Frank Christian
England is struggling to find success at Euro 2024 despite fielding a talented lineup including Bellingham, Foden, Saka, and Kane, who collectively had a remarkable season in 2023-24. Despite the favorable draw in the group stage and the absence of strong footballing nations on their side of the bracket, England has only managed to score four goals in regulation time in their first four matches.
However, history shows that poor performance early in major tournaments doesn’t necessarily rule out a team’s chances of winning the championship.
Statistics of Champions in Major Tournaments
In the biggest tournaments, it is uncommon for teams to dominate from start to finish. Out of the 12 champions at the Euros and World Cup in this century, only three won all their group games without needing extra time or penalties to advance. Champions faced struggles in various aspects on their journey to lifting the trophy:
- Only 25% of champions won all group games.
- Goal differentials were modest in group play.
- Few champions scored 3 or more goals in a group game.
- Some champions lost their group opener or drew in the first match.
Can England Succeed Despite Poor Performance?
England’s lackluster performance, indicated by low expected goals (xG) numbers and a struggle to create scoring opportunities, raises concerns. However, as teams and tactics evolve during tournaments, there is still hope for improvement. Southgate has made lineup adjustments but is yet to find the ideal team chemistry.
England’s journey in Euro 2024 may not be smooth, but as long as they remain in the competition, there is a chance for them to turn around their performance and pursue the championship.
