Euro 2024: England v Slovakia – live

Good afternoon one and all. Who fancies watching a bit of history? Today in Gelsenkirchen, either England or Slovakia will break new ground: England by qualifying for yet another quarter-final, Slovakia by reaching the first in their history.

England have never before reached the quarter-finals in four consecutive major tournaments*. In the grand scheme this is a golden age, one that England fans will look back on with wistful eyes and misty smiles when they’re older. Yet right now there is an almost irreconcilable discord, one that will only go away if England win their next four games 10-0 Gareth Southgate finds a way to start Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins in the same team.

A feature of this golden age has been kind draws, and England are again in the better half of the draw. Their route to the final – evening Roy – is Slovakia, Switzerland and Turkey/Netherlands/Austria/Slovenia.

Slovakia are a neat, well coached and extremely experienced team who have already beaten Belgium. It won’t be easy, but England should win. Heaven help us all if they don’t.

Kick off 5pm.

* They have reached the last eight at four consecutive tournaments, though, between 1986 and 1992. The European Championship was an eight-team competition in those days; England went out at the group stage on both occasions.