Spain was the clear favorite in Group E but already dropped points. Sweden sat back defensively for most of the game. According to Western media, Spain set a new Euros record for possession but couldn’t convert it into goals.
Spain 0:0 Sweden.
Group F
Hungary and Portugal opened the ‘group of death’ with a battle-filled match, but the score stayed level for most of it. Portugal finally broke through, scoring three times late, while Hungary’s goal was disallowed.
Hungary 0:3 Portugal.
Goals: Guerrero, 84 — 0:1; Ronaldo (pen), 87 — 0:2; Ronaldo, 90+2 — 0:3.
The highly anticipated France vs. Germany match didn’t live up to the hype in terms of goals. The only score was an own goal by a German player in the second half. France added two more in that period, but both were ruled offside.
France 1:0 Germany.
Goals: Hummels (own goal), 20 — 1:0.
