England through to Euro 2024 last-16 vs mystery third-placed rival… but at least Three Lions avoid HORROR side of draw

ENGLAND are officially through to the Round of 16 of Euro 2024 – albeit in an uninspiring fashion.

Gareth Southgate‘s troops topped Group C by avoiding defeat to Slovenia in their final Group C match.

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England are through to the last 16 of Euro 2024[/caption]

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England could face Cody Gakpo’s Netherlands[/caption]

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Slovakia are the other possible opponent[/caption]

They were held to a drab 0-0 draw in the Cologne clash, which has heaped further pressure on Southgate’s shoulders.

Three Lions fans have now turned their attention to who they’ll face in the round of 16, which gets underway on Saturday evening.

And they’ll face either the Netherlands – or a side from Group E, most likely Slovakia.

The Netherlands were the surprise third place finishers in Group D after Ronald Koeman‘s side suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Austria, who ended up topping the group ahead of France and the Oranje.

England could also end up facing the third-placed team from Group E, in which all four teams – Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine – are currently level on three points.

Slovakia are the most likely team to finish third. That’s because they play Romania in their final game, and both teams know a draw would send them both through. Should the game finish level, Slovakia are certain to be the third placed team.

The Slovaks, who stunned Belgium 1-0 in their opening game, play current Group E toppers Romania tomorrow at 5pm.

Once the final group stage matches are played on Wednesday night, England’s opponent will be officially confirmed.

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Victory for England in the last 16 will set up a quarter-final tie against either Switzerland or Italy.

England will then face either Austria, Hungary, Romania or Turkey in the semi-finals, which will take place on Tuesday, July 9 or Wednesday, July 10.

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Footie powerhouses France, Spain, Germany and Portugal are all on the other side of the draw.

So that means England won’t face either of the bigwigs until the final, which takes place on July 14.

Three Lions fans, however, won’t be confident of their chances of glory following back-to-back disappointing draws against Denmark and Slovenia.

Southgate, however, remains optimistic, saying: “I thought we were much improved with the ball.

“We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us.

“We are not quite getting that break in front of goal. I think the players who came on did well.

“I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment

“We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch.”