Euro 2024 Winners and Losers: The Heroes and Zeroes of the European Championship

Winners & Losers of the European Championship

Euro 2024 Winners and Losers—A star emerged in Germany, yet several notable players struggled, and some managers faced repercussions for their cautious tactics.

Euro 2024 concluded dramatically on Sunday night, with Spain defeating England in Berlin thanks to a late goal from substitute Mikel Oyarzabal. It was a well-earned victory for La Roja but another heartbreaking loss for the Three Lions, who continue their long wait for a major international trophy since their World Cup win in 1966 on home soil.

How will history view these Euros? Spain impressed with their dynamic attacking football, but many top teams were disappointing to watch. Consequently, numerous high-profile players had a difficult tournament.

Below, GOAL highlights the main Euro 2024 winners and losers. Although the tournament was largely frustrating, it ultimately produced a deserving champion.

Winner: Lamine Yamal

Certainly, the biggest winner in our Euro 2024 winners and losers analysis is Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on Saturday and celebrated on Sunday evening by helping Spain win the European Championship. “It’s the best birthday present ever,” said the winger after being named the Young Player of the Tournament and lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy.

“Lamine is incredible,” praised teammate Nico Williams. “The sky’s the limit for him.” Indeed, it is. Although we hesitate to add more pressure, Yamal’s potential is reminiscent of Pele’s; that’s undeniable at this point.

He became the youngest player ever to appear in a Euros or World Cup final, and the goal he created for Williams brought his tournament total to four assists—twice as many as any other player, which is remarkable.

While many big names underperformed in Germany, Yamal exceeded all expectations. Football has a new star.

Loser: Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate is likable and popular with his players and the English press. Statistically, he is one of the most successful managers in England’s history. However, he has not won a major trophy with the Three Lions—and likely never will. His lack of boldness is his downfall.

Did certain star players in Germany let him down? Absolutely. Did injuries and fatigue contribute to England’s poor performances? Without a doubt. However, the harsh truth is that Southgate once again failed to maximize the talent at his disposal due to his characteristic conservatism.

England arrived in Germany with a squad as talented as any, but their tactics and style of play were dreadful. If not for a favorable draw and individual moments of brilliance (highlighting the squad’s quality), they would not have made it past the last 16.

England had the players to win Euro 2024—but not the manager. Southgate uplifted the nation’s spirits after Roy Hodgson’s mediocre tenure and Sam Allardyce’s brief stint. Still, it has been evident since the Euro 2020 final that his pragmatism limits his players’ potential.

If Southgate and England do not part ways soon, fans should brace for at least another two years of disappointment.

Winner: The Harry Kane Curse

The Harry Kane curse endures. One of the finest forwards of the modern era remains without a trophy. This latest failure is especially tough for Kane, given his poor performance in England’s loss to Spain in Berlin, which led to his substitution after just an hour.

Kane was somewhat hindered by the injury that sidelined him late in Bayern Munich’s season, but that doesn’t fully explain his poor showing in Germany. He was fit enough to start all seven of England’s games despite calls for his benching long before the final.

Kane’s quality is unquestionable, but despite scoring three goals and leading his country to the final, this tournament was a struggle for him. As he admitted in Berlin, “It’s as painful as it gets,” meaning it will take a long time to recover from this career-defining disappointment.

Loser: Portugal’s Co-Managers

It was unclear who managed Portugal in Germany—coach Roberto Martinez or captain Cristiano Ronaldo? Perhaps both.

One thing was clear: both agreed Ronaldo should start every game, regardless of the team’s detriment.

Relying on a 39-year-old striker backfired spectacularly. Ronaldo failed to score in Germany despite playing more minutes than any other outfield player in the Portugal squad—a damning indictment of Martinez’s weak management of the sport’s biggest ego.

Ronaldo deserves a grand send-off in front of home fans for his contributions to his country. But Euro 2024 made it clear that neither he nor Martinez should be part of this talented Portuguese squad by the 2026 World Cup.

Winner: Luis de la Fuente

Spain needed an 86th-minute winner from Mikel Oyarzabal to clinch the Euros, but their tournament triumph was no fluke.

Rodri stated, “We have made history, beating four former world champions in the process. We got through the toughest draw, and it speaks for the mentality of the team. This has been cultivated. Many of us were champions at the Under-17, Under-19, and Under-21 levels… De la Fuente knew what he was doing.”

Luis de la Fuente’s historic hat-trick of Euros titles showcases a great group of players and foresight from the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) and his coaching credentials.

Spain’s game remains focused on possession, but they played more direct football in Germany, leveraging the pace and trickery of Nico Williams and Yamal. They also showed resilience, overcoming injuries to top players to beat Germany and England. De la Fuente deserves immense credit for creating such a strong, united team.

Most importantly, De la Fuente deserves praise for his bravery. Unlike teams like France and England, his Spain side was always positive, making it refreshing to see an offensively-minded coach rewarded for taking risks.

Loser: Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe was brutally honest about his Euro 2024 campaign after France’s semi-final loss to Spain: “It was a failure.” Several factors contributed to this.

A broken nose in the opening match against Austria forced him to wear a mask he despised, while Didier Deschamps’ negative tactics further restricted him.

However, Mbappe’s performance in Germany was poor. Scoring opportunities were rare, and he squandered the few that came his way. His leadership also faced scrutiny, with the former France midfielder criticizing Mbappe for allegedly blaming teammates.

While this year’s Euros were less traumatic than the previous edition—after which Mbappe considered quitting international football—it has raised more questions about his character.

Winner: Ralf Rangnick

Austria’s Euros campaign ended in frustration. Ralf Rangnick’s side topped a group with France, the Netherlands, and Poland but lost 2-1 to Turkey in the last 16, eliminated by failing to defend a couple of corners.

“I cannot believe that we’re going home,” Rangnick said after the loss in Leipzig. “We thought that we would continue our journey here.” He also lamented that Mert Gunok channeled the spirit of Gordon Banks to deny Christoph Baumgartner a deserved injury-time equalizer.

Austria’s exit wasn’t just devastating for Rangnick and his players; it was also a setback for the tournament. “I’ve seen other games when it was difficult even to stay awake,” Rangnick admitted, “but that was not the case in our games.”

While France progressed in playing a dreadful brand of football, Austria exited with its heads held high after entertaining with its “courageous” and “energetic” style. It was hard not to feel that Manchester United dismissed Rangnick too soon.

Loser: Italian Football

Another loser in our Euro 2024 winners and losers analysis is Italy. Italy entered the Euros as reigning champions and with recent success for Serie A clubs in continental competitions. However, even before their campaign began, there were fears of a poor title defense, and these fears were realized.

Italy made the last 16 thanks to a 98th-minute equalizer against Croatia, but many fans wished they hadn’t. Being outplayed by Spain in the group stage and then dominated by Switzerland underscored the problems in Italian football. Granit Xhaka claimed the Swiss knew they would win because of the fear in Italy’s eyes, while Italy’s minister of sport called the 2-0 defeat “a moral surrender.”

There were mitigating factors, such as Luciano Spalletti’s limited time to work with the team after Roberto Mancini’s shock resignation and his constant changes in formation and personnel. However, there was also a lack of top-quality players for Spalletti to select from—a concern highlighted by Carlo Ancelotti before the Euros.

Italy’s embarrassing elimination has sparked a national debate about the structure of Italian football. This discussion must lead to solutions to avoid missing out on another World Cup.

Loser: Belgium’s Golden Generation

Belgium, under coach Domenico Tedesco, entered Euro 2024 unbeaten. They left in disarray after a disastrous campaign, with Kevin De Bruyne instructing teammates to turn their backs on fans who booed them for their lack of ambition against Ukraine.

It was a fittingly self-destructive end for Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation,’ who promised much but delivered little, failing to stay united when it mattered most.

De Bruyne was likely correct that Belgium’s best chance for a major trophy was in 2018, but that’s no excuse for a talented squad’s embarrassing exits from the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

The positive is that De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are likely to retire from international duty, giving Belgium a chance to build a new team free from the burdensome ‘Golden Generation’ label.

Winner: Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos has always divided opinion. Even in his final professional appearance in the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain, he upset people with a tackle that took Pedri out of the game and the tournament, yet wasn’t punished.

However, one thing is undeniable: Kroos was one of the best midfielders of his generation. He claimed his performances at Euro 2024 vindicated his decision to reverse his retirement from international football, and it’s hard to argue otherwise.

Kroos was central to everything Germany did well, finishing the tournament as its top scorer with five goals—a fitting end to a fabulous career.

Germany, inspired by his professionalism and dedication, upset France to reach the semi-finals. Despite failing to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy, Germany can be proud of their campaign. Kroos’s contributions were immense, and he departed the international stage with his legacy intact.

Winner: Georgia’s Heroes

While Spain ultimately lifted the trophy, a few teams, such as Georgia, captivated fans. Their Cinderella story saw them advance to the quarter-finals, defeating Italy and Austria before falling to England. Giorgi Chakvetadze, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Zuriko Davitashvili led Georgia’s fearless and fluid attack.

Georgia’s performances were a testament to their tactical discipline and technical quality. Their emergence on the international stage marks a new era for Georgian football, providing hope and inspiration for future generations. The players’ remarkable skill and teamwork earned them admiration and respect from fans and pundits alike.

Loser: Steve Clarke’s Scotland

It’s hard not to feel for the Tartan Army. Their passionate support could not lift Steve Clarke’s side, arguably the worst team at the tournament. Despite their incredible fans, Scotland managed only 17 shots in total, the joint-fewest in group stage history.

Even in their final match against a lackluster Hungary, which they needed to win to reach the knockout stage, Scotland only started attacking with ten minutes to go. For the second time in three games, they failed to attempt a single shot in the first half. To add insult to injury, Clarke’s post-match comments included a feeble and offensive attack on the Argentine referee.

While Germany missed the Tartan Army, the tournament was arguably better off without Scotland’s overly cautious approach. Their exit highlighted the gulf between fan passion and team performance.

Loser: Luka Modric

In the often tribal world of football, few players are universally loved, but Luka Modric is one of them. After Croatia’s heartbreaking elimination by a last-gasp equalizer from Italy in their matchday-three encounter in Leipzig, an Italian journalist chose not to question Modric but to thank him for his contributions to the beautiful game.

Visibly moved, Modric acknowledged that retirement looms, though he remains unsure of the exact timing. Leipzig might have been his final appearance in international football, marking a sad end to an illustrious career. The image of Modric holding the Player of the Match award, looking crestfallen, underscored the emotional weight of his potential departure from the international stage. Fans who admired his artistry on the pitch will feel his absence deeply.

Loser: Ukraine

Ukraine’s elimination was utterly heartbreaking among all Euro 2024 winners and losers. “It’s unprecedented that a team with four points misses out on the knockout stage,” an understandably emotional Oleksandr Tymchyk told UEFA. “We gave our all for our country. But we let them down.”

Nothing could have been further from the truth, of course. Ukraine had done their war-ravaged country proud with their performances against both Belgium and Slovakia. Unfortunately, though, they were punished for one poor performance against Romania on matchday one.

But as manager, Serhiy Rebrov pointed out, “In the last two games, we showed the character of our nation. This is life; you make some mistakes, but it’s important how you react. Of course, everyone is unhappy with the result, but there are no question marks over the players. We have a very young national team, and they are optimistic about the future.”