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England headed into their Euro 2024 qualification schedule looking to recover from the heartbreak of their 2022 World Cup exit.
The Three Lions couldn’t hold their nerve against France in the quarter finals but will be looking to go one better than their previous Euros outing, when they were beaten by Italy on penalties.
Gareth Southgate has committed himself for another crack at an international tournament, but first he needs to navigate the qualification stage.
Here’s what you need to know about England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
England’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign got off to the perfect start as they secured back-to-back wins over Italy and Ukraine.
It was a historic night in Naples for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions as they secured their first victory against the Azzurri on Italian shores since 1961, while Harry Kane became his country’s all-time leading goalscorer.
A lack of control in the second period combined with Luke Shaw’s late dismissal meant they had to grind out the three points in their first qualifier before they eased to victory over Ukraine.
A talented Ukrainian side barely laid a glove on Southgate’s men as first half goals from Kane and the irresistible Bukayo Saka set the Three Lions well on their way.
The bright start means Germany and Euro 2024 are already well within their sights.
Group C table
|
Position |
Nation |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
Goal difference |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
England |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
2. |
Italy |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
3. |
North Macedonia |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
4. |
Ukraine |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-2 |
0 |
|
5. |
Malta |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Rank |
Player |
Goals |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Harry Kane |
2 |
|
2= |
Bukayo Saka |
1 |
|
2= |
Declan Rice |
1 |
There are just five teams in England’s group with the top two qualifying for Euro 2024. Group C looked tricky on paper, but consecutive victories over their two closest competitors stands the Three Lions in good stead to top the group.
England have six qualifiers remaining, with four of these coming against North Macedonia and Malta. Victories in each of these games will almost certainly be enough for Southgate’s side to qualify even if they drop points in the reverse fixtures against Italy and Ukraine later this year.
The month-long Euro 2024 finals will start on Friday, June 14, with the final scheduled to take place at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14.
The tournament will take place across ten host cities: Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart.
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