England are guaranteed a place in the last-16 of Euro 2024 (DeFodi Images via Getty)
England have already secured a place in the Euro 2024 knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Slovenia on Tuesday evening.
Gareth Southgate’s side currently sit top of Group C on four points after beating Serbia and drawing with Denmark, and following Monday night’s results which saw Spain beat Albania while Italy snatched a late 1-1 draw against Croatia, it means that the Three Lions will be guaranteed to finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
Four of the best third-placed teams will go through to the last-16 and with England, France and Netherlands already on four points with one game each remaining, all three are guaranteed a spot in the last 16.
If England secure top spot in Group C, they will face a third-place team from either Group D, E or F.
Their most likely opponents from Group D will be either Poland or Austria. From Group E, England could play any one of Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine or Belgium.
From Group F, England’s most-likely opponents will be either Turkey or Czech Republic.
NATIONS WHO ARE IN THE LAST-16
Switzerland
Spain
Portugal
Spain
Italy
England
France
Netherlands
If England finish second in Group C, they will play the winners of Group A – Germany.
If Southgate’s side end up losing to Slovenia and finish third in the group, they will play Portugal.
CURRENT THIRD-PLACED TEAMS
Group A: Hungary (3 points, -3 goal difference)
Group B: Croatia (2 points, -3 goal difference)
Group C: Slovenia
Group D: Austria
Group E: Slovakia
Group F: Czech Republic
Meanwhile, Gareth 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.’
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