France vs Germany: Who wins early clash of the titans at Euro 2020?

Michael Graham
14 June 2021

Karim Benzema Antoine Griezmann France Jun21

France and Germany meet in a colossal opening round clash at Euro 2020 and it may just be too close to call.

When: Tuesday June 15, 20:00 GMT

Where: Allianz Arena, Munich

How to watch: ITV

Best Bets

France to score over 2.5 goals and over 5.5 France corners at 18/1

Both teams to score in the 2nd half, both teams to take a corner in the 2nd half and both teams to receive a card in the 2nd half at 16/1

Antoine Griezmann to score twice at 12/1

World Champions France start their Euro 2020 campaign in a veritable clash of the titans against Germany in Munich on Tuesday.

The two sides have been drawn alongside Portugal in the customary 'group of death,' with Hungary the fourth team involved.

If one of these teams can start off with a win, they will all but put themselves into the knockout stages of the tournament, largely due to the blow they deal a key rival.

Last three meetings

France 2-1 Germany (Nations League - October 16, 2018)

We have relatively recent competitive contests between these two sides to draw on here, and it went the way of France.

They did leave it late though, and were indebted to Antoine Greizmann for the win on the night.

Real Madrid star Toni Kroos put the Germans ahead early from the penalty spot, and they looked comfortable until Griezmann's 62nd minute equaliser.

From there it was anyone's game and the Barcelona ace settled it with a penalty ten minutes from time.

Germany 0-0 France (Nations League - September 6, 2018)

Neither goals nor entertainment were in good supply the last time these two teams met in Munich.

France would have probably been happier with the point than the hosts, though.

Germany 2-2 France (Friendly - November 14, 2017)

There was certainly no doubting the entertainment factor when France travelled to Cologne for an international friendly in 2017.

Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette fired France into a first-half lead, but it wasn't until after the break that the game came to life.

Chelsea striker Timo Werner levelled for the hosts before Lacazette pounced again to give France - what appeared to me - an impressive away win.

However, Lars Stindl bagged himself a 93rd-minute equaliser for Germany .

End of an era for Germany?

When you look at Germany's squad there are a fair few players you can't help but think 'are they still going' about. Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, and Manuel Neuer have been producing for Germany for years and they are still very much involved now.

There are plenty of younger talents too, with former Premier League stars Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane joined by Kai Havertz in an exciting attacking line-up.

However, It is impossible to look at this Germany side and not see it as the end of an era due to coach Joachim Low set to step down at the end of Euro 2020 after 17 years at the helm.

Germany manager, Joachim Low

Germany squad

Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno, Manuel Neuer, Kevin Trapp

Defenders: Matthias Ginter, Robin Gosens, Christian Gunter, Marcel Halstenberg, Mats Hummels, Lukas Klostermann, Robin Koch, Antonio Rudiger, Niklas Sule

Midfielders: Emre Can, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gundogan, Kai Havertz, Jonas Hofmann, Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Florian Neuhaus

Forwards: Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Timo Werner, Leroy Sane, Kevin Volland

World Champions looking as strong as ever

France won the World Cup three years ago in Russia and they look no less equipped to win again this summer.

Didier Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches in forward areas, with Kylian Mbappe the undoubted star man. Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema is back in the fold too.

Their midfield packs a powerful punch too, with N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba likely to be physically dominant.

Perhaps the biggest asset they have though is Deschamps himself given the wealth of experience he has of winning tournaments with France as both a player and a coach.

France sensation, Kylian Mbappe

France squad

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Mike Maignan

Defenders: Lucas Digne, Leo Dubois, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Kounde, Clement Lenglet, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Kurt Zouma

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Thomas Lemar, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Moussa Sissoko, Corentin Tolisso

Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder, Karim Benzema, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram

International head-to-head

France wins: 14

Draws: 7

Germany wins: 10

Goalscorer bets

Mbappe features strongly in the betting for the top goalscorer in the whole tournament, so if you're backing him to score that might be the market in which to place that faith.

Griezman may be the man to back individually for this game. He scored twice the last time France played Germany and he is 12/1 to do that again.

Kai Havertz scored the winner in the Champions league final last season, so he has proven he can produce on the biggest stage and might be worth a punt at 21/4 to score the first goal.