England will face a nightmare potential route to the final of Euro 2024 if they finish second in Group C.
England will wrap up their group phase of their Euro 2024 campaign against Slovenia on Tuesday evening, safe in the knowledge that they are practically guaranteed a place in the last-16.
However, Gareth Southgate's side have underwhelmed in Germany so far, beating Serbia 1-0 before drawing 1-1 with Denmark.
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England were particularly poor against Denmark, meaning a win against Slovenia is needed to boost morale and win over disheartened supporters.
Three points are also needed to secure top spot in Group C, which would set England up to face one of the third place finishers in the last-16. As things stand, that would be Ralf Rangnick's Austria.
Victory in that match would set up a quarter-final against one of Italy or Switzerland.
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If England draw with Slovenia and Denmark beat Serbia, then Southgate's side would finish second in Group C.
As a result the Euro 2020 runners-up would face hosts Germany in the last-16 in Dortmund, a tie in which England would be the underdogs.
If England eliminated Germany, then they would likely face Spain in the quarter-finals.
Spain won all three of their group games to top Group B with maximum points, meaning they will face a third-place team in the last-16. As things stand, Luis de la Fuente's side will take on Slovakia in Cologne for a place in the final eight.
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England have previous with knockout round permutations. At the 2018 World Cup, many fans wanted England to lose their final group match against Belgium so that they would finish second in their group and secure an 'easier' route to the final.
In the end they lost 1-0 and progressed to the semi-finals, as did Belgium.
Of course, given how England are playing at the moment, the most important thing is that they put in an improved performance against Slovenia and get back to winning ways. Whatever comes after that is something to think about another day.
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Germany, Spain, Football
Alex Brotherton