Euro 2024

England next opponents at Euro 2024 confirmed as Three Lions learn last-16 fate

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 26 June 2024

Fate sealed: England discover Euro 2024 last-16 opponents

England discover who they will play in the last 16 of Euro 2024, as the Three Lions prepare to take on Slovakia in their opening knockout tie.

England have discovered who they will play in the last 16 of Euro 2024 as the group stages of this summer's tournament concluded on Wednesday night.

Thanks to their status as Group C winners, despite only managing back-to-back draws with Denmark and Slovenia, England's five-point haul was good enough for first place in the section.

As a result, the Three Lions set up a tie with one of the best third-placed teams in the last 16, which could have been the Netherlands or any of the four teams in Group E at the start of the day.

With all games in Group E finishing level, and thus all of Belgium, Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia ending on four points, the latter took third place and will be England's opponents in the last 16.

The Three Lions have avoided a tricky tie against the Netherlands thanks to Georgia's stunning 2-0 win over Portugal in their Group F finale, seeing them sensationally qualify for the knockout rounds instead of Group A's Hungary.

Had the teams from Groups A, C, D and E gone through in third place, Southgate's men would have faced the Dutch, but with C, D, E and F sides making up the four best teams outside of the top two, England can look forward to a friendlier tie versus Slovakia.

England manager Gareth Southgate pictured on June 16, 2024 © Reuters

Georgia to meet Spain after historic win

As well as giving England a helping hand and making history for their nation, Georgia's players have been rewarded for their qualification with a daunting clash against Spain, the only team to win all three of their group games.

The winner of that tie will take on Germany or Denmark in the quarter-finals, while Portugal were confirmed as Group F winners before Wednesday's matches and are set to take on Group C bronze medallists Slovenia.

In arguably the pick of the knockout ties, France and Belgium will clash for the right to meet either Portugal or Slovenia in the last eight, while the Netherlands are set to battle Romania instead of England.

Austria or Turkey will battle the winner of that contest, while England and Slovakia will fight for the right to take on Switzerland or Italy, potentially throwing up a repeat of the 2020 final.

The Euro 2024 last 16 begins with Switzerland facing Italy at 5pm, three hours before Germany take on Denmark, and England's clash with Slovakia will be played at 5pm on Sunday at the Veltins-Arena.

England's possible route to the Euro 2024 final

Many an England fan will look at the Euro 2024 knockout phase and begin brimming with optimism, as Gareth Southgate's side have avoided facing most of the heavyweights in Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium and France.

If the Three Lions can avoid a shock against Slovakia first up, a likely reunion with Euro 2020 final foes Italy awaits, although Switzerland are certainly not to be taken lightly either.

Should the Netherlands live up to expectations in the knockout phase, they would likely be standing in England's way of a spot in the showpiece match, unless Austria can carry over their sensational group-stage form.

Euro 2024 last-16 and quarter-final draw in full

June 29: Switzerland vs. Italy (Olympiastadion) - 18:00 (17:00 BST)
June 29: Germany vs. Denmark (Signal Iduna Park) - 21:00 (20:00 BST)
June 30: England vs. Slovakia (Veltins-Arena) - 18:00 (17:00 BST)
June 30: Spain vs. Georgia (RheinEnergieStadion) - 21:00 (20:00 BST)
July 1: France vs. Belgium (Merkur Spiel-Arena) - 18:00 (17:00 BST)
July 1: Portugal vs. Slovenia (Deutsche Bank Park) - 21:00 (20:00 BST)
July 2: Romania vs. Netherlands (Allianz Arena) - 18:00 (17:00 BST)
July 2: Austria vs. Turkey (Red Bull Arena) - 21:00 (20:00 BST)

July 5, Quarter-final 1: Spain or Georgia vs. Germany or Denmark (MHPArena) - 18:00 (17:00 BST)
July 5, Quarter-final 2: Portugal or Slovenia vs. France or Belgium (Volksparkstadion) - 21:00 (20:00 BST)
July 6, Quarter-final 3: England or Slovakia vs. Switzerland or Italy (Merkur Spiel-Arena) - 18:00 (17:00 BST)
July 6, Quarter-final 4: Romania or Netherlands vs. Austria or Turkey (Olympiastadion) - 21:00 (20:00 BST)