England two victories away from Euro 2024 glory
It has been 58 years since England last tasted glory at a major tournament, but they are now just two victories away from ending that wait for another success. The Three Lions needed penalties to overcome Switzerland in the quarter final to reach the last four.
Character and resilience.
Keep believing. pic.twitter.com/Vw6rYN8HvT
— England (@England) July 6, 2024
This tournament has been quite a rollercoaster ride for England fans so far. Gareth Southgate’s side topped their group to reach the knockout stages, but they have been pushed hard since then by Slovakia and Switzerland.
Netherlands Next Up for England
The next test for England is a semi-final clash with the Netherlands. They have not faced the Dutch in a knockout game since Euro 96. They are 6/4 in the betting on Euro 2024 to win that game in 90 minutes.
Should England reach the final in Germany, they will face either Spain or France. In the Spain vs France odds, it is Spain who are the odds-on favourites at 4/5 to qualify from the opening semi-final tie.
The final four teams at Euro 2024 are four of the leading nations in the world rankings. England are the only one not to have won this tournament before.
Southgate Becomes One of England’s Most Successful Managers
This tournament may end up being Southgate’s last in charge of his country and it will be important for his legacy in charge of the team. As a player, he missed a penalty in a shootout against Germany in the semi-finals in 1996 so if his side goes all the way here, it will go a long way towards avenging that memory.
Southgate has helped England reach the semi-finals or beyond in three of the last four major tournaments. They finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup, runners-up at Euro 2020, and they now have another semi-final match to prepare for.
Sir Alf Ramsey is the only England manager in history to win a major tournament. Southgate, who has overseen his country for 100 games, will add his name to the history books with victory in the final of Euro 2024 in Berlin.
Selection Headache
Southgate was forced into making a change in his side’s quarter final clash with Switzerland due to a suspension. He opted to switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation which proved to be effective. The England manager now has a big decision to make for the game against the Netherlands.
Ezri Konsa started his first game of Euro 24 in the last eight and after his positive performance, Southgate must choose whether to stick with the Aston Villa defender in the 3-4-2-1 formation.
Harry Kane broke his personal record – and has now scored the highest number of goals for a club in one season:
◉ 42 goals – season 2023/24
◎ 41 goals – season 2017/18
◎ 35 goals – season 2016/17
◎ 33 goals – season 2020/21
◎ 32 goals – season 2022/23 pic.twitter.com/28VohvPA67
— Bayern & Football (@MunichFanpage) April 27, 2024
There have also been some calls from pundits and supporters for Harry Kane to be dropped for the Netherlands game due to his performances in the tournament so far. The England captain had a record-breaking season in Germany for Bayern Munich, but he has managed just two goals so far in five games during the European Championship. Southgate has Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins in his squad should he want to change his striker.
England take on Netherlands on Wednesday, 10th July at 20:00 and the whole nation will be keeping their fingers crossed that the Three Lions book their spot in Sunday’s final.
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