STRIKERS are the players who grab the glory at major tournaments and we've seen a few big guns lay down a marker in the first round of group games.
The second fixture in each section will hold the key to qualification so managers will be looking for their top hitmen to find a killer touch. Here's a look at the best Euro 2024 strikers and betting trends.
Best Euro 2024 strikers
Kylian Mbappe (France) – 80 Caps 47 International goals
The French magician was top scorer at the World Cup with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final. But he missed two good chances to get off the mark in the Euro 2024 opener with Austria, ruining one of Monday's Super Singles, and had to go off after suffering a suspected broken nose.
Kylian Mbappe international goals – trends to watch
The star man operated off the left flank against Austria and could offer some value for a goal scored outside the box if he's fit enough to face the Dutch in game two. Although he netted eight times at the World Cup, only one of those goals was the opener and all of his strikes came in the second half.
Harry Kane (England) – 92 Caps 63 International goals
Another who knows how to deliver on the big stage, having won the Golden Boot with six goals at the 2018 World Cup. Was quiet in England's opener against Serbia as he was starved of service but still managed to hit the woodwork in that 1-0 win.
Harry Kane international goals – trends to watch
Kane's chance against the Serbs saw him rise highest to power in a header only for the keeper to push it onto the bar. England's goal that night also came when Jude Bellingham nodded home so it could pay to back Kane to score with a header on matchday two against Denmark at 8/1. A whopping 21 goals of his England goals have come from the spot and backing the Three Lions to score a penalty pays 5/1.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – 116 Caps 85 International goals
As the spearhead for Belgium's golden generation, Lukaku has an incredible record at international level and was top scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying with 14 strikes. He had the ball in the net twice against Slovakia in the Euro 2024 only for VAR to rob him of both goals. That 1-0 defeat means the Belgians need to go all out for a win on matchday two against Romania.
Romelu Lukaku international goals – trends to watch
No striker at Euro 2024 is more physically imposing than Lukaku and his height and power make him a good option for headed goals. The striker netted back-to-back doubles at the 2018 World Cup so he's another who could be worth backing for more than one goal in a game.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 206 Caps 128 International goals
Only one European player has scored more goals than Lukaku at international level and that's evergreen Portuguese star Ronaldo. At 39, he's past his best and isn't playing at a high club level in Saudi Arabia. But the superstar still scored 10 goals in Euro qualifying for Portugal and will fancy his chances against the Czech Republic tomorrow in his opener. Goes up against Turkey on matchday two.
Cristiano Ronaldo international goals – trends to watch
Ronaldo's prowess in the air is often under-appreciated and he has scored well over a century of headers throughout his career. He's another player who often scores more than once in games, with 10 hat-tricks at international level and a couple of four-goal hauls too.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – 23 Caps 9 International goals
The Netherlands are potential dark horses and Liverpool forward Gakpo impressed in their Group D opener against Poland. He scored the Dutch equaliser and was a constant threat cutting in from the left flank.
Cody Gakpo international goals – trends to watch
If you backed Gakpo for first scorer at the last World Cup you were quids in as he opened the scoring in all three of the Netherland's group games. He didn't net the opener against Poland but still scored the first Dutch goal. Backing him to net the first Netherlands goal against France on matchday two pays could pay off again. He also has plenty of pops from outside the area so that's another good option for punters going forward.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
