England fans in high spirits, cheering their team during a Euro 2024 match. © Twitter (@England)
England’s route to the Euro 2024 final is set, and fans can now plan their journey through the knockout stages. Despite a lackluster group stage performance, the Three Lions finished top of Group C and have landed on a favorable side of the draw.
Round-of-16 Clash: England vs Slovakia
Date: Sunday, June 30
Kick-Off Time: 5pm UK Time
Venue: Gelsenkirchen
England will face Slovakia in the round of 16. Slovakia finished third in Group E, where all teams scored four points. Their campaign included a stunning 1-0 win over Belgium, a 2-1 loss to Ukraine, and a 1-1 draw with Romania. Gareth Southgate’s men will need to step up their game after a 1-0 victory over Serbia, a 1-1 draw with Denmark, and a 0-0 stalemate with Slovenia.
Potential Quarter-Final Showdown
Date: Saturday, July 6
Kick-Off Time: 5pm UK Time
Venue: Dusseldorf
Should England overcome Slovakia, they will face the winner of the Switzerland vs Italy match. The reigning champions, Italy, present a formidable challenge, while Switzerland has proven to be a tough competitor in recent tournaments.
Eyes on the Semi-Finals
Date: Wednesday, July 10
Kick-Off Time: 8pm UK Time
Venue: Borussia Dortmund’s Stadium
England could face Austria, Turkey, Romania, or the Netherlands in the semi-finals. Each team offers unique challenges, but England will focus on maintaining solid defense and finding their scoring touch.
The Grand Finale
Date: Sunday, July 14
Kick-Off Time: 8pm UK Time
Venue: Berlin
The ultimate goal is to have the final match in Berlin. If England can navigate through their side of the draw, they will meet one of the tournament favorites—France, Portugal, Spain, or hosts Germany—in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to Euro 2024.
Southgate’s Optimism
Despite the criticism for their group stage performance, Gareth Southgate remains optimistic. “I thought we were much improved with the ball,” Southgate said following Slovenia’s 0-0 draw. “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. But we’ve had the discipline to keep a clean sheet, meaning we topped the group.”
England fans eagerly await the knockout stages, hoping their team will rise to the occasion. The match against Slovakia is just the beginning of what could be a historic journey to the Euro 2024 final.
