Euro2024: Must Win Teams Today – 26/05/2024

Euro2024 Group E and Group F will come to their conclusions today, Wednesday, and thanks to their standings, we could be in for yet another shocker or two.

The likes of Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania are in the balance in Group E, and these last-round fixtures could give the standings a different look upon its conclusion. Below, we explain the need for teams to win their matches tonight to book automatic qualification to the next round or rely on qualifying for the next round as one of the best losers.

Euro2024 Group E Must Win Teams

Because every team in Group E has the same points (3), it is relatively important for every team to fight for a win tonight, in a bid to stand a chance to finish in the top two.

Romania: They started the group stage with a shock 3-0 win over Ukraine but were brought back to earth by Belgium when they lost 2-0. Despite the defeat, they remain at the top of Group E on goal difference. They must win their game tonight against Slovakia if they fancy staying at the top, but a draw can still do the magic – only if Ukraine vs Belgium follows suit. A defeat can see them drop to the 4th position depending number of goals they conceded.

Slovakia: They also started their Euro2024 push with a shock 1-0 win over Belgium and were close to completing another big win, but they eventually lost 2-1 late in the game from a winning position to Ukraine on matchday 2. Now, they must win their game against Romania if they fancy going through to the next round. A draw is not enough for them to finish in the 2nd position, but can be enough for them to go through to the round of 16 as one of the best losers.

Belgium: The Red Devils started their Euro2024 with a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia, although that game did not reflect the quality of the game. Belgium set things right in their second game and beat Romania 2-0. Now, they must beat Ukraine tonight to stand a chance to finish as the Group E winners, whilst a draw can be enough for them to finish in the top two, regardless of the Slovakia vs Romania result.

Ukraine: They started their European Championship with a shocking 3-0 defeat to Romania, but they righted their wrongs in their next game when they came from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 late. Because they have (-2) goal difference on the table and occupy the bottom of Group E, they MUST beat Belgium to go through to the next round. A draw against the Red Devils can be enough for them to go through to the next round as one of the best losers, but this heavily relies on Slovakia vs Romania not to end in a draw.

Euro2024 Group F Must Win Teams

Portugal are already through to the next round as they currently occupy the top spot with six points and positive 4 goals. This leaves the likes of Georgia, the Czech Republic and Turkey to fight for the remaining top spots.

Turkey: They started their campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win over Georgia, but their progress was put on hold after their 3-0 defeat to Portugal in the second game. They currently have 3 points, but they must the Czech Republic to join Portugal in the top two, but a draw can still see them finish in the top two if Georgia doesn’t beat Portugal. If the Georgians somehow stage a win over the Portuguese side, then Turkey MUST beat the Czech Republic if they want to finish in the top two, but a draw against the Czechs can see them finish in 3rd place with four points, which is somewhat good enough to qualify to the next round as one of the best losers.

Czech Republic: They MUST beat Turkey, at least with a 1-0 score, in a bid to finish the group stage behind Portugal with four points. For this to change, then Georgia must beat Portugal 2-0 or more, which is somewhat unlikely. The Czechs have the ball in their court, they are aware that they only have to win this game to go through, as a draw is not enough to get a place amongst the best losers.

Georgia: They have the hardest task – to beat Portugal and hope Turkey vs Czech Republic ends in a draw. And this scenario can only take them as high as 3rd place with four points. Anything other than a win against Portugal is irrelevant.

Group E Fixtures;
Ukraine vs Belgium
Slovakia vs Romania

Group F Fixtures;
Georgia vs Portugal
Turkey vs Czech Republic