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.
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.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 14:00
How Gareth Southgate hopes the lessons of 1966 can inspire success at Euro 2024
At St George’s Park, before England ventured to Germany, Southgate turned back time. “We showed the players a presentation about 1966 and how Geoff Hurst hadn’t played until the quarter-final.” Hurst ended up the hat-trick hero in the final and if that scarcely needs explaining, some of Southgate’s charges may not know that a man who achieved immortality had entered the 1966 World Cup with a lone international goal to his name.
Richard Jolly in Germany3 July 2024 13:45
Switzerland will pose ‘big tactical challenge’ for England – Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate knows stumbling but spirited England have to raise their game if they are to stand a chance of beating “outstanding” Switzerland in Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final.
A trip to Dusseldorf awaits after Jude Bellingham came to the rescue with a 95th-minute overhead equaliser against wily Slovakia on Sunday before Harry Kane sealed a 2-1 extra-time win.
England were seconds away from their tournament coming to an end in humiliating fashion, only to squeak through to a fourth successive major quarter-final under Southgate.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 13:30
How would you fix England’s Euros team? Join The Independent Debate and share your starting XI and tactics
Back to the football, then, and it’s your chance to have your say. The Independent is inviting readers to join our debate on how Gareth Southgate goes about solving England’s problems ahead of Saturday’s Swiss soiree.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 13:15
Emma Raducanu evokes spirit of England at Euro 2024 after ‘winning ugly’ on Wimbledon return
From centre stage to centre court, with Wimbledon well under way. Emma Raducanu is on Court 1 a little later having evoked the spirit of Gareth Southgate’s side in her opening win over Renata Zarazua. Kieran Jackson was there to take it all in:
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 13:00
Dear England review: National Theatre’s Southgate play is a solid team effort but no shots on target
Missed the opening run of Dear England? Here’s what Jessie Thompson, our esteemed arts editor, made of the production, which returns to the National Theatre in 2025.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 12:45
Jude Bellingham added to BBC’s Dear England adaptation after last-minute bicycle kick goal
It was a moment of pure theatre — and now Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick has been added to the BBC’s adaptation of playwright James Graham’s smash stage hit, Dear England.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 12:30
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.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 12:15
England squad enjoy rest day after ’emotional rollercoaster’ of Slovakia win
Jude Bellingham and his England team-mates enjoyed a much-needed rest day at Euro 2024 following the “emotional rollercoaster” victory over Slovakia on Sunday.
The Real Madrid midfielder spoke of the mixture of feelings after his last-gasp overhead kick took the last-16 meeting into extra-time before Harry Kane headed home to seal a quarter-final against Switzerland.
With the tie taking place in Dusseldorf on Saturday, manager Gareth Southgate gave his players and staff the day off on Tuesday after he admitted a number of his team were tired following the Slovakia game.
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 12:00
Euro 2024 quarter-finals schedule
And here’s a reminder of the full quarter-finals schedule:
Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2024 11:45