England only won one game in Group C but finished in top spot, securing them a place on what’s considered the more favourable side of the knockout draw at Euro 2024
England will face Slovakia in the round-of-16 of Euro 2024 and can now map out their route all the way to the final.
Gareth Southgate’s side had been due to play the Netherlands until Georgia pulled off a shock 2-0 win against Portugal and put themselves through. England finished top of Group C, despite producing a string of uninspiring performances.
A 1-0 victory over Serbia, 1-1 draw against Denmark and 0-0 stalemate with Slovenia earned them five points, as Three Lions’ focus now turns to the knockout phase. Thanks to France’s surprise 1-1 draw with already-eliminated Poland, England find themselves on what’s considered to be the more favourable side of the draw.
They’d avoid the likes of France, Portugal, Spain and hosts Germany until the final. The game against Slovakia will take place at 5pm UK time this Sunday, with England returning to where they began their campaign, Gelsenkirchen.
Slovakia were part of an unprecedented Group E, coming third as every team finished on four points. Francesco Calzona’s side began the tournament with a stunning 1-0 win against Belgium before losing 2-1 to Ukraine. They then played out a 1-1 draw with Romania which saw both teams advance.
Whoever wins Sunday’s match between England and Slovakia will play the winner of Switzerland’s last-16 clash with reigning champions Italy in a quarter-final matchup on Saturday, July 6. That game will kick-off at 5pm and take place in Dusseldorf.
Next up would be the semi-final, with England’s possible fixture taking place on Wednesday, July 10. That match would be against either Austria, Turkey, Romania or the Netherlands. Kick-off for that match is 8pm and will be played at Borussia Dortmund’s stadium.
And, of course, the final is in Berlin on Sunday, July 10. Kick-off will be at 8pm.
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Regardless of who England play, they’ll almost certainly need to play better than in the group stage. Following Tuesday’s insipid draw with third-placed Slovenia, however, Southgate felt that his side had made a step forward.
“I thought we were much improved with the ball,” the Three Lions boss argued. “We created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us. We’re not quite getting that break in front of goal. I thought the boys that came on had a really good impact on the game.
“We’ve had the discipline to keep a clean sheet which meant that we topped the group. I understand some reactions, but it’s a strange environment we are playing in.”
England’s route to the final
Round-of-16: Sunday, June 30 – England vs Slovakia (5pm, Gelsenkirchen)
Quarter-final: Saturday, July 6 – England vs Switzerland or Italy (5pm, Dusseldorf)
Semi-final: Wednesday, July 10 – England vs Romania, Netherlands, Austria or Turkey (8pm, Dortmund)
Final: Sunday, July 14 – England vs Spain, Georgia, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Slovenia, France or Belgium (8pm, Berlin)
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