Group A
Italy’s performance against Turkey turned out to be as impressive as Bocelli’s singing, as they beat Turkey 3-0 on Friday night, thanks to goals from Merih Demiral (O.G), Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne.
The other match in Group A saw Wales draw 1-1 with Switzerland, as the Swiss failed to capitalise on their dominance, having conceded a 74th-minute equaliser to Kieffer Moore, having taken the lead in the 49th minute through Borussia Monchengladbach’s Breel Embolo.
Italy have now gone in at 1/8 to win the group, and the Swiss 8/13 to qualify, whilst Roberto Mancini's men are now the fourth favourites to win the tournament.
Group B
Belgium started the tournament in good fashion In Group B against Russia in Saint Petersburg. Roberto Martinez’s side comfortably beat Russia 3-0 with very little threat to their own goal.
Group B’s other game saw Finland beat Denmark 1-0 in Copenhagen thanks to a Joel Pohjanpalo header on the hour mark, which was the Finns only shot of the match before Pierre-Emile Højbjerg had a penalty saved with 16 minutes to go by Lukáš Hrádecký of Bayer Leverkusen.
Finland are now the favourites to qualify after Belgium at 4/11, whilst Lukaku has been slashed as the Golden Boot frontrunner to 9/4.
Group C
The Dutch came out of the blocks quickly in the second half and scored a quickfire brace through Gini Wijnaldum and Wout Weghorst, but, despite their dominance, Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk pegged them back, before Denzel Dumfries secured all three points.
Austria’s 3-1 victory over North Macedonia was another predictable outcome and this win has meant not much has changed in the predicted outcomes of Group C.
David Alaba and co. are now 1/20 to qualify and the Netherlands are 1/4 to win the group.
Group D
England also impressed on Sunday, beating Croatia 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a Raheem Sterling goal, which was assisted by Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips. Gareth Southgate’s side looked to have learned from the 2018 World Cup semi-final as they limited Croatia’s time on the ball by pressing them, and looked solid defensively towards the end of the match as the Croats pressed for a late equaliser.
Scotland were outdone 2-0 by a clinical Czech Republic side, and they are now in serious danger of heading home, whilst the Czechs have another great chance to advance into the knockout rounds.
The Czech Republic have gone to 1/10 to qualify, England 1/6 to win the group, whilst Scotland are a high 4/1 to qualify.