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Only eight nations remain at Euro 2024 and, somehow, England are still one of them.
A date with Switzerland awaits Gareth Southgate’s side now after struggling through the group stage and mounting the very latest of late escapes in the last-16 against Slovakia, with an injury-time equaliser sending the tie to extra-time, where a goal from Harry Kane sealed their progress.
Jude Bellingham scored the spectacular 96th-minute strike to keep England in the game – and the tourmament – but ensuing celebrations left some offended. “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” he suggested – but that didn’t stop Uefa opening an investigation over potential indecent conduct, which could yet see him face a ban.
There remains much for Southgate to solve though, including a defensive riddle with Kieran Trippier a doubt and Marc Guehi suspended – and the rest of the team not playing well either.
Follow all the latest news updates and reaction ahead of England’s last-eight fixture below.
How would you fix England’s Euros team? Join The Independent Debate and share your starting XI and tactics
England were on the brink of a major upset, leading for much of the game after Ivan Schranz’s early goal.
Southgate’s position was in jeopardy, but his decision to stick with his core players paid off as they transformed a potential defeat into a crucial victory, keeping England’s dreams alive.
But pundits were less than impressed with England’s performance, with boos frequently echoing across the stadium. And while others called for revolution at half-time, Southgate sent the same side out again – much to the disappointment of commentators and fans alike.
Join the debate on what the team should be:
Euro 2024: Fans question Ed Sheeran’s ‘depressing’ private concert for England team
Ed Sheeran gave the Euro 2024 England team a private concert after their 2-1 extra time victory against Slovakia on Sunday (30 June).
The “Shape of You” hitmaker, 33, visited the England camp in Blankenhain to perform an intimate live gig for the team, with the audience including star player Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane.
Sheeran’s visit was one of many measures organised by the England team’s manager Gareth Southgate to make the tournament as enjoyable as possible for the players. However, fans commented that the athletes looked miserable during the Grammy winner’s performance.
Jude Bellingham faces possible ban over gesture to crowd during England’s Euro 2024 win
Jude Bellingham faces a possible ban at Euro 2024 after Uefa opened an investigation into a gesture he made while celebrating the spectacular overhead kick scored against Slovakia in their last-16 tie on Sunday.
In the aftermath of his goal, Bellingham was seen shouting “Who else?!” as he ran over to England fans after scoring. Video showed the Real Madrid forward then kiss his hand and grab his crotch in a gesture which appeared to be directed towards the side of the pitch.
Jordan Pickford lauds ‘golden boy’ Jude Bellingham after England beat Slovakia
After winning Group C in unconvincing fashion, the Euro 2020 runners-up were on the brink of a humiliating exit akin to Iceland eight years ago in what would almost certainly have been Gareth Southgate’s last match.
But Real Madrid star Bellingham scored a jaw-dropping leveller five minutes into stoppage time, with his overhead kick followed by a Harry Kane header early in extra time as Southgate’s side won 2-1.
Jordan Pickford prepared to be put on the spot again in a shoot-out
The game in Dusseldorf is a repeat of the third-place play-off of the inaugural Nations League tournament in 2019.
After a 0-0 draw, England would secure third spot with a 6-5 shoot-out victory, with goalkeeper Pickford scoring the fifth spot-kick before saving Josip Drmic’s effort and sealing the win.
Gareth Southgate says England have found their Paul Gascoigne moment at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate believes Jude Bellingham’s goal against Slovakia can be a spark for England’s tournament, like Paul Gascoigne’s goal against Scotland at Euro 96, as he made a point of stating the legend of that tournament and the 1990 World Cup has made people forget performances were initially poor.
England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages
The quarter-finals are set and England know they’ll be facing Switzerland in the last-eight – but what about beyond that, if they dare to look?
Here’s the rest of the Three Lions’ route to the final in Berlin and who they might face along the way.
John Stones urges England to ‘take the handbrake off’ after reaching last eight
John Stones insists England are ready to take the handbrake off after their “fight and desire” saw them come from behind to dramatically beat Slovakia in extra-time and reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Full England squad train ahead of quarter-final
England‘s full squad trained on Wednesday as they stepped up preparations for Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
Gareth Southgate’s group had a day off on Tuesday as they enjoyed some rest and recovery following the 2-1 extra-time last-16 triumph against Slovakia.
England returned to training on Wednesday lunchtime, with all 26 players taking part at their Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land base.
Luke Shaw took part in the session as he looks to feature for the first time for either club or country since mid-February.
Ivan Toney hopes England can ‘kick on’ after narrowly avoiding Euro 2024 exit
Ivan Toney was “annoyed” to be brought on so late against Slovakia but pledged to be ready whenever called upon as England look to “kick on” from their Euro 2024 near miss.
Gareth Southgate’s side were moments away from an embarrassing exit akin to the defeat to Iceland eight years earlier as stoppage time ebbed away on Sunday evening.
Toney made his frustration known as the England manager brought him on for his major tournament debut four minutes into added time in Gelsenkirchen, but the late move worked out.
Source: independent.co.uk
