If England look at what's to come next at Euro 2024, they'll have to get serious in no time...
In this case, the result will count, not the appearance. Although the team's image must be improved immediately. The big question for England, however, in the 3rd matchday of the Euro 2024 group stage is securing the top spot. Although, as the groups and possible opponents in the round of "16" are being formed, it is coming a brutal next level in the knock-outs.
By KONSTANTINOS ZALIARIS
On the one hand, Southgate's players need an excellent performance to gain confidence and show the rest of the teams that will be in the European Championship round of 16, that they were quick to judge the "three lions".
The truth is that against Serbia and Denmark only concern was caused and no satisfaction. A win against the Scandinavians would have seen England clear of both qualification and top spot, but they must now do so in Tuesday's match against Slovenia.
In the event that Southgate fails to influence the image of his players and they appear again in... lethargy on the pitch, dangers lie ahead.
If England fail to finish 1st in Group C, then the in knock-outs will have... a rough road, against a team that will finish 3rd, from three specific groups.
Coming first from the 3rd group, the English team will play against an opponent who has finished 3rd in group D, E or F. If you haven't noticed what happens in these groups, we explain it to you so that you understand that mediocrity of the "three lions", if that appears in the next phase as well, can be punished severely..
In the 4th group, typically, nothing has been clarified yet for any of the first three positions. The last matchday will find the Austrians (3rd with 3 points) facing off against the Dutch, who, although leaders, are tied with the French at 4 points.
Yes, the most likely scenario is the one that wants Austria to remain in the 3rd spot, but as long as there are possibilities, we have to be prepared for anything.
In the 5th group, the situation is upredictable! Belgium showed up, got the first win with a 2-0 over Romania and with the Ukrainians getting a win against Slovakia, they all have 3 points! The game between the Belgians and Ukraine gathers the most interest here...
In the 6th group the Portuguese qualified from the top spot and from there onwards there are battles ready to kick off!
National team of Turkey have an advantage for the 2nd place, but will have to defend it in the last matchday against the Czech Republic who are claiming their presence in the "16". Perhaps the worst finishers will be the Georgians who play against Portugal and it will probably be difficult for them to apply for the 3rd place.
If England now qualify as 2nd, they will face Germany in the round of 16 on the 29th of the month in Dortmund, after Nagelsmann's team finished at the top of the 1st group. It will remind us all of the occasion of the same phase, of the previous tournament that was held in the summer of 2021.
And for those who remember it, England progressed from the group and started to turn up the heat in the knockouts, going all the way to the final with the Italians...
