The stage is set in Dusseldorf.
England face Switzerland at 5pm BST for a place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals – a match you can watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
Switzerland have not beaten the Three Lions in their last 13 attempts since 1981, but have already dispatched champions Italy and were just minutes away from a famous victory over hosts Germany.
They came into the tournament after a less than disappointing qualifying campaign, which included two draws against Kosovo, who are ranked 105th in the FIFA world rankings.
However, they are one win away from reaching their first major tournament semi-final after an eye-catching game 2-0 victory over Italy in the round of 16.
England, who qualified against Slovakia in the round of 16, were one of the favorites before the tournament.
But former Three Lions captain Gary Lineker, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, said of England’s chances against Switzerland: “I don’t think England are huge favourites. Far from it.”
BBC Sport looks at England’s quarter-final opponents.
Raised in Islington, wanting to knock out England
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are not the only English-born players to score at Euro 2024.
Kwadwo Duah, who grew up in Islington, London, hit the net in Switzerland 3-1 Group A win over Hungaryon June 15th.
“It was a big moment for me and my family,” Duah said of his goal. “To score Switzerland’s first goal in a European Championship, I don’t think everyone does that and we were all very happy.
“I was born in London, but we no longer have family there. My mother and father were in Ghana, but they had the opportunity to go to England because it offered a better life.”
Duah, who plays for Ludogorets in Bulgaria, moved to Switzerland with his parents when he was two and is a Chelsea fan. Will he face Cole Palmer on Saturday?
Duah only made his debut for the Swiss national team on June 4, in a friendly against Estonia, at the age of 27. Since then, he has made three appearances at Euro 2024, one as a starter and two as a substitute.
“We want to show what we can do and play our game,” added Duah, when asked about the England game. “We will see [what happens].”
Title winners bring good vibes to the Swiss camp
Ten of Switzerland’s 26 squad are aged 30 or over, including football tournament veterans Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Yann Sommer.
In fact, Shaqiri is the first Swiss player to participate in seven major tournaments, having played in the previous four World Cups and two Euros.
Former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka, 31, is the team’s captain and maestro and brought good vibes to the Swiss camp after playing a part in Bayer Leverkusen’s magnificent Bundesliga triumph under Xabi Alonso.
Xhaka is also Switzerland’s games record holder.
“Xhaka is much more controlled and his fitness looks great – he is controlling the whole game,” said former Scotland striker Pat Nevin, who was in Berlin for BBC Radio 5 Live when Switzerland defeated Italy.
Shaqiri, 32, only played 60 minutes in this tournament, but the former Liverpool striker still managed to score stunning goal against Scotland in the group stage, while goalkeeper Sommer, 35, enjoyed success at the club in 2023-24, helping Inter Milan win Serie A.
Will the three defenders cause ‘confusion’ for England?
Switzerland’s progress to the last 16 was built on a solid three-man defense, with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji, Newcastle United’s Fabian Schar and Ricardo Rodriguez, who plays in Italy for Torino, playing all minutes of all games in Germany.
The experienced trio, who are 91 years old, have 268 caps and are well organized and stable.
Akanji offers a calm presence opposite Sommer, Switzerland’s number one goalkeeper for the past decade, while Schar is known for his quick passing, with Rodriguez adept on the left side of defense.
“Fabian Schar was great against Italy,” former England midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport. “Switzerland’s three defenders were excellent, they dictated the game and were very well organized and controlled.”
Serbia and Denmark scored a save three against England in the group stage.
Three Lions captain Harry Kane suggested this caused England “confusion on the field”, and the Swiss will hope that Akanji, 28, Schar, 32, and Rodriguez, 31, will help propel them to a famous victory.
From the vote of confidence to the semi-finals?
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin received a feared vote of confidence from the Swiss FA last November after a difficult qualifying campaign.
Appointed in 2021, Yakin helped Switzerland reach the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 but faced criticism for his performance.
“Although we had four draws and lost once in the last qualifying games, Murat Yakin has all our confidence.” Swiss Federation President Dominique Blanc said in a statement eight months ago.
Basel-born Yakin’s fortunes changed at Euro 2024 after holding off Germany and eliminating Italy.
Switzerland have never reached the semi-finals of a tournament, but Yakin said his team were “in good spirits” to face England.
“We played against Germany, we did well, we played against Italy, who are also a great team, and why can’t we beat England?” he added.
“We are in a good mood now. Let’s see, it’s a good challenge and my team is ready for this big fight against England.”
‘Big problem for England’ – BBC experts have their say
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand: “Switzerland will be a big problem for England. They seem to have a real connection with their fans. They have a really good brand and style of football and they seem to be having a lot of fun.”
Former Scottish striker Pat Nevin: “The confidence and belief in the Swiss team is magnificent. Ruben Vargas was really special against Italy. After seeing Switzerland, it will be a joy to see them against England.”
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy: “Switzerland will be a difficult team for anyone. They are a good team, with good energy and well organized. In many ways, the victory over Italy was more dominant than the 2-0 in terms of possession and control “.
Alistair Bruce-Ball, who commented on Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over Italy on BBC Radio 5 Live: “England have a real game on their hands. Switzerland looked like the better team against Italy and deserved to win. There is a temptation to focus on the title holders leaving, but we have to have fun and enjoy the Swiss. performance, their fans…they were brilliant.”
