Your Guide To A Wonderful Week of International Football

Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that there was a point in 2020 where we went without sports for about three months – because there’s hardly three hours that pass without a contest of some kind these days! Well, get warmed up for more – because there’s a feast of football lined up in the week ahead!

 

As well as highlights and full replays of Ireland’s games against England, Wales and Bulgaria (which you’ll catch live on Sky Sports), there’s an absolute heap of live goodies to sink your teeth into on Virgin Media Sport, Virgin TV 400 – including our neighbours to the north looking to make it to Euro 2020!

 

So clear your evenings and sit back; we’ve selected five of the greatest games to enjoy in the week ahead...

 

Netherlands v Spain

Wednesday, 7.35pm, Virgin Media Sport

 

We start the week with a friendly game – but what a game it is! Originally scheduled for March (until, y’know), two of the most decorated sides on the continent will face off in a game to have purists salivating. Both, of course, have competitive appointments in the days ahead, which means there’ll be starting spots to be grabbed and form to be found, in a game that promises to deliver more than your average warm-up tie!

 

Northern Ireland v Slovakia – Playoff Final

Thursday, 7pm, Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport

 

While Stephen Kenny’s men might have falled at the penultimate hurdle, we can still have some boys in green at Euro 2020 – and it’s the same opposition that stands in their way! Slovakia have taken the unusual step of changing boss since their shoot-out win against Ireland, but that’s no reason to overlook them – and anyway, Ian Baraclough only began his own tenure during the summer! One will have a big 2021 to look forward to...

 

Portugal v France

Saturday, 7pm, Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport

 

Reigning Euros champs against current World Cup holders – does it get any better than that? Portugal, of course, are also the side who claimed the very first UEFA Nations League trophy, and so should be especially eager to beat a side with whom they share no small amount of history. The first game between the sides ended in a scoreless draw; we wouldn’t bet on the same happening when they renew their rivalry once more!

 

Spain v Germany

Tuesday, 7pm, Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport

 

A second opportunity to watch the star-studded Spanish side comes as they take on another continental colossus. A last-gasp equaliser saw the visitors grab a draw in Stuttgart, so beware that this showdown in Seville might last until the 98th minute too! There’s every chance that top spot in the pool will come down to this match-up, and either side would be well-fancied to be in with a shout of winning the whole lot come next year...

               

England v Iceland

Wednesday, 7pm, Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport

 

For everybody except English supporters, the mere sight of this fixture brings back glorious memories – right? Admit it, you’re smiling right now! Their famed Euro 2016 clash has gone down in history, and while plenty has changed in the interim, you can guarantee there’ll be plenty of reminiscing on that day in Nice; England exacted some measure of revenge with a 1-0 win in their first reunion, but that hardly makes them even-stevens yet!

 

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