Euro 2024, hosted by Germany, is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory. From stunning goals to last-minute thrillers, every match holds the promise of something extraordinary. With icons like Mbappe, Ronaldo and Bellingham on the pitch, there’s always going to be drama. Here are the top 10 matches you simply cannot miss, guaranteed to deliver the highs and lows that make football so exhilarating.
1. Spain vs. Italy (June 20, Gelsenkirchen)
The clash between Spain and Italy is always one of the most anticipated fixtures in any tournament. Both teams have a rich history of success in European competitions – Spain has won the European Championship three times (1964, 2008, 2012), while Italy has two (1968, 2020). In Euro 2024, this encounter is expected to be a fascinating tactical face-off. Italy's well-organized defense and counter-attacking prowess is the perfect opposition for Spain’s ‘tiki-taka’, possession based football. In their recent meetings, Italy defeated Spain 2-1 in the Euro 2020 semifinals, but Spain got their revenge in the Nations League with a 2-1 win in 2021. Key players like Spain’s Pedri and Italy’s Federico Chiesa will be crucial in determining the outcome of this match. Fans can expect a tightly contested game with moments of brilliance that could define the group stage.
2. Netherlands vs. France (June 21, Leipzig)
This match between the Netherlands and France is set to be a showdown of European heavyweights. France, the 2018 World Cup champions, come into the tournament with a squad brimming with talent, including Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann. But following a broken nose in France’s first group game, talisman Kylian Mbappé will be missing out. The Netherlands, led by Virgil van Dijk, have been resurgent in recent years and are looking to make a deep run in the tournament, despite losing Frenkie de Jong to injury. Although they have not won a major tournament since their European Championship victory in 1988, they remain formidable opponents. The outcome of this match could be crucial in deciding the group winner, making it a must-watch for fans. Their last competitive meeting saw France winning 2-1 in the Nations League in 2018. Expect a high-octane game with plenty of attacking flair and tactical intrigue.
3. Denmark vs. England (June 20, Frankfurt)
A rematch of the Euro 2020 semi final, Denmark vs. England is another fixture loaded with narrative and excitement. England's squad, featuring the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, will be looking to build on their previous tournament successes, including reaching the Euro 2020 final. Denmark, with Christian Eriksen’s inspirational return, will be aiming to repeat their strong performance from Euro 2020. Denmark famously won the European Championship in 1992, and their resilience and team spirit make them a tough opponent. In their Euro 2020 encounter, England triumphed 2-1 after extra time, a match remembered for its intensity and controversy. The tactical battle between England’s strong front-line and Denmark’s solid defensive setup will be fascinating to watch. This match has the potential to influence the group standings significantly, especially following Denmark’s draw with Slovenia.
4. Germany vs. Hungary (June 19, Stuttgart)
As the host nation, Germany will be under immense pressure to perform, and their match against Hungary will be crucial. In their last major encounter at Euro 2020, Hungary held Germany to a dramatic 2-2 draw, nearly knocking them out of the tournament. After Germany’s 6-1 win against Scotland they will be looking to build momentum as the tournament progresses. Hungary will be hoping to claw back a point after losing to Switzerland. They can expect to win against Scotland, but so will Switzerland, so grabbing some points against Germany is vital. Fans can expect a lively atmosphere and a spirited performance from both sides, with Germany looking to capitalise on their home advantage.
5. Croatia vs. Italy (June 24, Leipzig)
Croatia and Italy face off in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. Croatia, with their experienced midfield led by Luka Modrić, reached the World Cup final in 2018 and have consistently performed well in recent tournaments. But their squad is starting to look old and it has an atmosphere of ‘one last shot’ for them. Not to mention that Italy will be a formidable opponent. The blend of Croatia’s technical skill and Italy’s tactical acumen makes this a fascinating matchup for any football enthusiast. In their recent meetings, Italy has had the upper hand, winning their Euro 2012 encounter 2-0.
6. Belgium vs. Romania (June 22, Cologne))
Belgium’s golden generation, led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, faces Romania in a match that could see plenty of goals and exciting play. Like Portugal, their squad is aging, and following that shock 1-0 loss against Slovakia, they’ll be desperate for 3 points against Romania. They’re known for their disciplined approach and can perhaps exploit Belgium’s desperation by countering their attacking firepower. This game is crucial for Belgium to demonstrate their title credentials and for Romania to prove they can compete with Europe’s best. In their last meeting during the Euro 2020 qualifiers, Belgium won 3-0, highlighting their dominance.
7. Switzerland vs. Germany (June 23, Frankfurt)
This match is crucial for Germany’s campaign as they face a well-organised Swiss team who have done well in recent years. Switzerland, with players like Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, have the potential to cause an upset, as they did against France at Euro 2020. Germany and Switzerland have had several encounters in recent years, including a thrilling 3-3 draw in the 2020 Nations League. Depending on Germany’s Hungary game, this could end up being a decider for the top spot in Group A, which is usually a vital factor in how far teams progress through the tournament. Noone wants to face another group winner in their last 16 match.
8. Netherlands vs. Austria (June 25, Berlin)
This final group match for both teams could be decisive in determining their progression. The Netherlands, with their attacking style and Austria’s structured defense led by David Alaba, make for an interesting tactical battle. You’d expect Netherlands to come out on top, but Austria only conceded one goal against France. They were impressively well organised and Netherlands can sometimes lack the killer instinct needed to see off lesser teams, only managing a 2-1 win against Poland in their first match.
9. Spain vs. Albania (June 24, Düsseldorf)
While Spain is expected to dominate here, and perhaps rest some of their key players leading into the knockout stages. But they’re a young squad and will want to build on the chemistry they showed in their 3-0 win against Croatia, so we expect most of the star players will be playing. You will certainly see 16 year old, Lamine Yamal, who is making headlines already in Euro 2024. He’s already played 51 matchs for Barcelona, and looks like he’s got the ability to be the next Messi. Seriously!
10. Turkey vs. Portugal (June 22, Dortmund)
Turkey vs. Portugal promises to be an exciting encounter with significant implications for both teams. Turkey’s first match against Georgia was a real thriller, with 19 year old Arda Guler scoring an absolute screamer to put them back in the lead. He’s already being called the ‘Turkish Messi’. We expect these constant Messi comparisons will continue for at least 2 decades whenever a young player scores in a major tournament. But Guler really does have quick feet and dribbling ability – we expect that will be a fine match for Portugal who have got a solid squad, despite the tension around Ronaldo and whether he should be playing at all. In their last competitive meeting in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Portugal narrowly defeated Turkey 3-1 in a high-stakes match.
Conclusion
Euro 2024 is set to deliver some of the most exciting football matches of the year. From historic rivalries to critical group stage deciders, these top 10 matches are not to be missed. Each game offers a unique blend of tactical battles, star performances, and potential tournament-defining moments. As the tournament unfolds, fans around the world will be treated to a spectacle of top-tier football, showcasing the very best that Europe has to offer. Whether it's the tactical mastery of Spain vs. Italy, the high-stakes drama of Denmark vs. England, or the historic significance of Germany's matches, Euro 2024 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of football excellence.
