Day five of Euro 2024 saw the conclusion of the first round of games — 12 matches that have featured 34 goals scored by 34 different players (including three own goals).
The final four teams to make their bow at this tournament did not disappoint.
First, Turkey battled to a 3-1 win over European Championship debutants Georgia in a pulsating and spectacular encounter in Dortmund.
Then 2016 winners Portugal — captained by the 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo — came from behind to scrape a 2-1 win against the Czech Republic, with their winning goal coming in the second minute of stoppage time.
Our writers run you through the key moments of the tournament’s fifth day…
How have the pre-tournament favourites fared?
The first round of group-stage matches drew to a close with Portugal’s late victory, meaning we have now had a good look at every team and can start to form an idea of who might go far this summer.
Portugal, despite their victory, did not look quite as accomplished as some of the other favourites, but did prove just how many quality options they have, whether versatile players already on the pitch or reinforcements off the bench. In truth, though, they struggled for the most part to fit all of those brilliant players into a cohesive system.
There are similarities to England in that sense, but Gareth Southgate’s men looked less assured during their second half against Serbia, continually giving the ball back to their opponents. The spotlight is on Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold after that one and it will be interesting to see how England and Portugal develop over the coming games.
Germany and Italy had some similarities, too, with a lot of attacking responsibility given to their full-backs. Germany’s forward line caused Scotland all sorts of problems, with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz catching the eye, and Federico Chiesa was a threat on Italy’s right, but both countries’ left-backs — Maximilian Mittelstadt and Federico Dimarco — might be relied upon to be creative forces as the tournament progresses, with the forwards pushed inside. It will also be interesting to see if Robert Andrich’s attacking limitations will be an issue for Germany, or whether he can sit and hold things together while the others pull the strings around him.
France and Spain were more vibrant on the wings and made strong starts, but it feels like Didier Deschamps’ side most lived up to their pre-tournament billing: they clearly have a wealth of talent and a good idea of how to use it. Despite needing an own goal to beat Austria, they created a hatful of chances and often looked threatening, mostly on transitions but sometimes from settled possession, too. Their biggest question mark is the fitness of Kylian Mbappe, who is already ruled out of Friday night’s clash with the Netherlands.
At least they all ground out three points. Belgium, third in FIFA’s world rankings and favourites to top Group E, fell to a 1-0 defeat against Slovakia — one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history. Not for the first time, Belgium have gifted players in attacking positions but lack fluency at full-back and bite in central midfield. On Saturday, Domenico Tedesco’s side face Romania, who were so impressive in their 3-0 win against Ukraine. Lose again and their hopes could be over.
The next round of matches, then, should provide a few more answers.
Sam Lee
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with goalscorer Francisco Conceicao (Patricia De Merlo Moreira/Getty)
The Cristiano Ronaldo roadshow continues
Like it or not, Ronaldo is still the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to this Portugal team. The number of fans with his name on their shirt outnumber other players by about 10 to one, his name was roared with the volume of a goal when the line-ups were read out and they cheered his every touch in the warm up. The cult of Ronaldo is alive and well.
But now that he’s 39 years old and plays in Saudi Arabia, could he still cut it at an international tournament?
Well, he was far more involved against the Czech Republic than he was during the 2022 World Cup (when he was so ineffective he was dropped). He teed up a chance for Vitinha with a classy flick, he had a few chances himself including a header that he shanked wide, as well as a shot on the turn and a free kick that were too close to the ‘keeper. He was also, quite clearly, the team’s leader and talisman.
Of Portugal’s starting XI, he had the fewest touches and the most shots, which is about what you would expect at this stage of his career. In any other team, you would say that kind of player needs goals to justify his place, but he’s a certain starter either way. The Ronaldo roadshow continues.
Tim Spiers
Turkey’s Goal of the Tournament competition
For about an hour, Mert Muldur was probably thinking that he might have scored the goal of the tournament — the Fenerbahce right-back volleyed into the top corner with superb technique to give Turkey a 25th-minute lead against Georgia.
But after a second goal was ruled out for offside, and Georgia equalised midway through the first half, he was outdone by 19-year-old Arda Guler.
Guler appears destined to feature at Europe’s top table for the next decade — but he may never score a better goal than what he produced after 65 minutes of Tuesday’s Group F clash, skipping infield before arcing an incredible shot around Giorgi Mamardashvili and into the top corner.
It is worth highlighting that this was the crowning moment of an excellent display from the Real Madrid playmaker, not an outlier. On his substitution after 79 minutes, he received a standing ovation.
Turkey have disappointed in recent tournaments, going out at the group stage at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 with little more than a whimper. This 3-1 win puts them in a good position to reach the next round but, whatever happens next, they will at least have left a legacy here — those goals are destined for the end-of-tournament montages.
Jacob Whitehead
Turkey’s Arda Guler lets fly from long range against Georgia (Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Build-up to Turkey-Georgia marred
It wasn’t all good news at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion. Those in attendance may have been treated to some superb goals (Georgia’s equaliser, scored by Georges Mikautadze, came at the end of a slick move), but some will have also seen ugly scenes before the game began, and some will have got very wet.
Around an hour before kick-off, riot police were dispatched to break up scuffles between the two sets of fans in one corner of the stadium. Thankfully, the disorder appeared to be quelled long before the game began.
There was also a period of incredibly heavy rain, which led to water pouring down from the roof onto the terraces below in scenes similar to those seen at Manchester United’s Old Trafford in recent months.
We have inclement weather here in Dortmund. And an Old Trafford roof scenario at both ends before Turkey-Georgia. Serious storm. That water is coming down hard on the fans in lower tiers. pic.twitter.com/uhGXNg0ZpI
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) June 18, 2024
Consolation for fan hospitalised by stray ball
A fan who was hospitalised by a wayward shot from Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug has recovered in time to watch his country face Hungary on Wednesday evening, according to the German Football Federation (DFB).
Kai Flathmann was sitting behind the goal before kick-off in Germany’s 5-1 win over Scotland when he was struck on the hand by a shot that missed the target during the warmup.
“I have no words, crazy things,” he said on social media alongside a photograph of him in hospital with his arm bandaged and in a sling.
He told German news outlet Bild that he was carried out of the Berlin stadium on a stretcher during the national anthems and subsequently missed the tournament opener.
The DFB told The Athletic on Tuesday the fan will attend Germany’s second Group A game against Hungary in Stuttgart. They have also arranged for one of Fullkrug’s Euro 2024 match shirts to be sent to the fan as a gesture of goodwill.
Callum Davis
Stat of the day
In taking charge of Portugal for their dramatic 2-1 win over the Czech Republic, Roberto Martinez became just the sixth manager to lead two countries at European Championships.
He joins Guus Hiddink (Netherlands and Russia), Dick Advocaat (Netherlands and Russia), Giovanni Trapattoni (Italy and Republic of Ireland), Lars Lagerback (Sweden and Iceland) and Fernando Santos (Greece and Portugal) in having a crack at the tournament with two national teams.
Will Jeanes
What’s next?
After today’s paltry serving of two matches, tomorrow sees another triple header.
(Top photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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