Romania and Slovakia delivered the first upsets of Euro 2024 on Monday, while tournament favorite France had a lukewarm debut despite some flashes of brilliance from star player Kylian Mbappé.
The Romanians were impressive, sweeping Ukraine 3-0 at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, as Group E kicked off. A stunning goal from Nicolae Stanciu in the 29th minute earned accolades from UEFA on social media platform X. Razvan Marin (53) and Denis Dragus (57) contributed the other goals for coach Edi Iordanescu's team, marking a significant early impact in the tournament.
However, the most notable result came from Slovakia, who secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium. The "Red Devils" squandered several chances, and two goals from Romelu Lukaku were disallowed in the second half. The Slovaks celebrated the lone goal from forward Ivan Schranz in the 7th minute.
France, on the other hand, had a bittersweet result with a 1-0 win over Austria, lacking the flair expected from their squad and facing a discouraging note: Mbappé exited the game injured in the final moments. A play by the new Real Madrid player led to the match's only goal, as his cross from the right was headed into the net by Austrian defender Maximilian Wober for an own goal.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward left the match after sustaining a severe facial injury, with his visible pain making his substitution a prudent decision.
Thus, two of the "powerhouses" had a sluggish start, though only Belgium tasted defeat. The good news is that they still have time to recover, led by their midfield star Kevin De Bruyne.
The competitive schedule continues on Tuesday with matches between Turkey and Georgia, and Portugal against the Czech Republic, all part of Group F. Without a doubt, the highlight of the day will be the appearance of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who may be facing the last major challenge of his national team career.
Key Highlights and Questions About Euro 2024 Debut Matches
As the Euro 2024 tournament kicks off, fans have many questions regarding the early performances and future prospects of the teams involved. Here are some key queries and their answers:
How did Romania perform in their opening match?
Romania delivered a stellar performance, defeating Ukraine 3-0 with goals from Nicolae Stanciu, Razvan Marin, and Denis Dragus.
What was the key moment in Slovakia's victory over Belgium?
The decisive moment came early in the match when Ivan Schranz scored in the 7th minute, which was enough to secure Slovakia's 1-0 victory.
Why was France's win over Austria considered bittersweet?
Although France won 1-0, the match was marred by an injury to Kylian Mbappé, who had to leave the game after a serious facial injury.