It's been very much a mixed start for Europe’s big guns at Euro 2020. Italy have looked imperious during their perfect start, while Spain are still waiting for the first win, France were surprisingly held by Hungary and even Germany lost their opening game.
So it’s certainly not all doom and gloom for England.
Here, Matt Barlow, Sami Mokbel, Chris Wheeler, Jack Gaughan, Tom Collomosse and Pete Jenson give their verdicts on how the contenders are fairing ahead of this weekend’s knockout stages.
BELGIUM
The good news for the world’s No 1 side — and bad news for their rivals — is that they have won both their opening games and are only getting stronger going into the knockout phase.
A routine 3-0 victory over Russia was followed up by a 2-1 comeback win against Denmark on an emotional night in Copenhagen when Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel came off the bench to turn the game on its head.
All three players will start today’s final group match against Finland in St Petersburg as Roberto Martinez’s side nears full strength.
Questions remain over an ageing defence but with De Bruyne and Hazard fit again, and Romelu Lukaku firing on all cylinders, Belgium are shaping up to be the force everyone was expecting.
ENGLAND
Would Gareth Southgate have taken four points from the opening two games? Probably. So why all the glum faces? Beat Czech Republic tomorrow and it’s been a very good group stage for England. OK, the performance and result against Scotland should have been better — but the fact Steve Clarke’s men were celebrating like they’d won the game tells you a lot.
Two clean sheets have come as a welcome surprise, so if England can open up a bit more they could still go the distance. It’s a difficult balancing act, of course, but the lack of creativity should be a concern.
A convincing win over the Czechs will put England on the front foot heading into the knockout stages and should turn those frowns upside down.
FRANCE
Yet to hit their best rhythm and still waiting for Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe to find the net, but the depth of quality Didier Deschamps has at his disposal is clear. They are Euro 2020’s most complete squad and have four points from the toughest group.
A glimmer of hope for others, perhaps, is they spluttered against Hungary in the intense heat of Budapest. They return to the same venue against Portugal but a strong performance against Germany in the opener is a better indicator of what they can do.
Assuming Germany can do what France couldn’t and beat Hungary, the world champions will need to beat Portugal on Wednesday to top the group.
GERMANY
Held their nerve when they needed a win against a dangerous Portugal team.
It’s impossible to rule out the European masters of tournament football. Understandably over-cautious against France in the opener, they performed with more risk against Portugal and were rewarded with four goals.
Chelsea’s Kai Havertz clicking into his stride is encouraging. It will give them the belief that they can beat Hungary in Munich and grow into the competition from there. A draw between France and Portugal — or a Portugal win — in their last game would mean Germany can top the group with a win against Hungary.
HOLLAND
Frank de Boer’s side have exceeded expectations in qualifying for the knockout stages relatively comfortably.
His 5-3-2 system is unpopular but has got results, and fears it would make them boring to watch have proved unfounded two games in.
The Netherlands have carried a real attacking threat in both games and improved defensively from the first game to the second, largely thanks to the return of Matthijs de Ligt.
Denzel Dumfries, Gini Wijnaldum and Frenkie de Jong have been their standouts so far.
Still waiting for Memphis Depay to truly come to the party and depth of quality may be an issue.
They are unlikely to win it but if Portugal, France or Germany are avoided in the last 16, the semi-finals are a realistic target.
ITALY
IT is hard to find fault with Italy’s three performances. They look dangerous in attack, balanced in midfield and solid in defence, while having one of Europe’s best goalkeepers in Gianluigi Donnarumma.
They also brought back PSG midfielder Marco Verratti against Wales yesterday, after he missed the first two group games with a knee injury — although Manuel Locatelli has made it difficult to leave him out for the last 16 game against Group C’s runners-up at Wembley.
Yet there are questions. Will captain Giorgio Chiellini be fit for the last 16 after sustaining a thigh injury against Switzerland? Can Ciro Immobile be trusted against the top teams? And will Italy be as effective now they have to leave Rome’s Stadio Olimpico?
PORTUGAL
So much attacking flair but their defensive frailties were exposed by Germany. The champions must beat France to be sure of qualifying as one of the top two.
The pace and movement of Mbappe and Benzema will be sure to test them again. But they have lots of experience and know from 2016 that performances do not mean a lot in the group stages.
It is all about squeezing into the last 16 — which they may well do even if they lose to France — and generating belief, then finding a way to win in the knockout stages. Don’t bet against them.
SPAIN
IT’S almost impossible to get knocked out at the group stage but Spain are doing their best. They missed chance after chance against Sweden, and could easily have lost a game they ended up drawing 0-0.
They got the elusive goal against Poland but their game management was awful and Poland crept back into it when Robert Lewandowski got the better of Aymeric Laporte with a fine header.
There are more questions than answers at the moment for Luis Enrique.
Why is he not using Champions League winning captain Cesar Azpilicueta? Why is attacking midfielder Marcos Llorente being used at right back?
They should beat Slovakia in their last game to progress, but no one in Spain believes they can win the tournament.
yupcdklo
0
BillyDedon
0
England are not big guns. They are just overrated
Most of their players are overrated by the media but not all England are still a big guns but what they lack most is a good coach.
goooaaaallll
1
England are not big guns. They are just overrated
AlpertoAp
0
Yh but giroud is the highest scorer in the French team so he knows the job more than benzema remember this isn’t Club football
Look guys i am not discrediting giroud or anything he is a top strikers and thats why he has been the undisputed striker at france for almost 5 years. But now benzema had better season individually and starts over him. Sure he deserves a spot but i doubt deschamps will start giroud over benzema
rawcdknst
0
Yh but giroud is the highest scorer in the French team so he knows the job more than benzema remember this isn’t Club football
but he lets the team unlike benzama
rawcdknst
0
Giroud hasnt scored in a major tournament since euro 2016 either. He scores only in qualifiers and friendlies. I doubt he will do more for france than benzema who can dribble better than him, pass better than him, shoot better than him and cross better than him
You are right
rawcdknst
0
England is going home.
100% true
rawcdknst
0
France are going to kill England if they're facing each other
badly even 5 goals
rawcdknst
0
I think Italy are main fav for this Euro followed by belgium.
Belgium first
abdoulll22
1
yes ohh
Vezonic22
3
Don't look for struggling companions, do your best. When others are falling, don't be there falling with them but instead, rise higher. England's team is just not that strong to go way further into Euro 2020.
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
2
bla bla bla while other teams are scoring... shame...
JohanRalph10
2
Italy will win Euro 2021 with these guys [100percent]
besbcikmst
2
France not doing well but sitting on the top of the table?🙄
imme03
0
Spain has all Barcelona players they shoot blanks not goals 😂
😂😂😂😂
ceybepr
6
Spain has all Barcelona players they shoot blanks not goals 😂
Neitsiz
0
England can win the euros if Southgate is sacked. But they won't.
...they wont because they dont want to win😂
yitbceky
4
because England is a very big country when it comes to football, that's why all the focus is on them.
ShubhankurSharma
5
I hope Germany and Portugal win their final games.
ShubhankurSharma
3
England can win the euros if Southgate is sacked. But they won't.
fiomnuy
4
France and Spain can at least put more than 5 passes together.
sen10r
8
yes, Spain are struggling but since when is England a 'big gun'?!
nkc123
2
I think Italy are main fav for this Euro followed by belgium.
DzekoDienQdoh
4
France are going to kill England if they're facing each other
ajasaemma2004
0
did they win any of their 30 match against any heavyweights?
That was then but now they are hot they brought their B team against Wales and they still won with a clean sheet all they needed was a midfielder like Locatelli to be shooting from range so they are complete and if they meet Portugal or France they win by two or three goals to nil(0) and I am sure of that
Neelraj
0
Italy has not conceded a goal they will win it easily
did they win any of their 30 match against any heavyweights?
ajasaemma2004
1
the germans are happy that Germany won against Portugal but nobody is talking about winning this tournament. italy, England, france, belgium, netherlands, spain, Portugal are all strong Teams. my personal favorite is Holland
Italy has not conceded a goal they will win it easily
ajasaemma2004
0
Giroud hasnt scored in a major tournament since euro 2016 either. He scores only in qualifiers and friendlies. I doubt he will do more for france than benzema who can dribble better than him, pass better than him, shoot better than him and cross better than him
Yh but giroud is the highest scorer in the French team so he knows the job more than benzema remember this isn’t Club football
ManUnited-Red
3
yeah, they need to be stronger again 🔥🔥
AlpertoAp
1
They don't need to unlock but rather bench him & let Giroud run d show
Giroud hasnt scored in a major tournament since euro 2016 either. He scores only in qualifiers and friendlies. I doubt he will do more for france than benzema who can dribble better than him, pass better than him, shoot better than him and cross better than him
Bir-Gorkhali
2
Bt Germany are shaping and reuniting and showing their strength... The way they played against portugal and even with france they are going to smash their opponent..
Emchi
3
Don't worry, England aren't the only big guns misfiring, bla bla bla. Words of mediocrities. You're neither Spain nor France. Can't you see Italy, Belgium. 🤐
Naycdknr
3
England is going home.
official_uto
0
There is no point if competing Italy will win France have a chance but unless their unlock benzema's abilities they will remain little cats compared to italy
They don't need to unlock but rather bench him & let Giroud run d show
AlpertoAp
2
There is no point if competing Italy will win France have a chance but unless their unlock benzema's abilities they will remain little cats compared to italy
Speciaal0ne
2
Belgium 🇧🇪 all the way
Findnorsz
2
the germans are happy that Germany won against Portugal but nobody is talking about winning this tournament. italy, England, france, belgium, netherlands, spain, Portugal are all strong Teams. my personal favorite is Holland