England will dodge France, Spain, Germany and Portugal until at least the final at Euro 2024 after the knockouts were confirmed.
Even after a massively underwhelming group stage showing the Three Lions are now being tipped to make the showpiece event in Berlin on July 14 after the draw seems to have fallen into their lap. It has fed the narrative that Gareth Southgate, who has the best knockout record of any manager in our country's history, often gets lucky with his opponents.
He became the first man since Terry Venables to lead England to a semi-final when he did so in 2018. Then, three years later, became only the second man after Sir Alf Ramsey to make the final of a major tournament, before coming up short.
Now his next task at this Euros will be Slovakia as fans continue, despite a lack of quality thus far, to believe that it could be coming home. Southgate currently has the best crop of players he's ever had since taking over suddenly in 2016, but is struggling to get a winning tune out of them.
After several near misses big things were expected as England came into the tournament as joint favourites with France. Now, as the draw falls kindly in their lap, expectation may only increase. The list of possible knockout opponents will only feed the idea that Southgate's record, whilst impressive, owes itself to fortuitous draws.
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We take a look at the rankings of all of the opponents Southgate's England have taken on in major tournaments.
2018
Tunisia 21st, Panama 55th, Belgium 3rd, Colombia 16th, Sweden 24th, Croatia 20th
Average: 23rd
Little was expected of the Three Lions when they headed to Russia and they negotiated the group as expected. Narrowly beat a Tunisia side that were competitive, hammered Panama 5-0 thanks to a Harry Kane hat-trick and struggled against the highly-ranked Belgium - who also went on to beat them in the third-place game.
After finishing second though the draw, as it has done again, opened up for Southgate and co. The failure of Germany meant they were no longer a potential opponent. Argentina's flop meant they were also on the other half of the draw.
The English penalty hoodoo was ended when Colombia were dispatched in the last 16 before Sweden were also seen off easily enough. Kieran Trippier's goal to put England 1-0 up in their semi-final will remain iconic, but then the Croatian quality began to tell and few could argue they weren't good value for that win.
2020
Croatia 14th, Scotland 44th, Czech Republic 40th, Germany 12th, Ukraine 24th, Denmark 10th, Italy 7th
Average: 21st
With the majority of their games to be played at Wembley, provided England topped the group, this was a massive opportunity. A home tournament in all but name and Southgate's side came in as the 4th best team in the world, according to the rankings, and the third best in Europe.
They gained revenge over Croatia with a narrow win at Wembley, struggled against the Scots before seeing off the Czechs as they completed their group without conceding. A match against Germany presented a chance to settle old score. The Germans were a fading force with their manager's departure already announced and a historic win was achieved.
England were beaten finalists at the last Euros (Getty Images)The feel good factor continued as Ukraine were hammered in Rome. The Danes, who had improved throughout the tournament, opened the scoring in the semi-final before England battled to victory in extra-time.
Then came the Italians, who were on a record unbeaten run that dated back to well before the Euros. They'd seen off heavyweights in Belgium and Spain and recovered from going 1-0 down to the Three Lions to gain tournament success on penalties. Much like the Croatian game, despite going ahead, England were largely second best.
2022
Iran 20th USA 16th, Wales 19th, Senegal 18th, France 4th
Average: 11th
England remained one of the globe's leading nations but fans wanted the tournament success they so craved. Based on opposition, this was by far the toughest tournament Southgate had. Critics may also point to a correlation between that and the earliest exit of his tenure.
Harry Kane and England were knocked out in the last eight of the World Cup in Qatar (PA)Group wins over Iran and Wales were sandwiched between a lacklustre draw with the USA that saw the Three Lions cop criticism. A routine last 16 success over Senegal led to a last eight clash with Les Bleuss. France ultimately came out on top, winning 2-1 despite England having periods of dominance.
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Kane scored from the spot, but also blazed a penalty high into the stands as the Three Lions were left to think about what might've been. Southgate's England have faced teams ranked above them in major tournaments on three occasions and have never won.
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