EURO 2024: Mbappe helps France win opening match; Romania and Slovakia have created consecutive shocks
France won 1-0 against Austria in the opening day of Euro 2024; Romania and Slovakia created consecutive shocks. Those are the highlights of EURO 2024 on June 18.
Although Kylian Mbappe did not score directly, his dangerous cross caused defender Wöber to head the ball into his own net, helping France win 1-0 against Austria in the opening day of Euro 2024 in the early morning of June 18.
With a strong squad, the French team is considered a candidate to win Euro 2024, but the performance on the opening day of the group stage of coach Didier Deschamps' team was not convincing enough, despite completing the goal of winning.
Meanwhile, the Austrian team does not have many stars but impresses with its united, disciplined and scientific playing style. Coach Ralf Rangnick and his team have made great strides recently and are confident in facing strong opponents.
The full-match statistics show that France had less possession than their opponents but had 14 shots, almost 3 times more than Austria. However, the number of shots on goal between the two teams was equal, 3 each.
With 3 points, the French team is temporarily ranked 2nd in Group D and will face the top team Netherlands (3 points) in the second round on June 22. The result of this match will determine the ranking of Group D as well as the first ticket to the round of 16.
Shock after shock
Romania and Slovakia have consecutively created shocks by defeating higher-rated opponents on the opening day of EURO 2024.
Teams considered "underdogs" have continuously created shocks in the matches on the night of June 17 and early morning of June 18 in the group stage of EURO 2024.
Slovakia was the team that created the biggest shock since the beginning of the tournament when they won 1-0 against Belgium in the opening day of Group E.
This victory gives coach Francesco Calzona's team a huge advantage in the competition for a ticket to the knockout round.
In the opening match of Group D, the Netherlands also had to struggle to come from behind to win 2-1 against Poland.
In that match, Poland had the better start with the opening goal in the 16th minute after a high header from Adam Buksa. However, 13 minutes later, Gakpo's shot from outside the box hit a Polish defender and changed direction to score the equalizer 1-1 for the Netherlands.
In the second half, the Netherlands increased the pressure but had to wait until Wout Weghorst entered the field and finished coolly in the 83rd minute for the "Orange Storm" to have a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory.
In the next match, France will face the Netherlands in a highly anticipated "big battle". With the current situation, the team that wins this match will get a ticket to the knockout round of EURO 2024.