Here’s how England can qualify for the Euro 2024 last 16 if the results are in their favour tonight

Gareth Southgate’s team has yet to play their final Group C game at Euro 2024; however, the four points they have already earned against Denmark and Serbia may be sufficient to advance to the round of 16.

England may be assured of a spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024 as early as tonight; however, they are in need of a favour from one of their opponents.

Gareth Southgate’s team is presently in the lead of Group C, having earned four points from their opening 2-1 victory over Serbia and one point from their stale 1-1 draw with Denmark. The Three Lions have one more group encounter remaining, as they will face Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday.

A victory would secure their position as the first-place team, while a draw would ensure that they finish at least second. Although Denmark would emerge victorious over Serbia, a Slovenian defeat would result in England’s third-place finish.

The four best third-placed teams across the six groups will also qualify for the round-of-16 via a distinct league table, as there are 24 teams in the tournament. England would only need to conclude with more points than one other nation who finishes in third place, as Hungary, the third-placed team in Group A, finished with only three points.

That outcome could be verified as soon as tonight, following the final pair of matches in Group B, which both commence at 8 p.m. Italy will face Croatia in Leipzig before tournament minnows, who have yet to secure a victory after two games. In Dusseldorf, Albania will encounter a fiery Spain.

Spain, which has already qualified, currently holds six points, Italy has three, and Albania and Croatia each have one point. During the course of their match, only one of Croatia and Italy has the potential to accumulate four or more points.

Consequently, the sole other scenario in which the third-placed team in Group B could end with four points is if Spain were to endure a surprise loss to Albania. England would emerge as at least one of the most talented third-place teams by virtue of any other circumstance.

The most unfavourable scenario for England, until their fate is determined tomorrow, would be a surprise Albanian victory, which would result in them possessing four points and a potentially higher goal difference than England. This scenario would be compounded by an Italian victory, which would place Italy in second place with six points.

The Italians would still finish second due to their superior head-to-head record if Albania wins and Italy draws. With an eye towards the last 16, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente may elect to rest several critical players, including midfielder Rodri, who has already been suspended for receiving a yellow card in each of their first two matches.