While UEFA Euro 2024 is still six and a half months away, all participating nations learned of their group stage opponents during Saturday’s draw. With all six groups determined, here are five marquee matchups to look forward to in June.
Germany vs. Scotland
Euro 2024’s opening match features hosts Germany taking on Scotland in Munich.
Germany will be looking to avenge their 2022 World Cup disappointment, which saw them lose 2-1 to Japan preventing them from advancing to the knockout round.
The three-time Euro Champions haven’t lifted the trophy since 1996 but are hoping that their opening game against Scotland – who have never advanced past the group stage at the Euros – could set them on the right foot forward in the competition.
However, Scotland will be no pushover for the Germans as they’ve recently shown that they can compete against the goliaths of soccer.
The Scots defeated Spain 2-0 in Euro qualifying on the heels of a Scott McTominay brace, as his side finished second in their group, winning five of eight matches and only losing one.
Scotland also famously drew England in the previous Euro Cup, as well as defeating Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark in a World Cup Qualifiers game in November of 2021.
England vs. Denmark
England and Denmark have recent history against one another in European tournaments, which should set up a fantastic matchup in June.
At Euro 2020, the two teams met in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London, when Harry Kane – England’s top goal scorer – buried the extra time winner to defeat the Danes 2-1.
This time around, Denmark will be looking for revenge against the Three Lions and claim the top spot in their group, which includes Slovenia and Serbia.
Both England and Denmark are currently in form, which should result in some high-quality soccer to be played next summer. The English side won six of eight games in qualifying, while Denmark won seven of 10, as both teams won their respective groups.
France vs. Netherlands
France and the Netherlands are no strangers to one another, having met twice in Euro 2024 qualifying.
The French won both of those matchups by a combined score of 6-1 (4-0 and 2-1) as the magnificent Kylian Mbappe netted four of France’s six goals in those games.
However, the Dutch were without defender Denzel Dumfries in the 4-0 shellacking, as the Netherlands relied on the Inter Milan right-back to protect the Dutch’ right sideline, which includes stopping French stars Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
But even with Dumfries in the lineup, France is still a formidable opponent having won the 2018 World Cup and finishing as 2022 World Cup runners-up after a tough loss to Lionel Messi and Argentina.
The game should be intense and a tactical battle on both sides of the pitch, as it is likely to decide the winner of Group D, which also includes Austria and playoff winner A.
Spain vs. Italy
This “Group of Death” matchup on matchday two will have significant implications on group positioning, as earning a win is vital to have a chance at advancing out of Group B (Spain, Italy, Croatia and Albania).
These two monstrous soccer nations have met in the semi-finals of the last two European tournaments, with each team winning one of them.
In the semi-final of Euro 2020, the Italians defeated Spain in penalties en route to lifting their second Euro Cup after beating England in the finals, also in penalties.
Two years later, Spain got their revenge when they beat Italy 2-1 in the Nations League semi-final before they won their first-ever Nations League title shortly thereafter.
All eyes in the soccer world will be tuning into this rivalry, as it very well can be the most entertaining game in the group stage given the recent history and star power of both teams.
Spain vs. Croatia
This matchup features two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum but with the same goal of becoming European Champions.
Spain’s young midfielder core of Gavi and Pedri, who both play for Barcelona, are on the rise and are expected to have a monumental impact on Spain’s push for a fourth European title.
For Croatia, midfielders Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić are past their prime, as Croatia’s championship window is quickly closing despite being close to glory on numerous occasions.
Croatia finished as a semi-finalist at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and lost to France in the 2018 World Cup final. This could be the last opportunity for the Croats to lift a major trophy with this core.
They will be looking for their veteran experience to outmatch the youthful players that Luis de la Fluente selects in his starting 11 for Spain, as both teams will be looking for a win on matchday one to give them the front foot in the “Group of Death.”
For more information on Euro 2024, head to uefa.com.