Top 5 EURO 2020 Group Stage Moments
Wed, Jun 23.21
We count down out top 5 moments from the Euro 2020 Group stages, did we get it right?
5. Luka Modrić vs Scotland
After poor showings against England and the Czech Republic, Hrvatska needed some magic to make it through to the knockouts, luckily their captain has it in abundance.
Level with Scotland with 30 minutes to go, the ball falls to the Ballon d'Or winner on the edge of the area. What does he do? Shapes a beautiful outside of the foot finish to put them ahead of course. In doing so, Modrić became the oldest player to score for Croatia at the Euros, also happening to hold the title for youngest.
Too old? Too slow? Too good. Write this guy off at your own peril, Luka reminded us all why he’s spent his whole career at the top level.
4. Italy
As soon as Andrea Bocelli’s voice graced the Stadio Olimpico it was over for everyone in group A. Should have stayed at home and saved themselves the airfare, nothing was stopping this Italian stallion.
The team of the tournament so far, firming as a strong favourite to take it out. Absolutely everything is going the Azzuri's way at the moment, Mancini ageing like a fine Tuscan Brunello, Locatelli doing the business at both ends of the pitch and the Ferrari in midfield Marco Verratti hasn’t even left the garage.
Three wins, seven goals scored, don’t concede. This is about more than just results though, they’re rock solid at the back and scary good in attack. Who wants to bet against them? We don't.
3. North Macedonia
A nation would usually go home disheartened, losing all three group stage games, but this has been the biggest victory in North Macedonian football history. Goran Pandev was already the king of North Macedonia but he submitted his application for god status with his equaliser against Austria.
The Balkan superman has the most caps & most goals for his nation, he may as well score his nation's first goal at a major tournament while he’s at it. Step aside John Terry, this man is the definition of Captain, Leader, Legend.
In the 69th minute against the Netherlands, Pandev walked off the pitch for the last time in a North Macedonian shirt, a moment that stopped the match with both sides standing still and applauding, a fitting send off.
2. Denmark 4-1 Russia
One of the most emotionally fuelled performances you’ll ever see. 10 days after the devastating scenes against Finland, the Danish Dynamite picked themselves up to dazzle the Russians and put themselves into the knockout stage.
The opener was a stunner, Sampdoria young gun Damsgaard dances around the edge of the box and curls one past Safonov who could only watch, top bins, a Soccer AM special. Yussuf Poulsen made it 2-0 tapping into an empty net and the Danes dared to dream.
Russia pulled one back but this Danish masterclass would not be denied. After a couple great saves from the Russian keeper, it was third time lucky as Christensen breaks the sound barrier, launching a 30 yard rocket into the back of the net, queue Danish limbs. Maehle makes it 4-1 with a tidy finish capping off the performance of the group stages.
1. Patrick Schick vs Scotland
Coming in at number one on our list is Patrick Schick's submission for the Puskás award. Having not scored in a major tournament the pressure was on for Schick to perform, coming off a decent season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Scotland started Euro 2020 well, the tartan army were up and about, and nearly went into the break level. Enter Patrick Schick, scoring his first for the day, a regulation header, too easy.
Again the Scots started the second half well, creating chances, one of which fell to Celtic man Hendry at 51:26, At 51:32 the ball was in the back of the net, but at the other end of the pitch. The Hendry shot was blocked, it ricochets to Schick, spots Marshall off his line, 2-0, goal of the tournament, Becks would be proud.
There you have it. Our top 5. Let us know in the comments who you would have in your top 5 list, did we miss anyone?
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