Euro 2024 has already smashed record that stood for 56 years after just 11 games
Euro 2024 has already smashed a competition record that has stood for 56 years after just 11 games of the tournament.
The Euros got underway last Friday, with Germany beating Scotland 5-1 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
And some games of the tournament haven't exactly been blessed with goals since then, Turkey's 3-1 win over Georgia earlier on Tuesday has been viewed by many as the game of the tournament so far.
Turkey's opening two goals were of the highest quality, with Mert Muldur slicing the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.
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Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler then curled an effort into the top corner from outside the area to restore his side's lead, before Galatasaray midfielder Kerem Akturkoglu sealed the deal in stoppage time when Georgia pushed forward for an equaliser.
Guler's goal is already being shortlisted as a possible goal of the Euros contender - and it helped the tournament break an astonishing 56-year record.
As per The Overlap, Euro 2024 has seen more goals from outside the area, as a percentage of goals scored, than any other European Championship dating back to Euro 1968 - at any point in the competition.
In total, 32 per cent, or 10, of the 31 goals scored prior to Portugal vs Czechia have been scored from over 18 yards out.
But regardless of the results of any other matches, that record will still stand.
And that percentage jumped even higher to 34 per cent after Lukas Provod curled in Czechia's opening goal from 20 yards against Portugal.
To put that figure into context - albeit a much larger sample size - the Premier League saw over 11 per cent of its goals scored from outside the area during the most recent season.
Wolves were the only team in the division not to score a single goal from over 18 yards, according to official Premier League statistics.
The final fixture of the first matchday in Euro 2024 takes place on Tuesday evening, with Portugal taking on Czech Republic in Leipzig.
Then it's back to Groups A and B on Wednesday, with the group stage scheduled to be completed on June 26 with Georgia versus Portugal and Czechia versus Turkey.
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Ryan Smart