England, a pre-tournament favorite, are set to clash with a confident Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal. This highly anticipated match at Dusseldorf Arena on Saturday promises to be a compelling encounter, with England looking to overcome their sluggish form and Switzerland aiming to continue their giant-killing run.
England’s journey to the quarterfinals has been far from smooth. They narrowly avoided a shock exit in the round of 16 against Slovakia, needing a dramatic late overhead kick from Jude Bellingham to force extra time, followed by a Harry Kane header to secure a 2-1 victory. Despite the win, concerns linger over Gareth Southgate’s tactics and the team’s overall performance, which has not lived up to the high expectations placed upon their star-studded squad. Boasting talents like Bundesliga top scorer Kane, Real Madrid’s Bellingham, and Premier League Player of the Year Phil Foden, England were tipped as major contenders. However, their performances thus far have raised doubts about their chances of lifting the Euro 2024 trophy.
Midfielder Phil Foden has acknowledged the criticism directed at manager Southgate, stating, “the players have got to take some of the blame.” This admission highlights the pressure within the England camp to improve and deliver a performance worthy of their potential.
Switzerland, on the other hand, enter this quarterfinal brimming with confidence. They showcased their resilience and tactical prowess by defeating the reigning champions Italy in the previous round. This victory has instilled belief within the Swiss squad that they can upset another European heavyweight. While this is only their second Euro quarterfinal appearance, Switzerland’s recent form and strong team spirit make them a dangerous opponent for England.
Despite England’s historical dominance in head-to-head encounters – winning 18 of 27 past meetings, with only 3 Swiss victories – Switzerland coach Murat Yakin believes his team is capable of causing an upset. “We played against Germany – we were good. We played against Italy, also a big team, and why can’t we beat England?” Yakin confidently stated. “We’re in a good mood now. Let’s see, it’s a good challenge and my team is ready to have this big fight against England.”
The winner of this England Vs Switzerland Euro 2024 quarterfinal will advance to the semifinals in Dortmund to face either the Netherlands or Turkey, adding further incentive to both teams to secure victory.
Match Details:
- Teams: England vs Switzerland
- Competition: Euro 2024 Quarterfinal
- Location: Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany
- Date: Saturday, July 6
- Time: 6pm local time (16:00 GMT)
- How to Follow: Live text commentary on Al Jazeera.
Key Stats:
- FIFA Rankings: England (5), Switzerland (19)
- Head-to-Head Record: 27 games – England 18 wins, Switzerland 3 wins, 6 draws
- England Last 5 Matches (Most Recent First): W D D W L
- Switzerland Last 5 Matches (Most Recent First): W D D W D
As England and Switzerland prepare to face off, all eyes will be on Dusseldorf to witness if England can overcome their inconsistencies or if Switzerland will orchestrate another major upset in Euro 2024.
