ENGLAND topping Group C at Euro 2024 has seen them placed on the opposite side of the draw to a number of heavyweights.
Spain, Germany, Portugal and France do not stand in the way of the Three Lions’ route to the final.
But a huge stumbling block could potentially lie in wait in the last 16.
Gareth Southgate’s side are most likely to come up against the Netherlands.
England will face the Dutch or whoever finishes third in Group E in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine are all on three points going into today’s 5pm fixtures.
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But it is actually the results in Group F at 8pm which most affect the Three Lions.
England will face the Netherlands unless the Czech Republic beat Turkey or Georgia topple Portugal.
Turkey, the Czechs and Georgia can all finish third in Group F and if they do that with three points or more, they would leapfrog Hungary in the third-placed standings.
That would leave England playing whoever finishes third in group E.
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Data Analysts Nielsen Gracenote have ranked the chances of England facing the five teams as; Netherlands (61% per cent), Slovakia (16 per cent), Ukraine (11 per cent), Romania (8 per cent) and Belgium (4 per cent).
Whoever England face, Jack Wilshere wants Southgate to unleash Kobbie Mainoo.
He told SunSport: “I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
“Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
“And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
“It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure.
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“He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
“Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.
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“He’s only 19 but he understands the game so well and knows what it needs.
“He is better on the ball than Gallagher and he also allowed Declan Rice to get forward even more in the second half than he had in the first.”
England player ratings: Southgate’s Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs Slovenia
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
