England v Slovakia LIVE: Team news, build-up and latest updates ahead of Euro 2024 last-16 tie

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Gareth Southgate: England have to be 'right on our game' against Slovakia

England take on Slovakia in the round of 16 as the Euro 2024 knockouts continue today. Gareth Southgate’s side have returned to Gelsenkirchen for this clash, playing in the only stadium to yield a win for them so far in the tournament.

After a slim victory over Serbia and two unconvincing draws versus Denmark and Slovenia, the Three Lions need to put in a strong performance if they hope to comfortably reach the last eight. With the team and manager under heavy scrutiny for their style of play a win over Slovakia will ease concerns going forward.

Despite outside noise, Southgate insists his players have no fear of the knockout rounds and told the media: “It could be another brilliant night to create more memories for our supporters. Tomorrow, it’s about the team progressing. We shouldn’t have a fear of losing, it’s about opportunity. We are trying to reach for something which is a challenge.”

Slovakia reached this round by sneaking through a tight Group E having finished on the same number of points as Romania, Belgium and Ukraine. They had a goal difference of zero and secured third spot to set up this encounter with England.

Follow all the build-up and latest updates as England prepare for their last-16 fixture:

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Gareth Southgate says trying to win Euros with England ‘the ultimate challenge’

Under-fire Gareth Southgate is embracing expectations and the “ultimate challenge” of trying to win the Euros rather than worrying whether Sunday’s last-16 clash with Slovakia could be his final match.

Boos, and even some plastic cups, were aimed the long-serving manager’s way after Tuesday’s miserable 0-0 draw with Slovenia, which saw them win Group C but left fans and pundits unhappy.

Southgate knows the team have to find their “next level” as the knockout phase gets under way against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen, where they recorded their only win of these Euros a fortnight ago against Serbia.

Gareth Southgate says trying to win Euros with England ‘the ultimate challenge’

Southgate knows the team have to find their “next level” as the knockout phase gets under way against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen.

Mike Jones30 June 2024 08:15

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Good morning!

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Euro 2024 action which sees England back on the pitch as they take on Slovakia in the last-16.

Gareth Southgate’s men had failed to impress so far following three lacklustre performances though they did manage to finish top of Group C and set up a more favourable route to the final.

Their opponent’s today snuck through Group E after all four teams finished on four points. The Slovaks’ goal difference of zero was enough to secure them a spot in the knockouts rounds as Ukraine were eliminated.

Slovakia’s goal for the tournament was to qualify for this stage and now that they’re here they will believe that they can cause England a few problems and possibly even beat the struggling team.

Kick off for this one is at 5pm and we’ll have all the build-up, team news and updates throughout the day so stick around.

Mike Jones30 June 2024 08:00