England topped Group C at Euro 2024 in unconvincing fashion and are through to the knockout stages . Gareth Southgate ’s team toiled in all three matches, struggling to create chances as they edged Serbia 1-0 , drew 1-1 with Denmark and then endured a drab 0-0 stalemate with Slovenia in their final game. It was enough to win the group, however, mainly because all three matches not involving England ended in draws.
England will need a huge improvement in the knockout phase of the competition if they are to live up to their pre-tournament billing as one of the favourites, but they have had a stroke of fortune with the draw. Austria’s surprise conquest of Group D has sent France over to what now looks like the toughest half, containing hosts Germany and previous champions Spain, Portugal and Denmark, as well as the French. So, will England take advantage? Here is their route to the final of Euro 2024.
England will play either the third placed team in Group D – the Netherlands – or the third placed team in Group E, which concludes on Wednesday evening. As it stands, any of Slovakia , Ukraine , Romania or Belgium could finish third in Group E (they all have three points after two games). The Dutch are themselves in something of a crisis after falling to a surprise defeat by Austria on Tuesday night.
If England manage to get past their last-16 opponents, the picture is a littler clearer in the quarter-finals, where the winner of Switzerland v Italy awaits. Swizterland finis.
