The Euro 2020 group stage is now two-thirds complete! There are teams punching their tickets to the knockout rounds, while others are hoping they can somehow make it into one of the top-four third-place spots. This tournament has been enthralling and drama-filled. As it transitions into the final matchday, we need to look back at matchday 2 of Euro 2020 to get the full picture!

Mandatory Credit: ImagePhoto/Imago/Icon Sportswire

Matchday 2 of Euro 2020

Matchday two is where teams solidify their good form, their bad form, or their changing form. There are some sides who already know they are through to the knockouts as a result of matchday two. Others know there is a lot of work to do to find their way to the round of 16. Here’s a look back at where each team stands after matchday two.

Group A

Heading into matchday two in Group A, Italy looked like the frontrunners, Wales showed formidability, Switzerland and Turkey didn’t show that type of positivity. Here’s how the four teams in Group A fared in matchday two.

Turkey tumble vs Wales

Turkey has been labeled as a darkhorse in Euro 2020. On paper, they should be able to compete with the other teams in Group A. That hasn’t been the case, and history shows that Turkey isn’t always the best bet at the Euros; they have suffered the most defeats in Euros group stage. This match against Wales was another defeat.

Wales was the more organized team in this match. They were fine allowing Turkey the possession as they looked to defend first and spring on the counter-attack. This worked to perfection as the Welsh side scored in the last five minutes of both halves en route to their 2-0 win. Wales looks to be on their way to the knockout rounds as they’re on four points from two games.

Goal Scorers:

Aaron Ramsey | Wales | 42′
Connor Roberts | Wales | 90+5′

Italy secure spot in knockouts vs Switzerland

Italy has been the most impressive side at Euro 2020. They were on a hot streak coming into the tournament, and they have rolled over their competition through two matches of Euro 2020. On matchday two they went up against a Switzerland side who were on an unbeaten in Euro group stage games that dated back to 2006.

While the Swiss had more possession, they struggled to get past the organized defense of Italy. Switzerland only registered six shots, one of which was on target. Thye pushed their numbers forward to try and pin Itlay in their own half but left themselves exposed. Italy scored one in the first half and two in the second half. The 3-0 victory punched their ticket to the knockout rounds!

Goal Scorers:

Manuel Locatelli | Italy | 26′ , 52′
Ciro Immobile | Italy | 89′

Standings

Group B

The class of Group B is Belgium through the first matchday. Finland surprisingly found themselves in second place, while Russia and Denmark fell to the bottom of the group. Things changed a bit in matchday two of Group B.

Finland fall to Russia

Finland was lucky enough to find a win over Denmark on matchday one, whereas Russia was outclassed by Belgium. Both teams had an opportunity in the second matchday to really move up the standings and put the pressure on Belgium. This match was a bit of a snoozer, but it did have a winner.

Finland and Russia had a combined 25 shots, but only four were on goal; three for Russia and one for Finland. One of Russia’s attempts did find the back of the net, and that proved to be the difference-maker. Both teams now sit on three points heading into the final matchday!

Goal Scorers:

Aleksei Miranchuk | Russia | 45+2′

Denmark dismantled late on by Belgium

Following the shock injury of Christian Eriksen, Denmark fell in their first match. Their second match was not any easier, as they went up against the top-ranked team in FIFA, Belgium. Early on they shocked everyone with a goal inside the first two minutes! Denmark was the better attacking team in this match but failed to convert their 25 shots into real on-goal chances. This allowed Belgium to stay in the match, and they don’t need too many opportunities to find goals.

Belgium recorded six shots, five of which were on target. After going down and trailing at the half they brought on difference-maker Kevin De Bruyne. Shortly after he came on Belgium found their equalizer. Then KDB scored what would be the game-winner for Belgium. Belgium is through to the knockout rounds, while Denmark needs some luck on the final matchday of the group stage!

Goal Scorers:

Yussuf Poulsen | Denmark | 2′
Thorgan Hazard | Belgium | 54′
Kevin De Bruyne | Belgium | 70′

Standings

Group C

Group C saw the Netherlands and Austria move to the top of the standings after matchday one. North Macedonia and Ukraine were down but not out if they could find a win in matchday two. Here’s how the teams from Group C fared in the second matchday.

Ukraine beat menacing North Macedonia

Ukraine and North Macedonia both fell in matchday one, setting up this crucial second game. This match showcased that these two teams are very equally matched. In the end, one side was able to net one more goal, but this one was a fun match.

There were 30 shots combined in this match, and the possession was about equal. The main difference was that Ukraine scored two in the first half and North Macedonia was only able to net one in the second. In a match that was back and forth, Ukraine did just enough to win and put itself in a better position to move on to the knockout round.

Goal Scorers:

Andriy Yarmolenko | Ukraine | 29′
Roman Yaremchuk | Ukraine | 34′
Ezgjan Alioski | North Macedonia | 57′

Netherlands clinch place in knockouts vs Austria

Netherlands and Austria both won in matchday one, and should one win on matchday two they would be on to the knockout rounds with one match to play. This match was one where the side with the better defense would come out on top! That side proved to be the Netherlands.

Austria controlled the bulk of possession but was only able to record one shot on goal against the stout defense of the Netherlands. When the Netherlands were able to attack they were ruthless. They won a penalty and converted it inside the first 15 minutes, and added a second goal in the second half to put the game away. The Netherlands is on to the knockout rounds, while Austria will have to battle it out in the final matchday to make it there.

Goal Scorers:

Memphis Depay | Netherlands | 11′ (P)
Denzel Dumfries | Netherlands | 67′

Standings

Group D

There were some major surpasses in Group D on the first matchday. England bested Croatia and the Czech Republic beat Scotland. There were two teams at the top and two at the bottom after the first game, but what would things look like after matchday two?

Croatia and Czech Republic split points

Croatia fell to England in their first match of the Euros, while the Czech Republic pulled out a huge win over Scotland. In this second matchday, Croatia needed to show their quality, and the Czech Republic needed to show why they could be the best team in Group D.

This match was all Czech Republic in the first half, as they were able to take the lead on a penalty. Croatia was able to come out in the second half and score a goal, but after that, it seemed that the Czech would find a winner. They didn’t and the points were split, setting up a crucial final day in Group D for both sides!

Goal Scorers:

Patrick Schick | Czech Republic | 37′ (P)
Ivan Perišić | Croatia | 47′

England and Scotland play to a maddening draw

In one of the most anticipated matches of Euro 2020, England and Scotland renewed their rivalry on the pitch. It was a rainy night, which was fitting, and what was even more fitting was that this match ended nil-nil. The result is huge for Scotland and a disappointment for England.

There were only three shots on target in this match. Scotland’s defensive effort limited England to just one shot on goal. This is seen as a win for Scotland as the draw keeps them alive in Group D. England stays in second place in the group, but this has been a very underwhelming showing from them.

Goal Scorers:

NONE

Standings

Group E

Group E saw an unlikely Nation leading the group after the first round of matches. Slovakia was first in the group, while Spain and Sweden only took one point each, and Poland took none. Things got a bit more jumbled after matchday two.

Sweden squeak by Slovakia

Slovakia stunned Poland in their first match, while Sweden held Spain to a draw. This matchup on the second matchday is a crucial one for both nations as the standings in Group E were very close. This match was very close, but Sweden found the winner!

Slovakia has been a great surprise in their first two group games, they looked the better side in the first half but lacked that killer instinct. They recorded zero shots on goal in this match. Sweden only had four, but one of them was able to find the back of the net. It may have been a penalty, but it gave Sweden the win. They top the group while Slovakia sits in second heading into the final day of the group stage.

Goal Scorers:

Emil Forsberg | Sweden | 77′ (P)

Spain and Poland share points

Spain loves to possess the ball, but that possession didn’t lead to any goals in their first matchday. On matchday two, they were able to get one past Poland in the first 25 minutes. They took that lead to halftime, while Poland looked dead on the pitch.

Poland fell to Slovakia in their first group stage match and didn’t look the best against Spain. In the second half, they were able to find the equalizing goal through a great cross and headed goal. That is their bread and butter, it was enough to secure a point in this match. Spain sits on two points and Poland on one heading to the final matchday, both are still alive to make the knockouts!

Goal Scorers:

Álvaro Morata | Spain | 25′
Robert Lewandowski | Poland | 54′

Standings

Group F

In the so-called group of death, France and Portugal were at the top after one game. Germany and Hungary were in the basement and looked like they could be left behind. After matchday two this was not the case!

Hungary shock World Champions France

Hungary played a great game in matchday one, until the final five minutes where they let Portugal score three. France was able to beat Germany but didn’t look their best. In matchday two, the reigning World Champions could only split points against the up-and-comers.

Hungary weathered the storm that France brought in the first half. They did that and scored the opening goal just before halftime. This was very impressive as they held and put one past World Champions France. in the second half France picked up where they left off and were able to find one, but only one. The match ended 1-1. Hungary is now still alive going into the final matchday, while France has a slim one-point lead atop of the Group F standings.

Goal Scorers:

Attila Fiola | Hungary | 45+2′
Antoine Griezmann | France | 66′

Portugal allow four in loss to Germany

Portugal was coming off a win, and Germany a loss from matchday one. On the second matchday, these two brought goals and little defense. When looking at the stats, it seems like this wouldn’t be a match with six goals. Portugal only had two shots on target, while Germany had seven. This game was a thriller back-and-forth match.

Portugal opened the scoring in the 15th minute and then scored two own goals to give Germany the lead before halftime. In the second half, Germany came out and scored two goals in the first 15 minutes. Portugal pulled one back, but they couldn’t make up the deficit. The match ended 4-2. This result ensures the final matchday of Group F will be chaos-filled!

Goal Scorers:

Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 15′
Rúben Dias | Portugal | 35′(OG for Germany)
Raphaël Guerreiro | Portugal | 39′ (OG for Germany)
Kai Havertz | Germany | 51′
Robin Gosens | Germany | 60′
Diogo Jota | Portugal | 67′

Standings

Matchday 3 begins now!

Matchday three kicks off today! The tournament now switches to having two games going on at the same time, as the final matches for groups happen at the same time to avoid match-fixing. From Sunday, June 20 to Wednesday, June 23 we will get to see who will fill in the knockout round! Here’s a look at when each group will be finished:

Group A: Sunday, June 20 – 12:00 pm ET
Group B: Monday, June 21 – 3:00 pm ET
Group C: Monday, June 21 – 12:00 pm ET
Group D: Tuesday, June 21 – 3:00 pm ET
Group E: Wednesday, June 22 – 12:00 pm ET
Group F: Wednesday, June 22 – 3:00 pm ET

Don’t miss any of this action and come back to Philly Sports Network for more looks back at the action that was, and previews on the knockout stage!