Euro 2024 has witnessed its fair share of missed opportunities, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, and Kai Havertz emerging as the three most notable culprits in terms of goal-scoring inefficiency. Using expected goals (xG) metrics provided by OPTA, these statistics reveal just how inefficient these renowned strikers have been.

Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward, leads the pack by a significant margin, failing to convert multiple clear-cut chances throughout the tournament. Despite his prolific shooting, including a high number of shots from within the penalty area, Ronaldo has notably faltered, missing even a crucial penalty against Slovenia in recent gameplay.

Havertz, representing Germany, follows closely behind Ronaldo in the xG blunder list, although he managed to score two goals, unlike Ronaldo, who remains goalless into the quarter-finals. Lukaku, on the other hand, though not as prolific in shot attempts as Ronaldo or Havertz, also failed to capitalize effectively, contributing to Belgium’s premature exit from the competition during the round of 16.

The top ten list of underperforming strikers includes names like Lamine Yamal, Antoine Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappe, each showcasing subpar conversion rates despite their initial promise. Interestingly, Aleksandar Mitrovic of Serbia stands out for his high shot volume but minimal impact in actual scoring, echoing the disappointment seen across several nations in the tournament.

Critics argue that these statistics do not necessarily reflect overall playing quality, as players like Ronaldo and Havertz continue to demonstrate technical prowess and strategic value on the field. Nevertheless, their inability to convert opportunities into goals remains a focal point of critique amid their respective teams’ tournament performances.

As Euro 2024 progresses, the spotlight remains on these star strikers, challenging them to overcome their “wooden” form and seize critical opportunities to advance their teams in the competition.