England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a thrilling victory over Serbia. Jude Bellingham was the hero of the match, scoring the only goal to secure the win for the Three Lions. It was a tight contest, with just 11 shots between Serbia and England – the lowest of any game at the Euros on record. Despite the limited number of shots, England managed to come out on top and start their tournament on a positive note.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands also started their Euro 2024 journey with a win. Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst were the standout performers for the Dutch, as they netted in a 2-1 victory over Poland. Weghorst’s goal was particularly impressive, coming with his first touch of the game. His swift impact made history as the 2nd-fewest minutes needed by a substitute to score a game-winning goal in European Championship history.
In another match on the same day, Denmark faced off against Slovenia. Christian Eriksen opened the scoring for the Danes, marking a poignant moment in his comeback story. Eriksen’s goal came a little over 3 years after he suffered cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland. Despite Denmark’s early lead, Slovenia managed to equalize in the 77th minute through Erik Janza, leading to a 1-1 draw. It was a bittersweet result for both teams, with Denmark showing resilience in the face of adversity.
While the matches provided plenty of excitement, individual performances also stood out during the Euro 2024 action on June 16. Andreas Christensen’s impeccable passing display caught the eye, as he completed all 89 of his passes – becoming the first player ever to achieve a 100% pass completion rate at the Euros. Christian Eriksen’s goal for Denmark marked a significant milestone in his career, bringing him level with Ole Madsen for the 4th-most goals in the history of the Danish national team.
The opening games of Euro 2024 also saw some historic moments unfold. The tournament witnessed the first time that at least 3 goals were scored in each of the first 5 games, with a total of 19 goals being scored – tying the record for the joint-highest number of goals in the first five games. The Netherlands broke their long-standing record of not conceding a goal from a corner kick in a Euro match since 2004, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition.
Young talents also made their mark on the tournament, with Jude Bellingham creating history as the first European player to appear in three major international tournaments before turning 21. Bellingham’s goal for England showcased his potential and further solidified his place in the national team setup. His achievements drew comparisons to former stars like Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, underlining his potential to become a key player for England in the years to come.
The opening matches of Euro 2024 provided fans with plenty of excitement, drama, and standout performances. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the teams and players who will continue to showcase their talents on the European stage.
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