By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
England has secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a group match to spare, following Spain's 1-0 victory over Albania on Monday. This win by Luis de la Fuente's team also ensures that the Netherlands and France advance from Group D to the knockout stage.
The Three Lions, who will conclude their Group C matches against Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday (20:00 BST), are already guaranteed a spot in the next phase. Gareth Southgate's squad currently has four points after a 1-0 win against Serbia and a 1-1 draw with Denmark. However, Albania's defeat guarantees that England will at least be one of the four best third placed teams.
England will top Group C if they defeat Slovenia. They could also finish first if they draw and Denmark fails to beat Serbia. In the event of a draw for England and a win for Denmark, the tie for first place will be broken based on overall goal difference, followed by goals scored, and then disciplinary points.
Regardless of the outcome, England cannot finish lower than third in Group C. Had Albania beaten Spain, England would have had to wait until Tuesday to secure their qualification. Nonetheless, Spain, champions of Europe in 1964, 2008, and 2012, proved too formidable.
Potential Opponents 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 Group D, Group E, or Group F. Austria is currently third in Group D, with all four teams in Group E Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine tied on three points. The Czech Republic stands third in Group F, tied on points but with a better goal difference than fourth placed Georgia.
If England finishes as runners up in their group, they will face hosts Germany in Dortmund on Saturday (20:00 BST). Should England come third in Group C, they will play against either the winners of Group F, currently led by Portugal, in Frankfurt on Monday, 1 July (20:00 BST), or the Group E winners in Munich on Tuesday, 2 July (17:00 BST).
