England fans will have leapt at the prospect of a Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Switzerland prior to this summer’s tournament, but there is no doubting which team has played the better football in Germany.
The Three Lions – in pursuit of a first major trophy in 58 years – have been dismal for the most part and appeared on the verge of a last-16 exit before Jude Bellingham found the net with a sublime bicycle kick to force extra time against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen.
Captain Harry Kane headed home what proved to be a decisive goal as England scraped through by the skin of their teeth, but Gareth Southgate knows his players can ill afford to slip up again.
The England boss has a number of selection problems to address, chiefly the fitness of Luke Shaw and the absence of Marc Guehi, who serves a one-game ban after picking up a second booking last time out.
With Guehi missing, Southgate is expected to switch his formation and opt for a back-three – and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is set to be given the nod alongside John Stones and Kyle Walker. This will see Kieran Trippier start in a more familiar role of right wing-back, while Bukayo Saka is in line to play at left wing-back.
England’s opponents have been one of the surprise packages of the European Championships, emerging from the group stage with an undefeated record before dumping out the holders, Italy, in the round of 16.
The Group A runners-up are hopeful their midfield talisman Granit Xhaka will be able to shake off a muscle problem to feature in Dusseldorf.
.dmg-liveblog__entry-container{border:1px solid #bbb;border-radius:2px;margin:1rem 0;padding:10px 15px}.dmg-liveblog__entry img{height:auto;max-width:100%}.dmg-liveblog__load-more{background:#000;border:0;color:#fff;cursor:pointer;padding:.5rem;scroll-margin:1rem;width:100%}.dmg-liveblog__key-event{cursor:pointer}.dmg-liveblog__key-events{list-style-type:none;margin:0;padding:0}.dmg-liveblog__key-event:before{content:”0BB”;margin-right:5px}.dmg-liveblog__share-tools{display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin:1rem 0 0}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon{cursor:pointer;height:24px;margin-right:10px;position:relative;width:24px}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon-link:after{content:”Copied”;left:calc(100% + 5px);line-height:24px;opacity:0;position:absolute;transition:opacity 1s cubic-bezier(0,1,0,1)}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon-link.dmg-liveblog__social-icon-link–copied:after{opacity:1}.dmg-liveblog__social-icon svg{height:100%;width:100%}.dmg-liveblog__queue p{background:#edffed;border:1px solid #bbb;border-radius:2px;cursor:pointer;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;margin:1rem 0;padding:5px 15px}.dmg-liveblog__order-selector{align-items:center;display:flex}.dmg-liveblog__order-selector label{margin-right:5px}.dmg-liveblog__loader{text-align:center}.dmg-liveblog__loader span{-webkit-animation:dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate 1s linear infinite;animation:dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate 1s linear infinite;border:5px solid;border-color:#000 #000 transparent;border-radius:50%;box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;height:48px;width:48px}@-webkit-keyframes dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate{0%{-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg)}to{-webkit-transform:rotate(1turn);transform:rotate(1turn)}}@keyframes dmg-liveblog__loader–rotate{0%{-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg)}to{-webkit-transform:rotate(1turn);transform:rotate(1turn)}}
What has the Gareth Southgate said in the build-up?
Gareth Southgate gave his thoughts on everything from Jude Bellingham to England’s opposition Switzerland ahead of his 100th match in charge of the Three Lions.
Could this be Southgate’s final ever pre-match press conference as England boss?
Bukayo Saka to start at left wing-back
With Marc Guehi suspended, Gareth Southgate is expected to shake up his formation and opt for a back-three against Switzerland.
This will see Kieran Trippier given the nod in a more familiar role of right wing-back, with Bukayo Saka in line to start at left wing-back.
According to Ian Wright, Southgate’s failure to bring adequate cover for Luke Shaw to Germany was a ‘crazy’ decision.
Has the England boss made a big mistake?
It’s match day! How are we feeling, England fans?
The sense of anticipation is growing as England and Switzerland finalise their preparations for what promises to be an intriguing Euro 2024 quarter-final, with less than six hours to go until kick-off.
Germany, the tournament hosts, and Portugal were both dumped out last night – could the Three Lions meet the same fate this evening?
Read this explainer with everything you need to know ahead of the all-important Dusseldorf showdown.