Euro 2024 Insights: Mbappe's Milestone And England's Struggle For Goals

Kylian Mbappe finally netted his first goal at Euro 2024 during France's 1-1 draw with Poland. This goal, his 13th in major international tournaments, equalled Just Fontaine's record and placed him just one behind Michel Platini's combined tally for France in World Cup and Euro competitions. Despite this achievement, France couldn't secure a win as Robert Lewandowski equalized with a penalty for Poland, who have been eliminated from the tournament.

In Group D, Austria defied expectations by defeating the Netherlands 3-2, topping the group. Marcel Sabitzer scored his first goal in the championship to clinch the victory, having played his 10th European Championship match. Austria's six goals in this edition are their highest in any Euro tournament and their most in any major tournament since the 1978 World Cup. This was also the first time Austria won consecutive Euro matches.

The Netherlands suffered their first group-stage defeat at a Euro since 2012. Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay netted the goals for the Dutch, with Gakpo having scored five of the Netherlands' last eight group-stage goals in major tournaments. They have now lost two group-stage games in which they scored at least twice — the other being against Czechia in 2004.

In Group C, England finished top despite another goalless draw, this time against Slovenia. Their matches have produced the lowest expected goals (xG) figures in the tournament, with England only managing an xG of 0.87 against Slovenia. England had 74% possession, their highest in a goalless match in a major tournament.

Slovenia's draw ensured their progression to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides, rallying similarities to Portugal's run in 2016. Both Slovenia and Denmark drew all their group matches, a feat only achieved once before by Portugal in 2016.

Denmark Advances After Draw with Serbia

Against Serbia, Denmark also finished with a 0-0 draw, resulting in their third consecutive draw in the group stage. Christian Eriksen became Denmark's record appearance-maker with 133 caps and created two more chances, tallying a tournament-high of 13 for a Danish player. Denmark will now face hosts Germany in the last 16.

Serbia exited the competition and extended their winless streak in major tournaments to eight matches, last winning against Costa Rica at the 2018 World Cup. They managed only one shot on target against Denmark, their lowest total in any major tournament as an independent nation.

This match also marked the first time France failed to top their group in a major tournament since Euro 2012.