England’s Euro 2024 journey took an interesting turn on Tuesday night.
They clinched the top spot in Group C after a rather uneventful goalless draw against Slovenia.
This result, while not thrilling, ensured that Gareth Southgate’s team avoided a clash with powerhouses like Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal in the next round.
Awaiting the Next Opponent
Now, England is set to face one of the best third-placed teams on Sunday.
But which team will that be? It’s still up in the air. The Three Lions will go up against a team from either Group D or Group E.
The Netherlands, who finished third in Group D after a surprising 3-2 loss to Austria, are the most likely contenders.
France, despite drawing 1-1 with Poland, managed to secure second place in the same group.
Possible Challengers from Group E
However, England might also face one of the teams from Group E.
This group is wide open, with Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine all tied at three points as they head into their final matches.
The conclusion of these matches on Wednesday afternoon will be crucial in determining England’s opponent.
The Group F Factor
The situation gets even more complicated with Group F’s outcomes potentially affecting the draw.
If Czechia manages to defeat Turkey or Georgia pulls off an upset against Portugal, Hungary could be knocked out.
Hungary is currently the lowest-ranked third-placed team with just two points from Group A.
In scenarios where either Czechia or Georgia wins, Hungary’s two points would be surpassed by the third-placed team from Group E, which means England could end up facing a different opponent than initially expected.
So, while England’s next match is set for Sunday, their exact opponent remains a mystery until all group stage matches are completed.
