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Who Will England Play In The Last 16?

Who Will England Play In The Last 16?

​England have qualified for the knockout stages of the European Championships, but who will they play in the last-16?

Robert Mann

Robert Mann

England have qualified for the knockout stages of Euro 2020 - with many left wondering who the Three Lions will face after their final group game this evening.

The sky is the limit for Gareth Southgate's men - a strong squad with a mix of experienced internationals and exciting, young talent - who are one of the competition favourites.

Before you say it, we already know, it's coming home - but, before it does, just who exactly will the Three Lions have to play next in the last-16 and beyond?

England qualified for the last-16 of Euro 2020 on Monday night without even kicking a ball
England qualified for the last-16 of Euro 2020 on Monday night without even kicking a ball

With 24 teams at this summer's showpiece, the process of determining the final 16 teams for the knockouts is more complicated than normal.

The winners and runners up in each of the six groups will automatically qualify for the next round, this is followed by the four best third-placed teams that also make it through.

The tie-breaker between teams on the same points is determined by their head-to-head record, followed by goal difference and goals scored between the teams in question.

This is then followed by overall goal difference, goals scored, wins and disciplinary record.

So, what do we know about England's route to the final and who might they play next in the first knockout stage?

Who will England play if they win Group D?

If England beat the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night then they will win Group D.

Gareth Southgate's side would then have to play the team that finishes second in Group F - dubbed the 'Group of Death' - at Wembley at 5pm on Tuesday, 29 June.

Technically, all four teams in Group F could still finish runners up, with Germany currently holding that position after their emphatic 4-2 win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on Saturday.

Meanwhile, world champions France are top of the group having secured four points from their opening two games.

England could set up a mouthwatering clash with Germany if they win Group D
England could set up a mouthwatering clash with Germany if they win Group D

England's arch-rivals Germany are in second with three, as are Portugal, but third via the head-to-head record.

In simpler terms for England, if Germany beat Hungary and France beat Portugal, then it will be the Germans who finish second and play England in the last 16. Can you imagine the atmosphere?

A Portugal win over France could see them win the group or finish second, while a Hungarian victory over Germany, coupled with a draw in the other game, could see them be runners up.

If France beat Portugal they will win the group, but should they slip up they could finish second, thus, leaving them as England's next opponents.

Let's not kid ourselves, though, we want Germany, don't we?

Who will England play if they finish second?

If England draw with the Czech Republic, then the Three Lions will finish behind their Tuesday opponents in second.

That would then mean that Southgate's side will face the Group E winners in Copenhagen at 5pm on Monday, 28 June.

If England finish runners up they could face three-time European champions Spain
If England finish runners up they could face three-time European champions Spain

Intriguingly, all four teams in Group E could still claim the top spot in the group after Spain failed to beat Poland on Saturday night.

Sweden are currently in first and should they beat the Poles in their final game, then they will win the group.

However, if they slip up, Spain could win the group with a triumph over Slovakia, providing there is a large enough goal difference between the two sides, of course.

Who will England play if they finish third?

Should England lose to the Czech Republic on Tuesday night, there is a possibility that England could finish third in Group D.

A defeat for the Three Lions would most likely still see them finish second, however, Scotland can leapfrog their oldest rivals with a win over Croatia and a big enough goal difference swing. England currently have +1 while Scotland are -2.

Should that come into play, England will still end the groups as one of the four best third-placed finishers opening up more routes through the knockout stages. This all depends on who goes through and which groups end with three qualifiers.

If England finish third they could face the likes of the Netherlands
If England finish third they could face the likes of the Netherlands

One would see England play the winners of Group C in Budapest at 5pm on Sunday, 27 June with that already confirmed as the Netherlands.

Another could see them head to Seville to play the winners of Group B at 8pm on Sunday, 27 June. With one game remaining against Finland, Belgium need just one point to secure the top spot.

Another scenario could see England again play the winners of Group E, this time in Glasgow on Tuesday, 29 June at 8pm.

Ahead of the final round of games Sweden are currently top of Group E with Spain, Poland and Slovakia all in contention.

Euro 2020 knockout fixtures in full

Round of 16:

  • Saturday 26 June: 2A vs 2B (Game 1)
  • Saturday 26 June: 1A vs 2C (Game 2)
  • Sunday 27 June: 1C vs 3D/E/F (Game 3)
  • Sunday 27 June: 1B vs 3A/D/E/F (Game 4)
  • Monday 28 June: 2D vs 2E (Game 5)
  • Monday 28 June: 1F vs 3A/B/C (Game 6)
  • Tuesday 29 June: 1D vs 2F (Game 7)
  • Tuesday 29 June: 1E vs 3A/B/C/D (Game 8)

Quarter-final:

  • Friday 2 July: Game 6 winner vs Game 5 winner
  • Friday 2 July: Game 4 winner vs Game 2 winner
  • Saturday 3 July: Game 3 winner vs Game 1 winner
  • Saturday 3 July: Game 8 winner vs Game 7 winner

Semi-final:

  • Tuesday 6 July: QF2 winner vs QF1 winner
  • Wednesday 7 July: QF4 winner vs QF3 winner

Final:

  • Sunday 11 July
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Topics: Euro 2020, England