Euro 2024: Round 1 Group B Thoughts and Analysis
In similar fashion to what I did with Group A here are some of my thoughts and views on how the first games went within group B.
Spain (3) vs Croatia (0)
This game was billed as one of the most exciting opening round matches of the 2024 Euros. You had the consistently dominant Spain ushering in a new generation of talent and young players vs the ageing Croatian team that has come in 2nd and 3rd place in the last two world cups. Despite this billing however, the result showed that young talent is better than aging success. At least in this case with Spain comfortably beating Croatia 3-0.
Daniel Carvajal after Scoring to make it 3-0 Spain vs Croatia
Photo Credit: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
What does the Result Mean For Spain?
This result shows that Spain isn’t a team to mess around with as their young talent led by Lamine Yamal showed that the Euro stage was by no means too big for them. Despite many including myself thinking prior to the match that due to many of their young players nerves would make them start slow it was the opposite which occurred. Spain was able to jump on Croatia and hammer them in the first half making it 3-0 before the players went back to the locker rooms. Overall, Spain is looking really threatening so far and despite a less productive second half of the game they were able to put a strong Croatian team on the back foot and beat them convincingly.
Future Fixtures: June 20 @3 P.M. VS Italy, June 24 @3 P.M. VS Albania
What does the Result Mean For Croatia?
For Croatia it’s a step back. I don’t think anyone needs me to say that, but they started out the gates as if they were the more inexperienced young team. While Croatia has had more World Cup success than Euro success it shouldn’t have been such a big factor in creating unnecessary nerves. This caused them to get bullied off of the pitch in the first half falling down 3-0 to Spain. On the bright spot they were able to pull it together in the second half and while they didn’t score any goals, they were able to acquire some solid chances and miss a penalty shot. On the bright side their hardest match is behind them but being in the toughest group in the euros means that their upcoming game against Albania is a must win to keep their round of 16 hopes alive and well.
Future Fixtures: June 19 @9 A.M. VS Albania, June 24 @3 P.M. VS Italy
Italy (2) vs Albania (1)
It started with a shocker, a completely messed up throw in by Federico Dimarco saw Nedim Bajrami of Albania with space in the box and calmly strike the ball into the top right corner for a goal in the first minute of the game. Italy quickly recovered from this error and scored two in quick succession to take the led 2-1 by the 16th minute off of goals from Bastoni and Barella. No goals were scored the rest of the match as despite a late surge by Albania, Italy held on for the important 3 points.
Nicolò Barella being mobbed by teammates after goal put Italy Ahead 2-1 vs Albania
Photo Credit: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
What does the Result Mean For Italy?
It means everything. They are in an insanely tough group with Spain and Croatia so the game vs Albania was pretty much a must win for their hopes of advancing. They were able to pretty quickly recover from a disastrous start and pulled ahead 2-1 by the 16-minute mark. They controlled possession for most of the game as Albania tried to provide a strong counterattack, but time ran out and Italy came out with a clutch three points heading into their future matches against far tougher opponents.
Future Fixtures: June 20 @3 P.M. VS Spain, June 24 @3 P.M. VS Croatia
What does the Result Mean For Albania?
For Albania the result is brutal, starting off in heaven with a first minute goal only to concede 2 goals shortly after was brutal. Their late surge was solid, and they created some strong chances but heading into the rest of their games it is looking quite bleak for the Albanians as they’ll have to pull off a miracle upset against either Spain or Croatia to move on. That being said the ref also screwed Albania over by not calling a clear corner on a shot by Rey Manaj in the 89th minute where it deflected off of the goalie, but no corner was awarded. They probably wouldn’t have scored anyway but it was still brutal to see the call go missed in an era where making the correct call seems to be of the utmost importance.
Future Fixtures: June 19 @9 A.M. VS Croatia, June 24 @3 P.M. VS Spain