Czech Republic vs England: How to watch this Euro 2020 Group D decider live on June 22, 2021

June 21, 2021 By Ali M.

Topics: TV Schedules, Czech Republic, England, UEFA Euro 2020

This game will decide whether the Three Lions win their group or finish as runners-up. Here's a preview of their clash with the Czech Republic.

Preview

The final round of the Euro 2020 group stage is underway, with one of the most crucial games being Tuesday's showdown between England and the Czech Republic. The Three Lions will welcome their Group D rivals in one of two simultaneous 3 p.m. kick-offs, with this tie set to determine who will win the group.

Prior to the tournament's kick-off, England were deemed as the undisputed favorites to top their group. The reason is simple: the 1966 World Cup winners are blessed with some of the continent's best and most promising attackers. With the likes of Mason Mount, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, and Declan Rice joining the experienced and established Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, and others; they were tipped to cruise past their opposition.

However, things have not unfolded as hoped. Their opening fixture was a showdown with Croatia, the team they lost to in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, which they won 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Raheem Sterling. It was a professional display from Gareth Southgate, but not an inspiring one, with Kane and Co. struggling to harmonize in attack.

The fact that Kalvin Philipps, a defensive midfielder, was chosen as the Man of the Match is proof of this. The three points papered over the cracks, but there was no win to hide behind in the second game, a Wembley Stadium showdown with Scotland. A toothless performance saw them share the points with the Tartan Army.

As a result, Southgate's side are tied on points with the Czech Republic, but behind on goal difference. Failure to beat Tuesday's opposition would mean a runners-up finish but given the round of 16 bracket, this might not be a bad thing. The second-placed team in this group will face the runners-up of Group E, which could be anyone from Sweden, Slovakia, Spain, or Poland. A first-placed finish, however, will earn them a knockout stage clash with the third-placed team of Group F, which will likely be France, Germany, or Portugal.

Czech Republic, on the other hand, have been nothing but impressive. Two goals from Patrik Schick, including an outrageous strike from the halfway line, saw Naši beat Scotland 2-0 in their opening game before drawing 1-1 with Croatia. Victory over the Three Lions would prove that they are the true dark horses of Euro 2020.

Team news

Czech Republic: Schick picked up a bloody nose in the 1-1 draw with Croatia, but given that he completed that game, he's all but destined to start in this clash. There are no injury concerns in the Czech camp.

England: Harry Maguire was on the bench in the 0-0 draw with Scotland and could thus return in place for Tyron Mings. Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish are two names who the fans have been calling out for, but only the latter stands a chance of making into the starting lineup ahead of Foden or Sterling. Mount and Chilwell are self-isolating after coming in close contact with Chelsea team-mate Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for COVID-19.

Key stats

This will be the fifth encounter between these two nations.
Czech Republic have managed only one win in their last four clashes, but triumph came in their most recent run-in.
England have never lost at Wembley in the finals of a major tournament (W8, D4).
Naši, on the other hand, have never won at Wembley, losing three of their four trips there while conceding 11 goals.