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.
Uefa investigated the act and have fined the player €30,000, and he has been banned for one competition match – though that punishment is suspended for a year, making Bellingham available to play in England’s quarter-final clash.
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.
England Euro 2024 news LIVE
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Three Lions face Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday 6 July at 17:00 BST
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Jude Bellingham cleared to play after Uefa investigated lewd gesture
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Gareth Southgate plans major tactical switch for Euro 2024 quarter-final v Switzerland
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Gareth Southgate warns England will go ‘to the depths again’ to beat Switzerland
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Southgate could tinker with England’s formation for the quarter-finals
The Arsenal battle of old and new that will decide England v Switzerland at Euro 2024
Friday 5 July 2024 14:58 , Sonia Twigg
Like too many of his international teammates, Declan Rice has not been at his very best level at Euro 2024. Too few times has he been able to surge forward in possession. He’s winning fewer duels per 90 minutes, has been successful in fewer aerial challenges and has been dispossessed more often in Germany than he did during the Premier League season with Arsenal.
Of course, there’s another difference, too, which makes the above comparisons both eye-opening and irrelevant all at once: he’s not playing the same role for England as he does for the Gunners, so why would he achieve the same things?
Indeed, that seems to be a theme this summer in the Three Lions’ camp. Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold were both right-back all year for their clubs, if in different ways. Neither are with England. Phil Foden is playing on the opposite flank. Ezri Konsa’s only minutes so far have come in the one back line position he doesnt play. And Rice, well, Rice’s position is still central midfield, but he’s operating under very different roles and instructions and instead of a safety net behind him, he largely is the safety net.
The Arsenal battle of old and new that will decide England v Switzerland
Euro 2024: Full list of BBC and ITV pundits and commentators including Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane
Friday 5 July 2024 14:27 , Sonia Twigg
England legend Wayne Rooney and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou are among the headline pundits for Euro 2024 on the BBC and ITV coverage.
Frank Lampard and David Moyes also feature for the BBC, with Roy Keane and Gary Neville linking up for ITV. Meanwhile, the lead presenters out in Germany include Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan, Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods.
The BBC again shares coverage of the quadrennial continental championship with ITV in the United Kingdom, although both channels will show the final on 14 July.
ITV will cover the first three matches of the tournament, including the opener between hosts Germany and Scotland on Friday evening, while the BBC’s coverage begins on Saturday evening with holders Italy facing Albania. England’s first game against Serbia on Sunday evening is on the BBC.
Euro 2024: Full list of pundits, commentators and presenters on BBC and ITV
Southgate could tinker with England’s formation for the quarter-finals
Friday 5 July 2024 14:09 , Sonia Twigg
England have spent a significant amount of their Wednesday training session trying out a new formation with three at the back.
Marc Guehi is suspended for the clash after picking up too many yellow cards in the tournament’s earlier rounds.
It might allow Gareth Southgate to play both Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as England have struggled to find a partner to Declan Rice, first trying out Trent Alexander-Arnold and then Kobbie Mainoo.
Phil Foden reveals how England can solve attacking woes at Euro 2024
Friday 5 July 2024 14:00 , Sonia Twigg
In a tournament where England have been criticised for not linking up well in attack, Phil Foden believes the team must come together on the pitch to solve the problem themselves and show leadership.
The playmaker admitted he has been frustrated they haven’t clicked but said that isn’t due to manager Gareth Southgate‘s tactics – rather the players must take responsibility. Foden claims they have felt inhibited due to the nature of matches and defensive opposition approaches but believes the squad need to be more proactive.
While the 24-year-old admitted that he wants to play centrally for England, he denied there is any issue in his own connection with Jude Bellingham, and believes that the performance level is growing.
Phil Foden reveals how England can solve attacking woes at Euro 2024
Can one overhead kick really change a tournament? Here’s what England think
Friday 5 July 2024 13:29 , Sonia Twigg
Over the last few days, the England players have felt a “shift” in training. There’s even been a lightness to some of the heavier work. Many of the squad felt the benefit of proper time with the family on Tuesday. Part of that is down to the breathing space that comes from a bit of a break, but most of it is from the release of Jude Bellingham’s goal against Slovakia.
The line all week has been that this is a “turning point”, even coming up repeatedly in team meetings. Gareth Southgate himself set that idea in the euphoria after the Slovakia game, openly talking about how it could be similar to Paul Gascoigne’s goal against Scotland at Euro ‘96. One of his “leadership group”, John Stones, was only too willing to take up the thread.
“I think it is a turning point emotionally, to do it in such a high-pressure moment in the last few minutes,” the centre-half said. “I believe it is going to change a lot of things for the team, going through these emotions.”
Can one moment really change a tournament? Here’s what England think
Euro 2024 quarter-finals: Fixtures, schedule and kick-off times at European Championship
Friday 5 July 2024 12:58 , Sonia Twigg
Euro 2024 nears the quarter-final stage after 16 of the 24 teams made it out of the groups, with eight more falling in the last-16.
While none of the heavy pre-tournament favourites fell at the first hurdle, World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Croatia did exit after Mattia Zaccagni’s 98th-minute equaliser broke their hearts, while the likes of Ukraine, Poland, Albania and Hungary all showed flashes of potential but weren’t able to translate that into a last-16 spot.
England have laboured as negative noise around the squad grows but they are hardly alone in stumbling, with the likes of France and even hosts Germany showing fallibility through unconvincing performances.
The reigning champions Italy are out, while classy Austria have perhaps been one of the most surprisingly impressive sides, although a more familiar name, Spain, are the outstanding team of the tournament so far.
Euro 2024 quarter-finals: Fixtures, schedule and kick-off times
England v Switzerland talking points
Friday 5 July 2024 12:29 , Sonia Twigg
Phil Foden said earlier this week he “felt sorry” for Southgate given the criticism aimed at the England manager for the often dour displays throughout the tournament. “I feel like the players have got to take some of the blame. There has to be some leaders to get together and find out a solution to why it is not working. There is only so much the manager can do,” he said. Now Foden, along with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane – the late goalscorers against Slovakia – will want to take more responsibility on their shoulders if England are to run even deeper into the finals.
Via PA
Predicted line ups
Friday 5 July 2024 12:24 , Sonia Twigg
Spain XI: Unai Simon, Cucurella, laporte, Le Normand, Carvajal, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri, Williams, Morata, Yamal
Germany XI: Neuer, Raum, Schlotterbeck, Rudiger, Kimmich, Kroos, Andrich, Musiala, Gundogan, Sane, Havertz
Turkey defender Merih Demiral handed Euro 2024 ban over ‘Grey Wolves’ gesture
Friday 5 July 2024 12:10 , Lawrence Ostlere
Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been banned for two games by Uefa following a gesture he made during his side’s last-16 win against Austria on Tuesday and will miss Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Netherlands.
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Turkey defender Merih Demiral handed Euro 2024 ban over ‘Grey Wolves’ gesture
England vs Switzerland talking points
Friday 5 July 2024 11:58 , Sonia Twigg
Made of Granit
Switzerland have earned plenty of plaudits at Euro 2024, finishing second to Germany in Group A having been seconds away from beating the hosts to advance in top spot. They then outplayed reigning Euros champions Italy to win their last-16 encounter 2-0 in Berlin, and while manager Murat Yakin can call on a number of in-form players, captain Granit Xhaka remains his talisman. The former Arsenal midfielder has lost just two games for club and country since leaving the Emirates Stadium last summer, helping Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal unbeaten, and will be keen to continue a fine run at England’s expense.
100 not out for Southgate
Southgate will become just the third incumbent to reach a century of games as manager of the men’s England team when he follows his side out in Dusseldorf. Only Walter Winterbottom and Alf Ramsey have taken charge of more matches than Southgate, who has won 60 of his 99 games at the helm so far. The 53-year-old has been under intense scrutiny at Euro 2024 but has led England to a World Cup semi-final and the Euro 2020 final as he aims to become the first man since Ramsey to secure major silverware.
Via PA
Uefa deliver Jude Bellingham ban verdict
Friday 5 July 2024 11:43 , Sonia Twigg
Uefa have charged Jude Bellingham with “violating the basic rules of decent conduct”.
Bellingham was facing a ban after Uefa opened an investigation into a gesture he made while celebrating his spectacular overhead kick against Slovakia in the last-16 tie last 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.
Uefa have fined Bellingham €30,000 and suspended him for “a total of one Uefa competition match for which he would be otherwise available for violating the basic rules of decent conduct. Said suspension is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one year starting from the date of the present decision.”
Will Eze play?
Friday 5 July 2024 11:31 , Sonia Twigg
One mainstay of the defence regardless of formations will be John Stones, who has been partnered by Marc Guehi in all four of England’s games thus far. That will definitely change on Saturday, however, as Guehi – one of Southgate’s most consistent performers in Germany – is banned after picking up two cautions. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa seems to be in pole position to replace Guehi in the starting XI having come on as a late substitute to help see out the extra-time win over Slovakia in the round of 16.
Via PA
Talking points for England vs Switzerland
Friday 5 July 2024 11:03 , Sonia Twigg
England face Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening hoping to earn a spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Gareth Southgate’s side may have made the last eight but have flattered to deceive so far in Germany, and the 2020 runners-up face their toughest test so far at Merkur Spiel-Arena.
To three, or not to three…
Several reports earlier in the week suggested Southgate is contemplating a switch to a back-three in an attempt to strike a better balance across his team. If the change does happen, it will see England revert back to a similar system that was employed en route to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals. Kyle Walker would likely move into a centre-back role with the wing-back options available to Southgate including Bukayo Saka, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and fit-again Luke Shaw. It would also see England field a similar formation to their Swiss counterparts.
Via PA
Gareth Southgate warns England will go ‘to the depths again’ to beat Switzerland
Friday 5 July 2024 10:32 , Sonia Twigg
Gareth Southgate says England have to be “ready to go right to the depths again” in Saturday’s crunch European Championship quarter-final against Switzerland.
The eyes of the nation will be focused on Dusseldorf as the Euro 2020 runners-up continue their quest to go one better by taking on the side 19th in FIFA’s world rankings.
England are fifth in those standings but have yet to show those standards in Germany, where they topped Group C in unconvincing fashion before narrowly avoiding humiliation last weekend.
Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time stunner took the last-16 clash against Slovakia to extra time, with Harry Kane’s header sealing a 2-1 triumph and quarter-final clash against the Swiss.
Gareth Southgate warns England will go ‘to the depths again’ to beat Switzerland
England need to be more competent and compact
Friday 5 July 2024 10:04 , Sonia Twigg
This may well be that great final challenge for Southgate. Many other teams at this Euros think England have by far the best squad but think he lacks that deeper understanding of fine tactical details. This can be a riposte to such criticism, but it might not need to be.
Even if any formation change only works to a certain degree, that can be enough. England only need to be more competent and compact. If they manage that, Bellingham’s goal can really have effect.
It can strengthen England’s resolve, as well as the belief that they can eventually find a way to win any game. That might not be sustainable over the length of a league season, but this isn’t a league season. It is now just three games for the trophy. England have more than enough match-winners for each of them, and they have now got through the worst of it. That will focus minds. Similarly, while it’s obviously better to have momentum and a working ideology in order to be tournament champions, star-laden teams can flail from game to game and then suddenly they’re in the final.
This might be the extra benefit of a figure like Bellingham, too, who just has this more assertive mentality. It is known that Michael Jordan’s The Last Dance documentary has been watched in the camp, and Bellingham has used conspicuously similar language about weaponising criticism.
There has been a lot of the latter. England have – for now – got past such negativity, to do the bare minimum required. That is another potential change.
It’s all asking a lot, but there’s now not that much left. It’s why single moments can surge into something huge.
England have been working on playing three at the back
Friday 5 July 2024 09:31 , Sonia Twigg
That is why Southgate’s own reaction to the victory may be as important as anything. He is finally acting, and doing more than just changing one midfielder. England spent large parts of Wednesday working on a three-man backline. Some around the camp will finally get the approach they want if Southgate sticks with this. Part of this is admittedly because it has been forced on the manager. Marc Guehi’s suspension for a second booking means Southgate doesn’t want to directly expose someone as lacking in tournament experience in Ezri Konsa in that way, but that has also compounded existing thinking.
It has long looked increasingly obvious this is the way to go, and not just because something – anything – needed to change. An emotional lift alone wasn’t going to be enough.
A three-man backline inherently looks like it gives Southgate so many more options with the current squad. Don’t have a midfield? Ensure you don’t have to play through it in the same way, just like 2018. Very few left-footers, and no fit left-back? Just change it to a left wing-back with a licence to attack, so only one such player is needed. Phil Foden and Bellingham both want to play No 10? Put the two of them behind Harry Kane, without the same need to go wide. There are also more potential configurations of midfield, with added protection. Sometimes, a formation can just click, as happened in England in 1990.
It is still a big thing to do mid-tournament. It’s also different to how the formation was used across the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, given there are now so many new player
England’s previous efficiency under Southgate seemed to have evaporated
Friday 5 July 2024 09:01 , Sonia Twigg
The 2024 England have had all of those problems and worse. It’s not just been flat, but fatigued. It’s not just that the formation doesn’t work, but almost no part of the team does. There are imbalances everywhere. The press has been too cautious, with Southgate’s inherent conservatism ensuring the team don’t commit the extra player required. It has all made England statistically – and very visibly – the slowest team at Euro 2024.
By the same token, the players have persistently said the mood in the camp has been great, indirectly indicating nothing there needs changing… only to go out and play as if the weight of decades is upon them. They were even bickering on the pitch against Slovakia. A previous efficiency under Southgate seemed to have evaporated, clouded by so much second-guessing.
Can one strike, no matter how uplifting, really change all that? This is the duality to late goals, too. On one side, they are an emotional elixir. On the other, the fact they are even required shows fundamental problems in the team. England’s performance against Slovakia was after all just a continuation of what had come before. It was impossible not to watch that game and see where Switzerland could potentially take England apart, especially given what they’d done to Italy just the day before.
Can one overhead kick really change a tournament? Here’s what England think
Friday 5 July 2024 08:32 , Sonia Twigg
There are obvious precedents, from Gascoigne to another frequent reference this week, in David Platt against Belgium in 1990. Even further afield, there was Marco Tardelli’s goal for Italy against Argentina in 1982, Claudio Caniggia for the latter to beat Brazil in 1990, and Zinedine Zidane suddenly turning up the dial against Spain in 2006. The most common example of all, given the context, was Portugal 2016. With each of those teams, single moments saw a conviction suddenly surge through the squads. It can be a powerful thing.
There was still something more to all of the situations, though; maybe even something more to the teams. Both Argentina 1990 and England 1996 had mostly just been flat, requiring a spark. Italy 1982 and France 2006 were low on confidence, which affected coherence. Big wins changed that. With England 1990, it was just the formation, given the quality was visible. Portugal 2016, meanwhile, simply couldn’t get going.
Can one overhead kick really change a tournament? Here’s what England think
Friday 5 July 2024 08:02 , Sonia Twigg
Over the last few days, the England players have felt a “shift” in training. There’s even been a lightness to some of the heavier work. Many of the squad felt the benefit of proper time with the family on Tuesday. Part of that is down to the breathing space that comes from a bit of a break, but most of it is from the release of Jude Bellingham’s goal against Slovakia.
The line all week has been that this is a “turning point”, even coming up repeatedly in team meetings. Gareth Southgate himself set that idea in the euphoria after the Slovakia game, openly talking about how it could be similar to Paul Gascoigne’s goal against Scotland at Euro ‘96. One of his “leadership group”, John Stones, was only too willing to take up the thread.
“I think it is a turning point emotionally, to do it in such a high-pressure moment in the last few minutes,” the centre-half said. “I believe it is going to change a lot of things for the team, going through these emotions.”
It was an undeniably huge goal, but it is still a lot to put on one strike. Can a single moment really change a whole tournament?
John Stones names two skills England have ‘unlocked’ on eve of Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland
Friday 5 July 2024 03:00 , Jamie Braidwood
John Stones believes England have already seen a “shift” and “unlocked” two key qualities for the latter stages of Euro 2024, in their ability to score crucial late goals and “seamlessly” switch between formations.
Gareth Southgate and his players feel that Jude Bellingham’s 95th-minute equaliser against Slovakia has had a transformative mood on the camp, and there is a sense that can create a fear factor among opposition sides.
It hasn’t been clear in the week since, however; ongoing concerns about performance as well as Marc Guehi’s suspension have led England to work on a three-man backline.
Stones says that can fit with the resolve which the team have started to develop after beating Slovakia, however.
John Stones names two skills England have ‘unlocked’ for Euro 2024 quarter-final
A dinner and ‘super’ wine helped Switzerland become a contender at Euro 2024
Friday 5 July 2024 02:00 , Jack Rathborn
Switzerland is on the verge of making history at Euro 2024, but a few months ago it was a team under severe pressure.
A dinner and some “super” red wine in Duesseldorf — where Switzerland plays England on Saturday — helped captain Granit Xhaka and coach Murat Yakin turn things around.
The Swiss team eliminated defending champion Italy last week and is a step away from the semifinals, which would be its best-ever result at any tournament.
Just over four months ago, however, things were very different. Switzerland had won just one of its previous seven games, and that was against tiny Andorra. During that time, Xhaka had publicly criticized the team’s training sessions — and by implication Yakin — and likened the team’s performance to a kick-about “in the park.”
In February, Yakin came to visit Xhaka for dinner in Duesseldorf, just up the road from where Xhaka was playing for the then-undefeated Bayer Leverkusen.
What exactly they talked about remains a secret — and so does the menu — but both men have said the dinner was an important moment in the bond between coach and captain. It may have helped that Xhaka scored his first goal for Leverkusen the next day.
“We players are happy that we have a coach who is open to hearing the players’ opinions and there have never been problems. We are men enough to talk about it,” Xhaka said last month.
“Good food, super wine and I scored the next day … I think we are both very ambitious. We both just want success for ourselves, for the team. And that is what counts. Everything else is history.”
England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages
Friday 5 July 2024 01:00 , Jack Rathborn
England left it late, but Gareth Southgate’s side are through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a dramatic victory over Slovakia in the last-16.
Jude Bellingham saved England from an embarrassing defeat with a stunning last-minute overhead kick, before Harry Kane scored at the start of extra time to send the Three Lions through.
It was shaping up to be another nightmare evening in Gelsenkirchen but Southgate was vindicated for his lack of changes as his biggest stars finally arrived to turn defeat into victory.
And ahead of Saturday’s game against Switzerland, below you can find England’s potential route to the final of Euro 2024.
What is England’s route to the final of Euro 2024?
Switzerland prepare to face England
Friday 5 July 2024 00:01 , Jack Rathborn
Switzerland’s precision and a press give England a tactical dilemma
Thursday 4 July 2024 23:00 , Jack Rathborn
England’s happiness at being on what is perceived to be the easier side of the knockout draw at Euro 2024 has been tested by Slovakia but what awaits them in the quarter-final on Saturday will be an even sterner examination.
Opponents Switzerland have been beaten only once in their 18 matches since the World Cup, a dead rubber European Championship qualifier in Romania, and have lost outright in one of their last 14 games at the Euros dating back to 2008. Germany midfielder Toni Kroos was full of praise for the Swiss after the hosts needed a 92nd-minute equaliser in their final pool match to draw 1-1 while Italy’s Bryan Cristante was candid after their 2-0 last-16 defeat.
“They beat us physically and in terms of organisation,” he said.
For an England side that has found opening up opponents difficult in Germany, that presents another tactical challenge for manager Gareth Southgate. The Swiss have a settled back-four but coach Murat Yakin is not afraid to make changes in the forward positions, and with several options across the front three, it makes it hard to plan for them. Switzerland’s seven goals at Euro 2024 have come from different players, they are not reliant on an individual who can be contained, but spread the workload across the team, whether in attack or defence.
They also work incredibly hard. Midfielder Rubin Vargas praised his side for how they suffocated Italy when out of possession. “We didn’t give them time to breathe,” he said.
The Swiss are second bottom for number of tackles made (36) at the finals, but have conceded only three goals, which shows how they use their organisation and press to subdue opponents. In fact, goalkeeper Yann Sommer has been forced to make only six saves in more than six hours of football, so well has he been protected by his defence. No gloveman has been less busy at Euro 2024.
The Swiss are one of four teams at the tournament to have scored two goals from outside the box, along with Germany, Turkey and Romania. They have had more shots on target (18) than off target (15) at these finals, a claim only a handful of sides can make, and don’t mind not having the ball with 48% possession spread across their games. They do not use width much and are last of the 24 teams for crosses completed with five in four games, keeping their play compact in central positions.
“When we put on our pressing, we won’t let them (England) play. That’s our job,” Yakin told reporters. “We played well against Germany, we played well against Italy, so why shouldn’t we beat England?”
England train for Euro 2024 quarter-final v Switzerland
Thursday 4 July 2024 22:00 , Jack Rathborn
John Stones says England‘s Euro 2024 camp has been a ‘politics-free zone’
Thursday 4 July 2024 21:00 , Jack Rathborn
John Stones says England‘s Euro 2024 camp has been a “politics-free zone” as the country decides on the next Prime Minister.
Gareth Southgate’s side are in central Germany preparing for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland as millions of people head to polling stations across the UK.
But while the General Election may be dominating the agenda back home, England‘s Blankenhain base has been a neutral space for players and staff.
Asked if there has been any “political banter” or whether it is a sort of politics-free zone, defender Stones said with a laugh: “Politics-free zone.
“I couldn’t tell you about the other lads (and if they have voted). I’m sure it’ll be something that we get brought tonight later on.
“But, yeah, I couldn’t tell you who they vote for and keep it close to the chest. Let’s see what happens.”
John Stones: Jude Bellingham goal could be catalyst for England at Euro 2024
Thursday 4 July 2024 20:00 , Jack Rathborn
John Stones believes Jude Bellingham’s great escape act can be the “turning point” in England’s attempt to “create history” by winning Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s men arrived at this summer’s tournament among the favourites to lift the trophy, but last weekend they were seconds away from bowing out in the first knockout round.
Slovakia led against lacklustre England deep into stoppage time, only for Bellingham’s jaw-dropping overhead kick to save their blushes in the fifth added minute.
Harry Kane went on to secure England a 2-1 extra-time triumph – a last-gasp win that breathes new life into a side that now take on Switzerland in Saturday’s quarter-final in Dusseldorf.
John Stones: Jude Bellingham goal could be catalyst for England at Euro 2024
Turkey match-winner Merih Demiral investigated by Uefa for alleged extremist salute
Thursday 4 July 2024 19:00 , Jack Rathborn
European football’s governing body Uefa opened an investigation on Wednesday into a “wolf salute” goal celebration by Turkey centre-back Merih Demiral that Germany condemned as racist due to its far-right associations.
The 26-year-old defender raised both hands and made the gesture with his fingers after his second goal in Turkey‘s stunning 2-1 win over Austria in the last-16 of Euro 2024.
The gesture – mimicking the shape of a wolf’s head – is linked to the right-wing “Grey Wolves”, an ultra-nationalist youth branch of Turkey‘s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which is in alliance with President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party.
Turkey match-winner Merih Demiral investigated by Uefa for alleged extremist salute
Germany left with one regret before ‘the real Euro 2024 final’ against reinvented Spain
Thursday 4 July 2024 18:30 , Jack Rathborn
It is something that Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t even want to be mentioned around the German camp, but it’s now impossible not to consider. Would the hosts have been better off had Niclas Fullkrug not scored that 92nd-minute equaliser against Switzerland in the final group game? Might that have been the moment on which the entire tournament turned?
A 1-0 defeat would have put Germany second in their group and on the more forgiving side of the draw, probably making them the biggest force there. It could have been a clear route to the semi-final.
Nagelsmann would argue that, if that happened, the hosts wouldn’t still have their unbeaten record. They wouldn’t have the emotional momentum that comes with a last-minute equaliser to preserve that record, either. They wouldn’t have the same aura.
Germany have one regret before ‘the real Euro 2024 final’ with Spain
John Stones reveals England’s turning point before Switzerland clash
Thursday 4 July 2024 17:56 , Jack Rathborn
England defender John Stones said he is fit and ready to play in their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday despite training in a bulky knee brace, adding that the late victory over Slovakia in the last 16 was a turning point.
“All good,” Stones said of his knee. “Looks worse, obviously, (with) the heavy strapping than what I’ve done. So I’m all good.”
England have had four underwhelming games but grabbed a lifeline when Jude Bellingham leapt to fire home a stunning bicycle kick in the 95th minute against Slovakia to avoid elimination. Harry Kane sealed the deal with an extra time goal in the 2-1 win.
“It is a turning point for us emotionally, to do it in a high-pressured moment, the last few minutes, it is going to change a lot of things for us as a team, going through the emotions,” Stones told a press conference.
“There is a great picture of us celebrating that (Bellingham) goal and all the bench are up and all the staff are up off the seats. It shows that unity and togetherness as a team. When you have done those things you believe you can do it better and when it gets tough, you know we can do it again.”
Gareth Southgate set for 100th game as England boss
Thursday 4 July 2024 17:30 , Karl Matchett
Gareth Southgate has been coming under increasing pressure during Euro 2024 but he is about to reach a major milestone: his 100th game as manager of the national team.
So far his record reads 60 wins, 23 draws and 16 defeats from his 99 matches – plus he had 37 in charge of the U21s before taking the post.
A win in his century fixture would go a long way towards raising optimism once more.
Cole Palmer says added pressure would not stop him taking penalty in shoot-out
Thursday 4 July 2024 17:00 , Karl Matchett
Cole Palmer admits the pressure of taking a penalty ramps up when it comes to a shoot-out – but insists he would be ready to take one for England at Euro 2024.
With the knockout stages in full swing, England are preparing for a quarter-final clash against Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening.
Gareth Southgate’s side needed extra-time to beat Slovakia in the previous round and the potential for a penalty shoot-out will once again be hanging over the tie at Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Cole Palmer says added pressure would not stop him taking penalty in shoot-out
England news and latest Euro 2024 updates
Thursday 4 July 2024 16:30 , Karl Matchett
England have so far used 20 players at the tournament out of the 26 in the group. Anthony Gordon has played just one minute; at the other end of the scale, five players have played the full 390: John Stones, Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi.
The latter will leave the ever-present group in the next game, of course, suspended.
Euro 2024 quarter-finals: Fixtures, schedule and kick-off times at European Championship
Thursday 4 July 2024 16:00 , Karl Matchett
Euro 2024 nears the quarter-final stage after 16 of the 24 teams made it out of the groups, with eight more falling in the last-16.
While none of the heavy pre-tournament favourites fell at the first hurdle, World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Croatia did exit after Mattia Zaccagni’s 98th-minute equaliser broke their hearts, while the likes of Ukraine, Poland, Albania and Hungary all showed flashes of potential but weren’t able to translate that into a last-16 spot.
England have laboured as negative noise around the squad grows but they are hardly alone in stumbling, with the likes of France and even hosts Germany showing fallibility through unconvincing performances.
The reigning champions Italy are out, while classy Austria have perhaps been one of the most surprisingly impressive sides, although a more familiar name, Spain, are the outstanding team of the tournament so far.
Here is the full schedule for the Euro 2024 knockouts, plus below you can see day-by-day fixtures and times (BST) in text form:
Euro 2024 quarter-finals: Fixtures, schedule and kick-off times
Foden defends Southgate and demands players step up
Thursday 4 July 2024 15:40 , Reuters
England’s Phil Foden said the players need to shoulder some of the blame for the team’s shaky performances at Euro 2024 and that he feels sorry for manager Gareth Southgate, who has been subjected to heavy criticism.
England have sputtered through their four games in Germany with Jude Bellingham’s last gasp bicycle kick and Harry Kane’s header in extra time against Slovakia salvaging their tournament.
When asked about the criticism Southgate has faced, particularly around the team’s tendency to sit back rather than press, the 24-year-old said he feels sorry for the coach.
“The players have got to take some of the blame,” Foden told British media. “There has to be some leaders to get together and find out a solution to why it is not working.
“There is only so much the manager can do. He sets you up in a system and tells you how to press. If it is not going like that, you have to (work it out).”
Foden was named the Premier League’s Player of the Season but has been off the boil in Germany.
“I’ve not been the best player in the Premier League to come here and not show it,” he said.
England take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Germany summons Turkish ambassador over right-wing ‘wolf’ goal celebration
Thursday 4 July 2024 15:20 , Reuters
Turkey’s ambassador to Germany has been summoned over a Turkish football player’s “wolf salute” goal celebration, the German foreign ministry said on Thursday, ramping up a diplomatic spat amid reports that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will come to Berlin this weekend.
European soccer’s governing body UEFA opened an investigation into the Turkish centre back Merih Demiral’s celebration after scoring in a Tuesday evening European Championship match. Germany condemned the gesture as racist due to its far-right associations.
Turkey’s foreign ministry said UEFA’s probe was unacceptable and that German authorities’ approach to Demiral “involved xenophobia”.
The ministry had summoned Germany’s ambassador to Ankara over the dispute, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Wednesday.
German and Turkish media reported on Thursday that Erdogan now planned to come to Berlin on Saturday for Turkey’s game against the Netherlands.
Erdogan changed his schedule to attend the game, NTV and other Turkish media reported on Thursday.
He was scheduled to attend a summit of Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) in Azerbaijan on Saturday.
The gesture made by the player is linked to the “Grey Wolves”, an ultra-nationalist youth branch of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of Erdogan’s ruling AK Party.
The wolf salute is not banned in Germany.
However, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on X that “using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable.”
Penalty shoot-out in the quarters? Neither are favourites…
Thursday 4 July 2024 15:00 , Karl Matchett
Following is the penalty shootout record of the quarter-finalists at Euro 2024. Only shootouts at the World Cup and European Championship have been included.
ENGLAND (won two, lost seven)
1990 World Cup semi-final: Lost 4-3 v West Germany after 1-1 draw
1996 Euros quarter-final: Won 4-2 v Spain after 0-0 draw
1996 Euros semi-final: Lost 6-5 v Germany after 1-1 draw
1998 World Cup last-16: Lost 4-3 v Argentina after 2-2 draw
2004 Euros quarter-final: Lost 6-5 v Portugal after 2-2 draw
2006 World Cup quarter-final: Lost 3-1 v Portugal after 0-0 draw
2012 Euros quarter-final: Lost 4-2 v Italy after 0-0 draw
2018 World Cup last-16: Won 4-3 v Colombia after 1-1 draw
2020 Euros final: Lost 3-2 v Italy after 1-1 draw)
SWITZERLAND (won one, lost three)
2006 World Cup last-16: Lost 3-0 v Ukraine after 0-0 draw
2016 Euros last-16: Lost 5-4 v Poland after 1-1 draw
2020 Euros last-16: Won 5-4 v France after 3-3 draw
2020 Euros quarter-final: Lost 3-2 v Spain after 1-1 draw
TURKEY (won one)
2008 Euros quarter-final: Won 3-1 v Croatia after 1-1 draw
Trent Alexander-Arnold can dispel Gareth Southgate myth with obvious England change
Thursday 4 July 2024 14:50 , Karl Matchett
The Trent Alexander-Arnold Experiment is dead. Time for another Trent Alexander-Arnold Experiment. Liverpool’s vice-captain seems a misunderstood, underused talent at international level. His time in midfield spanned 123 minutes against Serbia and Denmark and was of sufficient importance, such a scientific voyage of discovery, that it assumed a status of its own. It was an ‘Experiment’.
That it has been deemed a failure was apparent when Gareth Southgate worked his way through a series of partners for Declan Rice against Slovakia – Kobbie Mainoo for craft, Conor Gallagher for graft, Jude Bellingham for overhead kicks – and no scenario called for Alexander-Arnold.
Not as a midfielder anyway. But there felt a pressing need for Alexander-Arnold in his original incarnation, as the right-back revolutionary, the creator supreme, a player with a capacity to make the extraordinary happen.
Alexander-Arnold can dispel Southgate myth with obvious England change
England working on bold tactical switch for Euro 2024 quarter-final
Thursday 4 July 2024 14:30 , Karl Matchett
England have been working on a back three in training ahead of the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, with Kyle Walker moved to the right of centre-half and Bukayo Saka potentially playing as a left wingback. Gareth Southgate is now actively considering a formation change, in what could yet be a decisive mid-tournament switch.
The manager had been fretting about how his initial system hadn’t been working in four laboured displays so far but a number of factors have forced him to finally work on something different in the build-up to the Switzerland game.
The primary reason was a required change to the defence anyway, with Marc Guehi suspended after a second booking of the tournament in the 2-1 win over Slovakia.
England working on bold tactical switch for Euro 2024 quarter-final
Phil Foden reveals how England can solve attacking woes at Euro 2024
Thursday 4 July 2024 14:10 , Karl Matchett
In a tournament where England have been criticised for not linking up well in attack, Phil Foden believes the team must come together on the pitch to solve the problem themselves and show leadership.
The playmaker admitted he has been frustrated they haven’t clicked but said that isn’t due to manager Gareth Southgate‘s tactics – rather the players must take responsibility. Foden claims they have felt inhibited due to the nature of matches and defensive opposition approaches but believes the squad need to be more proactive.
While the 24-year-old admitted that he wants to play centrally for England, he denied there is any issue in his own connection with Jude Bellingham, and believes that the performance level is growing.
Southgate’s supposedly stellar attack have only scored four goals in four heavily-criticised matches so far, culminating in the extra-time 2-1 win over Slovakia.
Phil Foden reveals how England can solve attacking woes at Euro 2024
Euro 2024 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
Thursday 4 July 2024 13:50 , Karl Matchett
Euro 2024 is heading to the quarter-finals after an entertaining start to the knockout rounds saw eight more nations exit the tournament.
Spain were the only team to collect the maximum nine points in the group phase and they continued their impressive form with a 4-1 win over Georgia. Switzerland and Germany both progressed to the quarter-finals with 2-0 wins, but it was much harder work for France, England and Portugal who respectively required a late own goal, a very late equaliser/extra-time winner and a penalty shootout to go through.
Here, we assess how every Euro 2024 nation stacks up before the quarter-finals (these rankings are revised after each round of games).
Euro 2024 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
England updates and Euro 2024 latest news
Thursday 4 July 2024 13:35 , Karl Matchett
Sometimes in football, the great thinkers are not the great winners. They can show everyone else their ideas, but not their medals. It is why they attract disciples but also dissenters. Ralf Rangnick is the godfather of gegenpressing, but Jurgen Klopp has borrowed from his methods and won the Champions League, league titles in two countries and a host of cups. Some four decades into his managerial career, Rangnick has won the Intertoto Cup, the German Cup, the German second division and the German third tier.
There are managers with bigger trophy cabinets and far less influence. Rangnick’s reputation instead is as a Mitteleuropean Marcelo Bielsa: a pioneer, an evangelist, a man who altered the game but didn’t win the defining matches. For Rangnick, Euro 2024 had promised the belated reward, the historic achievement, the undeniable proof of excellence. He had started to admit that, yes, Austria could win it.
Until they were ejected from it.
Ralf Rangnick is always the pioneer, never the winner – but he made Euro 2024 better
England news and latest Euro 2024 updates
Thursday 4 July 2024 13:15 , Karl Matchett
Ezri Konsa will be hoping to get the nod from Gareth Southgate with Marc Guehi suspended for the quarter-final against Switzerland – but his only minutes so far have come at left-back.
England train ahead of Switzerland test in Euro 2024 quarter-finals
Thursday 4 July 2024 13:05 , Jack Rathborn
Jude Bellingham delivered salvation but he can’t hide England’s huge flaws
Thursday 4 July 2024 12:55 , Jack Rathborn
Gareth Southgate, duly, still believed. As the clock ticked into the 94th minute, and England looked like they were still going, the manager evidently wasn’t thinking about what he was going to say. He was still thinking about how they could rescue it, what could be done.
“I had belief right the way through that we’d get the goal. I didn’t think it would be as late as it was. I wasn’t ready to go home yet and clearly the players felt the same way.”
One player certainly wasn’t, and there is an argument he thinks in a different way than any previous England player. Jude Bellingham has now given the national team a moment they’ve never had. There’s never been salvation like this.
There’s never been a last-minute knock-out goal – or later – to actually keep England in a tournament. The closest was Gary Lineker’s penalty against Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup quarter-final, but that was in the 83rd minute. It wasn’t as desperately necessary as this.
Jude Bellingham delivered salvation but he can’t hide England’s huge flaws
How Southgate hopes the lessons of 1966 can inspire success at Euro 2024
Thursday 4 July 2024 12:40 , Jack Rathborn
t was 30 years of hurt when Gareth Southgate stepped up and missed a penalty and it was about to become at least 60 until Jude Bellingham attempted an overhead kick. Southgate makes no secret of his ambitions to emulate Sir Alf Ramsey, to double the number of trophy-winning managers in England’s history. He looks to the past to provide inspiration and lessons alike. If 1966 has become a profitable nostalgia industry, it is so long ago that many of the England players’ parents were not born. They could be forgiven for not knowing all the details.
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.
Plans can change en route, fringe figures can assume central roles. The path to glory is not always smooth, even if England contrived to make it look remarkably bumpy as they squeezed past Slovakia.
How Southgate hopes the lessons of 1966 can inspire success at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate says England have found their Paul Gascoigne moment at Euro 2024
Thursday 4 July 2024 12:25 , Jack Rathborn
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.
While Southgate accepted that his team have “got to be better”, he feels that the 95th-minute equaliser to eventually eliminate Slovakia showed a “togetherness” and “spirit” essential to any tournament. The manager also believes it will “give the whole group belief”, just like Gascoigne in 1996. Southgate feels that will be essential against an “excellent” Switzerland team in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
“Well, there’s no question it will give the whole group belief,” he said. “The boys that came on and contributed that had a big impact on what we were doing: the togetherness and the spirit that you need.
Gareth Southgate says England have found their Paul Gascoigne moment at Euro 2024
Jude Bellingham faces possible ban over gesture to crowd during England’s Euro 2024 win
Thursday 4 July 2024 12:10 , Jack Rathborn
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.
Bellingham equalised in the 96th minute to save England from a humiliating defeat, and they eventually prevailed in extra time to book a quarter-final with Switzerland.
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.
Amid accusations that he had disrespected the Slovakian bench or their supporters, Bellingham explained his actions on social media, tweeting: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
Jude Bellingham faces possible ban over gesture to crowd in England’s Euro 2024 win
England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages
Thursday 4 July 2024 11:55 , Jack Rathborn
England left it late, but Gareth Southgate’s side are through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a dramatic victory over Slovakia in the last-16.
Jude Bellingham saved England from an embarrassing defeat with a stunning last-minute overhead kick, before Harry Kane scored at the start of extra time to send the Three Lions through.
It was shaping up to be another nightmare evening in Gelsenkirchen but Southgate was vindicated for his lack of changes as his biggest stars finally arrived to turn defeat into victory.
England will still need a huge improvement in the knockout phase of the competition if they are to live up to their pre-tournament billing as one of the favourites, but they have had a stroke of fortune with the draw.
What is England’s route to the final of Euro 2024?
Trent Alexander-Arnold can dispel Gareth Southgate myth with obvious England change
Thursday 4 July 2024 11:40 , Jack Rathborn
The Trent Alexander-Arnold Experiment is dead. Time for another Trent Alexander-Arnold Experiment. Liverpool’s vice-captain seems a misunderstood, underused talent at international level. His time in midfield spanned 123 minutes against Serbia and Denmark and was of sufficient importance, such a scientific voyage of discovery, that it assumed a status of its own. It was an ‘Experiment’.
That it has been deemed a failure was apparent when Gareth Southgate worked his way through a series of partners for Declan Rice against Slovakia – Kobbie Mainoo for craft, Conor Gallagher for graft, Jude Bellingham for overhead kicks – and no scenario called for Alexander-Arnold.
Not as a midfielder anyway. But there felt a pressing need for Alexander-Arnold in his original incarnation, as the right-back revolutionary, the creator supreme, a player with a capacity to make the extraordinary happen. There appeared to be a shift in thought when Gary Neville, England’s most capped right-back until a couple of weeks ago, said it was “illegal” that Alexander-Arnold wasn’t playing. “He’s the best footballer at right-back we’ve ever seen in this country,” said Neville, a more prosaic talent recognising an extraordinary one.
Alexander-Arnold can dispel Southgate myth with obvious England change
Euro 2024 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
Thursday 4 July 2024 11:25 , Jack Rathborn
Euro 2024 is heading to the quarter-finals after an entertaining start to the knockout rounds saw eight more nations exit the tournament.
Spain were the only team to collect the maximum nine points in the group phase and they continued their impressive form with a 4-1 win over Georgia. Switzerland and Germany both progressed to the quarter-finals with 2-0 wins, but it was much harder work for France, England and Portugal who respectively required a late own goal, a very late equaliser/extra-time winner and a penalty shootout to go through.
Here, we assess how every Euro 2024 nation stacks up before the quarter-finals (these rankings are revised after each round of games).
Euro 2024 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals
Phil Foden reveals how England can solve attacking woes at Euro 2024
Thursday 4 July 2024 11:10 , Jack Rathborn
In a tournament where England have been criticised for not linking up well in attack, Phil Foden believes the team must come together on the pitch to solve the problem themselves and show leadership.
The playmaker admitted he has been frustrated they haven’t clicked but said that isn’t due to manager Gareth Southgate‘s tactics – rather the players must take responsibility. Foden claims they have felt inhibited due to the nature of matches and defensive opposition approaches but believes the squad need to be more proactive.
While the 24-year-old admitted that he wants to play centrally for England, he denied there is any issue in his own connection with Jude Bellingham, and believes that the performance level is growing.
Southgate’s supposedly stellar attack have only scored four goals in four heavily-criticised matches so far, culminating in the extra-time 2-1 win over Slovakia.
Phil Foden reveals how England can solve attacking woes at Euro 2024
England v Switzerland TV channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 fixture online
Thursday 4 July 2024 10:58 , Jack Rathborn
Euro 2024 has reached the quarter-final stage and England are still very much involved – despite having been seconds from elimination last time out and having underwhelmed throughout the tourmanent so far.
A Jude Bellingham overhead kick saved the Three Lions against Slovakia, before Harry Kane’s header in extra time won them the tie, after finishing top in the group stage despite only managing a single victory from their three games.
Improvement is expected and will be necessary, but for that to happen changes seem are no doubt needed once more in the team – and there’s still the matter of a potentially pending suspension for Bellingham to solve, after he made gestures outside the realms of “decent conduct” and was investigated by Uefa.
England v Switzerland TV channel, start time and how to watch
Gareth Southgate plans major tactical switch for Euro 2024 quarter-final v Switzerland
Thursday 4 July 2024 10:55 , Jack Rathborn
England have been working on a back three in training ahead of the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, with Kyle Walker moved to the right of centre-half and Bukayo Saka potentially playing as left-back. Gareth Southgate is now actively considering changing, in what could yet be a decisive mid-tournament change.
The manager had been fretting about how his initial system hadn’t been working in four laboured displays so far, but a number of factors have forced him to finally work on something different in the build-up to the Switerland game.
The primary reason was a required change to the defence anyway, with Marc Guehi suspended after a second booking of the tournament in the 2-1 win over Slovakia.
England working on bold tactical switch for Euro 2024 quarter-final