Euro 2024 scores, results, highlights, standing: France take care of business, Belgium upset, Ukraine lose

UEFA Euro 2024 had its first major shock, with Belgium suffering a resounding 1-0 defeat to Slovakia, in a game in which Romelu Lukaku twice saw goals disallowed. That result means Group E is in shambles, with Romania also claiming a big 3-0 win over Ukraine earlier in the tournament. France’s meeting with Austria went as expected, with Les Bleus winning, but it was not the dominant performance many expected from the favorites in the 1-0 victory that saw the bloodied Kylian Mbappe withdrawn late in the game in Dusseldorf.

Here’s everything you need to know from day four in Germany.

Euro 2024 results for Monday

• Romania 3, Ukraine 0
• Belgium 0, Slovakia 1
• Austria 0, France 1

Austria 0, France 1: French favorites open with victory

Few expected France to suffer at the hands of Austria in the final Euro bid on Monday, but Didier Deschamps’ men had to work harder than expected for a 1-0 victory in Dusseldorf that perfectly set up the second Group D game against the Netherlands. Ralf Rangnick’s side gave Les Bleus the best they could and the pre-tournament team to beat emerged with an early victory, but by very narrow margins.

There will be no French panic yet with their first points on the scoreboard and drawing with Oranje ahead of Friday’s encounter, but there will be concern for Mbappe, who not only looked far from his best but also left the field bleeding late on. Maximilian Wober scored against his own net in the 38th minute after a moment of magic from the Real Madrid-bound French captain, but a clash of heads with RC Lens’ Kevin Danso means there is now additional doubt over the 25-year-old talisman’s fitness.

The Austrians enjoyed more opportunities and more possession than many would have predicted, but Deschamps’ men did what they do best and achieved the result without truly standing out. The victory could and arguably should have been more convincing if Mbappe’s finishing had been more accurate in the second half, but a first-half victory is often the start of French recipes for success and the hope is that this is about to follow a similar one. project.

While this was considered the big one of the day, the previous offerings undoubtedly had more to them, which perfectly sets up the next round of games for France and especially Belgium. The Belgians now have a big clash with the Romanians in Group E, who cannot even draw, while the French – who will continue to be favorites – will have to be much, much better against the Dutch if they are to progress to the finals. knockout stage at the first request and possibly lead the group.

Belgium 0, Slovakia 1: the first big surprise of Euro 2024

He may be Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer, and what’s more, but this was an all too familiar experience for Romelu Lukaku as a series of chances came and went for the 31-year-old in a shock defeat to the traces of this golden generation. Twice in the first six minutes in Frankfurt, the Roma loanee had the kind of opportunities he so often seizes in qualifying. In the seventh minute, Ivan Schranz did what Lukaku couldn’t, wasting the opportunity that guaranteed Slovakia’s victory in their Group E debut.

The Falcons had plenty of help from Belgium on the way to goal, with Jeremy Doku losing possession in his own half. Robert Bozenik’s first goal was well saved by Koen Casteels, but when the red shirts’ arms went up to call for an offside, Schranz pounced on the rebound, hitting the ball at the near post.

Belgium could and perhaps should have achieved victory, such was the volume of opportunities they created. Leandro Trossard failed to punish Martin Dubravka when the Slovak goalkeeper came off his line, while Lukaku took a too-high touch when Carrasco deflected behind. David Hancko miraculously deflected Johan Bakayoko’s shot off the line, Onana headed wide, Kevin De Bruyne’s low shot was saved by Dubravka: it seemed like nothing was going to break the Red Devils’ path.

This agony was personified by Lukaku, whose pursuit of the 86th international objective was hampered by the trinity of opposition, artificial intelligence and authorities. Semi-automatic offside technology concluded that the Chelsea striker had just been offside when he deflected Amadou Onana’s header early in the second half. A VAR review then concluded that the agile Lois Openda handled the ball as she chased down the left flank to deliver the cross.

At that moment it was clear that this would not be Belgium’s day, the third team in the world defeated by number 48, the biggest upset in terms of FIFA rankings that the European Championship has ever seen.

Romania 3, Ukraine 0: Lunin mistakes punished

Romania arrived at this tournament wondering where the goals would come from if they didn’t even manage to score against Liechtenstein in the last friendly before arriving in Germany. A little help for Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was all they needed to claim their biggest ever tournament victory.

Ukraine started very encouragingly, controlling possession and probing the opposition defence, even if Artem Dobvyk was eliminated by the robust duo of Radu Dragusin and Andrei Burca. Romania, in turn, pressed aggressively without getting much joy from the opponent until the 29th minute, when Lunin was pressured by his defense, quickly passing the ball directly to Denis Man. There was still a lot of work to do to turn a mistake into a goal, but Nicolae Stanciu did it with a shot that will certainly be a contender for goal of the tournament.

However, Romania were not satisfied with one goal and used the first goal as a starting point for a much more assertive performance during the remaining hour. Man was impressive throughout, setting the Tricolors on their way to second place with his inside dart. Ukraine were unable to gain possession as they broke free, but Razvan Marin fired a low, powerful shot through the bodies around the box. Although struck powerfully, the shot really shouldn’t have been enough to beat Lunin, so excellent between the posts for last season’s Champions League winners.

The pain hasn’t gone away for Ukraine, who will have a lot of work to do against Slovakia and Belgium if they want to escape the group, let alone repeat the feat of reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. The man’s cross was deflected from close range -outfit by Denis Dragus, who together with Marin and three others represents Gheorghe Hagi’s academy on the international stage. This was only the third victory in 54 years for Romania without their most legendary player, who traveled to Munich to see his country claim a victory and stand alongside those to whom the ‘Maradona of the Carpathians’ led them with his pomp. .

How are things

Group D

Group E

Tuesday schedule

All times East

All games are available on Fubo (Try it for free).

• Türkiye x Georgia, 12pm on Vix
• Portugal x Czech Republic, 3pm on Fox (preview)

What happened on Sunday?

The goals didn’t flow as freely as in previous days, but Third day of Euro 2024 it still generated tension in all three games, which went to the limit. The Netherlands made the debut they needed in what promises to be a competitive Group D, with substitute Wout Weghorst scoring with the first touch as a 1-0 deficit turned into a 2-1 victory for Ronald Koeman’s side. Three years and four days after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field, Christian Eriksen marked his return to the European Championship with a goal, but it was not enough for Denmark to overcome Slovenia, who equalized in the second half through Erik Janza. England rounded off the night with a bright start, a goal from Jude Bellingham and a brave, if underwhelming, 1-0 victory over Serbia.

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