Summary

  1. Two hours to go...published at 18:01 25 June

    That's all from us here, but follow this link as coverage is just getting started for England v Slovenia in Group C of Euro 2024.

    And remember, you can follow the second halves of both France v Poland and Netherlands v Austria on the BBC Sport website and app, while England's Group C opponents, Denmark and Serbia, face off at 20:00 BST too.

    So make yourself comfortable and settle in as we bring all the action throughout the evening.

    England fan in CologneImage source, Getty Images
  2. A 'special goal machine' - meet Slovenia's danger manpublished at 17:58 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Lukas Vrablik, BBC Sport

    If there's one man that England should be wary of tonight it is Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, who has been linked to a host of Premier League clubs.

    A poster boy for the traditional number nine, Sesko is one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe.

    Later, the 21-year-old will be at the centre of Slovenia's ambitions to make the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time - knowing a win against England would secure qualification.

    He did not score in Slovenia's opening two games at Euro 2024, draws against Denmark and Serbia, but Gareth Southgate's men will know the RB Leipzig striker poses a huge threat.

    Read more here.

    Morten Hjulmand of Denmark pulls the shirt of Benjamin SeskoImage source, Getty Images
  3. Euro 2024's joint highest 90min+ goals tallypublished at 17:56 25 June

    Last week we were exploring why there were so many long-range goals at this Euros.

    But Mattia Zaccagni's 98th-minute equaliser for Italy last night helped Euro 2024 set another trend - the joint highest number of stoppage time goals in a Euros... and we're only 28 games in.

    Don't be sad that the tournament is past the halfway stage (there are 51 games in total), hopefully we've got even more last-gasp drama to come.

    Euro 2024 already has the joint highest number of goals scored after the 90th minute of any EurosImage source, Opta
    Image caption,

    Euro 2024 already has the joint highest number of goals scored after the 90th minute of any Euros

  4. Good as anyone - or like a Rubik's Cube?published at 17:54 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Tony Hunt (right) and Matt Roberts (left) cycled to Germany to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis UKImage source, BBC Sport

    BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast were speaking to some England fans out in Germany earlier in the build-up to the game.

    Matt Roberts and Tony Hunt (above) have cycled to Germany to raise money for Crohn's and Colitis UK.

    "I feel like we’ve been quite negative throughout the tournament so far," said Tony. "We've been playing with a handbrake on. We're incredibly cautious.

    "We’ve certainly got the squad to win it, we're as good as anyone. You need luck on your side to win a tournament, you need the stars to align. I feel like we'll win it. We've started slowly, but we'll gather momentum as the tournament progresses."

    Matt added: "You don’t want to get too negative, it's still early days."

    But another fan, George Simon, was not as positive.

    "You shouldn’t experiment in a major tournament," he said. "If we want to give it a fizz, play Kobbie Mainoo. But if you want to be a bit more tactful, play Conor Gallagher.

    “England haven't had a decent winger on the left for years. It's like a Rubik's Cube."

  5. HALF-TIMEpublished at 17:49 25 June

    Netherlands 0-1 Austria & France 0-0 Poland

    As it stands Austria are topping Group D.

    You can follow the coverage of both games here.

  6. Royal Air Force band perform Three Lionspublished at 17:46 25 June

    Do you want to hear The Band of the Royal Air Force College perform Three Lions?

    This video was made in celebration of Armed Forces Week.

    Wonder if Gareth will be playing it in the changing room before kick-off?

    Media caption,

    Euro 2024: The Band of the Royal Air Force College plays Three Lions

  7. Eriksen set for record-breaking cappublished at 17:42 25 June

    Denmark v Serbia (20:00 BST)

    Whilst the attention on Group C may firmly be set on England's game against Slovenia, in the other game in the group, a player well known to English football fans is set for record-breaking appearance.

    Former Tottenham Hotspur and now Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen can become Denmark's most capped player of all-time, with a cap tonight taking him to the 133 appearances.

    Christian EriksenImage source, Getty Images
  8. Reasons to be positive #5 - don't do deficitspublished at 17:38 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Right, surely you're positive by now?!

    Well, if not, this one simply has to get you waving the flags and putting up the bunting.

    Among European sides to feature at both the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, only Spain have been behind for a lower share of their match time than England.

    The Three Lions have trailed for less than 10% of their match time. Hit those thumbs one final time, please.

    Opta graphic showing that among European sides to feature at both the 2022 World Cup and EURO 2024, only Spain have been behind on the scoreboard for a lower share of their match time than EnglandImage source, Opta
  9. 'We’ll see the real England soon'published at 17:35 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Izzy Christiansen
    Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Tournament football is all about peaking at the right time.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold will probably come on to the pitch later and he'll probably have a massive impact on the game. Everyone who's doubted him will realise what a player he is.

    There’s been a lot of chat about Anthony Gordon, what a threat he is off the left. He’s pacy, he's energetic. I'm sure he’ll be chomping on the bit to come on.

    These players have got the highest level of confidence. They know exactly what they're good at - they just need to find the formula.

    We'll see the real England soon.

    Trent Alexander-ArnoldImage source, Getty Images
  10. Reasons to be positive #4 - start slow, finish fastpublished at 17:32 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Don't go too fast, too soon - right?

    Of the past 11 editions of the European Championship, only three eventual champions have won all of their group games.

    Indeed, the most common number of group-stage wins for the team that goes on to lift the trophy is two - which is what England will finish with should they beat Slovenia tonight.

    Believe in the numbers? Thumbs-up for 'the trophy's England's', thumbs-down for 'lies, silly lies and statistics'.

    Opta graphic showing the group stage record for all previous European Championship winners (since 1980)Image source, Opta
  11. Get Involvedpublished at 17:29 25 June

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

    Why is it "worryingly" a possibility that England might play Germany? They couldn't beat Switzerland, a team that is traditionally a well organised outfit, doesn't really score prolifically and tends not to go far into the knockout stages. Not even nearly men. So it isn't really worrying to face Germany.

    Gary, Ripley

    No worries for Gary, even if England finish second

  12. Reasons to be positive #3 - on a run, againpublished at 17:26 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    England love an unbeaten run under Gareth Southgate. They began his reign by going 11 games undefeated in competitive action.

    Then there was a monstrous 18-game unbeaten streak in competitive matches between November 2020 and November 2021 - although, yes, the penalty shootout defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final does count as a draw for such Opta record-keeping purposes.

    And they're now again 10 competitive matches unbeaten since losing to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

    That must make you feel positive about their chances, right? Vote with the thumbs...

    Opta graphic showing England's unbeaten runs under Gareth SouthgateImage source, Opta
  13. Reasons to be positive #2 - hard to beatpublished at 17:23 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Clean sheets not enough to convince you?

    OK, how about this - England do not lose many games. Hardly any, in fact. Like the Hard-Fi hit, they're Hard To Beat.

    Since the start of the 2022 World Cup, France are the only European nation to have lost a lower percentage of their competitive games than England.

    Is that stat enough to perk your positivity levels? Thumbs up for 'yes, England are unbeatable' and thumbs down for, well, no.

    Opta graphic showing that since the start of the 2022 World Cup, France are the only European nation to have lost a lower percentage of their competitive games than EnglandImage source, Opta
  14. Reasons to be positive #1 - clean sheet kingspublished at 17:20 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Jordan Pickford makes a save for England against Serbia at Euro 2024Image source, Getty Images

    Searching for reasons to be positive about England's chances tonight - and, indeed, for the rest of the tournament?

    Then we're here for you, you glass-half-full optimism merchants - and the first exhibit in the case for the defence is.... er, the defence.

    Namely, England’s excellent defensive record across their four major tournaments - World Cups and European Championships - under Gareth Southgate.

    Of the 12 European nations to play 10 or more games across those tournaments in that timeframe, England have the most clean sheets, the second best shutout percentage and the lowest 'Expected Goals Against' per-game figure.

    Reason to be positive that it's coming home? Hit the thumbs, folks, and let us know.

    Opta graphic showing defensive rankings for European nations with 10+ major tournament games played since the start of the 2018 World CupImage source, Opta
  15. England fans in Germanypublished at 17:18 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Not long to go and these fans are soaking up all of the pre-match atmosphere in Cologne...

    England fans ready for the match against SloveniaImage source, Phill Edwards/BBC
    England fans ready for the match against SloveniaImage source, Phill Edwards/BBC
    England fans ready for the match against SloveniaImage source, Phill Edwards/BBC
    England fans ready for the match against SloveniaImage source, Phill Edwards/BBC
  16. And they even started slow in 1966...published at 17:16 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    It's worth remembering England's only major tournament triumph began with a dispiriting, disappointing goalless draw against Uruguay at Wembley in July 1966.

    Alf Ramsey's side could not break down the stubborn South Americans, who came with a gameplan of putting as many players behind the ball as they could - and the tactic duly worked.

    Nonetheless, England took their lumps, won the next two group games - and the rest is, well, history.

    History that has taken 58 years - and counting - to repeat...

    Bobby Charlton appeals to referee Istvan Zsolt after being fouled by Uruguay during England's 1966 World Cup openerImage source, Getty Images
  17. Mediocre at Mexico 1986 - before Lineker lift-offpublished at 17:13 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    Dejected England players Ray Wilkins (l) and Bryan Robson react after the FIFA 1986 Group stage goalless draw against MoroccoImage source, Getty Images

    Plenty of readers will be too young for this one - but imagine England starting this campaign with just one point from their two games, rather than the four they currently boast?

    That's exactly what happened in Mexico 1986 as a 1-0 defeat by Portugal and goalless draw with Morocco - the latter featuring a red card for Ray Wilkins and a dislocated shoulder for 'Captain Marvel' Bryan Robson - had Bobby Robson's side facing an early flight home.

    However, Gary Lineker pumped in a hat-trick to crush Poland to send England through and scored twice more to down Paraguay in the last 16 as England registered back-to-back 3-0 wins before losing out to a Maradona-inspired Argentina.

    How Three Lions fans would love a similar impact from Harry Kane over the next week or so.

    Gary Lineker of England celebrates after his hat trick after the FIFA 1986 World Cup match against PolandImage source, Getty Images
  18. GOAL - Netherlands 0-1 Austriapublished at 6 mins

    Donyell Malen (own goal)

    Oh no!

    It's a disaster start for the Netherlands as Austria's consistent pressure pays off.

    Another dangerous ball from Alexander Prass and in his desperation the Netherlands winger Donyell Malen flies in and tries to clear but instead ends up putting it in his own net.

    Ouch.

    You can watch the game here.

  19. Italia 1990 group snoozefestpublished at 17:05 25 June

    England v Slovenia (20:00 BST)

    If there has ever been a duller group than Group F at the 1990 World Cup.

    There were just seven goals across the six group games with England held by the Republic of Ireland in their opener - Kevin Sheedy with Ireland's famous equaliser - before squeezing through as group winners courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Egypt.

    It was hardly inspiring stuff - but magical moments followed after that slow start.

    David Platt's last-gasp extra-time winner against Belgium in the last 16 and a thriller against Cameroon in the quarter-finals before the inaugural shootout-fear-inducing loss on penalties to the Germans in the semis.

    Kevin Sheedy crashes in the equaliser for Republic of Ireland with a left foot strike from the edge of the penalty areaImage source, Getty Images
  20. KICK-OFFpublished at 17:00 25 June

    Netherlands 0-0 Austria & France 0-0 Poland

    The final games in Group D are under way.

    We will bring you updates when the goals go in.