England advances to the round of 16 at Euro 2024
England has secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a game to spare, thanks to Spain’s 1-0 victory over Albania on Monday. This outcome also guarantees that the Netherlands and France advance from Group D into the knockout stages.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish team triumphed over Albania, which not only benefited Spain but also ensured England’s progression. The Three Lions will complete their Group C campaign on Tuesday against Slovenia in Cologne (20:00 BST), already assured of their spot in the next phase.
Under the management of Gareth Southgate, England has accumulated four points so far. They achieved a narrow 1-0 win against Serbia and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against Denmark. Despite these results, Albania’s defeat to Spain secured England’s place as one of the four best third-placed teams.
England has the opportunity to win Group C if they defeat Slovenia. A draw could also see them finish top if Denmark fails to beat Serbia. In the scenario where England draws and Denmark wins, the two teams will be separated based on overall goal difference, then overall goals scored, and finally, disciplinary points if necessary.
Importantly, England is guaranteed not to finish lower than third in their group. If Albania had managed to defeat Spain, England’s qualification would have been postponed until Tuesday. However, Spain, with their strong footballing history as European champions in 1964, 2008, and 2012, proved too formidable for Albania.
This situation highlights England’s strong position in the tournament. Their performance so far, coupled with the outcomes in other matches, has ensured their progress. As they prepare for their final group game, they do so with the confidence of knowing their place in the knockout rounds is secure.
Who can England play in the last 16?
If England wins their group, they will play on Sunday at 17:00 BST in Gelsenkirchen against a third-placed team from either Group D, Group E, or Group F.
Currently, Austria holds third place in Group D with one round of matches remaining. In Group E, all four teams—Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine—are tied with three points each. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic sits in third place in Group F, level on points but ahead of fourth-placed Georgia due to a better goal difference.
The situation is more straightforward if England finishes as the runner-up in their group. In that case, they will face hosts Germany in Dortmund on Saturday at 20:00 BST.
If England ends up in third place in Group C, their opponents will depend on other group results. They would play against the Group F winners, likely Portugal, in Frankfurt on Monday, 1 July, at 20:00 BST, or against the Group E winners in Munich on Tuesday, 2 July, at 17:00 BST.