The third and remaining group stage Matchday of the 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024) delivered continuous, breakneck motion and a bucketload of drama.
Italy scored proper on the demise in opposition to Group B rivals Croatia, drawing 1-1 and knocking Luka Modric and Co. out of the competitors. Austria stunningly topped Group D forward of France after beating the Netherlands 3-2 of their remaining match. Slovakia, Romania, Belgium, and Ukraine all completed with 4 factors in Group E. However Ukraine, as a consequence of their inferior objective distinction to Slovakia (third), Belgium (2nd), and Romania (1st), crashed out of the match.
Lastly, there have been Georgia, who picked up a shocking 2-0 victory over Portugal on Matchday 3 to complete third in Group F (4 factors) and progress because the second-best-ranked third-placed group.
As we await Spherical of 16 motion to begin on Saturday (June 29), allow us to take a fast have a look at the standout performers from the final spherical. Listed here are the highest 5 gamers who impressed on Matchday 3.
#5 Toni Kroos – Germany
Toni Kroos got here out of worldwide retirement for one final dance at EURO 2024. And thus far, the gamble is paying off spectacularly. The Actual Madrid icon delivered top-drawer performances on the primary two Matchdays as effectively, however his finest got here within the 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Matchday 3.
The 34-year-old dictated the tempo of the sport from the center of the pitch, passing the ball round with grace and effortlessly switching play to the least-guarded areas. Over the 90 minutes, Kroos accomplished a whopping 99 passes, attaining 93% passing accuracy. He additionally created 4 possibilities, performed 14 passes into the ultimate third, delivered 4 correct lengthy balls, and gained 5 of six floor duels.
#4 Kylian Mbappe – France
After lacking France’s goalless draw with the Netherlands on Matchday 2 as a consequence of his damaged nostril, Kylian Mbappe returned to motion for the ultimate Group F outing in opposition to Poland. The Actual Madrid attacker regarded in high-quality form, taking defenders on, monitoring again, linking up flawlessly with teammates, and retaining the goalkeeper on his toes. Mbappe additionally scored France’s solely objective of the sport within the 1-1 draw with Poland, dispatching a assured penalty within the 56th minute to seek out the bottom-right nook.
The France skipper accomplished 43 passes in opposition to Poland with 91% accuracy, had 5 photographs on course, accomplished a match-high six dribbles, delivered three correct crosses, and gained seven floor duels. His ending wanted extra work, however Didier Deschamps would have undoubtedly been blissful to see his talisman fireplace on all cylinders.
#3 Marcel Sabitzer
Austria produced a masterful efficiency in opposition to the mighty Netherlands on Matchday 3, claiming a 3-2 victory. Each Austrian participant performed their half to perfection to push their group to the highest of the group, however Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer deserves a particular shoutout.
The attacking midfielder saved the sport ticking together with his crisp passes, created two possibilities, and had two makes an attempt on course, together with the objective. The 30-year-old scored the winner within the eightieth minute, latching on to Christoph Baumgartner’s inch-perfect supply, Sabitzer dragged the ball to the left of the field earlier than firing past Bart Verbruggen and into the again of the web. The ex-Manchester United man additionally made six recoveries and gained a few duels in opposition to the Dutch.
#2 Georges Mikautadze – Georgia
Underdogs Georgia bagged a outstanding 2-0 victory over heavyweights Portugal on Matchday 3, reserving their place within the Spherical of 16 of EURO 2024. Striker Georges Mikautadze had a task to play in each of Georgia’s objectives, with him helping the primary one to striker associate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and scoring the second himself.
Mikautadze demonstrated his lightning-fast reflexes to latch on to Antonio Silva’s disastrous again go within the second minute earlier than calmly establishing Kvaratskhelia. Then within the second half, he fired dwelling from the penalty spot after Silva fouled Luka Lochoshvili contained in the Portugal field. Underneath unimaginable strain, Mikautadze rolled the ball into the bottom-right nook to double Georgia’s benefit.
He additionally created a few possibilities, accomplished three dribbles, made 4 recoveries, and gained 5 floor duels in opposition to Os Navegadores.
#1 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia
Capping off the listing is Georgia’s talisman and most recognizable participant, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Napoli winger arguably performed one of the best worldwide match of his profession in opposition to Portugal, scoring a high-quality objective within the second minute. Receiving the ball from Georges Mikautadze down the left-hand channel, Kvaratskhelia burst into the field and located the bottom-right nook with a thumping left-footed strike. He additionally used his dribbling potential to perfection to maintain the defenders on their toes all evening lengthy.
Earlier than coming off within the 81st minute, Kvaratskhelia accomplished three dribbles, made 5 recoveries, gained 9 floor duels, and drew 4 fouls. Georgia could have a terrific alternative to increase their dream EURO run if their No. 7 can produce one other masterclass in opposition to Spain within the Spherical of 16.
