With one month until UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off, here are five must-watch matches in the Group Stage.
Given that nothing is guaranteed at a major tournament, all six groups promise plenty of surprises and drama with some looking more exciting than others on paper.
So here is a look at five group matches of Euro 2024 that will certainly be must watch as teams like England Scotland, France and hosts – Germany look to avoid early exits.
Germany vs Scotland (8pm, 14 June)
As the tournament opener, Scotland will have little to fear against hosts – Germany ahead of two must-win group matches against Switzerland and Hungary so this will feel like a free hit for them and a win or draw could give them some early momentum in a tough group.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany though haven’t exactly shone brightly at their last three major tournaments – during which they exited twice in the World Cup Group Stage and scraped through at Euro 2020, only to lose in Round of 16 to eventual runners-up England.
Their form however has only just started to improve with consecutive wins in March’s international window, but they have just one clean sheet in 12 games which shows that they could well be vulnerable to an opening night upset.
Scotland however do have grit and team spirit which really showed in a successful qualifying campaign in which they beat Spain and Norway, plus failed to score in just one match underlining that Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army won’t be simple rollovers.
England vs Denmark (5pm, 20 June)
England’s second group match in Group C sees them face Denmark in a pivotal clash between two teams considered favourites to top their group, with this clash also marking a rematch of their semi-final classic at Euro 2020.
For England, this game could well be the defining game which determines whether they top the group and face an easier Round of 16 tie or finish runner-up and face a potential clash against tournament hosts – Germany in the first knockout stage.
Denmark meanwhile will have plenty of names familiar to England like Christian Nørgaard, Mathias Jensen and Rasmus Højlund, who will be capable of causing issues for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions as the Danes look to bounce back from a disastrous 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Spain vs Italy (8pm, 20 June)
With a tricky opening game against Croatia in Group B, Spain could well find themselves heading into their second group match needing a win to have any chance of topping the group but reigning champions – Italy won’t be easy opposition in what could be a must-win match.
Spain though didn’t start Euro 2020 well with two opening draws yet reached the semi-finals but if they lose to Croatia then suffer defeat to Italy, they will be in a world of pain going into a must-win final group clash against Albania just to try and sneak through as a best third-placed team.
Italy meanwhile should have momentum coming into this game if they beat Albania in their opening game but if not, they could well be in a similar position to Spain which would make this game a defining early group encounter between two title favourites.
Netherlands vs France (8pm, 21 June)
Having been drawn into a difficult Group D with Poland and Austria, Netherlands and France know as Group D favourites that their meeting in their second group match could be pivotal in terms of their qualification prospects.
Victory for either team could put them on the cusp of securing a top-two finish in Group D but a draw or defeat – especially if fail to win their opening group matches – could leave one or both teams facing a tough final group match in their bid to reach the knockout stages.
This clash also will have the additional allure of pitting of two Europe’s historically best teams against each other, with players like Frenkie De Jong and European superstar – Kylian Mbappe against each other in a tasty match-up.
Scotland vs Hungary (8pm, 23 June)
Depending upon how Scotland’s opening two group matches against Germany and Switzerland unfold, Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army could come into their final group match against Switzerland needing a win to try and progress via the best third-placed finishers path.
Hungary likewise could find themselves in the same scenario which throws up the huge possibility of this game being a mouth-watering contest, especially if both teams need a win just to stand any chance of avoiding an early exit.
This clash also is the first competitive meeting between both teams which hopefully will add an extra edge to a intriguing looking tie on paper.
Leave a Reply