The ongoing Euro 2024 has captivated the football world as European countries gather to compete for glory. Surprising performances from teams like Austria, Romania, and Switzerland have energized the tournament. Austria and Romania lead their groups, with Switzerland impressively securing the second spot. Noteworthy players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos are making their mark in the competition. Ronaldo, despite not scoring yet, has been instrumental in creating significant opportunities and key passes for his national team. This Euro marks Ronaldo’s sixth appearance in the tournament, showcasing his enduring impact. Meanwhile, Kroos continues to excel by engineering crucial chances for his team, contributing to the tournament’s thrilling narrative.
1.Jude Bellingham, a standout player for Real Madrid, has exceeded expectations by scoring over 20 goals in his debut season with the club. His versatility as a midfielder and even playing as a False 9 under Carlo Ancelotti has earned him praise, contributing significantly to the team’s victories in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup. With high expectations surrounding his exceptional talent and current form, Bellingham has emerged as a key player for the club.
However, his performance on the international stage during the Euros has been a contrast to his club success. Starting with a decent showing in the first match against Serbia where he scored a goal and showcased moments of brilliance with key passes and dribbles, Bellingham’s performance took a nosedive in the following game against Slovenia. In this match, his display was lackluster and uninspiring, failing to create any chances, take shots, or make a significant impact on the game. This stark inconsistency has left fans and observers puzzled, as they anticipated more from the English midfielder based on his previous exploits at Real Madrid.
One player who stood out in the Euros was noted for his accuracy on target but also faced challenges with frequent possession losses, recording the highest number of turnovers (16) for his team. Despite showing promise, he managed only one shot and created a solitary chance across all three matches during the tournament, highlighting a need for improvement in ball retention and offensive contributions.
2. On the club front, Harry Kane made shines as a Bayern Munich player, showcasing an impressive feat of scoring over 40 goals in his debut season with the club. Functioning as a prolific striker, Kane found the back of the net consistently, solidifying his reputation for goal-scoring prowess. His seamless transition into Bayern Munich hinted at a seamless adaptation and sustained top form, raising hopes for a seamless integration into the national team setup.
However, the narrative shifted when Harry Kane took to the field for England in the Euros. Despite his stellar club form, the English striker struggled to replicate his success on the international stage, delivering below-average performances in matches against Serbia, Slovenia, and Denmark. While managing to score one goal across the three games, Kane’s impact was limited by his ineffectiveness in pressing opponents and his subdued presence in the attacking third. This contrast in performances raised concerns among fans and pundits, especially considering Kane’s remarkable achievement of scoring over 30 goals in his inaugural Bundesliga season.
In the European tournament, one player faced challenges in scoring goals, managing to find the net only once against Denmark while enduring a tough time in matches against Slovenia and Serbia.
3. Shifting focus to Phil Foden, a formidable force at Manchester City where he played a pivotal role in securing their fourth consecutive title by scoring 19 goals in the Premier League. Known for shining in crucial moments and delivering when his team needed victories, Foden’s stellar form at the club level raised expectations for his performance at the international stage.
However, the transition for Phil Foden to the England national team in the Euros proved to be a test of his abilities. Despite being hailed as the Player of the Season in the highly competitive Premier League, Foden struggled to replicate his club success in the tournament. Positioned on the left side of England’s attack, the forward found it challenging to make a significant impact, failing to score any goals in the matches played. While his contributions in the Premier League included over 30 goal involvements through goals and assists, Foden fell short of finding the back of the net or providing assists during the three Euro matches, highlighting a dip in his overall performance at the international level.
Kylian Mbappe, hailed as the best young star in the world, made a noteworthy move to Real Madrid after showcasing his goal-scoring prowess in the French League. With over 40 goals for PSG and a strong season securing league titles and domestic cups, Mbappe’s form was on a high as he transitioned to Real Madrid. Anticipation was high for him to carry forward his exceptional performance to the national team stage.
4. In the Euros, representing France, Kylian Mbappe broke his goal drought with a penalty goal, marking his first goal of the tournament. Prior to this breakthrough, Mbappe had taken 20 shots without finding the back of the net, showcasing a rare struggle for the prolific forward. Despite this, his track record in the French League speaks volumes about his goal-scoring abilities, having been the top scorer for several consecutive years and earning accolades such as Player of the Season. His consistent dominance as the highest goal-scorer in the league for six years underscores his remarkable talent in finding the net.
While the French team embarked on their Euro journey, Mbappe’s performance signaled a shift in momentum as he finally found the target. This moment of success not only highlighted his resilience but also hinted at a resurgence in his goal-scoring form. The French squad, buoyed by Mbappe’s breakthrough goal, looked to capitalize on his renewed spark as they progressed in the tournament, aiming for further success with their star forward leading the charge.
The French national team experienced a stroke of luck when their opponent conceded an own goal, offering them a welcomed advantage on the field.
5. Moving on to Robert Lewandowski, a renowned striker known for his exceptional skills in this generation, made a notable appearance for Barcelona. Despite not reaching the usual heights of his performance, he managed to secure over 24 goals during his time at the club. Although Barcelona faced challenges in the league after Real Madrid’s dominance, exiting the quarterfinals, and falling short in the Spanish Super Cup final, as well as crashing out in the Copa del Rey round of 16, Lewandowski’s contributions remained pivotal at every stage for the team. The forward displayed good form, raising expectations for him to carry forward this momentum to the national team stage.
Representing Poland, Robert Lewandowski found the back of the net with a penalty goal. With 19 goals in La Liga and a remarkable record of 83 goals, becoming the highest goal-scorer in Poland’s history, Lewandowski’s goal-scoring prowess was evident. Despite his impressive track record, the striker faced challenges in the final third, struggling to make an impact and often losing possession. His lack of chances created and anonymity in crucial moments shed light on a concerning performance, highlighting a departure from his usual influential presence on the field. As Poland navigated through the tournament, Lewandowski’s struggles in the attacking third presented obstacles for the team, requiring a resurgence in form to lead them to success.
During the 2024 Euros, the performance of the Poland forward has been lackluster, resulting in Poland finishing at the bottom of the group standings.
By Eke Emmanuel Onyemaechi Kelly
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