25 June 2024 , 11:06
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England have already secured a place in the Euro 2024 knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Slovenia on Tuesday evening.
Thanks to a bizarre and complex rule, even if they lose tonight’s match and come third in their group, they will go through to the last 16.
That is because four of the best third-placed teams out of all six groups will go through. France and the Netherlands are in the same boat, on four points with one game each remaining.
Gareth Southgate’s side currently sit at the top of Group C after beating Serbia and drawing against Denmark.
Last night Spain beat Albania and Italy drew 1-1 against Croatia. Those results mean the Three Lions are guaranteed their place in the last-16, whatever happens tonight.
However, their performance tonight will decide who their opponents are in the knockout stage.
A loss would see them face Portugal; a draw would mean Germany, but if they win they’ll face third-placed team from group D, E, or F.
Their most likely opponents from Group D is either Austria or Netherlands. From Group E, England could play any one of Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine or Belgium, who all have three points ahead of their last group matches.
From Group F, England’s most-likely opponents will be either Georgia or Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, Southgate insists he is ignoring the criticism from fans and pundits after England’s sub-par performance in the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
‘That’s the world we’re in. I’m oblivious to it, it’s not important to me at all,’ Southgate said.
‘What’s important to me is I guide this group of players through the tournament. We’re a high profile team with expectations and we understand everything we do will be scrutinised. I’m very comfortable with that life.
‘I don’t need to listen to externals because I am my own biggest critic and I think the players are as well.
‘We know what we have done well, we have been very honest about that. We know where we need to be better, we have been brutally honest about that, and that’s how you coach a team and improve performance.’