England
Italy
At Euro 2020, 24 national teams competed in six groups of four teams each. This structure ensured a group stage, after which the top 16 teams continued in the play-offs according to the Olympic system. An important feature of the tournament was that for the first time at the Euros, teams were allowed to increase from 23 to 26 players. This change was made to reduce the risks associated with possible cases of COVID-19 infection.
Teams were allowed to make up to five substitutions per match and player lists had to be submitted by 1 June. However, in case of serious injury or illness before the first match, including due to COVID, teams were entitled to an unlimited number of substitutions. The next tournament Euro 2024 will be played under the new rules with an increased number of substitutions.
The championship matches were played in the following arenas with their capacity:
And other arenas in Amsterdam, Bucharest, Glasgow and Copenhagen.
These stadiums have witnessed exciting matches, showcasing the continent’s cultural and sporting diversity.
These groups promised and delivered many highlights, discoveries and disappointments, making Euro 2020 a truly unforgettable tournament that brought fans and teams together amidst the complex challenges of the modern era.
Italy showed skill and tactical discipline, winning all three matches in the group without conceding a goal. Their attacking football and ironclad defence allowed them to beat Turkey (3-0), Switzerland (3-0), and Wales (1-0). Wales, from second place, and Switzerland, as one of the best third teams, also made the playoffs. Turkey disappointed, failing to pick up a single point. Wales and Switzerland picked up 4 points each, with Wales finishing second thanks to a superior goal difference. They played out a 1-1 draw in their first match before taking the lead against Turkey.
Belgium as one of the tournament favourites confirmed its status by winning all matches in the group. Victories over Russia (3-0), Denmark (2-1) and Finland (2-0) put them in first place. Denmark, despite the tragic events with Christian Eriksen, managed to show character and reach the play-offs, finishing second. Cherchesov’s team traditionally failed in the tournament after a tough win over Finland, but defeats to Denmark (1:4) and Belgium put everything in its place.
The Netherlands took the top spot without any problems, winning all the matches in their group. Georginio Wijnaldum scored 3 goals in the group stage of Euro 2020. Austria also showed strong football and took the second place. Ukraine, despite finishing third, managed to qualify for the play-offs due to their status as one of the best third-placed teams.
England came out of the group in first place without conceding a goal, with 1-0 victories over Croatia and the Czech Republic thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling. Croatia and the Czech Republic also showed a good level, securing their playoffs. The Czech Republic also moved up to third place, also thanks to a 2-0 win over Scotland. This game saw the furthest goal ever scored by Patrick Schick in Euro history. Scotland showed fight, but failed to pick up enough points to get out of the group.
Sweden surprised everyone by finishing top of the group, they drew 0-0 with Spain despite only 15% possession and then went on to win their remaining 2 matches. Spain, despite some difficulties, managed to make the playoffs, finishing in second place. Slovakia and Poland left the tournament after failing to make it past the group stage. The 0:5 defeat to Spain proved that the Poles did not deserve a place in the last 16 group.
In the “group of death”, France as the holder of World Cup 2018 took the top spot, with Germany and Portugal also advancing. France ended up topping the group, thanks largely to their 1-0 win over Germany. Hungary put in a decent performance but failed to make it out of the group. The Hungarians can be immensely proud of their performance. They held Portugal for 84 minutes, drew 1-1 with France and beat the Germans twice in Munich.
Spain survived a tense penalty shootout against Switzerland, winning 3-1 after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Zakaria’s own goal and Shaqiri’s goal left the teams on equal terms, but Spain were stronger in the penalty shootout.
Italy showed class as they beat Belgium 2-1 thanks to goals from Barella and Insigne. Lukaku closed the gap with a penalty, but the Italians held on to their lead.
3 July, Saturday: Denmark continued their impressive run of form by beating the Czech Republic 2-1. Early goals from Delaney and Dolberg secured the Danish victory despite Schick’s goal.
3 July, Saturday: England easily overcame Ukraine 4-0, with goals from Kane, Maguire and Henderson putting England into the semi-finals.
6 July, Tuesday: In a tight game, Italy defeated Spain in a penalty shootout 4-2 after a 1-1 draw in regulation and added time. Goals from Chiesa and Morata sent the match into a penalty shootout where the Italians were more accurate.
7 July, Wednesday: England defeated Denmark 2-1 after extra time. Damsgaard’s goal for Denmark was levelled by Kjaer’s auto-goal and Kane converted the decisive penalty.
11 July, Sunday: The final match between Italy and England ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a penalty shootout where Italy won 3-2. Shaw’s early goal was equalised by Bonucci’s effort, while misses by Sacchi and Rashford made Italy European champions.
At Euro 2020, in the group stage match between Denmark and Finland, Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch with no apparent cause. Reacting quickly, the medical team gave Eriksen cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the spot, which thankfully helped keep him alive. It was later confirmed that Eriksen had gone into cardiac arrest. The incident sparked a strong wave of support from the football community around the world. Eriksen was successfully fitted with a cardioverter-defibrillator to prevent future heart attacks.
Italy and French PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been voted the best player of Euro 2020. His incredible saves at key moments, including in penalty shootouts in the semi-final against Spain and in the final against England, were crucial to Italy’s victory in the tournament. His performance not only showcased his outstanding goalkeeping skills, but also inspired his team to achieve success.
Kylian Mbappe, one of France’s top players and a highly anticipated star of the tournament, was a major disappointment at UEFA Euro 2020. Mbappe failed to score a single goal during the tournament and in the play-offs, and his performance left much to be desired. In the culmination of the disappointment, in the 1/8 finals match against Switzerland, which ended 3-3 and Switzerland’s subsequent penalty shootout victory, Mbappe failed to convert the final penalty. This moment symbolised the overall failure of the French national team at the tournament, expected by many as one of the favourites.
The top scorers at UEFA Euro 2020 were Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Patrik Schick of the Czech Republic, who each scored 5 goals. While both players had impressive performances, Ronaldo also stood out for his crucial role in Portugal’s performances in the group stage. The top assist man was Steven Zuber of Switzerland, who made 4 assists. His contribution in attack was key to Switzerland’s success as they reached the quarter-finals where they lost to Spain. He was ahead of players like Dani Olmo of Spain, Pierre-Emile Heybjerg of Denmark and Luke Shaw of England who each contributed 3 assists.
