The group stage of Euro 2024 offered exciting soccer and colorful celebrations among fans criss-crossing Germany to support their national teams. AP photographers captured the drama on and off the field of play.

Some fans thought Kylian Mbappé looked like a superhero when he played with a mask after breaking his nose in France's first game. But his superpowers only went so far: even though he scored in the final group-stage match, the French team could only achieve a draw against already eliminated Poland and finished second in their group.

From smart-enabled match balls and artificial intelligence to cryogenic recovery chambers, football is being transformed by the cutting-edge technology available to players, coaches and officials.

That much has been evident at Euro 2024, where advancements in areas such as equipment and sports science have been deployed on and off the field, designed to improve the game, the fan experience and player welfare.

A pre-game chat with Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georgia to one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history on Wednesday, beating Portugal 2-0 and advancing to the last 16.

Georgia's No. 7 has admired Ronaldo for years and had spoken before the game of how much he wanted his hero's shirt. He got it, along with a goal and a slice of soccer history, on a frustrating night for Ronaldo and Portugal.

The group stage of Euro 2024 is over, with 16 of the 24 teams advancing to the knockout phase. Here's a look at the games in the round of 16:

June 29

Belgium got the best out of a 0-0 draw at the European Championship on Wednesday, advancing to the last 16 while Ukraine became the first team with four points in a group to be eliminated.

The downside for the Belgians at Euro 2024 is they will next face France and Kylian Mbappe on Monday in Duesseldorf.

Kylian Mbappé, wearing a mask to protect his broken nose, marked his return at the European Championship with a goal against Poland.

It wasn't enough for a victory on Tuesday, though, and it's not enough to solve France's growing problems at Euro 2024.

Top of the group, unbeaten and on the favorable side of the draw for the knockout phase of Euro 2024. It's a case of job done for England at this stage of the tournament.

Try telling that to the fans who jeered loudly and threw beer cups as the final whistle blew on a 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on Tuesday.

Brazil was held to a 0-0 draw by Costa Rica on Monday night, with the international powerhouse inauspiciously failing to break through in its Copa America opener.

Although Brazil controlled play and outshot Costa Rica 18-2, the Seleção was held scoreless by a defense led by goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira, who made three saves while recording the team's fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Portugal is already qualified for the European Championship knockout stages and can sign off from Group F in style with a third win when it plays newcomer Georgia on Wednesday. A draw might give Georgia a chance at qualifying, depending on results elsewhere, but it's likely to need a shock win. The kickoff in Gelsenkirchen — at the same time as group rivals the Czech Republic and Turkey meet in Hamburg — is 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). Here's what to know about the match:

Match facts

Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernández is ending his career with the club less than a month after lifting the Champions League trophy in London.

Madrid announced Nacho's decision on Tuesday, about three weeks after the club defeated Borussia Dortmund at Wembley for the club's record-extending 14th European Cup triumph. It was the sixth time Nacho won the Champions League with Madrid, and first as captain.