Euro 2024 concluded with an impressive tally of 117 goals scored in 51 matches, averaging 2.29 goals per game. The final match, held in the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin, saw Spain clinch the title with a 2-1 victory over England, thanks to a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal. Spearheaded by Alvaro Morata and guided by Rodri and Lamine Yamal, Spain emerged as the standout team in a tournament that often failed to meet expectations.
In an initially bright tournament that saw high hopes pinned on many of Europe’s football stars, several key players fell short. France’s Kylian Mbappe, hailed as the world’s best striker, was among the disappointments, managing to score just once from a penalty kick before a semi-final exit. Injuries marred his campaign, notably a broken nose, disrupting his ambition to lead France to glory before his impending move to Real Madrid.
Similarly, England’s Jude Bellingham, who is also set to join Real Madrid, had a somewhat underwhelming tournament. Despite two crucial goals, Bellingham often appeared fatigued and was unable to make a significant impact in the final against Spain. The mix of a long club season and the rigors of the tournament seemed to take a toll on him, as well as on other prominent players like Harry Kane and Antoine Griezmann.
Even the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, aiming to extend his record of 14 tournament goals, saw his ambitions crumble. The 38-year-old Portuguese icon failed to score, signaling perhaps the end of an era as age seemed to catch up with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Spain, however, showcased a different narrative. From the outset, Luis de la Fuente’s squad demonstrated superiority, winning all seven of their matches. Their path to glory was not an easy one, as they defeated defending champions Italy and overcame two pre-tournament favorites. Notably, they managed to beat Germany, France, Italy, and England—the four major Western European football powerhouses—all in one competition, a feat Rodri was particularly proud of. “We have made history,” he remarked. “We have beaten four (former) world champions all in one go.
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France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, echoing the sentiment before France’s semi-final loss to Spain, acknowledged, “We are all agreed that they are the team who have played the best football at the tournament.”
Spain’s resurgence has been building since their Nations League win last year, and their triumph at Euro 2024 adds another layer of promise for a new golden era. Displaying a perfect blend of midfield control and attack flair, Spain was a joy to watch, contrasting sharply with other teams that often failed to live up to their billing.
Euro 2024 wrapped up with 117 goals in 51 matches, an average reflecting a dip from the 2.78 goals per match at Euro 2020 and 2.69 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 2022 World Cup was particularly memorable for its quality of play, a factor many attributed to its mid-European season timing, allowing players to perform at their peak.
Conversely, Euro 2024 came at the end of another grueling season, leaving players like Bellingham, Mbappe, Kane, and Griezmann struggling to find their best form. This issue underscores a larger concern: the ever-increasing demands on top players as UEFA and FIFA expand their most lucrative tournaments.
Global players’ union FIFPro highlighted this issue just before the Euros, filing a legal claim against FIFA. They appealed to the European Court of Justice to rule on FIFA’s authority to impose new tournaments, arguing that the current football calendar is “overloaded and unworkable.” FIFPro accused FIFA of “violating the rights of players” by not considering the toll these packed schedules take on athletes.
The European football season resumes in a month, followed by an expanded Champions League starting in September. This season, participating teams will play eight guaranteed games instead of six. Next summer, the inaugural version of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup will take place in the United States, featuring 32 teams, including 12 from Europe. Powerhouses like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are expected to participate, further compressing the players’ off-season rest ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will include an extra knockout round for its 48 teams.
The concern remains that this relentless focus on increasing the quantity of games could degrade the quality of play. Despite these broader issues, the brilliance and cohesion exhibited by Spain at Euro 2024 offer a glimmer of hope and highlight the exceptional levels that quality football can still reach.
