Get the brackets out.
No matter how strong England are entering a major tournament, every man and his dog will be fully aware of the Three Lions’ route to the final.
Think of all the hours wasted up and down the country in the springs and summers of 2014 and 2016, with folk mapping out England’s projected journeys only for Roy Hodgson’s dismal outfit to crash out in the group stages and round of 16 respectively.
However, while previous optimism was misguided, English supporters have evidence to support their hopes and dreams heading into Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have performed well at the past three tournaments dating back to the 2018 World Cup, and they arrive in Germany this summer as one of the justified favourites.
They’ve been drawn into a group they’re very much expected to win, but a second-place or even a third-place finish can’t be completely ruled out. There are questions about this England defence, at the end of the day.
Nevertheless, here are England’s projected routes to the final depending on where they finish in Group C.
Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia will all be vying to knock the English off their perch in Group C, and while each of these teams could give the Three Lions a few issues, it’d be a big surprise if Southgate’s side don’t progress into the knockouts as group winners.
England’s reward for a group victory would be a round-of-16 clash against one of three potential third-place finishes. They’ll face third from either Group D (France, Netherlands, Austria, Poland), Group E (Belgium, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia) or Group F (Portugal, Turkey, Czechia, Georgia).
On paper, Austria, Romania and Czechia are England’s most likely opponents, but the groups are unlikely to pan out as the majority suspect. Nevertheless, England’s first knockout opponent will depend on how many points each third-place team gains. Only the four best-performing third-place teams advance into the round of 16.
If England get the business done there, they’ll face the runners-up of Group A or B in the last eight. Dark horses Hungary could be on the table, as could holders Italy or 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia. Spain are also in Group B.
The contest that many are already eyeing up is a semi-final against France. England are likely to face the pre-tournament favourites in the last four assuming France win their group also. Les Bleus may have to get past…
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