10 Key Statistics Defining the Group Stage of Euro Cup 2024

Posted by Xchange Tickets on June 28th, 2024

Euro Cup 2024 has provided a captivating display of football prowess and unpredictability, with its group stage offering myriad statistical insights into the tournament’s unfolding drama. From historic milestones to standout performances and surprising trends, these numbers paint a vivid picture of the competition’s landscape.

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No goals from set-piece strikes

None of the 81 goals scored in the group stage was straight from a direct free-kick. At Euro 2020, one free-kick goal was recorded by Mikkel Damsgaard against England in the semi-finals. Euro 2016 had four, with Gareth Bale marking two more (so far) than in the next two events combined. This is in line with domestic movements in Europe’s top five leagues, the amount of free-kicks in the final third that is reported at goal has been released from 24.6% in 2008-09 to 18.8% in 2022-23.

Spain holds 54% of the ball

Spain was the only team to win all three group matches, benefiting from a more direct strategy under Luis de la Fuente. The contrast with La Roja’s Euro 2020 iteration is stark: Luis Enrique’s squad completed 4,688 passes (781 per match) and 81 dribbles (13.5 per match) on their way to the semi-finals.

Reconfigured around the ball-carrying abilities of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, Spain has completed 1,470 passes (490 per match) and made 66 dribbles (22 per match) so far. The most striking change is their drop in possession from 60.8% at Euro 2016 and 66.8% at Euro 2020, it now stands at 54% in UEFA Euro 2024.

A singular connection from Phil Foden to Harry Kane

A predominantly critical statistic from Opta for Euro Cup 2024: Phil Foden passed back to his goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (three times) more often than to his attacking teammate Harry Kane (once). Are the broader figures just as dismal? Largely, yes. England’s expected goals (xG) of 2.26 surpassed only Serbia's and Scotland's, in their matches against Serbia.

Slovenia yielded lower XG totals than any Premier League game last season. England have registered 28 shots on goal, ranking 20th out of 24 teams. However, there are some positives: Gareth Southgate’s squad is third in passing accuracy (90%), and their crossing accuracy (40.6%) is, surprisingly, the best in UEFA Euro 2024.

Seven goals in tightly-contested Group C

Another area where England excels is in xGA: expected goals against. Their total of 1.1 from three matches is the lowest at Euro Cup 2024 (and still slightly higher than the 1.0 they conceded). But is this due to England’s strong defence or the weak offensive capabilities of their opponents?

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Group C saw only seven goals across six games (every other group had at least 11), a historical low only equalled by Group C in 2016. The final two matches set an unwanted record as both ended goalless for the first time in UEFA Euro 2024 history.

Seven shots on goal by Lukaku

It's not just England grappling with poor performance and dissatisfied fans. Belgium stumbled to second place in Group E with four points and two goals. After having three goals disallowed by VAR, Romelu Lukaku has become a symbol of the team’s attacking frustrations.

However, he was the most threatening striker on the group stage, with seven shots on target (one more than Kylian Mbappé, who played one game fewer). Domenico Tedesco’s squad also ranks in the top six for expected goals (xG), attacks (174), and possession (55.7%) statistics. That provides them with hope against another underperforming favourite, France, in the last 16 of Euro Cup 2024.

18 cards displayed in a single match

Turkey defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 to conclude Group F, but it was a Romanian who stole the spotlight. The referee, Istvan Kovacs, handed out 18 cards 16 yellows and two reds, to Antonin Barak and Tomas Chory. Two other Czech players were booked, along with 10 Turkish players. Kovacs didn’t stop there; he also booked four unused substitutes.

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The dirtiest match in Euro Cup 2024 history pushed the total yellow-card count up to 161 (Euro 2020’s total was 151). This group-stage finale also augmented the total red-card count, with the only other player directed off being Scotland’s Ryan Porteous in the opener counter to Germany.

23 seconds: The fastest goal in Euro Cup history

Nedim Bajrami stunned Italy and sent Albania’s red wall into euphoria when he scored after 23 seconds in Dortmund. Although his team lost 2-1, Bajrami secured Albania’s place in history with the fastest-ever goal in Euro Cup 2024. This tournament has been notable for both very late and very early goals.

Youri Tielemans against Romania (1min 13sec) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia against Portugal (1min 32sec) also rank among the top five quickest goals in UEFA Euro history. There have been 13 goals recorded before the 15th minute at Euro Cup 2024, while minutes 16-30 have been the most fruitful, with 17 goals.

Georgia secured possession of 134 balls

Underdogs Georgia swept into the last 16 by defeating Portugal with just 28% possession. Willy Sagnol’s team are defying the statistics, advancing despite the worst expected goals against (xGA) of 7.9 and the poorest expected goal difference (-4.1) of all 24 teams. This achievement is mostly due to their fast, responsive defensive style.

They have improved the ball 134 times, more than smooth the high-pressing Austria. Georgia also leads the rankings for tackles made (55) and won (27), and has cleared the ball 100 times. When all else is unsuccessful, Giorgi Mamardashvili has been an owing last line of resistance with 20 saves in Euro Cup 2024. UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16: Teams Confirmed for the Knockout Stage.

326 passes executed by Kroos

Germany and Portugal are the teams to beat based on the group-stage attacking statistics. The two powerhouses lead in passing accuracy, possession, goal attempts, and passes completed. The hosts have scored eight goals (more than the entirety of Group C) with Toni Kroos as their creative engine, completing 326 of 341 passes (95.7% accuracy).

The midfielder was one of Euro 2020’s most talented passers contempt Germany’s last-16 exit, finishing 353 passes (88 per match). But his recent average of 108 per match specifies significant improvement and suggests he can propel his team much further in UEFA Euro 2024.

900: Schmid nets historic goal

Romano Schmid’s goal to put Austria 2-1 up against the Netherlands in Group D was the 900th goal scored at a Euro final. Since the event expanded beyond eight teams in 1996, the scoring rate has grown significantly; Kim Vilfort’s goal for Denmark in the 1992 final was the 200th in tournament history. The group stage has averaged 2.25 goals per game, a decrease from Euro 2020’s historically high 2.79 goals per game, and surpassing only Euro 96 and 2016 in the past 30 years.

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