Football News: England Secure Euro 2024 Quarter-Final Spot, But Southgate Faces Key Challenges

In a tense Euro 2024 encounter, England secured their spot in the quarter-finals despite a woeful performance against Slovakia. Gareth Southgate’s side narrowly avoided crashing out of the tournament, with a late Jude Bellingham equalizer and a winning goal from Harry Kane in extra-time sealing the victory.

Southgate Faces Pressing Issues

However, Southgate now faces several pressing issues he must address before his team faces Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The Three Lions have struggled to create clear-cut chances, with only two shots on target in 120 minutes against Slovakia. Their possession-heavy approach has often been ineffective, with the majority of the passes made in their own half.

“England’s tendency to sit deep and their ineffective pressing have also been points of concern. The team’s starting distance, which measures how far upfield they typically start passing sequences, ranks them seventh in the Premier League last season, suggesting a lack of intensity in their play.”

The form and connection of talisman Harry Kane has also been a worry, as the striker has averaged fewer touches than any other England player. Calls for the inclusion of players like Cole Palmer, who could link up better with Kane, are growing.

Defensively, John Stones has appeared slightly off the pace, and the left-back position has been problematic, with no natural left-footed player to fill the role. Southgate may need to make tactical tweaks, including potentially starting Joe Gomez, to address these issues.

England’s Chances Increased Despite Underwhelming Performances

Despite their underwhelming performances, England’s chances of reaching the final in Berlin have actually increased after their victory over Slovakia. According to Opta data, the Three Lions now have a 50/50 chance of making it to the showpiece event and a 24% chance of winning the tournament.

This is largely due to England’s easier side of the draw, avoiding a heavyweight route that includes hosts Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. Southgate now has five full days to address his team’s problems and prepare them for the quarter-final clash with Switzerland.

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