UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Matches: England, Spain, Belgium, France, and Netherlands Secure Qualification
The UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying matches have been heating up, with several of the top European teams already securing their spots in the tournament.
England
England qualified for EURO 2024 with two matches to spare after defeating Italy 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on October 17, 2023. The match was a close and exciting affair, with both teams creating several chances to score.
England took the lead in the 50th minute through a Harry Kane penalty, but Italy equalized just minutes later through a Giacomo Raspadori goal. England eventually regained the lead in the 65th minute through a Raheem Sterling goal, and they held on to secure the three points.
Spain
Spain also secured their spot in EURO 2024 with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park on October 17, 2023. Spain dominated the match from start to finish, and they opened the scoring in the 20th minute through a Gavi goal. Spain added two more goals in the first half, through Ferran Torres and Pablo Sarabia, and they put the game to bed in the 60th minute with a fourth goal from Alvaro Morata.
Belgium
Belgium’s EURO 2024 qualifying campaign was thrown into disarray after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadion on October 18, 2023. Belgium took the lead in the 15th minute through a Kevin De Bruyne goal, but Austria equalized just minutes later through a Michael Gregoritsch goal. Both teams had chances to win the match in the second half, but the score remained 1-1 at the final whistle.
Despite their draw with Austria, Belgium managed to secure their spot in EURO 2024 as the winners of Group B. Belgium finished the qualifying stage with 25 points, one point ahead of the Netherlands.
France
France secured their spot in EURO 2024 with a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands at the Stade de France on October 18, 2023. France took the lead in the 20th minute through a Kylian Mbappe goal, and they doubled their lead in the 35th minute through a Karim Benzema goal. The Netherlands pulled a goal back in the 45th minute through a Cody Gakpo goal, but France put the game to bed in the 60th minute with a third goal from Mbappe.
France finished the qualifying stage with 28 points, three points ahead of the Netherlands.
Netherlands
Despite their loss to France, the Netherlands have already secured their spot in EURO 2024 as the runners-up of Group B. The Netherlands have been one of the most impressive teams in the qualifying stage, and they will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament.
Analysis
The five teams that have already qualified for EURO 2024 are all among the favorites to win the tournament. England, Spain, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands all have world-class players and experienced managers.
England are the current world champions and will be looking to defend their title in Germany. Spain are also a strong team, and they will be looking to win their fourth European Championship title. Belgium are the number one ranked team in the world, and they will be looking to win their first major international trophy. France is the reigning world champions, and they will be looking to win their third European Championship title in a row. The Netherlands are a young and exciting team that will be looking to make a splash in the tournament.
It will be interesting to see how the remaining qualifying matches play out and which teams will join England, Spain, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands in the tournament.
The UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying matches have been very exciting, and several of the top European teams have already secured their spots in the tournament. The five teams that have already qualified are all among the favorites to win the tournament, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.