England are through to the last 16 of Euro 2024 after topping Group C.
Albania’s 1-0 defeat against Spain on Monday meant England had already secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a game to spare.
With four points from their opening two games, even if they lost against Slovenia, England would have advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams.
The 0-0 draw against Slovenia ensured they finished top, with Denmark second and Slovenia third. All three progress with Serbia were eliminated.
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Finishing top of Group C was crucial for England as it positions them on the more favourable side of the draw — away from hosts Germany, early favourites Spain, and Portugal.
They will now face one of the best third-placed teams from Group D, E or F in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday at 5pm BST.
Netherlands finished as the third-placed team from Group D, after they lost to Austria on Tuesday.
In Group E, Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine are currently tied on three points each, while Group F sees Turkey, Czech Republic and Georgia all still able to finish third.
Italy equalised in the 98th minute against Croatia to book their spot in the last 16 (Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
If England progress to the quarter-final stage, they would set up a clash against either Switzerland or Italy, whose round-of-16 game was confirmed on Monday following the latter’s draw against Croatia.
Finishing second in Group C would have lead England into a challenging path to Berlin with tournament hosts Germany in the last 16 and potentially Spain in the quarter-finals.
World champions France, who finished behind Austria in Group D, and Portugal are also locked in in that loaded half of the competition and would have been potential last-four opponents.
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Who could England face in the semi-finals and the final?
It remains a bit of a guessing game as to who England may face in the semi-finals, with a lot still depending on other qualifiers that are yet to be decided.
Austria topping their group means England may face them in the semi-finals, provided they get to that stage.
The winners of Group E — all four team still can top that group — could meet Austria in the quarter-finals, should both sides win their round-of-16 games.
Should England win their semi-final match, they could meet either Germany, Portugal, France, or Spain in the final.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
