Euro 2024: What England need to qualify for knockout stages after beating Serbia

England secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Serbia in their second Euro 2024 qualifying match, but still require further results to guarantee their place in the knockout stages. With two wins from their first two games, England currently sit at the top of Group G, but the qualifying process is far from over. Despite a strong start, England's fate in the qualification campaign is not yet assured. While they have won both their matches so far, they are facing a challenging group with Italy, Ukraine, and North Macedonia as competitors. To qualify directly for the Euro 2024 finals, England will need to secure a top-two finish in their group. While a top-two finish is the primary goal, England can still reach the tournament through the playoffs if they fail to secure a direct qualification spot. The playoffs will be contested by eight teams who finished third in their respective groups, with four teams ultimately advancing to the finals. However, this route presents a more challenging path to the Euro 2024 finals. The upcoming qualifying matches for England are crucial, as they will be vital in determining their chances of qualifying directly. The team will face Italy in a highly anticipated clash on October 17th, followed by a match against Ukraine on October 17th. These matches will be essential in shaping the group's dynamics and ultimately determining England's fate in the qualification campaign.

Summary

"England's victory over Serbia puts them in a strong position for qualification, but they need to maintain their momentum and secure positive results in their upcoming matches against Italy and Ukraine. While a top-two finish in their group guarantees direct qualification, England can still reach the Euro 2024 finals through the playoffs if they secure a third-place finish. However, this path is more challenging and requires the team to navigate the playoffs successfully."