Gareth Southgate’s England team will need to finally step up their game in the Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Slovakia. The once-favored English squad has stumbled through the group stage, displaying hesitant performances and uncertainty about their best lineup. Their three drab group matches have left fans questioning their ability to live up to expectations.
Meanwhile, Slovakia has emerged as a Cinderella story, shocking the world with a 1-0 victory over Belgium, a team ranked 42 places higher. Slovakia’s midfielder Ondrej Duda acknowledged England’s talent but pointed out that their opponents have successfully challenged them in every match.
Slovakia’s head coach, Francesco Calzona, hailed his team as the Cinderella story of the group stage, highlighting their win over Belgium. The tournament has proven that no team can be taken lightly, as shown by minnow Georgia’s stunning 2-0 victory against Portugal.
While England fans celebrated a seemingly easier path to the final, defender Marc Guehi emphasized the reality of the competition. He believes every team is formidable and England needs to maintain composure.
Historically, England has dominated their meetings with Slovakia, winning six out of seven matches. They’ve scored 11 goals in those encounters, compared to Slovakia’s three. However, this past performance holds little significance in the current dynamic of the tournament. England will need to find their spark and overcome the underdog spirit of Slovakia to advance in Euro 2024.
