The draw for Euro 2024 knockout stages has been confirmed.
The group stages came to a conclusion with Georgia stunning Portugal with a 2-0 win and Turkiye beating Czech Republic with a last-gasp winner.
The tournament began with 24 teams and has now been cut down to 16. Hungary and Croatia were the two third placed teams eliminated.
All the group favourites have gone through, although there have been one or two surprises, including Austria finishing ahead of France in their group.
England opponents for Euro 2024 last 16 confirmed
England’s opponents for the last 16 clash can now be confirmed as Slovakia, who came third in their group behind Romania and Belgium.
Slovakia drew 1-1 with Romania in their final group stage game but qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
The game will take place in Gelsenkirchen, the home of German side Schalke, and the venue which hosted England’s win over Serbia earlier in the tournament.
If Gareth Southgate’s side beat Slovakia, England will face the winner of Switzerland v Italy in the quarter-finals.
The entire last 16 draw including dates and times are below…
| Saturday 29 June | 5pm | Switzerland v Italy |
| Saturday 29 June | 8pm | Germany v Denmark |
| Sunday 30 June | 5pm | England v Slovakia |
| Sunday 30 June | 8pm | Spain v Georgia |
| Monday 1 July | 5pm | France v Belgium |
| Monday 1 July | 8pm | Portugal v Slovenia |
| Tuesday 2 July | 5pm | Romania v Netherlands |
| Tuesday 2 July | 8pm | Austria v Turkiye |
England under pressure
England have scored only two goals in three matches – but also conceded only one goal.
Opponents Slovakia will be underdogs, and that may not suit England, given the team’s struggles against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
There were signs towards the end of the Slovenia game that England were finding some rhythm in the final third, but there was no goal.
England have made a low-key start to the tournament but now is the time to turn it on.
The draw has really opened up for England now, at least on paper, with the likes of France, Germany, Spain and Portugal on the other side of the draw.
The pressure is now on for England; nothing but a victory against Slovakia would be accepted and the Three Lions must step up to the occasion.
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