ENGLAND can now look forward to starting their DREAM route to Euro 2020 glory after beating Germany 2-0 in the last 16.
Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scored in the second half as Gareth Southgate’s squad booked their spot in the quarter-finals.
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And now – thanks to other results going in their favour – England have as straightforward a run to the final as they could ever have dreamed.
As the young Three Lions squad prepared to take on Germany, Holland were shock casualties in the last 16, losing to Czech Republic – costing Frank de Boer his job.
That meant the toughest opponents in England’s half of the draw were gone.
And with France and Portugal – winners at the last two major tournaments – crashing out in the last 16 too, Southgate will be dreaming of making up for his Euro 96 heartbreak 25 years on.
England recorded 1-0 victories over Croatia and Czech Republic in the group stage, with a hard-fought draw over Scotland sandwiched in between.
After Southgate ant Co finished top of Group D, they knew they faced the unenviable challenge of taking on the runners-up from Group F – the so-called ‘Group of Death’.
Germany snatched second place with a 2-2 draw against Hungary, but crashed out 2-0 at Wembley on Tuesday night.
Sweden did England a huge favour by pipping Spain to the top spot in Group E.
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Their group-stage performance means the Three Lions will either face the Swedes or Ukraine in the quarter-finals, rather than the Spaniards.
England famously beat Sweden 2-0 in the quarter-finals at the 2018 World Cup and will hope for more of the same, should the Scandinavians progress.
The quarter-final clash will take place on July 3, with kick-off in Rome at 8pm.
In the semis, England are now in line to face either Wales’ conquerors Denmark or the Czechs again should they win their last-eight showdown.
With Portugal and France now shockingly OUT – losing to Belgium and Switzerland respectively in the last 16 – England’s potential final clash will have fans slightly more optimistic.
The Three Lions will play one of Belgium, Switzerland, Italy or Spain, should they continue their quest to end 55 years of hurt.
If all goes well, England will line up for the final at Wembley on July 11.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
