Biggest shocks of Euro 2024

It's very rare that you make it through a major tournament without enjoying a jaw-drop or two.

Debates will rage in the aftermath surrounding the quality of Euro 2024 and where it ranks on the all-time scale, but there's no room for discussion over this tournament's ability to stun and surprise.

The 24-team format, in truth, doesn't make much sense, but it does at least hand more 'lesser' nations the chance to perform on the grandest stage. And as a result of more sophisticated hierarchies, shrewd coaching, and deeper talent pools compared to years prior, several unfancied nations were able to make a splash at Euro 2024.

Here are six of the tournament's biggest shocks.

1. Albania's record-breaking opening goal

Expectations weren't exactly sky-high for the holders heading into the tournament, with the general consensus being that Luciano Spalletti was yet to build a rather underwhelming squad in his image.

However, Italy were set to saunter on Matchday 1 against Albania, who were poised to bring up the rear in a group consisting of three of FIFA's top ten ranked nations.

That projection would prove to be true, but Albania certainly left their mark at Euro 2024.

After just 23 seconds, Nedim Bajrami pounced on a loose Federico Dimarco throw and thundered his effort beyond Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bajrami's lightning-quick strike not only stunned the Italians and sent Albania into a state of delirium, but it was also the fastest goal in the competition's history.

2. Romania thrash Ukraine

The world needs a two o'clock kick-off every day. The games you perhaps didn't expect to dazzle, barring a few exceptions, most certainly did in Germany this summer.

Romania entered the tournament having failed to score in their two warm-up games, one of which came against Liechtenstein, and a tournament opener against Ukraine certainly didn't appear the easiest of tasks on paper given the talent Serhiy Rebrov had at his disposal.

Ukraine were big favourites, but a combination of Romanian grit and slickness in transition combined with Andriy Lunin's horror outing ensured Rebrov's side were well beaten.

Lunin had a hand in his first two concessions, although Nicolae Stanciu's opener was a pearler, and after Ukraine had huffed and puffed against a staunch Romania rearguard, Denis Dragus made sure of a convincing victory on the hour.

3. Slovakia's upset of Belgium

The dust had barely settled from Romania's thumping victory over Ukraine by the time Slovakia kicked off against Belgium.

The start of this Group E encounter was frenetic and it appeared as if Slovakia's rather courageous pressing would leave them exposed against a more than competent Belgian outfit.

After riding their luck early on, Francesco Calzona's side took the lead through Ivan Schranz and would begin to frustrate their superior opponents thanks to the midfield's ability to retain possession under pressure. Stanislav Lobotka started his superb tournament with an immense display here, but veterans Juraj Kucka and Ondrej Duda were equally impressive.

They rode their luck in the second half to ensure they secured all three points, and for just a little while, this was the biggest upset in Euros history based on FIFA rankings differential.

4. Austria top Group D

Heading into the tournament with plenty of momentum having seen Ralf Rangnick galvanise not only the Austrian squad, but the population at home, the Central Europeans were the dark-horse pick of many.

However, while there was an expectation for Rangnick's Austria to impress in Germany, very few projected them to top a mightily tough Group D, especially after France beat them on Matchday 1.

Nevertheless, that 1-0 loss laid out Austria's credentials and the confidence gained from going toe-to-toe with the pre-tournament favourites meant Poland were brushed aside with ease before the Netherlands were overwhelmed in a topsy-turvy affair won by Marcel Sabitzer.

France's 1-1 draw with Poland on Matchday 3 saw Austria win Group D off the back of two excellent performances, but their tournament would come to a premature end at the hands of Turkey in the round of 16.

5. Georgia's brilliance vs Portugal

It didn't take long for Georgia to win hearts and minds at Euro 2024. Their tournament opener against Turkey was an instant classic, and Willy Sagnol's side more than played their part in a 3-1 defeat.

A 1-1 draw with Czechia left the Georgians with an outside shot of qualifying for the last 16 on Matchday 3, but Sagnol's men were tasked with overcoming Portugal to do so.

Fortunately, the talismanic Khvicha Kvaratskhelia burst into life early doors and handed Georgia the lead with an excellent finish on the counter. They benefitted from playing with the lead against a rotated Portugal outfit, eventually netting a second from the spot via the impressive Georges Mikautadze, who's earned a move to AS Monaco off the back of his tournament endeavours.

Portugal came on strong during the game's final act, but the stern fists of Giorgi Mamardashvili ensured Georgia picked up the biggest scalp in their footballing history. The 2-0 win also meant they smashed Slovakia's record of securing the biggest upset in Euros history based on FIFA rankings differential.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty miss

The majority of upsets arrived in the group stage, although England did come ever so close to succumbing to Slovakia in the last 16. Turkey overcame the odds to down Austria, too.

Slovenia, who bored England into a 0-0 draw to advance into the knockouts, also proved sticky opposition for Portugal, forcing them to penalties after a stalemate.

However, the favoured Iberians were handed a golden opportunity to win the contest in extra-time when Diogo Jota was adjudged to have been fouled in the Slovenia box.

Cristiano Ronaldo had been waiting all tournament for an opportunity like this amid a desperately poor campaign, but his effort from 12 yards was superbly saved by Jan Oblak. The sequence served as a poignant microcosm of the superstar's demise, and Ronaldo could only shed a tear during the half-time interval. A weeping ego.

Ronaldo has missed important penalties, but we'd gotten so used to seeing him topless in celebration having emphatically powered home a crucial spot kick that seeing him denied by Oblak was nothing short of shocking. Still, he steading himself for the subsequent shootout, stepping up first and firing his effort home as Portugal eventually advanced.

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