European Qualifiers: What to look out for
Thursday, September 7, 2023
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Spain can build on their UEFA Nations League success as they return to European Qualifiers action, while the Netherlands are also bidding to make up for lost time.
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UEFA EURO 2024 is edging closer for the top performers in the European Qualifiers, with various teams able to bring a finals place within sight in September's Matchday 5 and 6 games.
UEFA.com identifies the main talking points in the next two rounds of fixtures.
Spain on the rebound
A shoot-out victory against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League final in June gave new Spain coach Luis de la Fuente a significant lift, though nerves inevitably jangled. "My wife is 36 weeks pregnant," said right-back Dani Carvajal. "She told me she almost gave birth because of this match! All my family were all very nervous."
However, if Spain now have their first silverware since UEFA EURO 2012, the pressure is still on when it comes to qualifying for EURO 2024. A shock defeat in Glasgow in March, and a break for the Nations League finals, mean La Roja are nine points adrift of Group A leaders Scotland going into their September meetings with Georgia (away) and Cyprus (home). The top two in each section qualify, and Spain have the back-up of a guaranteed play-off round slot thanks to their Nations League success, but any dropped points in September could be a blow to morale.
Irresistible forces, immovable objects
Scotland are one of four sides who have a 100% record after playing four games in these European Qualifiers. Of those other teams with top marks, England are the highest scorers with 15 goals and will look to add more to their tally (as well as three more points) as they take on Ukraine on Matchday 5.
In Group B, France have won all four of their games without conceding, and can aim for a fifth clean sheet as they welcome the Republic of Ireland. Portugal are also yet to concede and have scored even more than France's nine, but their +14 goal difference may not help them as they visit Slovakia on Matchday 5. Francesco Calzona's side are likewise unbeaten after four games (W3 D1) and eager to reach a third successive EURO.
Dutch seek reason to believe
Staging the Nations League finals proved to be less enjoyable than the Netherlands might have hoped; they lost 4-2 to Croatia after extra time in the semi-finals, then 3-2 to Italy in the bronze medal match. "I blame myself entirely for not being able to communicate how important it was to take responsibility, to defend, and to follow your man," coach Ronald Koeman said after that latter defeat. "We let each other down."
Having lost 4-0 to France in their opening Group B game, the Oranje are nine points adrift of Les Bleus, but they can close the gap on second-placed Greece when the teams meet on Matchday 5 – and they could be in a much better position after Matchday 6, when they visit the Republic of Ireland. With EURO 2024 taking place just over the border in Germany, the Dutch will not want to miss out on a ticket to the big party.
European Qualifiers in September
All kick-offs 20:45 CET unless stated
MATCHDAY 5
Thursday 7 September 2023
Group B: France vs Republic of Ireland, Netherlands vs Greece
Group E: Czechia vs Albania, Poland vs Faroe Islands
Group G: Lithuania vs Montenegro (18:00), Serbia vs Hungary
Group H: Kazakhstan vs Finland (16:00), Denmark vs San Marino, Slovenia vs Northern Ireland
Friday 8 September 2023
Group A: Georgia vs Spain (18:00), Cyprus vs Scotland
Group D: Croatia vs Latvia, Türkiye vs Armenia
Group J: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Liechtenstein, Luxembourg vs Iceland, Slovakia vs Portugal
Saturday 9 September 2023
Group C: Ukraine vs England (18:00), North Macedonia vs Italy
Group F: Azerbaijan vs Belgium (15:00), Estonia vs Sweden (18:00)
Group I: Andorra vs Belarus (18:00), Kosovo vs Switzerland, Romania vs Israel
MATCHDAY 6
Sunday 10 September 2023
Group B: Greece vs Gibraltar, Republic of Ireland vs Netherlands
Group E: Faroe Islands vs Moldova (18:00), Albania vs Poland
Group G: Montenegro vs Bulgaria (18:00), Lithuania vs Serbia
Group H: Kazakhstan vs Northern Ireland (15:00), Finland vs Denmark (18:00), San Marino vs Slovenia
Monday 11 September 2023
Group D: Armenia vs Croatia (18:00), Latvia vs Wales
Group J: Iceland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal vs Luxembourg, Slovakia vs Liechtenstein
Tuesday 12 September 2023
Group A: Norway vs Georgia, Spain vs Cyprus
Group C: Italy vs Ukraine, Malta vs North Macedonia
Group F: Belgium vs Estonia, Sweden vs Austria
Group I: Israel vs Belarus, Romania vs Kosovo, Switzerland vs Andorra
