HomeUEFA EuroGROUP OF DEATH: THE CONCLUSION

GROUP OF DEATH: THE CONCLUSION

Utkarsh Gathani
By Utkarsh Gathani

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Group F of Euro 2020 has lived up to the title of Group of Death, given to it when the draws first came in 2019. The games have been full of drama and excitement and nothing is certain after two rounds of group matches as things go down to the wire.

Eleven teams have confirmed their place in the next round and only three teams have been eliminated. The remaining 10 teams are in contention for five leftover spots in the Round of 16, and three of them are in the same group, Group F.

 

 

Group F has displayed some of the most entertaining matches of the competition so far and there are still two eye-catching fixtures remaining that will decide the final table rankings and ascertain who joins France in the next round.

There is still one, and possibly two spots up for grabs as defending champions Portugal take on Didier Deschamps’ World Champions and Germany face the Magyars on Wednesday, June 23. The third-place qualification rule has kept all three of Portugal, Germany and Hungary hopeful of moving ahead in the tournament.

As the suspense peaks, with teams preparing to give all they have to get the best possible result in their favour, we, at FootTheBall, will analyse all the probabilities and possibilities of Group F.

FRANCE (4 POINTS)

The 2018 World Cup Winners France have continued to be a force to reckon with and have already qualified for the Round of 16, staying unbeaten in two games.

After a rigid performance against Germany gave them a 1-0 win courtesy of a Mats Hummels own goal, France was shocked by a determined Hungary who took the lead right before half-time. Antoine Griezmann did equalise in the second half but France failed to find a winner. They are the only confirmed side from Group F to have reached the Round of 16, but the top spot is still at stake as they face Portugal in the final group fixture.

A win against Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal will seal the top spot for them and they will face one of the third-placed teams from Group A, B or C i.e Switzerland, Finland or Ukraine.

In the worst case, France will finish third if they lose to Portugal and Germany defeat Hungary. In these circumstances, they will face one of Belgium or the Netherlands in the Round of 16.

GERMANY (3 POINTS)

Germany was going through a transition phase with most of their 2014 World Cup-winning squad members needing to be replaced. However, Joachim Loew has brought them back to life in his last tournament and they look likely to get through.

After an unlucky own goal cost them the game against France, two lucky ones helped them bounce back against Portugal and helped them seal the win 4-2. The Germans ran riot against Portugal and kept troubling Rui Patricio for the whole game.

Currently second in the group, Germany can confirm their place in the knockouts by avoiding defeat against the Magyars in their Wednesday night fixture. A draw for them and anything but a win for Portugal will send them further as the runner-ups of Group F, which means they will face the winner of Group D, which is yet to be determined.

If Die Mannschaft win their game and France don’t, they will become the group winners and face one of Switzerland, Finland or Ukraine. A loss to the Adam Szalai led team will mean another embarrassing group-stage exit for the Germans after the 2018 World Cup.

PORTUGAL (3 POINTS)

The defending champions at Euro 2020 were off to a flying start to their campaign, but their wings were cut off in the second game and they’re now stuck in a difficult do-or-die fixture against the World Champions which can see them getting knocked out.

A whopping 3-0 victory against a determined Hungary put them at top of the Group F standings, but Germany cut short their reign and further pushed them down to the third spot after an inspiring 4-2 win.

Their hopes of qualification rest on the result of their final group game in a repeat of last edition’s final. The Fernando Santos coached side won’t give up easily but France will be a tough nut to crack even with the talent at Portugal’s disposal.

Although a draw would be sufficient for a place in the next round, it will keep them limited to the second or third place, and put them in a comparatively difficult tie. If Portugal wins and Germany don’t, the Portuguese can finish as table toppers and face one of the third-placed teams from Group A, B or C.

A loss in Budapest will result in a group stage exit for Portugal and end their dreams of defending the European title.

HUNGARY (1 POINT)

Hungary was certainly one of the most unlucky teams coming into Euro 2020 not only for getting drawn with three European heavyweights, but they also lost their qualification hero Dominik Szoboszlai due to injury. It looked almost impossible for them to stand a chance for a knockout qualification, but they can still defy the odds.

A disciplined defence against Portugal for the majority of the game turned futile when the Selecao scored three in quick succession in the dying minutes. But Hungary held its nerves against France and took a first-half lead against the World Champions and scraped out a draw after Griezmann’s equaliser. This makes their final group game at the Allianz Arena a must-win.

A win against Germany will directly send them through to the Round of 16 irrespective of the other results and should be their only aim coming into the game. Although their table standing will depend on France’s result.

If France and Hungary both win their games, Hungary will finish third and face one of Belgium or the Netherlands in the next round. If France loses and the Magyars win, second place will be decided on goal difference.

Utkarsh Gathani
Utkarsh Gathani

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