With the group stages wrapped up, England remain the bookmakers' favourites to become European champions in the next couple of weeks.
The Three Lions' reward for a shaky group campaign, which saw them score just twice and labour to a pair of insipid stalemates, is a tantalising potential route to the final. Gareth Southgate's side will face Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, with the traditionally heavyweights all safely on the opposite side of the draw.
Nevertheless, you would still have to be a glass half-full merchant of the very highest order to genuinely believe this England squad will be the winners of Euro 2024.
But let’s have a go at convincing ourselves that England CAN, realistically, do it. After all, if nothing else, England have at least got a puncher’s chance now it is down to the knockout stages.
1) Jordan Pickford
The most undervalued member of Gareth Southgate ’s squad, Pickford rarely lets England down and has developed a consistency to his game that was missing earlier in his career. Always vocal, he verbally conducts the defensive unit and has always been capable with his feet.
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There is unlikely to be a player more important than Pickford in England’s knockout campaign and, unlike quite a few others, he seems in extremely good nick.
Jordan Pickford remains a solid figure between the sticks for England (Richard Sellers/Getty Images)2) Don’t actually need to WIN games
It’s sudden death now and that means the prospect of penalty shootouts. Yes, it would be preferable if England were going into the knockout stages in flamboyant, prolific attacking form but their defensive solidity will be a huge asset in the do-or-die matches.
Marc Guehi and John Stones have formed a great understanding in the heart of the defence and Kyle Walker was fairly reliable in England’s group games..
3) Motivated young men
Whether starting or coming on from the bench, Gareth Southgate has a collection of exciting young players who are chomping at the bit and in prime physical condition.
Kobbie Mainoo will probably start on Sunday but Cole Palmer, who made a big impression in 20 minutes in Cologne, and Anthony Gordon - who has been flying in training - provide great attacking alternatives for Southgate. If he is not bold enough to start them, they are fantastic options for impact substitutions.
England have a bright crop of young players at their disposal (Getty Images)How far will England go in Euro 2024? Share your predictions in the comments below
4) No standout nation
There have been some pretty impressive performances during the group stages but there has not been one team with a genuine wow factor.
Spain and Portugal have impressed and Austria have played some of the most vibrant, high-intensity stuff out here. But Germany are not as formidable as their opening romp against the hapless Scots might have suggested and France looked surprisingly limited when finishing second in their group.
5) We can’t get any worse
Let’s face it, rarely can a team have gone through a four-team group schedule without losing a game … but without producing more than a moment or two of watchable football. It was dire.
Blind faith makes you believe Harry Kane, Phil Foden (assuming he’s back in time) and Jude Bellingham will produce the world-class form everyone has been accustomed to.
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Oh, and by the way, it is going to rain in Gelsenkirchen. Yes, I know, the rest of Europe is accustomed to rain … but no-one revels in it quite like us.
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