England will ensure automatic qualification for the European Championship 2020 knockout if they avoid defeat against the Czech Republic in the final group match at Wembley on Tuesday night.
But the Three Lions will only go through as group winners if they beat the Czechs, who currently lead the group after the first two rounds.
Some England fans have already expressed hope that England will actually finish in second place, as it would mean an easier 16-match competition against the second-placed team from Group E – one from Poland, Slovakia, Spain or Sweden. Winning the group would mean facing second place in Group F in the next round, which will be either France, Germany or Portugal.
But even finishing second in the group and becoming easier 16-route can still put Gareth Southgate’s team against a group F-side in the quarterfinals instead.
The Czech Republic, on the other hand, may have surprised in Group D so far. They made it easy for Scotland in their opening game, which is more than England managed, and then continued to hold Croatia to a draw to put themselves in a strong position now.
Here’s a look at all you need to know about the crucial conflict …
England continue at Wembley for a third match / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
When is kick off? Tuesday 22 June, 20:00 (BST)Where is the match played? Wembley StadiumWhich TV channel is it on? ITV1 / ITV Hub (UK), fuboTV / ESPN (US)Who is the judge? Artur Dias (POR)Who is WHERE? Joao Pinheiro (POR)
* You can find out how you watch each Euro 2020 game here.
Patrik Schick is the principal of the Czech Republic / PAUL ELLIS / Getty Images
Czech coach Jaroslav Silhavy has so far had a largely settled team in this tournament and only made one change from the first game to the second when he switched Alex Kral to Tomas Holes.
Patrik Schick is the father of England to watch out for. Bayer Leverkusen’s striker has scored three goals in two games, including a strong challenger for goals in the tournament, while there are familiar faces in the West Ham duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek.
Harry Maguire can make his first appearance in Euro 2020 / Facundo Arrizabalaga – Pool / Getty Images
Before the tournament even began, this game was earmarked as Harry Maguire’s potential comeback after recovering from an ankle problem he suffered at the end of the Premier League season with Manchester United.
England fans will also be keen for Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford to start giving more attacking drive, while there are concerns for Jadon Sancho to get at least a few minutes after being ruled out so far. Further back, Jordan Henderson could be recalled in midfield to replace Kalvin Phillips, who impressed against Croatia but came under fire after a limited performance against Scotland.
Czech Republic: Vaclik; Coufal, Celutska, Kalas, Boril; Soucek, Kral; Masopust, Darida, Jankto; Send
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson; Rashford, Mount, Grealish; Kane
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick against the Czech Republic at Wembley 2019 / Clive Rose / Getty Images
After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia as a nation in 1993 after the bloodless velvet revolution, England has only played the Czech Republic on four occasions and only twice in a competitive environment.
In addition, after friendly meetings in 1998, a 2-0 victory in England and in 2008, a 2-2 draw, both competitive matches took place as recently as 2019 in the qualifiers for this particular tournament.
England ran an impressive 5-0 win at Wembley thanks to a Raheem Sterling trick, while the reverse match in Prague ended in a surprising 2-1 defeat.
Before 1993, England had a strong record against Czechoslovakia, winning seven of 12 meetings between 1934 and 1992 and losing only twice. England won World Cup tournaments in 1970 and 1982, while winning 3-0 less than two years before Czechoslovakia won Euro ’76.
England have the talent to beat the Czech Republic / Visionhaus / Getty Images
England know they have what it takes to beat the Czech Republic at Wembley as the exact match ended 5-0 last time it was played just over two years ago.
But tournament football is different and England has struggled to get started so far and is really nothing like the free points side that was netted 37 times in 10 qualifiers.
Fans are desperate for Southgate to drop even the reins and release more of his incredibly talented attacking players. But whether he wants is another matter.
Prediction: Czech Republic 1-2 England
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