England have the chance to make the last four of Euro 2024 as they take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals tonight in Dusseldorf.
Gareth Southgate’s side squeezed past a defiant Slovakia team last week, coming from behind to eventually win 2-1 courtesy of a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser from Jude Bellingham and an extra-time winner from Harry Kane.
And the Three Lions will need to perform far more convincingly if they are to beat a spirited Switzerland side in the last eight. The Swiss dismantled Italy in their last-16 tie, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas.
With plenty of threat provided by a Swiss supporting cast that includes Dan Ndoye and Breel Embolo, England know they will need to improve, as Southgate makes tactical changes, cohesive attacking play and decisive moments in order to book their place in the semi-finals.
Follow all the news and build-up to England v Switzerland with our live blog below:
Euro 2024: England v Switzerland
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England face Switzerland at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf | Live on BBC One
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The Three Lions squeezed past Slovakia on their way to the last eight, while Switzerland beat Italy
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Jude Bellingham fined and receives suspended ban for Slovakia celebration
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Gareth Southgate responds to Uefa verdict on Bellingham celebration
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England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Trippier, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
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Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Rieder, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Vargas, Ndoye, Embolo
England 0 – 0 Switzerland
Half-time! England 0-0 Switzerland
17:46 , Mike Jones
45 mins: Close! Saka gets half-a-yard and he goes around Aebischer to carry the ball into the box. He pokes it to Mainoo who looks to shoot but a lunging Granit Xhaka prods the ball out for a corner before the midfielder can get his shot away.
Foden’s delivery is sent into the arms of Sommer who flings it up the pitch. Switzerland try to get into the box but Ezri Konsa has it covered and marshalls the ball out of play.
There goes the whistle to end the first half too.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:43 , Mike Jones
42 mins: Switzerland have responded to Saka’s threat with Ruben Vargas dropping back to help out Michel Aebischer when the Arsenal man has the ball.
That’s effectively ended England’s threat. It’s slow and unpenetrating despite Foden and Mainoo looking to drive them up the pitch.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:41 , Mike Jones
39 mins: Jordan Pickford wants England to get further up the pitch. Every time they send the ball to him he gestures for them to move forward.
There’s too much possession happening in nothing areas where Switzerland are happy to defend from.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:37 , Mike Jones
36 mins: Bellingham does a fine step over to shake a defender then sends the pass out to Saka. He continues his run into the penalty area and waits for the ball to come back.
Saka delivers it but Belligham jumps over it thinking Harry Kane is behind him. He’s not and Yann Sommer scoops up the loose ball.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:34 , Mike Jones
33 mins: Jude Bellingham is impeded over on the left wing and gets brought down trying to burst past Fabian Schar. The Swiss defender is shown a yellow card and England win a free kick.
They send it back to Pickford who gives it to Stones. He sends a pass into Mainoo who lets it run and then drives up the pitch. The attacking sees the ball come out to Trippier who has to come inside before delivering a cross with his right foot.
There’s a big shout for handball but the referee lets play go on and Switzerland win a free kick.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:31 , Mike Jones
30 mins: England win a corner that comes to nothing. Trippier gives it short to Walker who is forced to send it all the way back to Jordan Pickford.
There’s audible groans from the England fans. This isn’t what they want to see.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:28 , Jack Rathborn
Our sports reporter Karl Matchett is at the Merkur Spiel-Arena and has an update on Bukayo Saka’s role:
“Saka getting in behind the left wing-back of Switzerland is England’s best outlet so far – his delivery hasn’t quite been on point but the approach play has probably been a little more encouraging so far compared to earlier in the tournament. Whether that’s a reflection of a genuinely good start or just an indication of how poor they were beforehand is a different matter…”
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:28 , Mike Jones
27 mins: Bukayo Saka has been England’s best player and main threat. Kyle Walker dinks an aerial pass out to him and he brings it down then skips around Aebischer once more.
He pass into the middle doesn’t hit a white shirt and Switzerland clear. Saka has been great on the right but England’s left is providing no threat.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:24 , Mike Jones
24 mins: Trippier is the one to deliver the corner. He goes for the outswinger which sees to bounce waywardly off the head of Harry Kane.
The assistant referee raises the flag and Switzerland win a free kick as Trippier’s cross swung out of play.
There’s a growing frustration from the Switzerland forward line as they’ve been starved of possession thus far. Breel Embolo loses the ball to Declan Rice then takes out Jude Bellingham as he tracks back.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:21 , Mike Jones
21 mins: Ricardo Rodriguez brings the ball forward then passes to Remo Freuler who plays a one-two with Breel Embolo to get into the box.
Kyle Walker goes with him, manages to take the ball away and then wins a free kick as Freuler attempts to regain it. Good covering from Walker but Switzerland will be happy at how easily it seems to be to get into the England penalty area.
Another England attack sees Foden flick a pass over to Saka. He drives into the box and cuts it into the middle but there’s no-one around. The Swiss defence doesn’t take a chance though and clears the ball into the stands. England corner.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:17 , Jack Rathborn
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:17 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo have both taken shots from outside the box with Switzerland managing to block the efforts.
England send the ball back into Harry Kane who gets ahead of Fabian Schar and is clipped. The England captain goes to ground wanting a penalty but the referee isn’t interested.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:15 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Phil Foden receives the ball in the middle of the pitch, spins and works a fine pass out to Trippier on the left wing. He tries to drive on but the whistle goes as he’s caught offside.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:14 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Switzerland have plenty of men back to defend as England look to break through. They’re starting to increase the tempo and move the ball quickly especially between Kane, Bellingham and Foden.
Saka has been lively too and has taken Aebischer on plenty of times already. There’s still plenty of room for improvement but it’s positive from England.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:08 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Nice! Jude Bellingham brings the ball inside before floating a pass out to Bukayo Saka on the right. It bounces awkwardly for him but he manages to get the ball under control before laying it off to Kyle Walker.
Walker’s cross is teasing and Harry Kane makes a move towards the ball but he’s beaten to it by a defender who boots it away just as the offside flag gets raised.
At the other end of the pitch, Kobbie Mainoo is alert after Dan Ndoye skips around Kieran Trippier. Mainoo makes the tackle and wins back the ball before it’s played into the box.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:07 , Jack Rathborn
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:06 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Michel Aebischer manages to thread a pass into the England box and finds Remo Freuler making a run through the inside left channel.
It’s a potentially dangerous zone for the Three Lions but Ezri Konsa sticks a foot in and wins the ball. Good defending.
England 0-0 Switzerland
17:04 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Jude Bellingham is positioned just behind Harry Kane on the left side of the pitch and press high blocking an early pass out from the back. The ball deflects out of play but it’s a sign of his directness and the England fans appreciate the effort.
England sweep the ball over to the right wing where Saka takes it up. He cuts inside and flicks in a curling cross that Harry Kane and Kieran Trippier sprint towards but the ball just flies over both of their heads.
Euro 2024: England v Switzerland
17:03 , Jack Rathborn
Our chief football writer Miguel Delaney is at the Merkur Spiel-Arena and has an update on England’s formation:
An immediate surprise to the teams, as Kieran Trippier starts on the left… although this had been doing the rounds before the game. It is because of Gareth Southgate’s trepidation about Switzerland’s force on that side.
Kick off! England 0-0 Switzerland
17:01 , Mike Jones
There seems to be a focus and a determination on the England team’s faces. The Three Lions get the ball rolling in Dusseldorf and send it back to Jordan Pickford.
He boots the ball over to the right wing where Bukayo Saka looks to bring the ball under control but can’t. It bounces out for a throw in.
At a glance Saka seems to have taken up the right wingback role with Kieran Trippier over on the left.
England v Switzerland
16:54 , Mike Jones
Here come the two teams.
Harry Kane and Granit Xhaka lead out their respective teams ahead of what will be a crucial match up in Dusseldorf. The national anthems are played and kick off is up next.
Spain and France are already through to the semi-finals at Euro 2024. Who will join them there, England or Switzerland?
Southgate on Switzerland:
16:50 , Mike Jones
The England coach said: “[Switzerland] have good players, a settled way of playing and they press aggressively, at the beginning of games in particular.
“They have some adaptations to their system that you have to be ready for. They’ve shown that they can defend well as a group when they’ve been ahead in a couple of the matches as well.
“They’re a very, very good side.”
Can one overhead kick really change a tournament? Here’s what England think
16:45 , Mike Jones
Over the last few days, the England players have felt a “shift” in training. There’s even been a lightness to some of the heavier work. Many of the squad felt the benefit of proper time with the family on Tuesday. Part of that is down to the breathing space that comes from a bit of a break, but most of it is from the release of Jude Bellingham’s goal against Slovakia.
The line all week has been that this is a “turning point”, even coming up repeatedly in team meetings. Gareth Southgate himself set that idea in the euphoria after the Slovakia game, openly talking about how it could be similar to Paul Gascoigne’s goal against Scotland at Euro ‘96. One of his “leadership group”, John Stones, was only too willing to take up the thread.
Can one moment really change a tournament? Here’s what England think
England v Switzerland
16:40 , Mike Jones
Switzerland’s seven goals at Euro 2024 have been scored by seven different players. However, the Swiss have scored three more goals than England whose goalscorers are Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane (two each).
England v Switzerland
16:35 , Mike Jones
England have won 49 of their 116 matches at major international tournaments, and would be the sixth European nation to reach 50 with a victory here, after Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands.
Harry Kane believes ‘best present’ for Gareth Southgate would be England win
16:30 , Mike Jones
England captain Harry Kane insists the players want to celebrate Gareth Southgate’s 100th game in charge by giving him the perfect gift – victory over Switzerland and a place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Southgate will become just the third coach to reach a century of matches in charge of the England men’s senior team when they meet Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening.
He was appointed – initially on an interim basis – in 2016 and this is the fourth major tournament in which Southgate has led the nation having previously reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals before losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy.
Harry Kane believes ‘best present’ for Gareth Southgate would be England win
England v Switzerland
16:25 , Mike Jones
Switzerland have reached only their fifth major tournament quarter-final, and second at the European Championship, after Euro 2020.
They have been eliminated at this stage in all four of their previous attempts; this is the most times any European nation has featured in quarter-finals of major tournaments without ever participating in a semi-final.
England v Switzerland
16:20 , Mike Jones
England have now reached the quarter-finals or better in all four of their major tournaments under Gareth Southgate, the first time they have ever reached the last eight at four consecutive Euros and World Cups.
Highs and lows of Gareth Southgate’s reign ahead of 100th England game
16:15 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate will take charge of his 100th England game on Saturday. The England boss brings up his century against Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in Dusseldorf.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the highs and lows of Southgate’s reign:
Highs and lows of Gareth Southgate’s reign ahead of 100th England game
England v Switzerland
16:10 , Mike Jones
This will be the fourth meeting between England and Switzerland at a major tournament, and third at the European Championship.
England won 2-0 in the 1954 World Cup, 3-0 at Euro 2004, and had a 1-1 draw at Euro 96.
Pre-match thoughts from Switzerland coach Murat Yakin:
16:05 , Mike Jones
“Every big team aims for the knockout phase. Once you are there, it comes down to one game at a time.
“England reached the final three years ago and everyone knows how good they are, and what great players they have. It is up to us to frustrate another big side and play the game we know how to play.
“Anything is possible. I just hope luck is on our side again.”
Konsa is ready for quarter-final
16:00 , Mike Jones
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has been brought into the starting XI for England replacing Marc Guehi in defence and spoke about his involvement.
“It’s always been a dream of mine, as a kid growing up watching the Euros and the World Cup,” he said. “I wanted to be involved myself and play a big part.
“I’m ready, no matter what. It’s a shame Marc is suspended; he’s been outstanding for us in that back four. But, look, whatever the manager decides – if I play, if I don’t play – I’ll always be ready.”
England v Switzerland team changes
15:55 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate is potentially switching things up for England despite their only being one change from the line-up that faced Slovakia in the round of 16. Marc Guehi is suspended so his replacement is Ezri Konsa.
That means England will either continue with their 4-2-3-1 formation and use Konsa as a direct replacement for Guehi or, as has been reported previously, they will switch to a back three of Konsa, John Stones and Kyle Walker with Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka playing as wingbacks in a 3-4-3 formation.
For Switzerland, manager Murat Yakin names the same starting XI that defeated Italy so easily in their last outing. This could be a tough one for the Three Lions.
England v Switzerland line-ups
15:51 , Mike Jones
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Trippier, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Rieder, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Vargas, Ndoye, Embolo
More from Southgate on Shaw
15:46 , Mike Jones
“We’re not concerned that he would break down but there’s obviously a decision regarding match sharpness and how quickly you can adjust back into that intensity of the cauldron of the tournament.
“But we’re happy with his progress, his commitment to do that. There’s been some difficult days for him on his own through the last few weeks.
“Some great work by our medical and physical performances teams and I’m really pleased for him that he’s now an option for us. That balance is something that has been difficult for us.”
Gareth Southgate offers Luke Shaw injury update
15:40 , Mike Jones
Luke Shaw is finally able to make his first appearance of the tournament – and play his first game for anyone since February – when England face Switzerland in Saturday’s quarter-final in Dusseldorf and Gareth Southgate insisted he is not worried the Manchester United player will break down.
“With Luke we initially thought third group game, first knockout game,” he said. “That then looked like it might accelerate a bit, but we probably ended up sort of in the territory we thought we might be and given we had 26 we were happy to take that risk.
“We feel he can play a part now, and we’re still focused on being here for another 10 days. How much that part can be, who knows?
“But as we’ve seen in the tournament with the impact our substitutions have made, then, you know, five minutes, 30 minutes, 90 minutes, could be critical at any point. I’m pleased we’ve got him here because he’s unique in terms of the attributes he’s got for the position that he plays.”
England fans arrive for Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland at Dusseldorf Arena
15:33 , Mike Jones
Football fans are arriving at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf as England prepares to take on Switzerland in the quarter-final of Euro 20204.
The match marks Gareth Southgate’s 100th game as manager, and could mark a change in tactics for England, who have so far struggled to make an impact in the tournament.
Watch live: England fans arrive for Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland
Turkey defender Merih Demiral handed Euro 2024 ban over ‘Grey Wolves’ gesture
15:27 , Mike Jones
Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been banned for two games by Uefa following a gesture he made during his side’s last-16 win against Austria on Tuesday and will miss Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Netherlands.
The 26-year-old centre back scored twice in a 2-1 win over the Austrians to send his side into the last eight for the first time since 2008, and celebrated by making a “wolf” gesture with his fingers.
The gesture is linked to the “Grey Wolves”, an ultra-nationalist youth branch of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which is an ally of President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party.
Turkey defender Merih Demiral handed Euro 2024 ban over ‘Grey Wolves’ gesture
Southgate’s response to Jude Bellingham escaping ban
15:21 , Mike Jones
“I think it’s a common-sense decision. Clearly it’s an unprecedented moment in someone’s life to score a goal like that in the 96th minute. I don’t know how I’d have reacted in that moment if that was me, at his age as well.
“I’m just so mindful of everything he’s achieving and the spotlight on his world and at that age – or any age – nobody is going to be perfect so at 21 you are at times going to react emotionally and without that emotion I don’t think you have the type of player he is, so I think he actually deals with everything so well.”
Gareth Southgate gives response to Jude Bellingham escaping ban for crotch grab
15:15 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate feels it is a “common-sense” decision not to suspend Jude Bellingham for his crotch-grabbing celebration against Slovakia and insisted the midfielder shows great maturity in how he reacts to his eventful life.
The midfielder was found guilty of “violating the basic rules of decent conduct” by Uefa and was fined €30,000 and given a one-match ban, which is suspended for a year, so he will be allowed to play in England football team’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
England manager Southgate feels the Real Madrid footballer would be a lesser player if he did not act with such emotion and believes Uefa were right not to opt for a more severe punishment.
Gareth Southgate gives response to Jude Bellingham escaping ban for crotch grab
The Arsenal battle of old and new that will decide England v Switzerland at Euro 2024
15:09 , Karl Matchett
Like too many of his international teammates, Declan Rice has not been at his very best level at Euro 2024. Too few times has he been able to surge forward in possession. He’s winning fewer duels per 90 minutes, has been successful in fewer aerial challenges and has been dispossessed more often in Germany than he did during the Premier League season with Arsenal.
Of course, there’s another difference, too, which makes the above comparisons both eye-opening and irrelevant all at once: he’s not playing the same role for England as he does for the Gunners, so why would he achieve the same things?
Indeed, that seems to be a theme this summer in the Three Lions’ camp. Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold were both right-back all year for their clubs, if in different ways. Neither are with England. Phil Foden is playing on the opposite flank. Ezri Konsa’s only minutes so far have come in the one back line position he doesnt play.
The all-Arsenal battle which could define this quarter-final:
The Arsenal battle of old and new that will decide England v Switzerland
Germany show winning wasn’t their only way to succeed as they leave their own party early
15:01 , Mike Jones
The German party is over, though the party in Germany isn’t. Euro 2024 will continue without the hosts, as Julian Nagelsmann’s team go the same way as Portugal, as Italy and yes, even as Scotland, the nation they so convincingly beat on the tournament’s opening night.
Rewind all of three weeks and the verve and panache with which Germany dispatched of Steve Clarke’s side left many in awe of how their young talent – and those of rather more experience – looked set to shine on the big stage.
Jamal Musiala hummed, Florian Wirtz shone, Toni Kroos dominated, Niclas Fullkrug wowed off the bench and Nagelsmann’s side looked to have a classic blend of power, technical ability and squad depth.
They looked, in short, like potential winners.
Germany show winning wasn’t their only way to succeed after exiting Euros early
How to watch England v Switzerland
14:56 , Mike Jones
The quarter-final match takes place on Saturday 6 July, with England’s game with Switzerland starting at 5pm BST at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.
This game will be broadcast live on BBC One and can be streamed via the iPlayer and BBC Sport website. You can find a full list of which channel is showing each match here. Coverage starts at 4pm on BBC One and the iPlayer.
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Southgate on reverting to a back-three
14:50 , Mike Jones
“It is always an option, obviously an option we have been hammered for, for the last two years for using,” he told the BBC, “So it’s interesting that people think it’s the way we should go now.”
Will England’s formation tweak work?
14:43 , Mike Jones
Since a 3-3 draw with Germany in September 2022, Gareth Southgate has not started with a back three or back five in England’s most recent 23 games.
This included using a back four consistently throughout the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. England’s win rate is 48.5% with a back three or back five under Southgate, compared to a 60.5% win rate overall.
England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages
14:07 , Mike Jones
Quarter-final: Dusseldorf, Saturday 6 July
Switzerland await. The Swiss finished second in Group A behind Germany and were unbeaten in their three games, and then thoroughly outplayed Italy in their last-16 encounter to reach last eight.
Semi-final: Dortmund, Wednesday 10 July
Should England reach the final four of these Euros, they will face Turkey or Netherlands after they knocked out Austria and Romania respectively.
Final: Berlin, Sunday 14 July
If, by some miracle, Southgate guides this stuttering but star-studded England team to the final of Euro 2024, they will face one of the Europe’s bigger teams on the other side of the draw: Spain or France.
Spain defeated Germany in the quarter-finals, while France edged a penalty shootout against Portugal at the same stage after vanquishing Belgium.
Fortunately for England, perhaps, their half of the draw appears a little less filled with star names.
Jamie Carragher baffled by potential move to play Kieran Trippier over Trent Alexander-Arnold
14:00 , Jack Rathborn
“He’s picked Kieran Trippier over Trent Alexander-Arnold; which I just cannot fathom, at all. That’s not the Liverpool fan in me,” Jamie Carragher tells Sky Sports.
“I thought Gareth experimented in midfield with Trent, it didn’t work, but the reason you play Trippier over Trent?
“I can’t get my head around, but defensively, playing three at the back is to release your wing-backs. To not put Trent in that position, I cannot believe that one.”
Harry Kane lauds Gareth Southgate’s England milestone
13:45 , Jack Rathborn
“It’s an incredible achievement,” Harry Kane said of Gareth Southgate making it to 100 matches.
“It just shows his standards and the consistency that he’s shown along with the coaching staff as well. Incredible consistency over a long period of time and to reach 100 games is really, really special.
“He’s changed a lot in terms of our national team in his tenure since he’s been here. Not just on the pitch and off the pitch as well, and the connections we’ve had with the fans and the media, and he’s allowed people to open up and be themselves.
“That’s been a big turning point in our careers as England players. So, I’m really happy for him and he should be extremely proud, but all he’s worrying about is making sure we win.”
Gareth Southgate responds to Uefa verdict on Jude Bellingham celebration
13:15 , Jack Rathborn
Gareth Southgate claimed UEFA’s decision to hand Jude Bellingham a suspended one-match ban for a gesture in the Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia was a “common-sense” call but does not feel he needs to talk to the England midfielder about the incident.
Bellingham has been cleared to play in Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland after an investigation into a gesture seemingly made in the direction of the Slovakia bench as he celebrated his overhead kick goal to take the tie to extra time.
The Real Madrid star insisted in a social media post that the gesture was “an inside joke towards some close friends”, but UEFA opened an investigation on Monday to determine whether the gesture “violated the basic rules of decent conduct”.
“I thought it was a common-sense decision,” England manager Southgate said of the punishment, which saw Bellingham handed a 30,000 euros (£25,400) fine as well as the suspended ban, which will be triggered by any further offence within one year.
“Clearly when you score a goal of the quality that he did at the moment he did at the age he is, you are going to have an incredible rush of adrenaline. I think there was no intent in the gesture towards anybody other than the communication he has with his family.
“So from our perspective, we thought it was a sensible outcome. I speak to players all the time. I don’t feel a particular need to spend time with Jude on that. He is aware of the investigation and he is an intelligent guy.”
