⚽️ UEFA Euro 2020 Match-day 1- Previews, Team News, Live Updates, Stats and More

[Goodness]

France vs Germany

France have enjoyed a lot of success under the tutelage of Didier Deschamps. From making it to the finals of the Euro 2016 to lifting the World Cup the last half-a-decade has been memorable for Les Bleus. They enjoyed a straightforward run through the qualifiers, topping Group H with eight wins in ten (D1 L1) before cruising through to the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League finals after a solid run of results last year.

Since the turn of the year, the World Champions haven’t lost any of their five games, winning each of the last four, including the two pre-Euro friendlies against Wales and Bulgaria earlier this month, putting them in a good shape. However, like in the yesteryears, [there has once again been dressing room unrest within the French camp ahead of the tournament which must be put aside if they are to lift the continental crown.

As for Germany, following the humiliation at the World Cup in 2018, they faced the prospect of relegation from League A of the UEFA Nations League, only to be saved by the change in rules. In the aftermath of that, it seemed like Die Mannschafthad turned over a new leaf as they won seven of their eight games in the Euro Qualifiers to top Group C ahead of Netherlands.

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France vs Germany Team News

Karim Benzema should be fit to start despite coming off injured in the final warm-up game against Bulgaria, although Kurt Zouma will need to be assessed.

Jonas Hofmann is unlikely to feature as he recovers from a knee injury, while this match will also come too soon for Leon Goretzka as he struggles with a muscle issue.

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This will be the sixth meeting between France and Germany at a major tournament, but their first in the group stages. So far, their head-to-head record is perfectly balanced with two wins each and a draw.

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France are unbeaten in their past five games against Germany on German soil (W3 D2). Their only previous meeting in Munich ended goalless (Allianz Arena, September 2018).

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This will be Joachim Low’s 18th game as manager in the European Championship, a record. Low has led Germany to the semi-finals in five of his six previous tournaments, the only exception coming at World Cup 2018 (group stages elimination).

[Jay]

Euro2020 will be Joachim Low’s final tournament as Head Coach of Germany.

@Goodness

OFFICIAL: Germany have confirmed Joachim Löw will step down as national team head coach after the Euros.

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Joachim Löw’s record as Germany manager:

◎ 189 games
◎ 120 wins
◎ 38 draws
◎ 31 defeats
◎ 63% win rate

And a World Cup winner in 2014.

@Yusuf

2014 World Cup winner

2017 Confederations Cup winner

120-37-31 record

Record 188 games managed for Germany

3 finals and 6 semifinals in 7 international tournaments

That 7-1 win vs. Brazil

Joachim Low has had an incredible 15 years as Germany manager

[Jay]

HUNGARY

Group F fixtures

15/06: Hungary vs Portugal (Budapest)
19/06: Hungary vs France (Budapest)
23/06: Germany vs Hungary (Munich)

Qualifying
Group E record: P8 W4 D0 L4 F8 A11
Play-offs: Bulgaria (a) 3-1; Iceland (h) 2-1
Qualifying top scorer: Willi Orban (3)

Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: third place (1964)
UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 4-0 to Belgium

Coach: Marco Rossi
The Italian former defender had coached in Hungary for four years when he took over the national-team helm in June 2018.

Key player: Willi Orbán
Strong in the tackle, Leipzig centre-back Orbán is a no-nonsense defender who also offers a real threat at the other end of the pitch. His four international goals between October 2018 and October 2020 made him his country’s second top scorer over that two-year period.

One to watch: Roland Sallai
Winger or second striker, Sallai comes into this EURO on the back of a breakthrough Bundesliga season with Freiburg: eight goals and six assists. With a great international hit-rate leading up to the finals, he is a fine foil for captain Ádám Szalai.

Did you know?
Hungary got to two of the first four semi-finals, in 1964 and 1972, but didn’t qualify again until 2016.

PORTUGAL

Group F fixtures

15/06: Hungary vs Portugal (Budapest)
19/06: Portugal vs Germany (Munich)
23/06: Portugal vs France (Budapest)

Qualifying
Group B record: P8 W5 D2 L1 F22 A6
Qualifying top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (11)

Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: winners (2016)
UEFA EURO 2016: winners

Coach: Fernando Santos
A journeyman defender, Fernando Santos coached Portugal’s big three clubs, taking charge of the national team in 2014 after a stint as Greece boss. He steered them to success at EURO 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League.

Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal’s most-capped player and all-time top scorer may be 36, but he will be looking to scratch a small itch at EURO 2020: he has never top-scored at a EURO or World Cup finals.

One to watch: João Félix
An attacking player of majestic skill, the Atlético Madrid man is the latest star to bolster a Portuguese side laden with talent. He made his senior debut aged 19 in Portugal’s triumphant 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals campaign.

Did you know?
October 2019’s loss to Ukraine was the first Portugal had suffered under Fernando Santos in a EURO (or indeed Nations League) game – qualifier or final tournament – since his appointment in September 2014. His only past defeats had come in the World Cup.

[Jay]

FRANCE

Group F fixtures
15/06: France vs Germany (Munich)
19/06: Hungary vs France (Budapest)
23/06: Portugal vs France (Budapest)

Qualifying
Group H record: P10 W8 D1 L1 F25 A6
Qualifying top scorer: Olivier Giroud (6)

Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: winners (1984, 2000)
UEFA EURO 2016: finalists, lost 1-0 aet to Portugal

Coach: Didier Deschamps
Deschamps captained Les Bleus to victory at the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000. France boss since 2012, he led them to World Cup glory in 2018 and can secure the second international double of his career at EURO 2020.

Key player: Kylian Mbappé
The Paris forward is happier the better the opposition. In between tournaments, France tend to take on sides who sit back and pack the defence and midfield, making it hard for Mbappé to use his strengths. Better sides try to play more and that’s when Mbappé springs into life, lethal on the break.

One to watch: Kingsley Coman
After missing the FIFA World Cup triumph because of injury, Coman has extra motivation. Deschamps’ desire to balance the side could mean the Bayern speedster having to content himself with a bench role. As he’s as quick as Mbappé, no opposition defender will relish seeing Coman’s number flash up.

Did you know?
France will be appearing at their 13th straight final tournament. They haven’t missed one since the 1994 World Cup, and have reached five finals during that sequence, winning three.

GERMANY

Group F fixtures
15/06: France vs Germany (Munich)
19/06: Portugal vs Germany (Munich)
23/06: Germany vs Hungary (Munich)

Qualifying
Group C record: P8 W7 D0 L1 F30 A7
Qualifying top scorer: Serge Gnabry (8)

Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: winners (1972, 1980, 1996)
UEFA EURO 2016: semi-finals, lost 2-0 to France

Coach: Joachim Löw
After 15 years at the helm, this will be the final tournament for the coach who never failed to lead Germany into at least the semi-finals of EURO.

Key player: Thomas Müller
Two-and-a-half years after being cut to make room for a rebuild, Germany have recalled Müller, a vocal leader with vast experience at major tournaments. The 31-year-old never fails to transmit his winning mentality to his team-mates.

One to watch: Kevin Volland
This entry previously featured Kai Havertz, but after scoring the winner in the UEFA Champions League final he should be on everyone’s horizon. The surprise package might be forward Volland, who comes in with an ambitious attitude and a fine record of 18 goals in 40 matches in his first season at Monaco.

Did you know?
The finals will be Germany’s 26th consecutive major tournament, namely World Cup or EURO.

[Jay]

Rooting for Germany in Group F!

@Yusuf

Who has the strongest squad in the Group of Death?

Wow! That’s a tough call!

A star studded Group!

It will be interesting to watch the battle of equals wrestle out for the top 2 spots!

France is without doubt the best squad.

However, I will be rooting for Germany, the underdogs. Would like to see them get back in the World Cup 2022 groove, set on a journey to avenge for their last WC early exit and reclaim the honor as World No. 1.

Current FIFA Ranking - as of 27 May 2021

FIFA Ranking before WC 2018 - as of 1 Jul 2018

Germany No. 1

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Hungary Line Up

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Portugal Line Up

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Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to appear in five EURO finals campaigns!

[Yusuf]

Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in men’s European Championship history to score 10 goals in the competition.

CR7 writes another chapter in the history books.

[Yusuf]

He’s scored in five straight Euros over 17 years.

He’s the highest scorer in the history of the competition.

105 international goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo is inevitable

[Yusuf]

10 – Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player in European Championship Finals history to score 10 goals in the competition, overtaking Michel Platini’s record of nine, all of which he scored in the 1984 edition.

[Yusuf]

2004 Euro
2006 World Cup
2008 Euro
2010 World Cup
2012 Euro
2014 World Cup
2016 Euro
2017 Confederations Cup
2018 World Cup
2019 Nations League
2020 Euro

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in every single tournament for Portugal.

[Goodness]

84’ Guerreiro
87’ Ronaldo
91’ Ronaldo

Portugal really upped their game in the final 10 minutes!

[Yusuf]

Only two players have scored in nine consecutive major international tournaments: World Cup + Euros / Copa América / AFCON.

Asamoah Gyan Cristiano Ronaldo

[Goodness]

3 - Portugal are the first team in European Championships history to score three goals in the final 10 minutes of a match. Intent.

[Yusuf]

Only one player in football history has scored 11 goals at the European Championships:

Cristiano Ronaldo (11)
Michel Platini (9)
󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Alan Shearer (7)

Just ANOTHER record for CR7.