The opening day of Euro 2024 brought about some historic moments that left fans in awe. From Michael Aebischer becoming the first player to both score and assist a goal in the same match for Switzerland to Barnabas Varga becoming the fifth player to score on his European Championship debut for Hungary, the day was full of memorable feats. Not to forget, Lamine Yamal breaking the record to become the youngest player ever at the European Championship at just 16 years and 338 days old.
Spain showcased their quality with a commanding 3-0 victory over Croatia, marking Croatia’s joint-heaviest defeat at the European Championships. Veteran Dani Carvajal scored his first-ever international goal, and in doing so, became Spain’s oldest goal-scorer at the Euros. Alvaro Morata also made his mark by climbing the all-time European Championships scorers chart, now tied for third place with some illustrious names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Michel Platini. Not to forget, Morata’s goal was his 36th for Spain, placing him in the company of legends like David Villa and Fernando Torres.
Defending champions Italy faced a scare against Albania but managed to secure a narrow 2-1 win. Albania’s opening goal within 23 seconds of the start was a historic moment, being the first goal scored inside the first minute of a European Championship game. Italy’s victory marked their debut match win in four consecutive editions of the European Championship and World Cup, a first in their history. Among the current Italian national players, Nicolo Barella stood out for scoring the most goals for the Azzurri, showcasing his brilliance on the field.
In a surprising turn of events, Spain finished a European Championship or World Cup match with lesser possession than their opponent for the first time since Euro 2008. This marked the end of a streak of 136 competitive matches where Spain had out-possessed their opponents, showing a shift in their usual dominance on the ball.
The first day of Euro 2024 brought about unforgettable moments, historic milestones, and surprising outcomes. From young talents breaking records to seasoned players making their mark, the tournament has already shown that it is set to be a thrilling spectacle for football fans worldwide. With plenty of action still to come, fans can expect more excitement, drama, and memorable moments as the tournament unfolds.
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