What's new

Euro 2020 qualifiers

England must wait to confirm their place in Euro 2020 after the Czech Republic deservedly ended their 43-game unbeaten run in qualifiers stretching back 10 years.

Gareth Southgate's side would have secured their place in next summer's tournament with victory in Prague but they can have no complaints after a wretched display against a Czech side who were a different proposition from that swept aside 5-0 at Wembley in March.

England can still qualify on Monday if they beat Bulgaria and Kosovo do not beat Montenegro.

England were handed the perfect start when captain Harry Kane put them ahead from the penalty spot in the fifth minute after Lukas Masopust fouled Raheem Sterling but they were well below their best and slumped to a bitterly disappointing defeat.

The Czechs were swiftly level when Jakub Brabec scored following a corner. England could not muster further inspiration and substitute Zdenek Ondrasek pounced to score the winner with four minutes left.

England were desperately poor throughout and were grateful to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who produced fine saves from Vladimir Coufal, Masopust and Alex Kral, while Czech counterpart Tomas Vaclik did well to deny Sterling and Kane.

They can put things right against Bulgaria in Sofia on Monday but this was a serious reality check for a side hoping to do great things next summer, losing a qualifier for the first time since they went down 1-0 to Ukraine on 10 October 2009.


England deserve no better
This must rank as one of the worst performances of Southgate's reign and the manager himself has to take his own share of the responsibility.

No-one can complain about his decision to give Chelsea's in-form Mason Mount his debut ahead of team-mate Ross Barkley but the youngster never flourished in an advanced midfield position in the first half.

Quality sides will relish facing this England defence and Southgate is running out of time to apply the fix

Mount was barely able to influence the game and with Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice exposed and pedestrian, England found themselves often overrun by the sprightly Czechs.

England's potent attacking trio of Kane, Sterling and Jadon Sancho were starved of service, leaving them under-performing in every area of the pitch.

The Czech Republic, backed by a noisy crowd in Prague, gathered momentum and confidence and it was no surprise when Ondrasek finally broke Pickford's resistance late on.

This was simply not good enough from England and the concerns that surfaced about their true quality when they won 5-3 in chaotic style against Kosovo in Southampton will only increase after this.

Defensive woes continue
Any hope the defensive uncertainty that characterised England's victory against Kosovo had been successfully addressed was banished inside the first 10 minutes in Prague.

Pickford saved brilliantly from Coufal as the Czech Republic responded to England's early salvo but there was the trademark confusion at the resulting corner which ended with Brabec stabbing home from close range.

England lived dangerously throughout and it was not a shock when they finally conceded late on.

Everton's Michael Keane struggles desperately at this level while full-backs Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier hardly covered themselves in glory either.

Harry Maguire looks the one staple in defence but he does not exude confidence either.

In other words, quality sides will relish facing this England defence and Southgate is running out of time to apply the fix.

Southgate = Hodgson - the stats

Czech Republic had 17 shots in this match, the most England have faced in a qualifying match since March 2013, when Montenegro had 19 in a World Cup qualifier.

This was England's first defeat in a European Championship qualifier since losing 3-2 at Wembley against Croatia in November 2007.

Harry Kane has scored 20 goals in 21 matches for England when starting as captain - the only player with more is Vivian Woodward (23 goals between 1908 and 1911).

Excluding shootouts, no player has scored more penalties for England than Harry Kane (9, level with Frank Lampard).

Zdenek Ondrasek scored on his international debut for Czech Republic, scoring with his first shot in international football.

Gareth Southgate (W21 D9 L8) has lost as many games as England manager in 38 matches as Roy Hodgson lost in 56 matches as manager (W33 D15 L8).

What next?
England travel to Bulgaria on Monday (kick-off 19:45 BST) looking to secure a spot at Euro 2020.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49929616
 
Republic of Ireland maintained their unbeaten record in Euro 2020 qualifying as they played out a lacklustre goalless draw in Georgia.

Mick McCarthy's side struggled to create chances against their stubborn opponents, who dominated possession.

Substitute Aaron Connolly was denied a dream debut when his low shot late on was saved, before Shane Duffy headed straight at the goalkeeper.

The result means Ireland stay top of Group D with 12 points from six games.

Denmark, however, can move above them on goal difference if they beat Switzerland later on Saturday (17:00 BST)

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49954211
 
8a5M5cQ.png
 
Wales will be without Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey for Sunday's Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia.

The 28-year-old did not travel for Thursday's 1-1 draw away to Slovakia in Trnava due to fitness concerns.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs had hoped Ramsey would recover in time to face Croatia in Cardiff but is once again without one of his key players.

Giggs believes his side will need to improve on their display in Slovakia to beat Group E leaders Croatia.

That is despite the Wales boss believing his side "took a step forward" against Slovakia.

"We will have to play better than the other night. We need full concentration against a very talented team, one of the best teams in the world," Giggs said.

"I would say Croatia are favourites."

A win for Wales would see them move into a strong position in Group E, but they would not be out of contention even if they were to lose against Zlatko Dalic's World Cup finalists.

Even with a defeat, Wales will qualify if they win their final two games - in Azerbaijan and at home to Hungary - providing Croatia beat Slovakia on 16 November, the same day as Wales face Azerbaijan.

That is because if Wales and Slovakia finish level on 13 points, Wales would finish above them because of their superior head-to-head record.

Wales are fourth, but have played a game fewer than Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia.

They are four points behind Croatia and three behind second-placed Slovakia, but if they lose to Croatia Wales' fate is not in their own hands as they would be relying on Croatia to beat Slovakia.

Giggs says Wales' home record gives them a boost against a "special team" in Croatia on Sunday.

"They are the favourites purely because of the players that they have got," the former Wales winger added.

"What Croatia have done in recent times has been amazing. We need to be at our best against a special team with special players.

"I think against most countries they would be favourites. But we are at home and have a good record in Cardiff."

Croatia could qualify for the Euros with a win in Cardiff, though they would need Hungary to fail to beat Azerbaijan.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49949349
 
England manager Gareth Southgate says he knows "pretty much everything" about his players after James Maddison was pictured in a casino despite pulling out of the squad with illness.

Maddison, 22, was photographed on Friday, when England lost a Euro 2020 qualifier in the Czech Republic.

Southgate said the Leicester midfielder will have learned there is "increased interest" in England players.

"That goes with the territory. It's a high-profile position," Southgate said.

"Once a player has been released from the squad, then it's up to them how they spend their individual time.

"I guess what James has learned is that if you have an involvement with England, then there's an increased spotlight on you and increased interest in your personal and private life as well."

Maddison, who has scored three goals and made two assists for Leicester this season, is yet to make his England debut but had been named in the squad for the third time.

On Thursday, he withdrew from the squad for the trip to the Czech Republic and Monday's qualifier in Bulgaria.

"I don't really want to discuss individuals but I know pretty much everything about all of my players," Southgate said.

"I watch every minute of their football, whether that's live or downloaded on a Sunday morning or a Sunday night, or a Monday morning.

"I speak to their club managers, I speak with Aidy [Boothroyd, England Under-21 manager] and all the coaches of the junior teams.

"We never know absolutely everything, but we have a very clear picture of every player, and that's the due diligence that we should always do."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50039787
 
LONDON: Poland and Russia qualified for the 2020 European Championship on Sunday, while Gareth Bale’s goal forced Croatia to wait after a 1-1 draw with Wales and Germany and the Netherlands boosted their hopes of reaching the finals.

Robert Lewandowski set up both goals for Poland as midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski and fellow substitute Arkadiusz Milik scored late in a hard-fought 2-0 win over North Macedonia.

Frankowski prodded home less than 60 seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute, before Milik made the points safe.

Poland are assured of finishing in the top two of Group ‘G’, where second-placed Austria boosted their hopes of qualifying with a 1-0 win at Slovenia.

Russia earlier routed Cyprus 5-0 to join Group ‘I’ winners Belgium in securing a place at next year’s tournament.

Valencia forward Denis Cheryshev scored twice and set up two more goals for the Russians — who only needed a draw to be sure of qualification — to take their tally to 21 points after seven wins from eight games.

With two games remaining, Russia have 11 points more than third-placed Cyprus and 12 more than fourth-placed Scotland, who thrashed San Marino 6-0 at a poorly attended Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Cheryshev fired in a ninth-minute opener for the visitors, before Magomed Ozdoev, who scored a fabulous long-range strike on Thursday against Scotland, made it two midway through the first half.

Any thoughts of a Cyprus comeback were ended in just the 28th minute when Kostas Laifis was dismissed for a nasty lunge on Russian full-back Sergei Petrov.

Striker Artem Dzyuba scored his third goal in two games in the 79th minute, before Aleksandr Golovin and Cheryshev’s second completed the rout late on.

Belgium already had secured their place at the finals, but Roberto Martinez’s team stayed perfect in qualifying with a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan in Astana.

Michy Batshuayi scored in the first half and Thomas Meunier wrapped up the win in the second, giving Belgium their eighth win from eight games. The Belgians have scored 30 goals and conceded just one.

Nikola Vlasic scored early to put Croatia on course for a win that would have secured qualification from Group ‘E’.

Bale’s equaliser in first-half injury time denied the visitors — including Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric — and kept Welsh hopes of qualifying alive.

Last year’s World Cup runners-up Croatia lead the group by two points from Hungary, who defeated Azerbaijan 1-0 in Budapest thanks to Mihly Korhut’s early strike.

The top three in the group are Croatia (14 points), Hungary (12) and Slovakia (10). Wales are fourth on eight points with a game in hand over the top two.

Croatia will qualify if they avoid defeat against Slovakia in their final match on November 16, while Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales could join them with two closing wins, as long as Slovakia do not beat the Croatians.

“We’ve got to win both games and rely on others. But we’re in it. I wanted to be in it after these games,” Wales manager Ryan Giggs told Sky Sports.

NETHERLANDS, GERMANY CLOSE IN

Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands remained at the top of Group ‘C’ ahead of Germany on head-to-head record with a nervy 2-1 win over Belarus in Minsk.

The Dutch lead third-placed Northern Ireland by three points after beating Michael O’Neill’s side 3-1 on Thursday.

Georginio Wijnaldum headed the away team in front in the 32nd minute, shortly after Denis Laptev had spurned a golden chance to give Belarus a shock lead.

The Liverpool midfielder doubled the advantage before the break with a wonderful 25-yard strike into the top corner, and although Stanislav Dragun gave Belarus hope early in the second half, the Netherlands held on with relative comfort.

“We have to do better than we did in the second half, although in the end we had things under control,” Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk told television channel NOS. “We are now very close to qualifying for the finals, and ultimately that’s what counts.”

Victory in Belfast over the Northern Irish next month would secure the Oranje a first appearance at a major tournament since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup.

Germany eased to a 3-0 victory in Estonia despite seeing Emre Can sent off in the 14th minute. Ilkay Gundogan scored twice and set up another in the second-half in Tallinn.

“The whole week hasn’t been easy,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew, whose side was hit by injuries. “But we didn’t complain. The decisive thing was that we upped the pace in the second half. In the end it was satisfactory.”

Can, filling in at centre-back, was shown an early red card for bringing down Frank Liivak, who would have been through on goal.

Germany had never had a player sent off so early in a game before, with Can beating the mark set by Robert Huth’s 15th-minute ejection in a friendly game against Northern Ireland in 2005.

Gundogan finally broke the deadlock in the 51st when his effort from outside the penalty box took a slight deflection off Marco Reus’ heel. His second goal six minutes later also took a deflection, this time off a defender.

Gundogan’s long pass over the top allowed substitute Timo Werner to wrap up the win in the 71st.
Click to expand...

Link: https://www.dawn.com/news/1510945/poland-russia-reach-euro-2020-croatia-must-wait.
 
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey is in the Wales squad for their final two Euro 2020 qualifiers.

He withdrew from October's games with injury, but has featured off the bench in recent games for his Italian side.

Gareth Bale is also included for November's match in Azerbaijan and then at home to Hungary, despite not playing for Real Madrid since Wales' draw with Croatia last month.

FC St Pauli defender James Lawrence also returns.

Wales squad:

Hennessey, Ward, A Davies, Gunter, A Williams, B Davies, Taylor, C Roberts, Ampadu, Mepham, Lockyer, J Lawrence, Poole, Ramsey, Allen, Wilson, Smith, Levitt, James, Vaulks, Morrell, Bale, Vokes, T Lawrence, T Roberts, Matondo, Moore.


https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50296071
 
Gareth Bale: Wales name Real Madrid forward in squad for final Euro 2020 qualifiers

Forward Gareth Bale has been named in Wales' squad for their decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers, despite not playing for Real Madrid since his country's 1-1 draw with Croatia last month.

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey is also included after missing October's internationals with injury.

Wales need to win in Azerbaijan on 16 November and then beat Hungary at home to have any chance of qualifying.

They also rely on Slovakia dropping points in their remaining two matches.

Bale finished the 13 October game against Croatia in Cardiff limping, and was said by Wales manager Ryan Giggs to be suffering from cramp. However, the 30-year-old has not been named in any Real Madrid squad since returning to Spain.

Zinedine Zidane, the La Liga giants' boss, said last week that Bale is "back out on the pitch working to get fit again", but has not specified what his injury is.

Ramsey, 28, has not featured at all for Wales this season because of several long-running fitness concerns.

His last appearance for his country was in November 2018, but he has recently come off the bench in two Serie A games for Juventus.

FC St Pauli's James Lawrence also returns but Wales will be without fellow defender Joe Rodon, as well as midfielders Dave Brooks and Jonny Williams, who are all injured.

Joe Allen is suspended for the trip to Azerbaijan but will be available for the final game against Hungary in Cardiff on 19 November.

Wales boss Giggs has also named two uncapped players in the squad: Manchester United's teenage midfielder Dylan Levitt and former United centre-back Regan Poole.

The 21-year-old MK Dons player was called up as a replacement last month when Chris Mepham withdrew before the 1-1 draw in Slovakia.

Wales squad:

Hennessey, Ward, A Davies, Gunter, A Williams, B Davies, Taylor, C Roberts, Ampadu, Mepham, Lockyer, J Lawrence, Poole, Ramsey, Allen, Wilson, Smith, Levitt, James, Vaulks, Morrell, Bale, Vokes, T Lawrence, T Roberts, Matondo, Moore.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50296071
 
James Maddison has been named in England's Euro 2020 qualifiers squad - despite the Leicester midfielder being pictured in a casino after pulling out of the last squad with illness.

Defender John Stones, midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have been recalled.

England host Montenegro on 14 November and play in Kosovo on 17 November.

Gareth Southgate's side are top of Group A and need one more point to secure their place at Euro 2020.

England players to wear 'legacy numbers' as part of 1,000th match celebrations
Manchester City centre-back Stones replaces Everton defender Michael Keane, while Liverpool's Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi have been added to a 27-man squad.

Southgate said the "squad is a little larger than normal" because there were a "couple of injury doubts".

Maddison has been picked in the past three squads but is yet to make his debut for England.

"He's only been in two squads," said Southgate. "He had to go home ill last time. We sent him home - he was ill.

"Any suggestion he chose to go home because he wanted to go out is unfair. It's not a great decision he took [to visit a casino].

"As an England player you have a different profile. Everyone has a camera-phone and wants to make money selling pictures.

"We are supporting him because we have picked him and he has to fight for his place like everybody else."

Southgate added that Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was "very close" to making his squad.

"Grealish is a very good player - I've watched him closely this season," he said.

"The reality is he's up against Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

"If we have any issues with the squad I wouldn't hesitate to call him up. He was very close and just has to keep playing the way he is."

England squad:
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton (Aston Villa), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Leicester), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Danny Rose (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham), Harry Winks (Tottenham)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50329551
 
Six qualifying spots down, 18 to go as we enter the final block of Euro 2020 qualifiers.

England top their group and Wales and Northern Ireland are still in contention, but Scotland are relying on next year's play-offs.

Meanwhile, Portugal, France, Germany and the Netherlands are yet to seal their place at Euro 2020, with the top two going through from each group.

So who needs what to join Ukraine, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Russia and Italy at next year's continent-wide finals? And how do the play-offs work?

Group A

England only need one point from their final two games to qualify. Even if they lose their first game, against Montenegro on 14 November, they will qualify if the Czech Republic beat Kosovo on the same day. A win in that game would also take the Czechs through.

Even if England and the Czech Republic lose, an England point in Kosovo in the final game would take them to Euro 2020.

Kosovo - who have a play-off place guaranteed in March through the Nations League - would qualify for their first ever major tournament if they win both games.

Group B


Portugal will qualify if they beat Lithuania and Luxembourg - but Serbia could capitalise if they drop any points. However, a Portugal win over Lithuania would be enough if Serbia fail to beat Luxembourg.

Ukraine have already qualified as group winners.

Group C


Realistically, Northern Ireland need to beat the Netherlands at home and Germany away in their final two games by a cumulative total of at least four goals.

If they won both games 1-0, they would need either Germany or the Dutch to slip up in home games against Belarus and Estonia respectively.

Michael O'Neill's side are likely to need a play-off to secure a place at Euro 2020 next March.

If Northern Ireland fail to beat the Netherlands and Germany beat Belarus, then the Dutch and Germans will qualify for Euro 2020.

Group D


The Republic of Ireland's situation is pretty clear in one sense - unless Gibraltar get a shock result against Denmark or Switzerland, the Irish must beat Denmark in Dublin on Monday to qualify.

But because of the calculations in the event of a three-way tie, if Switzerland pick up exactly four points (at home against Georgia on Friday and in Gibraltar on Monday), then the Irish would need to beat Denmark by two goals to qualify.

The only way Denmark or Switzerland can wrap up qualification on Friday is if they win their game and the other team slip up (in Denmark's case, they would need Switzerland to lose).

Group E

Wales, despite sitting fourth, still have a reasonable chance of qualifying.

If they beat Azerbaijan away and Hungary at home - and Slovakia drop points against either Croatia or Azerbaijan - then Ryan Giggs' side will reach Euro 2020.

Defeat in Baku on Saturday would end their hopes of automatic qualification, although they are likely to have the fall-back of a play-off place.

Croatia will qualify if they draw against Slovakia, but Hungary and Slovakia's hopes will go down to the final day.

Group F

Sweden will book their place at Euro 2020 if they win in Romania on Friday. Romania would go into second place with a win, although they would then need to beat Spain in Madrid to be sure of a place, with Sweden at home to the Faroe Islands.

Norway could still qualify in theory, but would need a lot of results to go their way - including a Romania v Sweden draw.

Spain have already qualified.

Group G

Austria will seal a Euro 2020 spot with a point at home to North Macedonia on Saturday.

North Macedonia, Slovenia and Israel are all five points behind second-placed Austria with two games to go - so would need to win both games and hope for a lot of things to go their way.

Poland have already qualified.

Group H

France will qualify for Euro 2020 if they beat Moldova. Turkey will join them with a point or better against Iceland. France could even afford to lose their game, so long as Iceland do not win in Istanbul.

Iceland would need to beat Turkey and Moldova, and hope for Turkey to drop further points against Andorra or for France to slip up.

Group I

Belgium and Russia have already qualified. A draw in their meeting on Saturday would see Belgium win the group.

Scotland will be in March's play-offs regardless of where they now finish because of their performance in the Nations League.

Group J

Finland will qualify for the first major tournament in their history if they beat Liechtenstein at home on Friday.

Even a draw would suffice if Bosnia-Herzegovina do not beat Italy. They can even afford to lose if Italy win and Armenia fail to beat Greece.

Italy have already qualified as group winners.

Who are in play-offs as things stand?
If all the groups finish as they are now, these would be the 16 teams in next March's Euro 2020 play-offs. However they are quite likely to change, with third-placed teams in Groups D and E (the Republic of Ireland and Wales' groups) having games in hand.

A draw would be held to decide which of Bulgaria, Israel and Romania would stay in Path C and who would move to Path A. If Switzerland qualify automatically, another team will be moved from a lower path to take their place.

Path A: Switzerland, Iceland and two of Bulgaria, Israel, Romania

Path B: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales, Slovakia, Northern Ireland

Path C: Scotland, Norway, Serbia and one of Bulgaria, Israel, Romania

Path D: Georgia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Belarus

The highest-ranked team in each path will play at home against the country ranked fourth in a one-legged semi-final on 26 March, with the second highest at home to the third.

The host of each one-legged final - which will be one of the countries playing in the final - will be decided by a draw on Friday, 22 November. The winners of each path's play-offs - so four teams in total - goes to Euro 2020.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50070549
 
England will name a "very young line-up" as they look to wrap up Euro 2020 qualification against Montenegro on Thursday, says boss Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions only need one point from their final two qualifiers.

Thursday's game at Wembley is England's 1,000th senior men's international.

"The line-up against Spain [in October 2018] was one of the youngest for decades and I think we are going to be even younger than that," said Southgate.

"That obviously has some weaknesses, but it has some enormous strengths as well in terms of the enthusiasm, energy, motivation. And I think it's a team that will excite people."

England beat Spain 3-2 in Seville in the Nations League last October, with their youngest starting XI since 1959 - an average age of just over 23.

Half of the 24-man squad for the Montenegro and Kosovo games - with England playing their final qualifier in Pristina on Sunday - are aged 22 or under.

"We are looking forward to the game," said Southgate. "Not only the opportunity to qualify for a European Championship but the occasion of England's 1,000th international which is a very special one for everybody associated with the team, now and in the past.

"It's great that so many of our former players are coming to be a part of that night. That's very important to all of us, and I know for them it will be something very special. So, we're especially looking forward to seeing them."

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has been dropped by Southgate for the Montenegro match after a clash with team-mate Joe Gomez at England's training camp.

Everton midfielder Fabian Delph has withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring injury.

Southgate 'will not hesitate' over picking Sterling for Kosovo
England will be at home in at least two group games at Euro 2020, with Wembley also hosting the semi-finals and final.

"It would be really special to play in a major tournament and walking out at Wembley would be something that you dream of," said Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. "People say it would give us a little advantage as well. So, it's something.

"We know that the crowd get right behind us at Wembley and the support over the last few years - especially since I've been playing - has been unbelievable."

Southgate, who guided England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, said: "I think what is exciting over the next five years or so is the youth of this squad.

"They are gaining experience all the time in big matches and one or two more players still underneath this group - in terms of age - are going to come in and, I think, be outstanding players for England.

"But, of course, you have to deliver and we've had teams with potential and promise forever. These guys went further than nearly all of those teams two years ago.

"I don't think we were the most experienced or talented group that we've had in that 30-year period by any stretch, but they delivered - and that's huge credit to them.

"Now the challenge is to keep going on and doing that."

Group A as it stands: 1st England, 2nd Czech Republic, 3rd Kosovo, 4th Montenegro, 5th Bulgaria
Full Euro 2020 qualifying tables

Match stats - 17 in a row for England
England and Montenegro have met five times, with the Three Lions having won the past two and yet to lose.
England have won their past six home matches - their best winning run since a run of nine between March 2014 and November 2015.
Montenegro are winless in their past nine European Championship and World Cup qualifying matches, losing six.
England have won their past 17 home European Championship and World Cup qualifiers, scoring 55 goals and conceding just six.
Montenegro have failed to score in their past four Euro 2020 qualifiers, attempting 36 shots across those games.
Captain Harry Kane has been involved in 10 goals in his past four England appearances (six goals, four assists), scoring a hat-trick in his last appearance at Wembley against Bulgaria. No player has ever scored three goals in consecutive appearances at the national stadium.
England have scored 27 goals in eight matches in 2019, an average of 3.4 per game, their highest in a calendar year since 1963 (32 in nine games - 3.6). The Three Lions are only one goal behind their tally for 2018 (28 goals) and last scored 30 goals in a calendar year in 1982 (34 goals).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50327100
 
England celebrated their 1,000th game in style as they secured qualification for Euro 2020 and won Group A with an emphatic demolition of Montenegro at Wembley.

Captain Harry Kane moved to fifth in England's list of leading scorers as a first-half hat-trick took his tally to 31, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain opened the scoring on his first start for 18 months and Marcus Rashford was also on the scoresheet in that 45-minute barrage.

As England and the Football Association enjoyed this landmark occasion, with a parade of legends and 1966 World Cup winners in attendance, Montenegro proved the most amenable of opponents, particularly in the opening half when Kane and company ran riot and the visitors' defending was shambolic.

Oxlade-Chamberlain finished superbly to begin the rout while Kane quickly added two headers, with all three goals created by Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell. England's captain and Rashford were also the beneficiaries of Montenegro generosity before the interval.

It was also in evidence in the second half when Aleksandar Sofranac diverted Mason Mount's shot into his own net for England's sixth.

To complete a perfect night for Gareth Southgate and England- who by qualifying automatically ensured they will play all three Euro 2020 group matches at Wembley - the manager was able to give a debut to Leicester City's James Maddison, while substitute Tammy Abraham scored his first full international goal.

The introduction of Liverpool's Joe Gomez appeared to be bizarrely greeted by some jeers from England fans after the clash with Raheem Sterling that saw the Manchester City forward dropped as a disciplinary measure, but otherwise Southgate's side marked this gala occasion and qualification with a flourish before Sunday's final game in Kosovo.

Happy end to Southgate's tough week

It has been a testing week for Southgate as he had to handle the fallout from the altercation between Sterling and Gomez at St George's Park on Monday, 24 hours after Liverpool beat Manchester City in the Premier League.

Southgate dropped Sterling but he could sit back and relax as England answered any remaining questions with a first-half performance that ended this game as a contest in short order. Sterling is a world-class player but was not missed as the team Southgate picked dissected hapless Montenegro.

If results have been comfortable in this group - defeat in the Czech Republic apart - Southgate has had difficulties off the field following the racial abuse aimed at England's players in Montenegro and Bulgaria, and the disturbance involving Sterling and Gomez.

It was a moment that tested the unity of an England squad so carefully crafted by Southgate, but all seemed well as Sterling applauded defender Gomez's appearance as a second-half substitute.

However, the booing from some sections of the Wembley crowd was mystifying, whoever was the target. It was the only sour note of the night and totally unnecessary.

England's players provided the best medicine with a victory that once again demonstrated their ability to destroy vulnerable opponents with a potent attack, as they have done throughout this qualifying campaign.

Now they must finish the job with victory in Kosovo as they try to ensure they are seeded for Euro 2020. Greater tests then lie ahead.

England's youth comes through with panache

This was England's youngest starting line-up for 60 years, with an average age of 23 years and 255 days - and while the opposition was poor, this was a very promising glimpse into the future.

Leicester City's Chilwell demonstrated his growth as a player of international stature and his rounded game as he created those first three goals, while Wembley cheered the arrival of his Foxes team-mate Maddison as the gifted midfielder finally got his debut.

Abraham's development into a striker and poacher of growing quality was emphasised by his clinical near-post finish for England's seventh, and his young Chelsea team-mate Mount was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Mount is 20, while Chilwell, Abraham and Maddison are all still only 22, so they can be part of England's plans for years to come.

Liverpool's Oxlade-Chamberlain may be one of the older brigade these days even though he is still only 26 - but he has endured a lengthy absence from the England scene because of injury. He has been in rich goalscoring form this season, as proved by his powerful, low finish that set England on their way. Southgate will be delighted to have him back at his disposal.

All in all, this was pretty much the ideal night for Southgate and his players as they prepare to travel to Kosovo to conclude another successful qualifying campaign.

'We wanted to put on a show'

England manager Gareth Southgate on BBC Radio 5 Live: "We played so well in the first half. I know France have taken a long time tonight to get a victory against Moldova.

"We have won a group that we should win but we have won it comfortably and we have found a way of playing against those lower-ranked teams that defend in numbers. We have found a way to break them down, which maybe in the past we haven't."

England captain Harry Kane to ITV: "We have had one slip-up in the group and responded really well. We got the job done and wanted to put on a show in our 1,000th game. With five goals in the first half, I think we did that.

"We want to win that game away from home [against Kosovo]. We will enjoy this with one eye on Sunday."
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50327100.
 
Euro 2020 qualifier: Kosovo v England
Venue: Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina Date: Sunday, 17 November Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Defender Joe Gomez and midfielder Jordan Henderson have pulled out of England's squad before Sunday's final Euro 2020 qualifier in Kosovo.

Gomez, 22, picked up a knee injury in training, while Liverpool team-mate Henderson, 29, has a viral infection.

Forward Raheem Sterling is available again after being dropped for the 7-0 win over Montenegro following a clash with Gomez at England's training camp.

Gomez was booed as he came on as a substitute at Wembley on Thursday.

England manager Gareth Southgate has said he will have no hesitation in naming Manchester City's Sterling, 24, in the starting line-up for the match in Pristina (17:00 GMT kick-off).

The Three Lions have already qualified as group winners for next summer's tournament.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50160458
 
Toni Kroos scored twice as Germany booked their place at Euro 2020 with a routine victory over Belarus.

Matthias Ginter opened the scoring for the hosts in Monchengladbach before Leon Goretzka doubled their lead.

Real Madrid's Kroos then scored two fine goals to seal a comfortable win.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's failure to beat the Netherlands means the Dutch have also qualified from Group C, while Northern Ireland must now try to qualify through the play-offs.

Joachim Low's Germany side dominated from the off at Borussia-Park but the away side, to their credit, defended stubbornly to hold them off until the 41st minute.

But after Ginter broke the deadlock with a clever backheel from Serge Gnabry's cross, Die Mannschaft began to play with a real swagger, knowing their opponents' resilience was broken.

Bayern Munich's Goretzka swept home a Kroos corner early in the second half before the Los Blancos playmaker got on the scoresheet with a sumptuous finish from the edge of the box.

However, after the hosts' third goal went in, Belarus improved and began to open up as they pushed for a goal in their final Euro 2020 qualifier.

And they had a golden opportunity to score with 15 minutes left when Robin Koch felled Pavel Nyakhaychyk, but Manuel Neuer produced a superb save to keep out Ihar Stasevich's penalty.

Kroos then had the final say as he collected a pass in the penalty area, beat a couple of defenders and slotted home to cap his side's victory.

Germany will now play their final qualifier against Northern Ireland in Frankfurt on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) knowing their place in next year's finals is secure.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50446891.
 
Northern Ireland's slim hopes of qualifying automatically for the Euro 2020 finals ended as they drew 0-0 with the Netherlands in Belfast.

Captain Steven Davis blasted a first-half penalty over the bar in what may be manager Michael O'Neill's final home game in charge.

NI can still progress to next summer's tournament through the play-offs, for which O'Neill will remain at the helm.

The Dutch have reached the finals after earning the one point they needed.

Germany will also compete in next summer's finals as they moved top of Group C, two points ahead of the Dutch, with a 4-0 home win over Belarus, rendering Tuesday night's final fixtures between Germany and Northern Ireland and the Netherlands and Estonia meaningless in terms of qualification.

Northern Ireland's place in the play-offs was assured by virtue of Sweden's victory over Romania on Friday night, with an away tie against Bosnia the most likely scenario as it stands.

O'Neill's side faced the daunting task of having to beat the Dutch and the Germans by a cumulative total of at least four goals to finish in the top two, but they fell short in the first of those two challenges.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50356229.
 
Cristiano Ronaldo was made to wait for his 100th international goal as defending champions Portugal edged past Luxembourg to qualify for Euro 2020.

Fernando Santos' 2016 winners required victory to confirm second spot in Group B and finish three points clear of Serbia, who drew 2-2 against Ukraine.

Ronaldo tapped in his 99th goal to seal victory with four minutes remaining.

Bernardo Silva's ball over the top had allowed Bruno Fernandes to fire the visitors ahead after 39 minutes.

Ronaldo close to 100 goals - can you name these other countries' top scorers?
Ronaldo must wait until the next international break in March for the chance to become just the second male player to reach 100 goals for his nation.

He is now just 10 behind Iran legend Ali Daei's world-record tally of 109, after ensuring his most prolific calendar year for Portugal with 14 goals.

The Juventus forward struck his ninth international hat-trick on Thursday against Lithuania to set up the opportunity to hit a century on Sunday.

However, Portugal - and Ronaldo - were left largely frustrated by an organised Luxembourg side on a difficult playing surface, with Fernandes' control and finish before half-time a brief spark of quality in a tight game.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50160479
 
All the big boys easing through to the finals which should be a fantastic tournament.
 
Gareth Southgate says his England side are "further ahead" than they were at the corresponding stage of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Southgate's side finished fourth at the finals in Russia and go to Euro 2020 next summer as one of the top seeds.

"I think the team have belief, for sure, you can see the confidence," Southgate said.

"They have got the confidence to control games with possession, and they know they're going to score goals."

England's win over Kosovo on Sunday rounded off another impressive qualifying campaign for Southgate's squad, who topped Group A after winning seven of their eight fixtures.

While they also finished top of their 2018 World Cup qualification group, England have progressed as an attacking force, more than doubling their goal tally - scoring 37 in eight games, compared to 18 in 10 games.

"They don't come into these matches worrying about what might go wrong," Southgate added.

"We're definitely further ahead than we were heading into Russia, but we made massive strides in this period when we went into Russia.

"So, we've got to make sure that to get the level of performance next summer, we're going to have to improve in the way that we did over that spell as well."

However, if reservations exist, they are based upon how England will fare once they meet opposition of a higher calibre.

England lost to the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Nations League in June, and in Russia, despite reaching the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1996, they were beaten by Croatia and twice by Belgium.

And the Czech Republic, at 43rd in the world the highest ranked side England faced in Euro 2020 qualifying, inflicted their only Group A defeat in October.

"What we don't know, because we haven't had those tests more recently against the top eight or ten, is exactly how we're going to cope in those moments," Southgate added.

"To win the European Championship is, at the moment, no easier than the World Cup. The final four [at the World Cup in Russia] were all European, and you've got to add Spain, Germany, Portugal and all the others into that, so it's a really high-level tournament."
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50454841.
 
Tables.

5zxOywN.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Spain wrapped up their successful Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 5-0 win against Romania.

Fabian Ruiz gave the three-times European champions an early lead with a close-range finish before Gerard Moreno flicked home Santi Cazorla's cross.

Moreno side-footed in his second of the game before Adrian Rus turned the ball into his own net to make it 4-0 before half-time.

Mikel Oyarzabal swept in a fifth deep in stoppage time to complete the win.

Spain topped Group F with 26 points after winning eight and drawing two of their 10 games.

Sweden, who like Spain had already secured their place at Euro 2020 before the final round of fixtures, finished as runners-up on 21 points.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50467133.
 
Italy recorded one of the biggest wins in their history as they completed their successful Euro 2020 qualifying campaign by thrashing Armenia 9-1.

Ciro Immobile and Nicolo Zaniolo both scored twice while Chelsea's Jorginho converted a penalty in the second half.

Nicolo Barella, Alessio Romagnoli, Riccardo Orsolini and Federico Chiesa also scored for the dominant Italians.

Edgar Babayan did manage to grab a consolation for Armenia with a stunning long-range strike.

Babayan's finish stopped Italy equalling their biggest win - a 9-0 defeat of the United States in Brentford in 1948.

However, the emphatic victory continues an impressive turnaround in fortunes under former Manchester City boss Robert Mancini.

The Italian took charge of the national team following their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and led them to 10 wins from 10 in qualifying for Euro 2020 - conceding just four goals - as they finished top of Group J.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50467105.
 
Luis Enrique to return as Spain manager following daughter's death

Luis Enrique, whose daughter died from bone cancer in August, is returning as Spain manager five months after stepping down for personal reasons.

Enrique resigned in June after 11 months in the job and announced in August that his nine-year-old daughter, Xana, had died.

The 49-year-old former Barcelona boss was replaced by his assistant, Robert Moreno.

Moreno was in charge as Spain beat Romania 5-0 on Monday.

It saw Spain wrap up qualification for Euro 2020 without losing a game.

Moreno, who also worked under Enrique at Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona, said after taking the job he would "step aside" if Enrique ever wanted to return.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales said: "Everyone knew that if Luis Enrique wanted to come back he had the doors open.

"Luis Enrique will continue to the Qatar World Cup [in 2022]."

Enrique was appointed national team boss following Spain's exit from the 2018 World Cup in the last 16.

He was in charge for the Nations League, where Spain failed to reach the semi-finals, and remained in place for the beginning of their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.

The Spaniard travelled back home for personal reasons before Spain's 2-0 victory in Malta in March and Moreno was placed in temporary charge.

Enrique then stepped down three months later.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50471015
 
Gareth Southgate has said he may not be in charge of England at the 2022 World Cup if next summer's European Championships go badly.

Southgate's side qualified for Euro 2020 over the weekend by beating Montenegro and Kosovo and will enter the tournament as one of the favourites.

But the manager has said whether he survives in the job until the World Cup in Qatar two years later "will depend very much on how we get on next summer".

He said: "When you have a week like you've had, you sense that people can fall out of love with you and if there isn't a warmth for you to continue, then that can start to affect the team.

"So, I'm realistic about how quickly those tides can turn, but we've always planned short, mid and long-term over the last eight years."


Southgate endured a difficult week after a training camp row between Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez.

Sterling was dropped for the Montenegro game after reportedly grabbing Gomez's throat - a punishment that did not sit well with some in the squad.

Southgate will be in close contact with the duo during a break that lasts until friendlies in March and will make personal visits to his other players.

"In this period, if you're going to bring the group together, there's got to be a real purpose," he said. "And that, for me, can't be just we're going out for dinner, you know?

"So, I don't think that's realistic. We didn't do it ahead of Russia. Their schedule with the clubs is so intense. So I think it's better to individually get to them, and we can pick up pretty quickly in March where we're at.

"I think preparation-wise, we got that pretty close to spot on in Russia, so we obviously have the draw, which then will enable us to finalise friendlies, and that sort of thing."

Southgate, who is contracted until after Qatar 2022, said he is confident ahead of the Euros, where all of England's group matches will be played at Wembley.

"We've got to have belief in what we're doing and execute the right preparation. We should go in feeling confident," he said.

https://news.sky.com/story/i-may-lose-england-job-if-euros-go-badly-says-gareth-southgate-11864832
 
Wales secured qualification for Euro 2020 as Aaron Ramsey marked his return to the team with two goals to inspire a joyous 2-0 win over Hungary.

Ramsey, starting for the first time in this campaign, headed in from Gareth Bale's first-half cross to fuel a carnival atmosphere at a heaving Cardiff City Stadium.

A superb double save from Wayne Hennessey kept Hungary at bay and then, 90 seconds into the second half, Ramsey calmly controlled the ball in the penalty area before stroking it into the top corner.

Bale came close to adding a third with a fierce free-kick which fizzed narrowly over, while Ramsey was denied a hat-trick by Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.

But nothing could detract from the euphoria in the stands as Wales rejoiced at the prospect of playing at only a third major tournament in their history.

Next summer's European Championship will be Wales' second in succession, a remarkable transformation for a country which had to endure 58 barren years between its first appearance at a major tournament, the 1958 World Cup, and its second at Euro 2016.

Ramsey's glorious return
Qualification also represented an extraordinary turnaround in this campaign alone.

When Wales lost in Hungary in June, they were left with only three points from their first three matches and with their hopes of qualifying hanging by a thread.

But having avoided defeat since then, Ryan Giggs' side were gathering momentum at just the right moment.

Nobody epitomised that sense of timing better than Ramsey, who had returned from a series of injuries to make his first appearance of the campaign as a substitute during Saturday's 2-0 win in Azerbaijan.

The Juventus midfielder came on for Bale on that occasion but both started against Hungary, Wales able to name the integral duo in the same team for the first time since November 2018.

Ramsey and Bale's influence on the national team is enormous, illustrated by the fact they had not lost a qualifier while playing together since a 2-0 defeat in Bosnia-Herzegovina in October 2015, which was academic as Wales qualified for Euro 2016 that night anyway.

They demonstrated their value to Wales once more on this occasion with a wonderfully worked first goal, Bale curling in a perfectly-weighted left-footed cross from the right and Ramsey heading in to get the party started in Cardiff.

Bale almost created a second goal when he crossed beautifully again, this time with his right foot, for Kieffer Moore, but the striker's header was wide.

Moore atoned for that miss by playing his part in Wales' second goal, hooking a free-kick towards Ramsey, who was composure personified as he controlled the ball and finished with a flourish.

Wales had several chances to extend their lead, with Bale, Daniel James and Ramsey all going close.

But it did not matter. Despite a fleeting sign of Hungary's threat in the first half, the visitors posed no danger in the second.

Wales' players enjoyed themselves as they closed out the game, and then when the final whistle blew the celebrations could start in earnest.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50384127.
 
Russia's staging of games at Euro 2020 could be under threat after a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) committee recommended the country be banned from hosting sports events for four years.

Russia could also be banned from next year's Tokyo Olympics - having also been excluded from the 2018 Winter Games - and other major competitions.

Wada's compliance review committee (CRC) recommended a raft of measures after declaring the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada) non-compliant over inconsistencies in anti-doping data.

One of the proposals is to withdraw the right to host an event already awarded unless it's "legally and practically impossible".

St Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, is a venue for Euro 2020 group games and a quarter-final tie - a fixture potentially involving England.

Wada's executive committee will consider the recommendations and make the final decision at a meeting in Paris on 9 December.

The CRC made its recommendations based "in particular" on a forensic review of inconsistencies found in some of the data obtained by the agency from the Moscow Laboratory in January 2019.

The committee concluded that there is "an extremely serious case of non-compliance with the requirement to provide an authentic copy of the Moscow data, with several aggravating features".

CRC's "strong proposed consequences" include:

Russia may not host, or bid for or be granted the right to host any major events for four years
Russia may not bid for the right to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, irrespective of whether the bidding takes place during or after the four-year period
The country's flag may not be flown at any major event staged in the four-year period
Russian athletes and their support personnel may only participate in major events staged in the four-year period where they are able to demonstrate that they are not implicated in any way by the non-compliance. In such circumstances these athletes would compete as neutrals
Where the right to host a major event in the four-year period has already been awarded to Russia, the signatory must withdraw that right and re-assign the event to another country, unless it is legally or practically impossible to do so
The four-year period would start "on the date on which the decision that Rusada is non-compliant becomes final".

US Anti-Doping Agency head Travis Tygart said: "It's great the CRC has recognised the egregious conduct of Russia toward clean athletes and now let's all hope the Wada executive committee uses the same resolve to ensure clean athletes are not again sold down the river and actually supports this unfortunate but necessary outcome."

Rusada was initially declared non-compliant in November 2015 after a Wada-commissioned report by sports lawyer Professor Richard McLaren alleged widespread corruption that amounted to state-sponsored doping in Russian track and field athletics.

A further report, published in July 2016, declared Russia operated a state-sponsored doping programme for four years across the "vast majority" of summer and winter Olympic sports.

In 2018, Wada reinstated Rusada as compliant after the national agency agreed to release data from its Moscow laboratory from the period between January 2012 and August 2015.

However, positive findings contained in a version courtesy of a whistleblower in 2017 were missing from the January 2019 data, which prompted a new inquiry.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/50551384.
 
MenInG said:
Spain needed a superb last-minute save from Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to keep up their 100% record in Group F.

Kepa denied Reading striker George Puscas with his legs as 10-man Spain recorded a first win in Romania.

Sergio Ramos put Spain ahead from the penalty spot before Borussia Dortmund forward Paco Alcacer steered in.

Former Brighton forward Florin Andone headed in and defender Diego Llorente was sent off, but Spain held on.

Kepa - who has replaced Manchester United's David de Gea as first choice - made sure Spain took the points when he reacted superbly to stop Puscas' header from close range.

The match was the first since Robert Moreno permanently replaced Luis Enrique as head coach, and there was a minute's silence in memory of Enrique's nine-year-old daughter, Xana, who died last week.

Next up for the former European champions is a home game against the Faroe Islands on Monday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49574068
Click to expand...

Spain's returning manager Luis Enrique says his predecessor Robert Moreno was "disloyal" and will not be part of his coaching team.

Enrique resigned from the role in June to spend more time with his nine-year-old daughter Xana, who died from bone cancer in August.

Moreno succeeded him but told Enrique he wanted to be in charge at Euro 2020 before returning to assistant manager.

Moreno left the role after Spain's 5-0 win over Romania on 18 November.

"The only person responsible for Robert Moreno not being in my coaching staff is me," Enrique said.

"He came to see me in my house and told me he wanted to lead the team at Euro 2020 and afterwards he would be happy to be my assistant coach again.

"I understand that he has worked very hard to be the coach and that he is ambitious - but for me that is disloyal. I would never do something like that and I don't want someone with those characteristics in my staff."

Enrique and Moreno previously worked together at Barcelona, Celta Vigo and Roma.

Moreno joined his coaching staff when Enrique was first appointed Spain head coach in July 2018.

"I understand his decision but cannot agree with it and told him I didn't want him as my assistant and that I felt strong," said Enrique.

"Ambition is to be encouraged but excessive ambition is a defect, not a virtue."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50576250
 
England have been drawn against Croatia and Czech Republic in Group D at UEFA EURO 2020, with Wales alongside Italy, Switzerland and Turkey in Group A.

Germany will face world champions France and reigning European champions Portugal in Group F.

The winners of Scotland's play-off path, which includes Norway, Serbia and Israel, will join England's group.

Gareth Southgate's World Cup semi-finalists will begin their campaign against Croatia at Wembley on 14 June.

The tournament's opening game will see Italy host Turkey in Rome on 12 June.


Reaction from the managers of France, Germany and Portugal to the Euro 2020 draw
Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all feature in the play-offs next March, where 16 teams will compete to fill the final four places.

The tournament, which will take place in 12 cities across Europe, will be hosted across the continent for the first time to mark the 60th anniversary of the competition.

Group A: Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, Wales
Group B: Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Finland
Group C: Ukraine, Netherlands, Austria, Path D/A*
Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Path C**
Group E: Spain, Poland, Sweden, Path B***
Group F: Germany, France, Portugal, Path A/D*
*Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary / Georgia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Belarus

**Scotland, Israel, Norway, Serbia

***Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland

Where and when do England play?

England manager Gareth Southgate singles out Croatia as key opponents at Euro 2020
England, joint bookmakers' favourites along with France to win the tournament, will benefit from hosting all three of their group games at Wembley.

Southgate's side already knew they would be placed in Group D, with the qualified countries of the 12 host cities purposefully placed in specific groups to ensure at least two home games.

England's tournament begins on Sunday, 14 June when they host Croatia at Wembley in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final which was won by Zlatko Dalic's side.

Southgate's side follow that up against the winner of play-off path C on 19 June and complete their group stage against Czech Republic on 23 June.

If England win their group, their last-16 tie would be in Dublin against the runner-ups in a hugely competitive looking Group F - which already includes Germany, France and Portugal - with a potential quarter-final in Rome.

Should they finish second, it would be a trip to Copenhagen against the runner-ups from Group E, which features Spain, before a quarter-final in St Petersburg. There are other possibilities if they are one of the best third-place finishers.

Where and when will Wales play?

Ryan Giggs says Wales will be a match for anyone at Euro 2020
Wales, semi-finalists in 2016, land in Group A alongside 1968 winners Italy, who won all 10 of their qualification matches and conceded just four goals.

They are joined by Switzerland, winners of their qualification group, and a Turkey side that earned a win and a draw against world champions France.

Italy will play their three group games at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, with the other venue in the group being Baku's Olympic Stadium.

Guaranteed to face at least one trip to Azerbaijan or Russia prior to the draw, Wales boss Ryan Giggs will be pleased with his side's travel plans which sees them play twice in Baku before a final group match in the Italian capital.

Wales' first test is against Switzerland on Saturday, 13 June, with Turkey their second Baku appointment on 17 June.

Their final Group A match is against Italy in Rome on 21 June.

What do Scotland and Northern Ireland need to do?
Triumph in the Euro 2020 play-offs in March, and Steve Clarke's Scotland would end a 22-year wait for major tournament football.

That wait would come to an end against the Czech Republic in Glasgow on 15 June, with a trip to face England at Wembley following on Friday 19 June and a final group game at Hampden Park against Croatia four days later.

But first, Clarke's side must find a way past Israel at home on 26 March.

Succeed, and they will then face an away tie against the winner of Norway's play-off semi-final with Serbia five days later to battle for qualification.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland are away to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their play-off semi-final, with the winner at home to the Republic of Ireland or Slovakia in the Path B final.

Saturday's draw means Spain, Sweden and Poland would await Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland in Group E should they qualify.

However, with the play-off winners not being decided until 31 March, there remains a bit of a wait yet for the final groups to be confirmed.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50616341
 
Everyone is talking about group F which is known as the group of death , but group A is the one to watch out for its anyone's game and will produce some great games for sure
 
Uefa have called an emergency meeting for Tuesday in which the possibility of postponing Euro 2020 by one year is an option being discussed.

European football's governing body will hold video conference meetings to discuss its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Discussions will cover all domestic and European competitions, including Euro 2020.

Euro 2020 is due to take place from 12 June-12 July at venues across Europe.

Uefa has invited representatives of its 55 member associations, plus the boards of the European Club Association, the European leagues and a representative of world players' union Fifpro.

The Women's Euros are due to take place in England from 11 July-1 August 2021.

On Thursday, La Liga became the latest European league to be suspended because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Spanish top-flight has been suspended for "at least the next two rounds of matches".

In addition, the Danish Football Association has cancelled all football activities in the country for two weeks while the Netherlands' Eredivisie has been suspended until 31 March.

In Italy, Serie A is suspended until 3 April, with the country in lockdown and two players - Juventus' Daniele Rugani and Sampdoria's Manolo Gabbiadini - having tested positive.

Matches in the top two leagues in France are being played behind closed doors while two Europa League last-16 first-leg fixtures scheduled for Thursday have been postponed and a number will be played behind closed doors, including Manchester United's trip to Austria to face LASK.

As it stands, the Premier League is to continue as usual despite three Leicester first-team players having self-isolated after showing symptoms.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51859548
 
It's a shame.

The virus has affected the whole world of football.

Every single league is going to be suspended, the Champions League will be as well, and the Euros are probably going to get postponed to next year.

It was going to be a great year for football fans, but sadly...
 
The Italian Football Federation has called for the postponement of Euro 2020 to give time to complete the Serie A season, which has been suspended because of coronavirus.

Federation president Gabriele Gravina says the idea will be put to Uefa at an emergency meeting on Tuesday.

Serie A was suspended last Tuesday, with Italy the European country worst affected by the virus.

"We will propose that Uefa postpone the European Championship," Gravina said.

Speaking to television channel Sportmediaset, the Italian added: "We will try to get to the end of this championship [Serie A] because it is fairer and more correct after the many investments and sacrifices of our clubs."

Coronavirus: How the virus has impacted sporting events around the world
Coronavirus: Wayne Rooney says footballers treated as "guinea pigs"
Uefa has invited representatives of its 55 member associations to Tuesday's video conference meeting, with Euro 2020 due to take place from 12 June-12 July at venues across Europe.

The boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues, and a representative of world players' union Fifpro have also been invited and discussions will cover all domestic and European competitions, including the possible postponement of Euro 2020 by one year.

The Italian Football Federation had previously said the Serie A season may not be completed and offered alternatives including play-offs, not having a champion for 2019-20 or declaring the current standings final.

Gravina now hopes the league could finish by 30 June, one month later than scheduled, but admitted it could be extended for another month and suggested clubs should not train at the moment.

"If the league were to resume at the beginning of May, I would leave the question of training for the moment," he said.

"Let's leave the boys at home, they have to recover physical and mental energy."

On Sunday, Italy reported 368 more coronavirus deaths, a new one-day record in the country.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51901183
 
Euro 2020 has been postponed by one year until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, says Uefa.

European football's governing body made the decision during an emergency video conference involving major stakeholders on Tuesday.

The tournament, due to take place from 12 June-12 July this summer, will now run from 11 June to 11 July next year.

The postponement provides a chance for European leagues that have been suspended to now be completed.

Uefa said it wanted to avoid "placing any unnecessary pressure on national public services" of its 12 host countries, as well as helping allow domestic competitions to be finished.

"We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent," said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

"It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism.

"The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one priority and in that spirit, Uefa tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely and I am proud of the response of my colleagues across European football.

"There was a real spirit of co-operation, with everyone recognising that they had to sacrifice something in order to achieve the best result."

Ceferin said it was important Uefa "led the process and made the biggest sacrifice", adding it comes "at a huge cost" but "purpose over profit has been our guiding principle in taking this decision for the good of European football as a whole".

Euro play-offs moved to June
The European Championship qualifying play-offs, scheduled to begin in March, have provisionally been moved to June.

They include two-legged ties between Scotland and Israel, Northern Ireland and Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.

Friendly international matches due to be played this month have also been pushed back until June.

Uefa says a working group will examine calendar solutions that would allow for the completion of the current season and any other consequence of Tuesday's decisions.

Uefa's Nations League and the European Under-21 Championships are scheduled to take place next summer.

The 2021 Uefa Women's European Championship is set to take place in England and begins on 7 July, four days before the proposed men's final.

Elsewhere, the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) says this year's Copa America, due to take place from 12 June to 12 July, has been postponed until 2021.

What do the nations involved say?
The Norwegian FA, whose side are yet to qualify for the tournament, were first to announce the news, followed by the French and other FAs.

Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association, said English football's governing body supported the decision.

"We will be considering the implications for all England teams and our organisation over the coming days, including any implications on the date of the 2021 Women's Euros which we are very proud to be hosting," he said.

"We will continue to work in collaboration with the PL, EFL and our football partners on the scenarios that could follow Uefa's decision today and ensure we are ready to put them into immediate action once it is appropriate to do so.

"Until then, we will continue to follow the advice of Government and the health authorities."

French Football Federation president Noel le Graet says the governing body "fully supports" Uefa and it was a "wise and pragmatic decision".

Why has this happened?
Many of Europe's domestic leagues - as well as the Champions League and Europa League - have been suspended following an increasing number of coronavirus cases around the continent.

Players and coaches have also been affected by the virus or been told to go into self-isolation, meaning leagues have had to shut down.

A mini-tournament to decide the Champions League and Europa League is expected to be one option put forward at Tuesday's meeting to ease fixture congestion caused by the coronavirus crisis.

How Europe's top leagues have reacted:

Premier League: All elite football in Britain cancelled until 4 April at the earliest subject to "conditions at the time".
La Liga: Spain's top flight suspended until 4 April at the earliest when it will "revaluate" the situation.
Serie A: Italy has the highest number of cases in Europe and the country is in lockdown.
Bundesliga: Suspended until at least 2 April in Germany.
Ligue 1: Games initially played behind closed doors in France but now suspended "until further notice".
What other limitations are there?
While the big domestic leagues have problems over television contracts to solve if games do not take place, most countries rely on the payments from Uefa that come out of major international tournaments to allow their own leagues to function properly.

These would be at risk from any movement of the European Championship and are likely to form part of any agreement.

An estimated 400 staff are working for Uefa on the Euros. It is unknown what will happen to them if the tournament does not take place for another 12 months.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51909518
 
Uefa has also confirmed that all 12 original Euro 2020 host cities will stage matches in the delayed tournament.

That competition will now start on 11 June 2021.

The outstanding qualification play-off matches, which include ties for Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, will be staged on 8 October and 12 November.
 
Euro 2020 play-offs & England-Wales friendly on big day for Home Nations

It's a huge day of international football for the Home Nations with some fighting for their Euro 2020 places and Anglo-Welsh bragging rights at stake.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are involved in play-off semi-finals at 19:45 BST as they bid for a spot in next summer's rearranged European Championship, while England and Wales - who have already qualified - face off in a much-anticipated friendly at Wembley.

After tonight, we could even be looking forward to a potential Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland play-off final - which would be at Belfast's Windsor Park - although they both have to get through tricky away games before they worry about that.

Northern Ireland travel to Bosnia while the Republic visit Slovakia and victories for both in tonight's one-legged ties would set up a mouth-watering all-Ireland showdown for Euro 2020 qualification.

Scotland's task of progressing past Israel at Hampden Park has been made even more difficult by the absence of three players because of Covid-19.

Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie will all miss the semi-final after the former tested positive, with a final against Norway or Serbia awaiting the winners.

Away from the Euro 2020 play-offs, England and Wales go head-to-head behind closed doors in a friendly (20:00 BST) that is expected to be no less competitive.

England won the last meeting, a 2-1 victory at Euro 2016, and have been victors in 67 of the 102 matches between the two sides, with the last of Wales's 14 wins coming in the Home International Championship in 1984.

How do the play-offs work?

All eight semi-finals are on Thursday, with the four finals on 12 November (before Nations League double-headers). They were initially scheduled for 26 and 31 March before the coronavirus pandemic.

Northern Ireland and the Republic both qualified for the play-offs purely on the basis of being in Tier B of the Nations League. Both sides finished bottom after failing to win a game.

Scotland qualified on their own merits after topping their Nations League group.

They are bidding to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup. Their only two European Championship appearances were in 1992 and 1996, going out in the group stage both times.

Uefa has said home fans - but no away supporters - can occupy up to 30% of the ground's capacity if local authorities allow.

That means 2,000 Bosnian fans will be allowed to attend their semi-final against Northern Ireland.

Scotland's home game with Israel will be behind closed doors because the government is not allowing spectators into matches.

Slovakia has declared a state of emergency, meaning fans are unlikely to be allowed into their game with the Republic of Ireland.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54462780
 
Luka Milivojevic will miss Serbia's Euro 2020 play-off with Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus; rest of the squad have tested negative and the match in Belgrade will go ahead;
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

MenInG
The Euro 2020 Tournament (11 June to 11 July)
4 5 6
Replies
452
Views
18K
MenInG
MenInG
MenInG
IPL 2020: Prize money for champion, runner-up, and playoff qualifiers halved
Replies
7
Views
1K
MenInG
MenInG
MenInG
Portugal defeat Netherlands to win the UEFA Nations League (2019)
2
Replies
88
Views
5K
MenInG
MenInG
MenInG
Euro T20 Slam - Inaugural 2019 edition postponed
2
Replies
84
Views
14K
Abdullah719
A
Back
Top