Euro 2024 touchlines: Make or break moment has arrived for England boss Gareth Southgate

All eyes on England Roll the clock back a couple of weeks and the English media and their notoriously blinkered fans were predicting glory was imminent for Gareth Southgate's squad.

That was before their team started playing football matches at Euro 2024, when a less-than-palatable reality came crashing down on a star-studded team. England have been booed off the field by their own fans in their last two matches against Denmark and Slovenia, with former England captains Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer among ripping into a side that has failed to perform so far.

Now get another chance to shine against Slovakia in the 5pm fixture this afternoon, with big questions over the changes Southgate will make to his line-up.

Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Chelsea's Cole Palmer impressed in cameo appearances from the bench against Slovenia on Tuesday, but Southgate is famously reluctant to make too many changes to his line-up and he will be cautious to drop his first-choice starters.

"Everything that's happened up to now is pretty irrelevant," says Southgate. "We have things we can build on but this is also a different test, a different phase.

"Each game takes place on its own merit and can take a wild direction at times. This is the exciting part and it's the bit nobody can predict.

"We need to find our next level, which I believe we can. Slovakia are a very well-coached team and they've got a clear playing identity.

"They want to play out from the back. Stanislav Lobotka is clearly key in that system. He dictates the tempo.

"They get numbers forward early, they press well, high and aggressively. You've got to find a way of breaking through that press. It's a different sort of test."

Full strength beer England supporters will be served normal-strength beer during Sunday's Euro 2024 last-16 match against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen but will be unable to drink alcohol in the stands.

Fans were only able to purchase low-alcohol pints when Gareth Southgate's side took on Serbia in their Group C opener at the Veltins-Arena in the German city on June 16.

Fan group the Free Lions Fan Embassy welcomed the eased restrictions, but is disappointed about some of the other measures set to be in place.

"We are pleased to say that after some lobbying, normal strength beer will be sold, however the sale of alcohol will again be limited to two beers per purchase and there will be NO drinking of alcohol permitted in the stands," Free Lions posted on X.

"Whilst we are happy with the return of normal strength beer, we are disappointed to see restrictions in place limiting the amount of beer you can buy, as well as the ban on drinking in the stands.

"Both added unnecessary pressure on the concourses last time. We don't see any justification for these measures." Free Lions also expressed hope there will not be a repeat of the public transport problems endured by fans before and after the Serbia match.

Yet the group, which called for an "urgent and thorough review" following chaotic scenes as supporters attempted to travel between fan zones, the city centre and the stadium, warned trains, trams and buses are once again likely to be "extremely busy".

Video of the day Daniel McDonnell has looked ahead to England's last-16 clash against Slovakia and surprise package Georgia's tie with Spain.

Today at the Euros: England expects

Where can I read the latest? Daniel McDonnell is on the ground in Germany for the Irish Independent and he has given his story on a lengthy stay in Leverkusen and why international football can provide a joy that's missing from the elite club game in the modern era .

Phil Foden is back in the England camp at a quick dash home for a family matter .

Quote of the day Former Ireland captain Roy Keane has revealed his parents suffered after his infamous bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy at the 2002 World Cup finals.

Speaking about the pressures players feel when they are playing for their country in major tournaments, he admitted it is not just the players who feel the heat when they are caught up in the eye of a media storm.

"I've had big stories about me in the press before, particularly the World Cup and when I left Manchester United, and it has a huge effect on your family, particularly your parents," Keane told The Overlap.

"I've got children and if someone was critical of my child, I'd be affected.

"It made my parents ill, 100%, they were very ill from that stuff. So, we all have a responsibility without a doubt. I know we all sit in a studio but if you stick it to football and not cross the line."

Number of the day - 77 Spain and Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has won 17 of the 22 individual duels at Euro 2024, with that 77% success rate being the highest of any defender in the group stage.

Tweet of the Day When are the games? ROUND OF 16

Sunday, June 30

England vs Slovakia, 5.0, Gelsenkirchen

Spain vs Georgia, 8.0, Cologne

Monday, July 1

France vs Belgium, 5.0, Dusseldorf

Portugal vs Slovenia, 8.0, Frankfurt

Tuesday, July 2

Romania v Netherlands, 5.0 Munich

Austria vs Turkey, 8.0 Leipzig

QUARTER-FINALS

Friday, July 5

QF1: Spain/Georgia v Germany/Denmark, 5.0, Stuttgart

QF2: Portugal/Slovenia v France/Belgium, 8.0, Hamburg

Saturday, July 6

QF3: England/Slovakia v Switzerland/Italy, 5.0, Dusseldorf

QF4: Romania/Netherlands v Austria/Turkey, 8.0, Berlin

SEMI-FINALS

Tuesday, July 9

QF1 v QF2, 8.0, Munich

Wednesday, July 10

QF3 v QF4, 8.0, Dortmund

Sunday, July 14, 8.0, Berlin