Matchday 1 of Euro 2024 served us quite the entertainment. Germany kicked things off with a commanding 5-1 win over Scotland, while there were a few shocking results like Romania’s 3-0 win over Ukraine and Slovakia’s 1-0 upset win over Belgium. The game of the tournament so far came on Tuesday evening with Türkiye grabbing a 3-1 over Georgia, featuring a potential Goal of the Tournament by Turkish teenager Arda Güler. Here’s what we’ve learned so far and how these insights might shape our football predictions in the coming rounds. **Over 2.5 Goals** The teams in this tournament have been anything but goal-shy. From a purely entertainment lens, we had a swell time as Matchday 1 produced 34 goals in 12 games, an average of 2.83 goals per game. Group A deserves special praise for contributing 10 of those 34 goals. From a betting lens, the Over 2.5 Goals market has been a favourite in the online betting community so far. Out of the 12 games played, 8 have reached that mark – a solid 67%. Group C, which has England, Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia, is the only group without a match featuring Over 2.5 goals. Likewise, the "both teams to score" market has been popular, with 7 out of the 12 games hitting that target. With exciting games like Spain vs. Italy, France vs. Netherlands, and Türkiye vs. Portugal to come in Matchday 2, we expect this trend to continue. **Spain Have Lots of Goals in Them** We highlighted Spain's goal-scoring form before Matchday 1, and they’ve lived up to the hype. They ended their Euro 2024 qualifiers with two 3-1 wins over Cyprus and Georgia, then netted 13 goals in four friendlies. Their 3-0 victory over Croatia on Saturday showcased their attacking strength and the great work by Head Coach Luis de la Fuente. While the performance wasn't as dominant as the score suggests, Spain shined in key moments and took their chances. Facing a more disciplined Italy side on Matchday 2, they might not score three, but I still expect them to find the net and avoid losing.
**Granit Xhaka Could Lead Switzerland To Something Special** If, exactly a year ago, I told you Granit Xhaka would have a season so incredible he might finish in the Ballon d’Or Top 20, you would have signed me up to see a psychologist. But here we are, and it might happen. After an amazing season with Bayer Leverkusen, where he helped secure a league and cup double, the former Arsenal player has kept up his form for the national team. Xhaka was outstanding as Switzerland claimed all 3 points against Hungary. This isn’t new for him—he was pivotal in Euro 2020, leading the Swiss to the quarter-final (their best finish), most notably shining in their Round of 16 win over France. But it's not just about Xhaka. With players like Manuel Akanji (Man City), Yann Sommer (Inter), and Kwadwo Duah (Ludogorets Razgrad) who all played key roles for their clubs’ league winning campaigns, Switzerland’s spine is strong and they could be on the brink of something special.
**More Poor Performances From Poland** There's no sugarcoating it—Poland just isn't a good team. At Euro 2020, they finished at the bottom of their group with only 1 point from 3 games despite captain Robert Lewandowski scoring three goals. Their struggles at the Euros continued on Matchday 1. With Lewandowski injured, they had no chance against the Dutch. The 2-1 scoreline might make it look close, but it wasn't. Poland had only 34% possession, gave up 21 shots, and completed just half the passes the Dutch did. Even worse, they allowed 45 touches in their box. Forty-five! It's a miracle the Dutch didn't score five. Facing a better-coached Austria side next, I expect Poland to lose and we have the best odds for that on BetKing. Forty-five touches!
**The Old Germany Is Back** Remember back in 2013 when Bayern Munich crushed Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final first leg? Heading into the second leg at Nou Camp, Bayern’s Thomas Muller famously said they wanted to snuff out any hope of a comeback by finishing them off early. And they did, winning 3-0 to make it 7-0 on aggregate. Germany's 5-1 win over Scotland had a similar feel to it. By the 19th minute, we all knew it was over. The Germans didn't just send a message to the Scots; it was a statement to everyone: Die Mannschaft is back. After years of underperforming, it was refreshing to see Germany deliver a tactical masterclass under Julian Nagelsmann. They exploited spaces, with Toni Kroos and İlkay Gündoğan controlling the game and Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz dazzling. Five different players scored, and even Scotland's consolation goal was an own goal by Antonio Rudiger. Hungary will pose a tougher challenge than Scotland, but we still expect another dominant win for Germany.
**Could France Struggle Once More?** Just days before the tournament, Kylian Mbappé stirred up debate by saying the Euros are tougher to compete in than the World Cup. Personally, I disagree, but I get where he’s coming from. Mbappé has been to two World Cups, winning one and finishing runner-up in the other. He’s also won a Golden Boot and is just 4 goals away from becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer. But his Euros record isn’t as impressive. In fact, it has been poor. He hasn't scored in two editions and last time, France suffered an embarrassing Round of 16 exit at the hands of Switzerland. Though they started strong with a win against Austria, there are still many questions about their attack, especially now that Mbappé is out for the rest of the group stage with a broken nose. Despite their talent, I have my doubts about whether they can reach the next level in attack without their superstar. Also, Austria’s high pressing, which completely threw the French off rhythm, may have provided the blueprint for teams to use against them.
**Slow Start for England in Attack** Watching England’s 1-0 win over Serbia felt like déjà vu. In Euro 2020, England started slow in attack, scoring just twice in three group stage games. This time, it seems similar but for different reasons. Using Kieran Trippier at left back and Phil Foden as a left winger made England’s left side ineffective. Both are excellent players, but out of position, they struggled to impact the game. This made the job easier for Serbia as they focused on defending England’s middle and right wing. Erik ten Hag also provided some insight into England’s victory, noting that early leads suit Gareth Southgate’s preferred style, allowing him to sit back and defend. This played out perfectly: after Jude Bellingham’s 13th-minute goal, England managed just 3 more attempts, with only one on target. We still expect them to win the group and take all three points against Denmark, but one of our betting tips is that this will probably be another low-scoring game, as Gareth Southgate once again leans on a conservative approach.
**The Kids Are Alright** "The Kids Are Alright" is not just the title of Ayra Starr’s new song, rumoured to have brought some adults to tears, but also a fitting description of this tournament. The young talents are shining, proving that football's future is in great hands. In the 12 games played so far, three players aged 20 or younger have been named Man of the Match: **Jamal Musiala** (Germany), **Jude Bellingham** (England), and **Arda Güler** (Türkiye). These stars were in top form, each securing wins and scoring for their teams. But it wasn't just them. Florian Wirtz kicked things off for Germany with a superb goal, while Lamine Yamal ran circles around Joško Gvardiol, there are rumours the world’s most expensive defender is still spinning. Francisco Conceicao also made his mark, coming off the bench to score Portugal’s winning goal. On our blog, we highlighted the best young players to watch in this tournament, and we're thrilled to see them living up to the hype. The kids are definitely alright.
- [Read Our Breakdown of the Best Young Talent at EURO 2024](https://m.betking.com/blog/news/best-young-talent-at-euro-2024/)
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