England may have received a lot of criticism at Euro 2024 so far, but it certainly hasn’t all been negative for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Jude Bellingham’s stunning last-gasp aerial strike and Harry Kane’s extra-time winner helped the Three Lions to victory against Slovakia and now they find themselves in the quarterfinals.
So, with a draw against Switzerland on Saturday – live on the BBC at 5pm BST – we thought we’d take a look at some of the reasons why English 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 shouldn’t lose faith in their team.
1. It can’t get much worse
There is no doubt that England started badly, but reached the quarter-finals.
Italy – who won Euro 2020 – were eliminated in the round of 16. At least England did not suffer the same fate.
England have won just one of their group games and struggled against Slovakia before the Bellingham draw, but remain unbeaten in Germany.
The Euros had no real feel-good factor for the Three Lions, but the jubilant celebrations following Bellingham’s heroics could help them get the ball rolling.
With more qualifiers on the horizon against a Swiss side who eliminated Italy, it’s time for England to step up.
2. England has one of the best players in the world
It was Bellingham who saved England from an early exit. At his best, the 21-year-old could increase his hopes of going far in the Euros.
Bellingham – who also scored the winning goal in the opening game against Serbia – is not up to Real Madrid’s performance but has the potential to make a difference.
Others too. Harry Kane was the Bundesliga’s top scorer for Bayern Munich in 2023-24, while 19-year-old Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was one of England’s brightest stars against Slovakia, producing the best passing accuracy in the season. final third of the game.
3. England are not alone in starting slowly
England didn’t set the world on fire at the Euros, but neither did many of the expected favorites.
Italy is out. France finished second in their group and overtook Belgium in the round of 16, scoring just three goals in the process – none of them from open play.
Portugal needed a penalty shootout to beat Slovenia and reach the quarterfinals 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 managed to find their form at the Euros. But some will – as the Netherlands did against Romania in the round of 16. Can England?
4. England has a favorable draw
Results elsewhere have given England a potentially easier path through the qualifiers.
They are on the other side of a draw with Spain, Germany, Portugal and France – England cannot face any of them unless they reach the final.
If England beat Switzerland, they could face Turkey or the Netherlands in the semi-finals.
If results in other countries had been different, the semi-final could 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 scoring Harry Kane’s winner and bringing more energy against a tiring defense.
The Three Lions’ strength on the bench could be a key asset for the rest of the tournament – provided Southgate utilizes it.
Toney, Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Anthony Gordon are options that have the ability to change the game from the bench.
This wealth of talent could be particularly important in knockout football, with the prospect of games going to extra time.
