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5 months ago
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England supporters are awash with excitement with their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia now just two days away.
With one of the most talented group of players in the nation's history at his disposal, Gareth Southgate enters the tournament with his side listed among the favourites to go all the way.
So much can happen between now and the final on July 14, and Southgate will be hoping his team are able to progress through Group C without incident and go on to secure a history-making summer.
The Three Lions reached the final of the competition for the first time in 2021, but fell at the very final hurdle as Italy emerged victorious on penalties to become European Champions for a second time.
But could England go one step further in Germany?
England's fate at the upcoming European Championships has been mapped out by a simulation
Gareth Southgate's side enter the tournament hoping to exercise the demons of Euro 2020
A simulation undertaken by BonusCodeBets on the hugely-popular Football Manager 24 game aimed to find out.
The simulation had England enjoying a comfortable route through the group stages, defeating Serbia 2-0 before putting three past Denmark without response to take a strong lead in Group C.
A final group game against Slovenia saw Southgate's side concede for the first time, but England once again put their superior firepower to good use, winning 3-1 and progressing as group winners.
In the Round of 16 England met Ukraine, with Southgate opting for to partner Declan Rice with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and giving Aaron Ramsdale a place in the starting XI.
At Euro 2020 England swept aside the Blue and Yellow, but this clash proved significantly more competitive, with Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka netting in a 2-1 to set up a opportunity for revenge in the last eight.
The simulation tipped Aaron Ramsdale to be given the nod over Jordan Pickford in goal
It also suggested Southgate will opt to partner Trent Alexander-Arnold with Declan Rice in midfield
Less than three years after the Azzurri inflicted one of the most painful defeats in the history of English football, the simulation tipped Southgate's men to exact revenge against Italy with goals from Harry Kane and Declan Rice the difference.
One game away from finding themselves in a second consecutive Euro final, Southgate's side were then drawn against France in a battle of the pre-tournament favourites.
Two hours of action could not separate the two sides, and once again spot kicks would determine England's fate in the competition.
This time though, England would vanquish the demon of penalty shootouts that has so often haunted them at the most crucial junctures, winning 7-6 despite Kane and Luke Shaw missing from 12 yards.
Unfortunately for England, redemption in the form of a first major tournament win in 58 years would not come at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
Simulation claimed England will exact revenge against Italy to set-up a semi-final clash with France
But despite beating Les Bleus, Spain will prove a bridge too far for the Three Lions and England will reportedly suffer final heartbreak again
Against two-time winners Spain, a rotated side featuring Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo would have no answer for La Roja's dominance before ultimately succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.
However, with a consolation in the final Kane picked up yet another individual honour - winning the tournament's golden boot with six goals.
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