A look at the issues facing the major European nations after the first round of World Cup qualifiers and looking ahead to the European Championships:
GERMANY
Just when Germany seemed back on track, calamity happened. On Wednesday, a 2-1 loss to North Macedonia was Germany’s first defeat in the World Cup, qualifying for 20 years. That cast into doubt all of Joachim Löw’s work to rebuild the team and the decision to let him stay until the European Championship following last year’s 6-0 humble in Spain. A formidable group, including France and Portugal, awaits Germany at the delayed Euro 2020. It’s worth remembering that the last time Germany lost a World Cup qualifier, it reached the final the following year, finishing runner-up to Brazil in 2002. The Germans are still favorites to qualify from their group this time, given Iceland and Romania have also had troubled starts with losses to surprise leader Armenia.
FRANCE
At least France coach Didier Deschamps won’t have to worry about his goalkeeper. Hugo Lloris underlined his status with a remarkable point-blank save against Bosnia-Herzegovina, among the best of his career. Raphael Varane remains a commanding figure in central defense, while the fleet-footed Antoine Griezmann links midfield and attacks skillfully. But the fact Deschamps needed Griezmann’s goals also highlights issues in the episode. Olivier Giroud’s lack of games for Chelsea hurts his sharpness, and Kylian Mbappe has been bizarrely lackluster. Mbappe has not scored in his past four games for France, including a missed penalty. Encouragingly, though, winger Ousmane Dembele made a scoring return and looks full of confidence.
PORTUGAL
Diogo Jota has broken up Liverpool’s long-established front three in an impressive – if injury-affected – first season at Anfield; he is starting to look the part at the international level, too. Over the past week, OTA was the bright spot for Portugal to score three goals over the three games to outshine Cristiano Ronaldo. Going into the European Championship, Jota looks to have forced his way into what has fast become Portugal’s most talented team in years, with Ronaldo supported by the skill and vision of playmakers Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and João Félix, and now the incisiveness and pace of Jota. All eyes, naturally, remain trained on Ronaldo, who continues his quest toward the all-time scoring record for a men’s national team. His goal against Luxembourg left him six away from tying the 109 Iran’s Ali Daei scored.
ENGLAND
England coach Gareth Southgate is inching closer to his preferred team, certainly in attack, where Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, and Phil Foden look like his ideal trio. The most significant question marks hang over who is the first-choice left-back out of Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, whether Trent Alexander-Arnold can force his way back into the squad despite a raft of solid right-back alternatives, and who joins the blossoming Declan Rice in central midfield. The biggest winner from the past week might be Mason Mount, who now appears to be a lock in the attacking midfield role like he is at Chelsea.
