Summary

  • Foden temporarily leaves England camp to return to UK

  • England reach knockout stages of Euro 2024, finishing top of Group C after 0-0 draw with Slovenia

  • Southgate booed by some fans and plastic cups thrown towards England manager

  • Southgate says negative "reaction" to performances "creating an unusual environment" which is "causing an issue" for players

  • England's last-16 opponents will be confirmed on Wednesday evening

  • Four more matches on Wednesday to decide Groups E and F

  • EFL 2024-25 fixtures released

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Goodbyepublished at 15:57 British Summer Time 26 June

    Thank you for joining us for this live and for all of your contributions. We have run through a fair few stories so let's look at some of the headlines

    That is not the last of the football action today though. Slovakia v Romania is on BBC Two and Ukraine v Belgium is on BBC One, both with a kick-off time of 17:00 GMT.

    There will also be coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website, you can watch here.

    Czech republic v Turkey and Georgia v Portugal will have coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.

  2. Stage is set...published at 15:53 British Summer Time 26 June

    Ukraine v Belgium (17:00 BST)

    In a group where all four teams are locked on 3 points each, is the brief lighting struck above the Stuttgart Arena a piece of pathetic fallacy or just sheer coincidence ahead of Ukraine v Belgium...

    Stuttgart ArenaImage source, Getty Images
  3. Belgium 'not calculating' group exitpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 26 June

    Ukraine v Belgium (17:00 BST)

    Belgium will be "going out to win" against Ukraine on Wednesday even though a draw will be enough for them to reach the last 16 at Euro 2024.

    Group E has all four teams locked on three points ahead of the final round of fixtures, with numerous permutations for finishing positions.

    But as long as Belgium avoid defeat, they will stay in one of Group E's top two spots thanks to their positive goal difference.

    In theory, Domenico Tedesco's side will receive an easier last-16 draw if they top the group, although their manager has warned against looking too far ahead.

    "We can't start to calculate or speculate," he said. "We are going out to win the game."

    Belgium lost 1-0 to Slovakia in their opener, but responded with a 2-0 win over Romania.

  4. Red Devils are in townpublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 26 June

    Ukraine v Belgium (17:00 BST)

    They travel in packs Belgium fans do... and they're not a hard bunch to miss.

    Belgium fansImage source, Getty Images
  5. Slovakia aim winpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 26 June

    Slovakia v Romania (17:00)

    Slovakia could also still qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, should they not get a result against Romania.

    Head coach Francesco Calzona, like Iordanescu, also says his side will be going out with the intention of winning the group at the Frankfurt Arena.

    "We are professionals," the Italian said. "We know that the draw might help us to qualify for the last 16, but that doesn't mean anything because we want to play our own match.

    "We deserve this opportunity to progress as we have played good football."

  6. Foden's departure 'temporary'published at 15:36 British Summer Time 26 June

    The Football Association spokesperson has said Phil Foden's departure from the England camp is 'temporary'.

    England's next match will be in the last 16 on Sunday.

    It has not been revealed when Foden is due back in Germany.

  7. Foden leaves England camppublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 26 June
    Breaking

    England's Phil Foden has temporarily left the team's camp and returned to England on a pressing family matter, an FA spokesperson said.

  8. Can Romania top the group?published at 15:29 British Summer Time 26 June

    Slovakia v Romania (17:00)

    Romania head coach Edward Iordanescu says it is important to beat Slovakia and win Group E to give themselves more of an advantage in the knockout stages.

    Iordanescu's side sit top of the group before Wednesday's match in Frankfurt, but it is still all to play for because all four teams are on the three points after two games.

    It is the first time in the competition's history that this has happened.

    "We want to win the group," Romania head coach Edward Iordanescu said. "If we win the group at least theoretically you have a certain advantage, especially in terms of extra rest days and also of the opponents.

    "But the most important thing is to qualify, this is what our objective is."

    Romania have only qualified once for the last 16 in their five Euro appearances and that was in 2000.

    A win for any team on Wednesday would earn them a place in the last 16, while a point would be enough for Belgium, Romania and Slovakia to all progress.

  9. What's the schedule tonight?published at 15:22 British Summer Time 26 June

    The curtain will drop on the group stage this evening as the final matches will be played.

    At 17:00 fans can watch Slovakia v Romania and Ukraine v Belgium on BBC Two and BBC One respectively.

    Then at 20:00 tune into BBC Radio 5 Live for coverage of Georgia v Portugal and the Czech Republic v Turkey.

    Supporters will then have to wait three days until the next euros game when the last 16 begins.

  10. England defensive statspublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 26 June

    Opta have also collated some stats on England's defence.

    Jordan Pickford has set a new clean sheets record for men's major tournament with the two from this Euros making his tally 11 in total.

    England's opposition over the group stage only had one direct attack, the third best in the tournment.

    The team have only had 26 shots at their goal with just nine on target.

    But it is not all positive. England are vulnerable to the press. 22 high turnovers have resulted in three shots at goal.

  11. What is England's route to the final?published at 15:11 British Summer Time 26 June

    Jordan PickfordImage source, Getty Images

    Things are slightly up in the air about the specifics about who England will play next but we have all the options.

    The last 16 match, which we know England will play on Sunday, could be against any of five different opponents with their final group matches yet to be played.

    Data Analysts Nielsen Gracenote have the likelihood of England's opponents as:

    • 61% Netherlands
    • 16% Slovakia
    • 11% Ukraine
    • 8% Romania
    • 4% Belgium

    But if England overcome whichever opponent they face in the last 16 who will they play in the quarters, semis and final?

    Gareth Southgate's side will play either Switzerland or Italy in the quarters if they make it to the last eight.

    The semi-finals are harder to pin down. Their opponents could be Austria, Group E's winner, the runner-up of Group F and one of Hungary, Slovenia and the Netherlands are the other potential opponents.

  12. Spurs sign Nildenpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 26 June

    Amanda NildenImage source, Getty Images

    Sweden international Amanda Nilden has signed a permanent deal with Women's Super League club Tottenham Hotspur.

    The defender was on loan to the English side in the latter half of last season from Juventus.

    Her deal runs until 2027.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 26 June

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Bukayo Saka at left-back is crazy, you have Joe Gomez who has covered half a season for Andy Robertson in the left-back position for Liverpool and done a great job, so why can’t he do it for England?

    Mihir, London

  14. Glass half empty - 'Midfield balance was off'published at 14:55 British Summer Time 26 June

    England 0-0 Slovenia

    BBC Radio 5 Live
    Nicky Campbell Phone-in

    Broadcaster and football commentator, Harry Symeou: Glass half empty at the moment, because of the level of the performances that's what people are struggling to get to terms with.

    The way England are setting up, it was very clear in the first couple of game that the midfield balance was off yet Gareth Southgate persisted with into the second game. He goes into the third game and makes a change but everyone kind of universally thought that was probably not the right change. He was trying to create a greater intensity by putting Conor Gallagher into the midfield but he still didn't address the issue that England have had for many years and that is not being able to find that tempo-setter,

    When the change was made to bring on Kobbie Mainoo, you saw a big big difference.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 26 June

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Re: Saka at left back. I think it would expose our defensive frailties further. Although, it could work if you had Saka and Trent playing as wing backs, with a back three of Walker, Stones and Guehi. Rice and Bellingham in the middle with a front three of Kane, Palmer and Foden. With Saka on the overlap it could also free up Foden a little to come inside and influence the game more.

    Russ

  16. Chelsea agree to sign Guiupublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 26 June

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Marc GuiuImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle to activate the £5million release clause of Barcelona youngster Marc Guiu.

    The Blues are ready to schedule a medical in London for the 18-year-old striker, who scored in just 23 seconds after making his debut against Athletic Club in 2023.

    The Catalan giants are believed to have attempted to renew Guiu's deal to extend his contract while removing the modest release clause.

    However, after a week of talks with his agency, the Blues are closing in on the teenage talent to add firepower to their forward line.

    The graduate from Barcelona's famous La Masia academy is a typically powerful and quick number nine but with little experience, scoring twice in his seven senior matches so far.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 26 June

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Talk of Saka at left-back is madness, there is no way Southgate would do that. Surely Wharton as a more defensive player is the shout to replace Trippier? Gordon left, Palmer right, Foden behind Kane. Bellingham bench with Saka. Two cracking subs to bring on to finish a game off

    Nick B, Rochdale

  18. Glass half full - 'We’ve got a lot more to come'published at 14:37 British Summer Time 26 June

    England 0-0 Slovenia

    BBC Radio 5 Live
    Nicky Campbell Phone-in

    Rachel: I’d rather go down the route of being positive about these things. At the end of the day - they’re through so let’s support them and get behind them and be a bit more like the Scottish fans and be positive.

    Ray, St Neots: I can’t believe how negative people are about England. We’re at the knockout stages now - this is where it starts. Last night, we weren’t brilliant, we’re improving but it’s all to play for. If we win, nobody will care how we got there or what happened if we win the tournament.

    Armchair critics are being too hard on the team. Yes we need to improve, but I think we can improve. All these teams, Slovenia last night, sit so deep against us. It doesn’t suit our game. When have we ever started tournaments blowing teams away? We’ve got a lot more to come.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 26 June

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    England team before kick-off to SloveniaImage source, Getty Images

    I'm not too concerned with the performances just yet. We know we can do better, and it's all about qualifying for the knockout stages. Many teams have lit it up in the groups but gone out in the knockouts (Netherlands '08, Argentina '06) whereas Portugal have actually won the Euros after finishing 3rd in the group. I'm not panicking - yet.

    Nick, Wolverhampton

  20. A mixed glass - 'England don’t excite me'published at 14:27 British Summer Time 26 June

    England 0-0 Slovenia

    BBC Radio 5 Live
    Nicky Campbell Phone-in

    Patrick in Manchester: I’m mixed - one day it’s half full and the next it’s half empty. I know we’ve qualified and I’ve got a feeling we could probably do quite well. But I wish they’d have a go. Defenders - feed the ball to the midfielder quickly. Midfield to the attackers quickly. I can’t stand the passing sideways.

    I hate to say it but I think we ruin tournaments. We bring the level of excitement down. I find myself turning the TV over at half time. England don’t excite me. England don’t seem to have a go. We’re too cautious.