Julius OkorieEuro 2020 finalists England, file out against Switzerland, this evening in Dusseldorf, in quest for semifinal slot of the ongoing Euro 2024 Championship.
Gareth Southgate men survived an enormous scare against Slovakia, while Murat Yakin’s men were far more deserved victors against reigning champions Italy
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNot one England performance at Euro 2024 has seen the Three Lions run out convincing victors, and they have not won a game in 90 minutes since edging out Serbia on the opening matchweek, that notwithstanding, Southgate has now led his nation to four successive major tournament quarter-finals.
With seven victories in knockout matches at the World Cup and European Championships, Southgate’s septet of successes is the more than all other England men’s managers combined since 1966, but such statistics will offer little comfort if football does not come home again.
On a side note, Southgate will achieve a personal honour regardless of the outcome in Dusseldorf, as Saturday’s quarter-final will see the former defender take charge of his 100th game for England, a feat that only Sir Walter Winterbottom (139) and Sir Alf Ramsay (113) have managed previously for the men’s team.
Win or lose today, it will be an added feather for Southgate but the team must be ready to fly especially after the players’ bevy of WAGs stormed Germany in droves with intent to cheer them to victory
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Not since a 1981 World Cup qualifier have Switzerland come up trumps over England, though, as the Three Lions have won their last five against the Rossocrociati and are unbeaten in 13 – unlucky for some – and current boss Yakin was part of the Swiss side that went down 3-0 to England in the Euro 2004 group stage.
If the Rossocrociati boss can avenge that defeat two decades on, he will snap a record-breaking run for the Swiss, as no other European nation has played in as many as four major tournament quarter-finals without ever reaching the semis. England have a plus as Jude Bellingham survived ban over inappropriate gesture and will be available for this encounter.
The odds certainly favour England as both teams have met nine times with England winning seven and pulling a draw on two occasions.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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