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Euro 2024: Five reasons to be positive about England’s chances – BBC Sport

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Euro 2024: Five reasons to be positive about England’s chances – BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, England topped Group C with four points and have now reached the quarter-finals by beating Slovakia

England may have come in for a lot of criticism at Euro 2024 so far, but it’s surely not all been negative for Gareth Southgate’s side.

Jude Bellingham’s stunning last-gasp overhead kick and Harry Kane’s extra-time winner helped the Three Lions to victory against Slovakia and they now find themselves in the quarter-finals.

So with a tie against Switzerland coming up on Saturday – live on the BBC at 17:00 BST – we thought we’d take a look at some of the reasons England fans should feel positive.

We also want to read your reasons to be positive so use the form at the bottom of this page and tell England fans why they should not lose faith in their team.

  • Author, Adam Millington
  • Role, BBC Sport journalist

1. It can’t get much worse

There’s no doubt England have started badly – but they’ve made the quarter-finals.

Italy – who won Euro 2020 – were knocked out in the last 16. At least England didn’t suffer the same fate.

England won just one of their group-stage games and struggled against Slovakia before Bellingham’s equaliser, yet they remain unbeaten in Germany.

The Euros had been lacking any real feel-good factor for the Three Lions, but the jubilant celebrations after Bellingham’s heroics could help them to kick on.

With more knockout football on the horizon against a Switzerland side who have eliminated Italy, it’s time for England to step up.

2. England have one of the world’s best players

It was Bellingham who saved England from an early exit. At his best, the 21-year-old can boost their hopes of going the distance at the Euros.

Bellingham – who also scored the winner in their opening game against Serbia – has not quite matched his Real Madrid form but has the potential to be a difference maker.

So do others. Harry Kane was the Bundesliga top scorer for Bayern Munich in 2023-24, while Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 19, was one of England’s brightest sparks against Slovakia, producing the best final-third passing accuracy in the game.

Video caption, Bellingham goal: All the angles

3. England aren’t alone in starting slowly

England haven’t set the world alight at the Euros, but neither have many of the expected favourites.

Italy are out. France finished second in their group and edged past Belgium in the last 16, scoring only three goals in the process – none of which came from open play.

Portugal needed a penalty shootout to beat Slovenia and reach the quarter-finals after failing to score in normal time or extra time.

The Netherlands finished third in their group. England, at least, won theirs.

Few of the traditional big hitters have managed to find their form at the Euros. But some will – as the Netherlands did against Romania in the last 16. Could England?

4. England have a favourable draw

Results elsewhere have handed England a potentially easier route through the knockouts.

They’re on the other side of the draw to Spain, Germany, Portugal and France – England cannot meet any of them unless they get to the final.

If England beat Switzerland, then they could either play Turkey or the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

Had results elsewhere gone differently, then their semi-final might have been against France.

5. The bench is making an impact (if used)

Gareth Southgate said Ivan Toney was “disgusted” at being introduced with a minute to go against Slovakia as England trailed 1-0.

But, he ended up setting up Harry Kane’s winning goal and brought added energy against a tiring defence.

The Three Lions’ strength on the bench could be a key asset for the rest of the tournament – as long as Southgate utilises it.

Toney, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Anthony Gordon are all options who have the ability to change the game from the bench.

That wealth of talent could be particularly important in knockout football with the prospect of games going to extra-time.

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