England vs Slovakia live: Latest updates ahead of Euro 2024 clash ...

Tennis star Emma Raducanu has shown support for England ahead of their Euro 2024 clash with Slovakia today.

Raducanu, is currently preparing to play at Wimbledon – with the British No 5 being put through her paces ahead of the tournament.

The 23-year-old appeared in high spirits throughout practice, with the Briton poised to face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round.

Let us take a closer look at England’s opponents.

Milan Skriniar. The 29-year-old has long been Slovakia’s best player since Marek Hamsik retired. The PSG centre-back can do a good job of marshalling their defence but will fall short in attack. 

Francesco Calzona sets his side up in a 4-3-3 formation with full-backs going forward to make up for the lack of wingers in his squad. Skriniar runs a tight ship in defence after conceding just eight goals in qualifying. .

You can keep up-to-date with all the knock-out games with our dedicated fixtures, results so that you do not miss a beat.

How do you think England will fare in their last-16 match tonight against Slovakia? Remember you can have your say not just on tonight’s game but also for the tournament.

Manuel Akanji wants Switzerland to play and beat England at the European Championship after accusing “friends” in the UK of belittling his country.

Manchester City defender Akankji lit the fuse ahead of a potential quarter-final tie against the nation he has made his home by proclaiming he would rather play them than Slovakia.

Switzerland will learn later on Sunday which of the latter two countries they will face next after dethroning defending champions Italy in a stunning last-16 performance.

“I hope we play England,” Akanji said afterwards. “Because I have a lot of friends there and they talk [about] us [as] a little bit small sometimes. Not all of them, but some of them. So I hope we’re going to play against them and I hope we’re going to win.”

Asked if he had spoken to any of them, the 28-year-old replied: “Not yet, no. I mean, we’ve spoken in group chat but not face to face. So, might get a call if they win.”

He also played down talk England and Switzerland had found themselves in the “easier” half of the draw for the knockout stage, with Netherlands the only other major footballing nation standing between them and a place in the final.

“It might look easier on this side,” he said “But, if England wins and Netherlands win their two games, the teams we play are still Italy, England and Netherlands. So, it’s not as easy as it looks. But we’ll see what happens.”

Akanji’s eagerness to state publicly that he wanted to play England rather than Slovakia was not shared by team-mate Breel Embolo.

“No preference,” he said. “I think we need to watch ourselves. It will be stupid to say one because it’s two great nations.

“Enjoy the moment. But, soon, watch in front, because we have two great teams that are waiting for us.”

Gareth Southgate is likely to resist making drastic changes to his team facing Slovakia tonight but is ready to start Kobbie Mainoo in their last-16 clash. 

Southgate has faced to calls to give others a chance following three poor performances in the group stage, but is understood to be reluctant to rip up his original attacking plan.

Manchester United teenager has pushed for a place in the starting XI following his second-half display in the last game against Slovenia, with Mainoo in line to replace Conor Gallagher in midfield. 

Kieran Trippier has missed two days of training but is hopeful of being fully fit this weekend. Southgate is also prepared to keep faith in his forward players including Phil Foden, who returned to training on Thursday after returning home briefly after his partner Rebecca Cooke gave birth to their third child. 

Mike McGrath has the very latest from the England camp.

Who is Slovakia’s star player? How do Georgia set up? Who is in the Portugal squad? We have you covered with our team-by-team guide to help you with everything you need to know about every single one of the teams at Euro 2024.

Yesterday, the England manager spoke to the media on the eve of England’s last-16 showdown with Slovakia.

You go into a different mental state [in the knock-outs]. Everyone knows it’s jeopardy, everyone knows on a given day an opponent can make it really tough for you.

You know the quality of the opposition left is high, so it changes the mindset.

It’s about how far we can go. We’re trying to achieve something exceptional, but it’s one step at a time. Tomorrow is a chance to improve aspects of our game, but show composure at moments where the game will take us.

You’ve got to be able to respond and react in the right way in all of those moments. We’ve thrived in those challenges in the past, and we’re looking forward to tomorrow.

England are gearing up for their Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Slovakia, having reached the knock-out phase despite a string of poor performances.

A goalless draw with Slovenia in their last group game saw manager Gareth Southgate face disgruntled fans, with some hurling bottles and cups in his direction at full-time in Cologne, and he will be hoping his side can put in a much improved performance against Slovakia.

Southgate says he is “desperate to do well for my country” as his team prepare to play Slovakia.

England won Group C but have failed to impress in their first three matches having scored just two goals without providing a real threat.

But a victory in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday will set up a quarter-final against Switzerland and Southgate says his side have no fear of the knockout stage.

“It could be another brilliant night to create more memories for our supporters,” he said.

“I have played in a semi-final of a major tournament, and managed in a semi-final and a final. It is about the team progressing.

“We shouldn’t have a fear of losing, it’s about opportunity. We are trying to reach for something which is a challenge.

“We have lost matches before, life goes on. At that point when you can handle the worst you are free to try and go and win the game.”

Southgate is likely to resist making sweeping changes to his team facing Slovakia tonight but is ready to start Kobbie Mainoo in the last-16 clash.

The England manager has faced calls to change up his forward line and give others a chance following three lacklustre performances in the group stage, but is understood to be reluctant to rip up his original attacking plan.

Mainoo has pushed for a place following his second-half display in the last game against Slovenia, with the Manchester United teenager, 19, in line to replace Conor Gallagher in midfield.

We will have all of the build-up to tonight’s match so make sure you stay with us all day! Do not go anywhere!