EURO 2024 Qualifiers – Matchday 5
The international break is upon us and as all major European leagues go on a 2-week break, fans will undoubtedly switch their focus to their national teams as the EURO 2024 Qualifiers take place. 53 teams will be vying to secure their automatic qualification in the competition which takes place in Germany next year.
We look at some key games that take place for Matchday 5 and what to look out for. Group A leaders, Scotland look to build on their impressive start to the campaign and face Cyprus away. Scotland have won 4 out of their 4 games and another 3 points here will solidify their qualification. Scott McTominay has been in sizzling form scoring 5 goals in the 4 qualifiers so far and will look to add to his tally.
Group A favourites, Spain meanwhile travel to Georgia for the first time and must make up ground as they currently have 3 points but with a game in hand. The Spanish team manager, Luis de la Fuente has called up 16-year-old wonderkid, Lamine Yamal who has been outstanding for Barcelona this season. If he is to make his debut, Yamal will be the youngest player to represent Spain breaking Gavi’s record set in 2021.
Group B meanwhile see leaders France taking on the Republic of Ireland in Paris and are looking for their 5th straight win. Didier Deschamps’s men will be wary of the threat that Ireland poses especially with young Irish striker Evan Ferguson netting a hattrick in the Premier League over the weekend.
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The Netherlands face-off against Greece in a must win game to keep within touching distance of France. The Dutch have only played 2 games thus far and are aware that Greece will not be pushovers. Frankie De Jong will be expected to provide the ammunition to Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen who are expected to lead the line in Memphis Depay’s absence.
England leads Group C with a perfect record and will play 2nd placed Ukraine in Poland. Harry Kane will be hoping to continue his fine goal scoring form but England will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish as they have pulled out from the squad due to injuries.
The other key game in Group C see North Macedonia hosting Italy in a game the visitors know they must win. The Azzurri sit 3rd with just 3 points but having played only 2 games thus far. Luciano Spalletti knows his side must win the next 2 games to stand a chance to automatically qualify to EURO 2024.
Belgium travel to Azerbaijan to regain their lead at the top of Group F from Austria. Romelu Lukaku having just signed for AS Roma will be looking to add to his 6-goal tally for the qualifiers as Belgium look to extend their lead over 3rd placed Sweden.
Rasmus Hojlund, the joint top-scorer with Lukaku will face San Marino in what has traditionally been a easy win for the host. Hojlund has recently just recovered from injury and manager, Kasper Hjulmand will be considering resting him as Denmark face Finland away in Matchday 6.
Other notable fixtures for Matchday 5 includes a top of the table clash between Serbia and Hungary in Group G with both sides level on seven points. Kazakhstan and Finland go head-to-head in Astana in a top of a table clash for Group H.
Matchday 5 will be followed closely by Matchday 6 which should give a clearer picture to which teams have one foot in qualification for EURO 2024.
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