Published: June 22, 2021 4:33 pm
Last Updated: June 22, 2021 7:37 pm
England are already through to the round of 16 stage of Euro2020 ahead of facing the Czech Republic this evening, courtesy of Denmark’s win over Russia last night.
For Scotland, a win against Croatia (a game which will be played concurrently with England’s) would see them qualify, after they battled to a scoreless draw at Wembley four days ago.
A fired-up Scotland side battled to a deserved 0-0 draw in a renewal of their rivalry with England at a rain-soaked Wembley #EURO2020
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 18, 2021
Were the pair of home nations to qualify, who would they face?
If England win their group
The only way that the Three Lions top group D is if they can overcome a tricky Czech Republic side, with whom they sit level with on points. The Czech’s have a superior goal difference to Gareth Southgate’s side, which would stay the same were a draw to occur.
The winner of group D enjoys the privilege of playing the runners up from group F, which has come to be known as the “Group of Death”.
All to play for on the final day in Group F #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/SdnAejfqMa
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 19, 2021
This is because it contains the winners of the last three major tournaments in France (World Cup 2018), Portugal (Euro 2016) and Germany (World Cup 2014). Hungary, written off before the tournament, have also made a good account of themselves, holding the French to a draw and leaving group F wide open.
UEFA turned down a request from Munich’s mayor for the city’s stadium to be lit up in rainbow colors for the Euro 2020 match between Germany and Hungary.
German clubs responded.
(via @s04_en, @VfL_Wolfsburg, @HerthaBSC_EN, @fckoeln_en) pic.twitter.com/gt6sbGZCXW
— ESPN (@espn) June 22, 2021
At present, therefore, Germany occupy second place in the group. However, they face Hungary in the final game at home and will be expecting a win, which could take them into top spot. France and Portugal also face off, with Ronaldo and co. knowing that a point will be good enough to see them into the knockout rounds, but a defeat may see them exit prematurely.
If England or Scotland come second
If England were to finish second in their group, they would play the runners-up from Group E, which is currently Slovakia.
Group E Table #EURO2020 Game 2 🇸🇪🇸🇰🇪🇸🇵🇱#SilverEuro2020 | #BetwayGhana | @betway_gh pic.twitter.com/QvqfAlXni7
— #SilverEuro2020 (@SilverfmGH) June 20, 2021
However, that could change, with Slovakia taking on Spain on Wednesday. All four sides in Group E can still qualify in third place, meaning that England cannot be sure that finishing second would result in a good outcome.
Who does third-place play?
Scotland will be looking to secure qualification through a third-placed finish this evening, which a win will achieve. England can also finish in third place in the group if they lose to the Czech Republic and Scotland beat Croatia, with a 3 goal swing occurring in the process (i.e. England lose 2-0 and Scotland beat Croatia 2-1).
There is no clear pathway for third-placed teams, as it all depends on how well they do relative to the other third placed sides. However, Scotland could well face the Netherlands, Belgium or whoever tops group E, currently Sweden.
Scotland will take heart from their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands that they can find success against the Oranje if fate pairs the two.
Belgium may be a tougher ask for Steve Clarke’s (or Gareth Southgate’s) men, with Scotland having lost both qualifiers to the Red Devils by an aggregate of 7-0, and England having lost twice to Roberto Martinez’s side in the 2018 World Cup.
Read more:
Denmark’s win send 6 nations through to Euro 2020 knockout rounds & why it’s good news for Scotland
What Gareth Southgate has said about Jadon Sancho ahead of England vs Czech Republic
This article was edited by
Josh Barker.
