Euro 2024: at what time and on which channel to watch the round of 16 between England and Slovakia

Harry Kane et les Anglais ont manqué d'efficacité devant les buts. XinHua – Bai Xuefei

After a disappointing first round despite its first place, England will have to do better, particularly offensively, in the round of 16, against Slovakia, Sunday June 29, at 6 p.m., in Gelsenkirchen.

The weight of expectations crushes England, favorite in poor form, before facing Slovakia in the round of 16 of the Euro, Sunday (6 p.m.) in Gelsenkirchen, a first obstacle yet within its reach in a clear part of the table until the final. The "Three Lions" lost momentum and charm during the first round, ending against Slovenia (0-0) under whistles and a few plastic cups thrown towards Gareth Southgate.

Supporters have short memories and limited patience when it comes to the coach who brought them back to the heights of European football (final in 2021) and world football (half in 2018, quarters in 2022). A successful round of 16 against the "Slovak Falcons" (Slovenski Sokoli) could restore calm and pleasure just as quickly, winger Anthony Gordon wants to believe.

Only two goals scored

"If we perform at a high level in the next match, everything will change. That's the good thing about football", said the Newcastle striker, who came on as a substitute for the first three matches. The frustration of the English public is proportional to the hopes placed in the team, he said. "If we want this to stop, we just have to be good and give the people what they want to see.”.

For now, they haven't seen much: only one victory against Serbia (1-0), too limited a game against Denmark (1- 1) then Slovenia, and only two goals scored. Far, very far, from the limitless potential lent to the attacking quartet of starters: Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane, credited with 114 goals in total this season with their respective clubs. ;#39;was not convinced either. Declan Rice has been associated with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher and Kobbie Mainoo, without much success.

The ghost of 2016

"They rely a lot on their individual qualities. I think we can succeed if we continue to play as a team,launched Slovak captain and Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Skriniar. Its selection is in 45th place in the Fifa rankings and does not really have any renowned players in its ranks, but it trapped Belgium 1-0 at the start of the tournament, for example.

It's "a team that's difficult to move, very physical and disciplined", noted the coach of Ukraine, Serhiy Rebrov, after beating them 2-1 in the group stage. Under the leadership of Francesco Calzona, Slovakia is in many ways a very Italian team which can be summed up in three words: rigor, aggressiveness, pressing.

Overcoming this obstacle does not appear so simple for England who, at Euro-2016, had stumbled over Iceland (defeat 2 -1) in the round of 16. "Those who think England has an easy draw at Euro-2024 need a history lesson' quot;, The Guardian observed on Friday. "Have people forgotten England's pre-Southgate record at the Euros over a long period, including defeat facing Iceland?".

Captain Harry Kane's team, even without shining, finished at the top of their group C. This allows them to avoid Germany , France, Spain and Portugal until the final on July 14 in Berlin, if they succeed. In the event of a victory against Slovakia, England would face the winner of Switzerland-Italy in the quarter-finals. In the semi-final, they would face Austria, the Netherlands, Romania or Turkey.

The meeting will be broadcast simultaneously on beIN Sports 1, at 6 p.m.