The European Championship is off to a bizarre start with own-goals leading the scoring chart. The fifth own-goal of the tournament was scored by Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori in a 1-0 loss to Spain. Other players unfortunate enough to score in their own net include Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger, Austria’s Maximilian Wöber, the Czech Republic’s Robin Hranáč, and Albania’s Klaus Gjasula. These own-goals have occurred in just 18 games so far, with a tournament-record 11 own-goals in the last edition three years ago.
Interestingly, only one player, Germany forward Jamal Musiala, has scored two goals in Euro 2024, while 40 players have scored one goal each. Gjasula stands out as he has scored for and against his country. Another unusual stat is that none of the 47 goals scored so far have been penalties.
As the competition progresses, it will be interesting to see if own-goals continue to dominate the scoring chart or if more traditional goals take center stage. Despite the unusual start, Euro 2024 promises to be an exciting tournament filled with unexpected twists and turns.
In other Euro 2024 news, Germany has advanced to the Round of 16, while Croatia managed a 2-2 draw with Albania, leaving both teams in a tough spot. Portugal also salvaged all 3 points with a stoppage-time goal in their recent match.
As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect more exciting matches and unpredictable outcomes. With talented teams and players competing for the coveted European Championship title, Euro 2024 is shaping up to be a thrilling event for football fans around the world. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the competition heats up.