When the teams were drawn for Euro 2024, not many predicted that Austria would top Group D ahead of France and the Netherlands.
After a special and impressive final day for a hard-fought team, Ralf Rangnick’s side lived up to their dark horse tag with victories over the Dutch and Poland. Although France and the Netherlands reached the knockout stage, they had to settle for second and third place respectively, struggling to get out of second gear.
While not every match in Group D is a belter, there were plenty of magical moments from some of the top stars. Well, except for Poland, who were pretty much as expected.
Here are the six most prominent players in Group D.
Austria were the surprise team in Group D. Their intensity and power proved difficult for their opposition, and Rangnick’s high-octane approach certainly made them the most exciting side to watch at Euro 2024 so far. One of the reasons for their special showing was Nicolas Seiwald.
The RB Leipzig man anchored Austria in midfield and didn’t put a foot wrong over three impressive displays. He put a ton in the engine room and shut down all the grass bowls, but he also managed to create six chances in Group D – the most for his teammates.
Having played every minute of every game, he proved to be a vital part of the dynamic midfielder, partnering Florian Grillitsch effectively in midfield in a 4-2-3-1.
Cody Gakpo has taken his late-season form with Liverpool to Euro 2024. He managed two goals and an assist in his last three Premier League games for the Reds and continued his fine goalscoring form in Group D, netting against Poland and Austria. .
With two identical strikes after breaking down the left flank, Gakpo showed new Liverpool coach Arne Slot that his best position is on the wing. He was brave in possession, always taking on a defender, and leading the way with chances (eight) and hundreds created (two) for Oranje.
He earned the man of the match award for his impressive performance against Poland and was the biggest threat in the Netherlands.
With France having struggled at Euro 2024 so far and scoring just two goals – an own goal and a penalty – their defense has been largely stagnant. William Saliba has impressed, as has Jules Kounde at right back, but Mike Maignan has been surprisingly busy in Group D.
The Milan stopper made solid saves in clean sheets against Austria and the Netherlands, and was a good presence in the penalty area. He has scored three times in each game so far, saving 90% of France’s shots on target.
Maignan also saved a penalty against Poland, although the goalkeeper was slightly off his line when Robert Lewandowski was replaced. Unfortunately for France, he couldn’t deny the Barcelona striker during the restart.
After suffering heartbreak in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2023/24 season, Marcel Sabitzer has bounced back. For the perennial Austrian side, his strength alongside Bundesliga stars Seiwald and Konrad Laimer in central positions has been key.
Asked to play in a more advanced position by Rangnick, who often drifted into wide areas, Sabitzer became a box-to-box threat. He averaged more shots than any of his team-mates, scoring with a stunning back-to-back strike against the Netherlands that won Austria’s Group D.
Having spent a lot of time with Dortmund, Sabitzer has played well in Germany.
N’Golo Kante’s inclusion in France’s Euro 2024 squad has raised a few eyebrows. Now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League, the former Leicester and Chelsea player is 33 years old and is no longer testing against Europe’s elite. Is this Frenchman still performing at the highest level?
However, Kante gave a clear answer to any doubters. Man of the Match in the 1-0 win over Austria in a classic Kante display, the Al Ittihad man collected the honor in France’s second game of the tournament against the Netherlands as well. It was another relentless display from the tireless midfielder.
Bar Kylian Mbappe, Kante may now be the first name on Didier Deschamps’ team page.
As France and the Netherlands failed to convince in Group D, Austria produced some outstanding performances. One of the brightest among Rangnick’s team was Christoph Baumgartner.
One of the Austrian boys in the Bundesliga, Baumgartner was very successful when his team beat Poland 3-1. The RB Leipzig midfielder scored a fine effort to end the scoring in that competition, while adding an assist to Sabitzer’s winner against the Dutch with a fine pass beyond the back line.
Playing just behind the centre-forward, his pace and maneuverability caused all sorts of problems for opposition defenders.
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