Monday, December 23, 2024

Euro 2024: England qualify for last 16 after Spain beat Albania

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England have qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a group game to spare after Spain beat Albania 1-0 on Monday.

Victory for Luis de la Fuente’s side also means the Netherlands and France progress from Group D into the knockout phase.

The Three Lions finish their Group C campaign on Tuesday against Slovenia in Cologne (20:00 BST) but are already guaranteed to be in the next phase.

Gareth Southgate’s side have four points after a 1-0 win against Serbia and then a 1-1 draw with Denmark, but Albania’s defeat ensured England would, at least, be one of the four best third-placed teams.

England will win Group C if they beat Slovenia, while they could still come top if they draw and Denmark fail to beat Serbia.

If England draw and Denmark win the two nations will be split for first and second place on overall goal difference, then overall goals scored, then disciplinary points.

England cannot finish lower than third in Group C.

If Albania had beaten Spain then England would have had to wait until Tuesday to secure their potential qualification, but Spain, European champions in 1964, 2008 and 2012, proved too strong.

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