Football News: Euro 2024, Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and More
The 2024 UEFA European Championship has seen a remarkable surge in own goals, with nine recorded so far in the tournament. This startling statistic has overshadowed the on-field performances, as teams navigate the knockout stages of the highly anticipated competition.
In a crucial quarter-final match, Belgium’s defender Jan Vertonghen’s deflection of Randal Kolo Muani’s shot past his own goalkeeper gave France a 1-0 victory and a place in the next round. Vertonghen became the ninth player to score an own goal at Euro 2024, with an astonishing 66% of France’s goals coming from their opponents’ mistakes.
“The own goal tally is already higher than the previous two World Cups combined, raising questions about the factors behind this increase.”
Some theories suggest the change in Uefa’s guidelines on the attribution of deflected goals, the rise of inverted wingers, and the prevalence of low defensive blocks may all be contributing to this trend.
Meanwhile, the race for the Golden Boot is heating up, with Cody Gakpo, Georges Mikautadze, Jamal Musiala, and Ivan Schranz all tied as the joint-top scorers with three goals each. The hosts, Germany, have netted the most goals in the tournament so far with 10.
In other football news, the UEFA Champions League draw for the 2024-25 season has been announced, with the world’s top clubs set to battle it out for European supremacy. The FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada is also on the horizon, as teams prepare to compete on the global stage.
The Women’s World Cup, scheduled for the summer of 2025, has captured the attention of fans worldwide, with teams jostling for a spot in the prestigious tournament. Meanwhile, the Africa Cup of Nations standings continue to captivate audiences, as teams vie for the continental crown.
On the domestic front, the Premier League, EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, EFL Two, and FA Cup competitions are in full swing, with clubs and supporters eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these thrilling tournaments.
As the football season progresses, fans can expect more drama, unexpected results, and the continued rise of own goals, which have become a surprising talking point in the beautiful game.
🔗 Source