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  • Writer's pictureGuy Davies

Euro 2020 - Day 13 - 23 June 2021


Group D finished last night with England topping the group, Croatia and Czech Republic qualifying and Scotland going out. Scotland started well at home to Croatia but were ultimately beaten by a better side. Both these sides are just two of many teams in Euro 2020 who lack an out and out goalscorer. Croatia though still have world class players in Kovacic, Perisic and Modric. Modric's goal, a right foot drive from outside the box which the top corner, was sublime. Amid rumours of discontent in the training camp Croatia showed what a good side they can be. They finish the group second just above the Czech Republic on goals scored. England meanwhile performed well enough to beat the Czech's 1 - 0 at Wembley Stadium. England carried much more of a threat and were more pleasing on the eye with Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka. Both were heavily involved in creating the goals games only goal with Sterling scoring in the 12th minute. Saka in particular was impressive throughout the game showing pace, unbelievable touch and willingness to get forward. He was a constant threat beating players and drawing fouls. Surely he'll start in the next game. England are rewarded for finishing top by playing the second placed finisher from the dreaded Group F. It's likely it will France, Portugal or Spain. Southgate's team have done what they needed to so far and should be applauded for that. They are going to have to step it up on Tuesday though whoever their opponent is.


Today we see the last group games being played with the potential of some big sides going out.


Slovakia V Spain - Group E - Kick off at 1700 from Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville. Live on ITV and ITV Hub.

This game should be a tightly fought contest. A point will be enough for Slovakia but Spain need the three points to be sure. If this game is drawn Spain will have to rely on Poland not beating Sweden. The Spanish have played some great football so far but have struggled to take their chances. The Slovaks started the Competition with a great win over Poland but then lost narrowly to Sweden. Slovakia have a physically strong team with a solid back four led by Inter's Milan Škriniar. They didn't show enough attacking intent against Sweden though and paid for it.

Slovakia Captain Marek Hamšík (pictured) has shown glimpses of his quality. The attacking midfielder will need to play well if his team are going to win here. Spain could find Slovakia hard to break down. The Spaniards have played so well in the tournament so far but are really lacking a goal scorer. It would be a shame to see such a talented, attacking young side go out at this stage of the tournament but they may find it difficult to score again.


Frenchfooty prediction: Slovakia 1 V Spain 1.


Sweden V Poland - Group E - Kick off at 1700 from Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg. Live on ITV 4 and ITV Hub.

Sweden have managed their games so well. They sat back against a superior attacking Spain team to earn a point. Then they beat Slovakia 1 - 0 with a good second half attacking performance. With four points Janne Andersson's team are now certain of qualification from the group, even if they slip to third place. The Swedes were much more attacking in their last game and managed to get young, star striker Alexander Isak on the ball more. Isak showed his quality making a series of dribbling runs that caused the Slovaks problems. It was Isak who won the penalty, converted by Forsberg in the 77th minute, that won the game for Sweden. Poland's star striker Robert Lewandowski finally got off the mark in a 1 - 1 draw with Spain. With just a point from two games the Poles must win here to have a chance of qualifying. It will be interesting to see if Sweden drop players and perhaps play for a draw. Poland have to go for it. Both teams have the goalscorers but it's whether their teams create the chances for them.

Frenchfooty prediction: Sweden 1 V Poland 1.


Germany V Hungary - Group F - Kick off at 2000 from the Allianz Arena, Munich. Live on BBC Two and BBC Iplayer.

Group F has clearly been the toughest group with three teams capable of winning the tournament. Hungary looked like being the whipping boys but showed plenty of fight in front of their own fans to earn a draw against France in their last game. If they were to win here they'd have a good chance of qualifying. It's a shame for the Hungarians that this match is played in Germany and not Budapest where there home fans gave them so much encouragement. Germany though are on the back of a magnificent win over Tournament contenders Portugal. In what was possibly the game of the tournament so far they beat the Portuguese 4 - 2. A draw here should be enough to see Germany through but there are so many possibilities here. The bottom line is if Germany lose and Portugal don't then the Germans are out. More concerning for German Coach Joachim Löw is that he could be without three of his starting eleven. Muller (knee), Gündoğan (calf) and Hummels (muscular injury) are all doubts. Hungary will play with intensity so Low may be reluctant to play anyone carrying knocks. This is a massive game in the tournaments most compelling group.

Frenchfooty prediction: Germany 2 V Hungary 0.


Portugal V France - Group F - Kick off at 2000 from Ferenc Puskás Stadium, Budapest. Live on BBC One and BBC Iplayer.

The holders against the favourites. Both sides have great squads full of attacking talent but both had disappointing results in their last games. Portugal thumped by a resurgent German side and France held in Budapest 1 - 1. The Portuguese will be hurting after their defeat and have to go for the win to be sure of qualifying. France are guaranteed to qualify at least as the third placed team. It's unlikely France going for anything other than the win. They will however be able to sit back and hit Portugal on the counter which suits them with players like Mbappe, Griezmann and Benzema. In France's last game right back Benjamin Pavard started despite being concussed in the previous game. He didn't play particularly well against Hungary and it's rumoured Seville's Jules Koundé could start instead. Koundé is a more natural centre back though so I would rather see Lyon's Léo Dubois (pictured below) given a start. Dubois loves to get forward and is a great crosser of the ball. When Olivier Giroud came off the bench against Hungary he may have had more chances had Dubois been playing. With Portugal's quality forwards, Ronaldo, Silva, Fernandes and Jota, there's surely got to be goals in this game. With Germany V Hungary being played simultaneously to this game the outcome should be enthralling. It's going to be an interesting evening with the possibility of a big side going out.

Frenchfooty prediction: Portugal 2 V France 2



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