Italy, Belgium and Netherlands dominated their respective groups by winning every game and scoring plenty on the way to the round of 16. Here we take a look at these nation's performances in the group stages of Euro 2020.
Netherlands (Group C)
Results
vs Ukraine (3-2)
vs Austria (2-0)
vs North Macedonia (0-3)
Top scorer: Georginio Wijnaldum (3)
Player of the match: Denzel Dumfries (2)
Much was said or criticized about the 3-5-2 formation Frank De Boer wanted to install in the Dutch set up for this tournament. After initially not working, it started to yield results in the finals itself. The players adapt well to this new system and provided scintillating attacking play. The Dutch defense became prone to opposition counters in this style of play but the trio of Stefan de Vrij, Daley Blind, youngster Jurrien Timber and later De Ligt stood strong. Keeping aside the crazy Ukraine game, they managed to keep back-to-back clean sheets against Austria & North Macedonia respectively.
Frenkie de Jong owned the midfield with his dribbling, passing and driving towards the opposition half while De Roon guarded the back four. Wijnaldum became the top scorer from midfield chipping in 3 goals along with the electrifying Memphis Depay in the final third. Wout Weghorst was brilliant in holding up the ball and being a physical presence in the box. However, the main man behind the Dutch's rapid success in the group phase is Denzel Dumfries. The right wingback advancing run to the box, energy and possessing a goal threat from the flank gave opposition defense all sort of nightmare in containing him. He also scored an excellent winner through a header in the dying ember of the game against Ukraine to give the side a necessary boost to eventually progress into the competition.
Belgium (Group B)
Results
vs Russia (3-0)
vs Denmark (1-2)
vs Finland (0-2)
Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku (3)
Player of the match: Romelu Lukaku (2)
Another interesting team with a cent-percent record in the group stages is Belgium. Deemed to be the golden generation of the nation, the team played some exceedingly beautiful football. Belgium overloaded each flank, suffocated opposition passing and boasted a phenom striker in the form of in-form Romelu Lukaku. The Inter Milan striker rekindled his career at San Siro turning out to be an icon in just two seasons at the club. The Serie A winner managed to show his ability for his nation in the Euros as well. His brace against Russia, hard work at Copenhagen and seeing off Finland describe his all-around excellence on the football pitch. Lukaku also bagged two men of the match performances to guide his side to the latter stages of the competition.
Manchester City's playmaker Kevin De Bruyne's contribution has been immense. Missing the first game against Russia due to his recovery from a facial injury, sustained in the Champions League final, he came off the bench and changed the game completely for Belgium in the next one. De Bruyne provided the inspiration needed by the team at the moment, assisting Thorgan Hazard for the equalizer before smacking in the winner. His muted celebration of Christian Eriksen's well-being was another classy touch to his impressive qualities. He dictated the midfield for Belgium in the last game of the group stage and helped his side break the threshold of the Finnish defense. Having these two outstanding players, Belgium are dreaming bigger than ever.
Italy (Group A)
Results
vs Turkey (3-0)
vs Switzerland( 3-0)
vs Wales (0-1)
Top scorer(s): Ciro Immobile (2), Manuel Locatelli (2)
The tournament's team. Magnificent, enthralling, decisive, beautiful we will run out of words to describe this team. The most striking part is Italy's change of mentality under Roberto Manchini. The Italy we remembered since childhood to be defensively robust, hard to break down, physical, etc bringing some legendary defenders to the world stage has now completely turned. While they remain strong at the back, their offensive style has truly escalated the nation to terrific heights. The show Italians put up at the Euros was one of the best group stage performances by a nation in the history of major competitions. Italy scored three goals for the first time in their European Championship history facing Turkey following another three-goal haul against Switzerland to seal the deal. Also, they became the only side in this Euro campaign not to have conceded any goal till now.
Most importantly, Italy behaved as a unit throughout the group stage rather than individualistic. It is a huge factor for them to go all the way in the competition. As a case, they build these impressive performances with the whole team contributing. Striker Ciro Immobile started scoring regularly assisted by the ever-present Domenico Berardi ripping up opposition defense from the right and also Leonardo Spinazzola's destructive runs from the left. Even without Marco Verratti, the midfield trio of Nico Barella, Jorginho and Manuel Locatelli dominated games with ease. Locatelli proved to be a fascinating midfielder yet again scoring twice against Switzerland and showed interested clubs in the transfer market his breathtaking qualities. They are the team to beat now in this competition. After all, they are unbeaten in the last 30 games since Manchini took over.
