England have been brutally drawn against Italy, Germany and Hungary in the UEFA Nations League.
The Three Lions take on old rivals Germany and renew hostilities with Italy following their Euro 2020 final heartbreak last summer.
Gareth Southgate’s charges also take on Hungary having played them in the World Cup qualification round.
Three Lions face tough test
This year’s Nations League, the latest addition to UEFA’s international tournament setup, was of course played to completion early in October.
After France and Spain emerged from the two semi-final ties to take their place in the competition’s showpiece, the former eventually emerged triumphant, joining Portugal as only the 2nd side with a Nations League crown to their name.
Less than a year on from France’s triumph, though, the NL is primed to get back underway.
Beginning in June 2022, Europe’s elite will face off once more, in the competition’s latest round of group stage fixtures.
And, as alluded to above, the draw for precisely that was held a short time ago, with one 4-team collective in particular having since caught the headlines, as the latest ‘Group of Death’.
This comes in the form of League A, Group 3, which will see Gareth Southgate’s England face off with long-time foe Germany, familiar faces Hungary and, perhaps most notably of all, Italy.
The Azzurri and Three Lions of course faced off just months ago, with the former having eventually emerged triumphant in the Euro 2020 finale, to deny Southgate and co. a first piece of silverware since 1966 at the final hurdle.
Belgium vs Netherlands among ties
Elsewhere in the draw, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will vie it out with Ukraine and Armenia in League B, Group 1, Wales face a tough test up against the might of Belgium and the Netherlands, whilst holders France have been pitted against Croatia, Austria and Euro 2020 darlings Denmark.
League A draw –
Group A1: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France
Group A2: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain
Group A3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy
England will kick off their Nations League campaign next summer, with four games set to take place in June 2022.
Two games are then scheduled for September 2022, with the final due in June 2023.
