England qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Monday evening without even kicking a ball. Gareth Southgate's side are currently undergoing final preparations for their third and final Group C game against Slovenia on Tuesday, but the pressure has somewhat been relieved.
The Three Lions claimed an opening win over Slovakia to kick off their campaign, but that was followed up a lacklustre draw against Denmark on Thursday, which meant the team had to wait to seal a place in the knockout stages.
But thanks to Spain's win over Albania in Group B's final round of matches, England know they will be playing knockout football whatever happens against Slovenia in Cologne.
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That's because England cannot finish below third in Group C and if that does happen, they will be one of the four best third-placed finishers. Albania's 1-0 defeat also means that France and the Netherlands are also into the last 16 with a game left to play.
Italy have also qualified, but only after a stoppage-time equaliser against Croatia, while Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Portugal are the other teams to have extended their stay at the tournament.
While England are safely through, it doesn't mean that their clash against Slovenia is a dead rubber. England need a win to guarantee top spot in Group C and have plenty of motivation to do so, as the group's second-place finisher will take on Germany in the last 16, while third place will face a group winner.
Into the last 16 👊Monday's results mean the #ThreeLions are guaranteed a place in the #EURO2024 knockout stages. pic.twitter.com/okteasDgMWJune 24, 2024
A draw may be enough to secure top spot, depending on how Denmark perform against Serbia, while England's score will also have knock-on effects across the rest of the tournament, with Croatia's hopes of qualifying resting on England beating Slovenia by three or more goals.
England's match against Slovakia and Denmark versus Serbia both kick off at 8pm on Tuesday evening, with Group D's final matches - France versus Poland and the Netherlands versus Austria - taking place at 5pm.
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