Euro 2020 power rankings: Belgium and Italy lead the pack

The Euros enter Matchday 2 with some pre-tournament favorites looking to qualify for the knockout stage. Here’s a look at the latest power rankings.

The Euros keep rolling along as the group stage enters Matchday 2 on Wednesday with three games, a day headlined by Italy’s game against Switzerland in Rome.

Italy, one of the pre-tournament favorites, won its first game. So, too, did Belgium, Finland, England, Austria, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Portugal and France.

Belgium have looked the strongest side so far. The Red Devils, powered by a Romelu Lukaku brace, recorded a 3-0 win against Russia in Saint Petersburg this past Saturday. The team’s “golden generation” is looking to win a senior international tournament for the first time in the nation’s history.

“This will be the tournament with the most pressure,” defender Jan Vertonghen, playing his fifth international tournament with Belgium, told The Guardian newspaper. “We are at our peak.”

Here are the latest power rankings.

Here are the updated power rankings at the conclusion of Matchday 1.

10. Denmark (0-1)

It’s true the Danes lost to Finland 1-0, but could the Christen Eriksen health scare motivate the side to win their remaining Group B matches?

9. Netherlands (1-0)

The Dutch won their Group C opener against Ukraine, but boy was it a battle. The Dutch, after jumping out to a 2-0 lead, watched Ukraine tie the game. It took a goal from defender Denzel Dumfries in the 85th minute to grab the 3-2 win. There’s lots of improvement needed if the Dutch want to go deep.

8. Spain (0-1-0)

After having to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak, Spain showed why they should never be underestimated following their scoreless draw versus Sweden. La Roja showed that its tiki-taka possession style remains a hallmark of what they do and it can prove overwhelming for their remaining Group E opponents. Now, they just need to score some goals!

7. Czech Republic (1-0)

The Czech’s blanked Scotland 2-0 in Group B via a Patrik Schick brace. His second goal, a 54-yard strike, is an early candidate for goal of the tournament. Whether the Czech Republic can carry this momentum into their remaining group matches remains to be seen.

6. Austria (1-0)

The Austrians, playing in their first major international tournament since the 1990 World Cup, earned a victory against Group C side North Macedonia 3-1, getting the goals they needed from the bench. Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic helped the Austrians secure the win and showed that some lineup tweaks could be needed going forward.

5. Portugal (1-0)

It took an own goal in the 85th minute and a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, one two minutes later on a penalty kick and a second in stoppage time, for Portugal to get a 3-0 victory over Hungary in Group F. Portugal did not look sharp, but the strong teams always find a way to win and they did just that.

4. England (1-0)

The Three Lions swept past Croatia 1-0 in Group D, a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semifinals. England lost that game, but manager Gareth Southgate’s side has youngsters Mason Mount and Phil Foden this time around joining veteran striker Harry Kane in the quest for the trophy.

3. France (1-0)

The silky passing and the offensive firepower helped France in their scrappy 1-0 win against Germany. Overall, a great start for Les Bleus in Group F. They could have scored more goals, while the French backline showed its class when Germany created some chances early in the second half. A win this Saturday against Hungary would put them through to the knockout round.

2. Italy (1-0)

The Italians opened the tournament with an emphatic 3-0 win against Turkey that sets them up to win Group A. The team coached by Roberto Mancini has shown that it may not feature any superstars, but that a cohesive defense and chemistry can win them games.

1. Belgium (1-0)

FIFA’s No. 1-ranked side has played like it so far, winning their Group B match against Russia. Romelu Lukaku’s brace powered the Red Devils to victory, a wonderful performance that bodes well for them as they try to reach the knockout stage.