ENGLAND are through to the Euro 2020 knockout stages – even if they lose to Czech Republic tonight.
Despite an uninspring start to the tournament, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have four points from their two Group D games.
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Croatia play Scotland tomorrow, meaning England are at least guaranteed to finish third.
So even with a shock defeat for Southgate’s men against the Czechs at Wembley, they have done enough to progress through the group stages.
That is because in two of the three completed groups, the third-placed team have only managed three points.
And with the four best third-placed sides qualifying, that guarantees England progression.
IF THEY WIN TONIGHT…
If England beat the Czech Republic they will win Group D and face the runners-up from Group F at Wembley at 5pm on Tuesday 29 June.
All four teams in the group of death could finish second, but currently it’s GERMANY.
If both of the final group games go to form – Germany beat Hungary and France beat Portugal – then it will be the Germans who play England in the last 16.
IF THEY DRAW…
A draw tonight sees England finish second in the group behind Czech Republic – and they would play the Group E runners-up in Copenhagen at 5pm on Monday 28 June.
All four teams in Group E could still win the group and right now it’s SLOVAKIA in second place, but it might be Spain.
AND IF THEY LOSE…
If the Czechs win, then England will still probably finish second, and play the Group E winners.
But if Scotland also beat Croatia and overhaul England’s goal difference – currently three better than Steve Clarke’s side – the Three Lions could finish third.
Then it gets really complicated. But it could be HOLLAND in Budapest at 5pm on Sunday 27 June.
Or BELGIUM in Sevillle at 8pm the same day.
Or the winners of Group E, who are likely to be SWEDEN, on Tuesday June 29 at 8pm in Glasgow.
Pubs are expected to be packed tonight for England’s head-to-head with Czech Republic as Three Lions fans cheer them on.
The pandemic-ravaged economy is expected to get a boost thanks to the Euro 2020 with an expected £1billion boost as Brits splurge on beers and barbecues.
Emma McClarkin of the British Beer and Pub Association said: “The Euros are a chance for people to get back to their local and as they support the home nations.”
And Joshua Bamfield, for the Centre of Retail Research, which tracks high street spending, said: “It’s bound to lead a big surge in sales of TV sets and replica shirts and a fantastic amount of souvenirs such as flags.”
Switzerland have also booked their spot in the knockout rounds after finishing third in Group A on four points.
Finland from Group B and Group C’s Ukraine face anxious waits because they are at risk of being the two worst-ranked third-placed teams who would therefore miss out on the last 16.
Denmark’s 4-1 win over Russia ensured they grabbed second in Group B with Finland third after a 2-0 defeat to Belgium.
Those results mean Belgium fly through with nine points from nine and Denmark top a mini league with the remaining teams all on three points.
Earlier, Ukraine lost 1-0 to Austria to come third on three points.
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There were emotional scenes in Copenhagen as the Danes secured an emphatic victory – helped by wondergoals from Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Christensen.
England are currently second in their group with Czech Republic top on goal difference.
A victory for the Three Lions will ensure they finish top and take on the runners-up in Group F – likely France, Germany or Portugal – in the last 16.
A draw would see England come second and take on Group E’s second-placed team with Sweden, Slovakia, Poland and Spain battling it out.
A defeat would mean finishing second or third, depending on the outcome of the Scotland vs Croatia clash at Hampden Park.
Southgate may be without Chelsea stars Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount for the Czech game, though.
The pair were forced to self-isolate after hugging Billy Gilmour on Friday night with the Scotland hero providing a positive Covid-19 test today.
As a result, Chilwell and Mount are currently in quarantine as England discuss their options with Public Health England.
Manager Southgate admitted there is ‘quite a doubt’ over their availability for tomorrow’s game.
He said: “We don’t know at the moment. There’s obviously got to be quite a doubt.
“There’s still a lot of discussions and investigations going on behind the scenes.
“They’re isolating at the moment and we have to find out over the next 12 hours or so.”
The entire England team were tested with lateral flow tests on Monday with all returning negative results.
Gilmour, 20, will miss his team’s Group D decider against Croatia while self-isolating for ten days.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
