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ENGLAND’S route to the Euro 2024 final got a little bit easier today.
Belgium set up a thrilling last 16 clash with neighbours France after finishing second in Group E.
England are off to a slow start but have been lucky in the draw[/caption]
The Three Lions will have to improve to make a deep run[/caption]
And that removes another potential hurdle with Spain, Germany and Portugal all on the French half of the draw.
Thanks to their 1-1 draw with Slovakia and a controversial penalty, Romania are now in England’s path.
The Three Lions do have a strong chance of facing the Netherlands in the last 16 depending on the results of this evening’s games.
England will face the Dutch or Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
Unless the Czech Republic beat Turkey or Georgia topple Portugal, it will be the Netherlands.
Italy have not been at their best but could lie in wait in the quarter-finals, while dark horses Austria should not be overlooked.
Gary Neville has fired a warning to Gareth Southgate’s side about what will happen if they do not improve.
He told Sky Sports: “There’s one fortunate element of our group.
“It has been the poorest group to watch and that has helped us, when we’ve been below par, to get through as group winners.
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“What will happen is now is that we’ll rise to the occasion of the knockout phases and playing against a better team will mean there’s more space and our players will naturally just thrive in that sort of environment, or they’ll carry their performances through from the group into the knockout phase and they’ll get the shock of their lives.
“Because if they carry on playing like they are one thing I can guarantee you they will get beat.”
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Phil Foden has left the camp to fly home to the UK.
SunSport understands that it is so that he can be at the birth of his third child.
He is expected to be back with the England squad ahead of Sunday’s game.
England need superhero Bellingham back to have any chance of winning Euro 2024
JUDE BELLINGHAM delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024, writes Charlie Wyett.
Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.
Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.
But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwise England are knackered.
Approaching the serious part of Euro 2024, this team really does need to get a grip and start showing some personality.
At times against Slovenia, Bellingham just looked lost.
Let’s hope he can sprinkle some stardust in the knockout stages because Gareth Southgate certainly needs something.
Bellingham should come good. This could still be HIS tournament.
Read Charlie Wyett’s England vs Slovenia verdict in full.
Or check out all of Charlie’s Euro 2024 stories.
