Despite all the criticism, conjecture and noise, England are just three games away from winning Euro 2024.
It hasn’t been easy for Gareth Southgate‘s side in Germany, but all that matters at tournaments is results and thankfully for him, the Three Lions have done just about enough to reach the last eight.
Sunday’s dramatic victory over Slovakia wasn’t pretty, with England set to go out after a drab performance until Jude Bellingham‘s stunning 95th minute intervention, before Harry Kane scored the winner in extra time.
They now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday, before a potential semi-final match-up against the Netherlands or Turkey next Wednesday, with Spain, Germany, France and Portugal on the other side of the draw.
In light of Euro 2024 heading into its final stages, Mail Sport has looked at England’s potential opponents on the way to glory and rated what danger they pose to England’s chances of triumphing in Berlin on July 14.
England are just three games away from glory at Euro 2024 after reaching the quarter-finals
The Three Lions have failed to impress, but they fought back to beat Slovakia on Sunday
Gareth Southgate will be desperate to see his side go all the way and win the tournament
QUARTER-FINAL OPPONENT: Switzerland
If England had been offered a quarter-final against Switzerland before Euro 2024 began, they would have most likely jumped at the chance at taking on a nation that has never reached the semi-finals of a major tournament.
Switzerland have been knocked out in the last-16 at the past three World Cups, while they have only made it out of the group at three European Championships.
Yet, despite an underwhelming qualifying campaign that saw Swiss boss Murat Yakin come under significant pressure after overseeing four wins out of 10, his team have been a revelation at Euro 2024.
Powered by a Premier League core, where Fabian Schar and Manuel Akanji have excelled at the back, former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has helped them to dominate games from midfield.
But it has been lesser-known stars like Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas who have sprinkled the attacking quality, and after almost beating Germany to top spot in their group, Switzerland cruised past Italy in the last-16 stage following a hugely impressive display.
On paper, England should still have enough to beat the Swiss, but as they have shown throughout the tournament, they are not a side to be underestimated.
Danger Rating – 3/5
Switzerland have been a breath of fresh air at Euro 2024 and could cause problems for England
POTENTIAL SEMI-FINAL POTENTIAL OPPONENT: Netherlands or Turkey
The Netherlands
Ronald Koeman’s side finally announced themselves at Euro 2024 with a thumping 3-0 victory over Romania in the last-16 on Tuesday.
Despite a late winner over Poland in their opening game of the tournament, a 0-0 draw with France and a 3-2 defeat by Austria showed this Netherlands team are vulnerable.
Many would argue that the nature of the Euros, where Netherlands finished third in their group but still progressed, makes a mockery of the initial stages, but the Oranje are now well-placed to reach the final four.
The Netherlands have shown in recent games that their attacking talent is to be envied, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo looking in inspired form, while Donyell Malen scored twice against Romania.
Although their defensive options include the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake, Koeman’s side did look leaky against Austria and that is something that will give England encouragement.
In truth, their squad seems to be a mix of promising young players who are yet to reach their peak, and some experienced stars who have a multitude of tournament experiences such as Memphis Depay.
But, while there are question marks over Koeman’s tactical acumen, if the Netherlands’ display against Romania is anything to go by, they cannot be taken lightly.
Danger Rating – 4/5
The Netherlands looked to have clicked into gear with their 3-0 win over Romania in the last-16
Turkey
Like the Netherlands, Turkey are a hugely entertaining team to watch and could be another intriguing opponent for England if they are to meet in the semi-finals.
Tuesday was a huge night for the Turks, who reached a quarter-final of a major tournament for the first time in 16 years after they held on to beat Austria 2-1.
In fact, since their run to the semi-finals at Euro 2008, Turkey have failed to qualify for five out of eight tournaments, while they were knocked out in the group stage at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Vincenzo Montella’s side have been one of the tournament’s most enterprising teams, with their four games comprising 13 goals, while they currently have the worst disciplinary record after picking up 18 bookings.
Turkey aren’t afraid to attack and are driven by the young talents of Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, yet they have also shown astute game management to reach the final eight.
However, they were slightly fortunate to beat Austria with keeper Mert Gunok pulling off several stunning saves, including a ‘Gordon Banks-esque’ stop deep into added time.
They were similarly well-beaten by Portugal in the group stage and rode their luck against Georgia.
But, Turkey continue to upset the odds, while they will be backed by a vociferous support in Germany and Montella’s men could prove to be an uncomfortable opponent for the Three Lions.
Danger Rating – 2/5
Turkey reached their first quarter-final in 16 years in dramatic fashion after beating Austria 2-1
POTENTIAL FINAL OPPONENT: Spain, Germany, France or Portugal
Spain
England will be thanking their lucky stars that they have avoided several of the larger nations on their side of the draw.
If they do make it to the final, the early favourites to be their opponents are Spain, who look like the best team at the tournament under Luis de la Fuente.
While they retain the traditional possession-based qualities of a Spanish side, La Roja have added more dynamism and they have been the most dangerous team at the tournament.
Spain remain the only side to win all of their games at Euro 2024, scoring nine and conceding just once, while wingers Lamine Yamal, 16, and Nico Williams, 21, are proving to be the breakout stars in Germany.
Their squad depth is also mouthwatering and during their 4-1 victory over Georgia in the last-16, Spain racked up an astonishing 35 shots.
England will need to up their recent performances dramatically to even compete with Spain if the teams meet in Berlin.
Danger Rating – 5/5
Spain look like the best team at the tournament after four superb performances in Germany
Germany
After two games of the tournament when Germany had romped home to two comfortable wins, expectations were being raised around the country that this could be a memorable summer.
However, these hopes were slightly tapered following an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Switzerland, where Julian Nagelsmann’s side looked slow and predictable before they edged past Denmark 2-0 in the last-16.
The victory over the Danes was convincing in parts, but Germany also rode their luck after Joachim Andersen had a goal harshly ruled out for offside.
Nagelsmann did show his ability to adapt against Denmark as he made the bold call to drop Florian Wirtz in favour of Leroy Sane in order to give his side more width.
Although Spain are likely to be favourites for their quarter-final showdown, Germany have a star-studded squad, and along with the home support, they will still fancy their chances of glory this summer.
Danger Rating – 4.5/5
Julian Nagelsmann’s side have shown a willingness to adapt in front of their supportive crowd
France
Like England, France are yet to really hit their straps at Euro 2024, with Didier Deschamps’ side having failed to convince in Germany.
Les Bleus have drawn two of their four games and scored just three goals – two of which were own goals, while the other one was a penalty.
However, Deschamps is a veteran of international management, with the former midfielder at his sixth major tournament as France boss.
When the pressure is on, his team know how to grind out results and the fact they’ve conceded just one goal in four games shows that even if their attack is misfiring, Les Bleus will still be hard to beat.
We are yet to see anywhere near the best of Kylian Mbappe and although France still have much work to do, they retain that fear factor as a potential opponent.
Danger Rating – 5/5
France have been underwhelming in Germany, but they retain that fear factor as an opponent
Portugal
For much of Portugal’s last-16 clash against Slovenia it threatened to be one of the least entertaining games of the tournament as Roberto Martinez’s side dominated possession without creating much, bar Cristiano Ronaldo’s embarrassing plethora of free kicks that he blasted over the bar.
However, that all changed when the 39-year-old superstar stepped up to take a potentially decisive spot kick in the 105th minute.
But the Al-Nassr star, who is enduring somewhat of a nightmare tournament, saw his effort saved by Slovenia stopper Jan Oblak before he dramatically broke down in tears.
Ronaldo’s blushes were spared as Portugal progressed 3-0 on penalties, with the forward scoring his spot kick in the shootout, but it was unconvincing from Martinez’s team.
Portugal’s squad is full of stars, but Roberto Martinez’s side are yet to truly convince
It followed a shock 2-0 defeat by Georgia in their final group game and Martinez seems to be struggling to find a system that gets the best out of his star players, something that has been a similar problem for England and France.
The former Everton and Belgium boss has tinkered throughout their campaign and needs to settle on a way forward fast if Portugal are live up to their pre-tournament expectations as one of the favourites.
Danger Rating – 4/5