Top 5 EURO 2020 group stage moments

Portugal are the defending EURO Champions
Portugal are the defending EURO Champions

#3 Germany's last moment comeback

It was nearly impossible to predict who would advance into the knockout stage from Euro 2020 Group F. The group of death was fierce and it was anybody's game until the last day.

It was expected of France, Germany, and Portugal to showcase their brilliance on a constant level, while Hungary's display came as a surprise. All the top teams managed to win just one each from a total of three games.

Goretzka's 86th minute equalizer kept Germany's hopes alive at Euro 2020
Goretzka's 86th minute equalizer kept Germany's hopes alive at Euro 2020

The reigning world champions managed to cement their top spot by avoiding any loss and scoring 5 points (1W, 2D). The last day of the Euro 2020 group stage matches was crucial as Portugal and Germany had to fight hard to enter the next round.

While Portugal maintained an even game against France, Germany was losing their must-win game against the underdogs — Hungary. A loss would have eliminated Germany from Euro 2020.

Hungary led the game 2-1 until the last stages of the fixture but with just six minutes to spare, German midfielder Leon Goretzka came up clutch for his side. Goretzka's 84th minute equalizer kept Germany in the competition and eventually handed them a spot in the top 16 of Euro 2020.


#2 Spain's last-ditch efforts

The Spanish side entered the tournament in a not-so-peaceful manner. There was a lot of criticism regarding Luis Enrique's team selection that saw no Real Madrid player featuring for the national side for the first time in history.

A notable exclusion was of their captain Sergio Ramos'. The fact that Luis Enrique decided to go with 24 players instead of 26 led to further controversies. With all this around, La Roja's start to the Euro 2020 campaign was not on a good note.

Spain's only win at Euro 2020 so far came in their last Group Stage match
Spain's only win at Euro 2020 so far came in their last Group Stage match

Despite being placed in a relatively easier group by their standards, Spain failed to win a match until their last game at Euro 2020. At one point it looked like the two-time Euro champs would have to pack their bags and get home.

However, their fortunes turned in the game vs Slovakia (who defeated Poland in their opening game).

Spain scored five goals against the Slovakian side to secure second spot in Euro 2020 Group E. This was the only group alongside B to not have their 3rd placed team in the top 16. This shows how important that last win was for the Spanish side.


#1 Christian Eriksen's collapse

12th June 2021. Denmark vs Finland at Euro 2020 was a game to forget for the football fraternity. In the 42nd minute, much to the shock of players and fans, the Danish number 10 collapsed on the field as he was receiving a throw-in.

The medics arrived immediately and Eriksen was given CPR and emergency medical care on the pitch itself. To protect the player's privacy, both sides stood in a circle while the Inter Milan man was being attended by doctors and medical staff.

Football lovers around the world came together and prayed for Eriksen's speedy recovery
Football lovers around the world came together and prayed for Eriksen's speedy recovery

It was the moment that united football lovers from all over the world. Social media was flooded with wishes for the former Tottenham midfielder. Everyone was relieved to receive the news of Christian Eriksen's stable condition an hour after the incident.

It was deemed to be a cardiac arrest and the 29-year-old has now left the hospital and is in his recovery stage. In the wake of this incident, the Premier League has plans in place to fund defibrillators at grassroots levels in order to avoid such accidents from happening.

These are our top 5 moments from the EURO 2020 Group Stages. Mention yours in the comment section below.

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Edited by Rohit Mishra
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