Bukayo Saka became the third-youngest player in Premier League history to reach 100 wins in the competition when he helped Arsenal beat Aston Villa on Saturday.

Saka set up Thomas Partey to make it 2-0 to the Gunners at Villa Park, ensuring a second win of the season for Mikel Arteta's team.

The England international scored and assisted in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Wolves in their opening game of the season.

And in the process of helping Arsenal make it two wins from two to start 2024-25, he joined an elite club of youngsters to have hit the milestone of 100 Premier League victories.

Only Wayne Rooney (22 years, 87 days) and Cesc Fabregas (22 years, 180 days) hit the landmark at a younger age than Saka (22 years, 354 days).

When it comes to Arsenal, just Fabregas and Cliff Bastin (22 years, 171 days) have reached 100 league wins sooner.

Reflecting on his achievement, Saka, who has netted 48 top-flight goals, posted to social media: "Proud to make it to 100 Premier League wins for my club."

Saka's 100th win came in his 172nd Premier League appearance. The record for a player hitting 100 wins in the fewest matches belongs to Phil Foden (127).

Arsenal made a solid start to their latest Premier League title challenge last week, beating Wolves 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.

Matchday two, however, promises to present a far tougher challenge for Mikel Arteta's team as they face the team that could be considered responsible for their failure to finish as champions in 2023-24.

Aston Villa – under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery – beat the Gunners home and away last term, with April's 2-0 win at the Emirates allowing Manchester City to inch ahead at the top of the table and claim a fourth straight title.

Villa also started with a win last week, with Jhon Duran stepping off the bench to fire them to a 2-1 victory at West Ham.

Ahead of Saturday's headline clash at Villa Park, we run through all the best Opta facts and stats around the game.

What's expected?

The Opta supercomputer makes Arsenal favourites for victory on matchday two, though not overwhelmingly.

Across 10,000 pre-match simulations conducted by the supercomputer, Arsenal were victorious in 51.1% of cases. Villa repeated last season's heroics against the Gunners in 24.7% of scenarios, while 24.2% saw the points shared.

Villa's double over the Gunners last term accounted for 40% of the Premier League defeats suffered by Arteta's team (2/5). They have recorded three straight Premier League wins against them on two previous occasions, in November 1993 and February 2021.

In fact, Villa have won five of their last nine Premier League meetings with Arsenal (four defeats), keeping a clean sheet in every victory. 

That is as many wins as they had managed in their previous 46 league matches against the Gunners (14 draws, 27 defeats).

Arsenal, though, have won 14 away Premier League games against the Villans, their joint-most wins at a single away venue in the competition, having also triumphed 14 times at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park.

The Gunners have also scored 98 Premier League goals against Villa in total, only netting more against Everton (124), West Ham (109) and Tottenham (105). Liverpool and Manchester United (five opponents each) are the only teams to have netted 100 or more Premier League goals against more different clubs.

Watkins to cause more Arsenal woe?

Villa may have made a winning start to their campaign, spoiling Julen Lopetegui's West Ham debut with an entertaining win at the London Stadium, but Emery will be looking for a more convincing performance this time out.

Only Liverpool (2.65 versus Ipswich Town) created a higher expected goals (xG) figure than West Ham's 2.46 on matchday one of the Premier League season, albeit 0.78 of that figure came from a Lucas Paqueta penalty – perhaps harshly awarded against Matty Cash.

Of the 11 teams to give up the most expected goals against (xGA) in the division last weekend, Villa were the only one to taste victory – Brentford were the next-most porous victors, allowing Crystal Palace 1.17 xG in a 2-1 win on Sunday.

Villa will need a far better defensive display if they are to stifle Arsenal on Saturday, while they will also be desperate to get more service to Ollie Watkins, who did not attempt a single shot before his 62nd-minute withdrawal versus the Hammers.

Watkins only registered two touches in the West Ham area, one fewer than his replacement Duran, also recording the fewest touches (15), passes attempted (five) and completed (four) of all 22 starters.

Facing an Arsenal side likely to press high and leave space in behind could suit Watkins, though, as he plays his way back into peak condition after helping England reach the Euro 2024 final.

Watkins capped April's 2-0 win at the Emirates with a delightfully dinked finish that put Arsenal on the back foot in the title race, his fifth goal in eight Premier League meetings with the Gunners.

He has been on the winning side in four of those eight games (four losses), and only against Brighton and Hove Albion (six) has he scored more top-flight goals than he has versus Arsenal. The visiting defence must be wary.

Solid spine key for the Gunners?

Villa are the only team to beat Arsenal in the Premier League in 2024, with Arteta's team winning 17 of their 19 games this calendar year (one draw, one loss). In English Football League history, the most wins ever recorded by a team through their first 20 matches in a year is 18, by Liverpool in 1982 and Man City in 2019 and 2021.

The Gunners have been particularly impressive on the road, winning on eight of nine Premier League road trips (one draw) in 2024, scoring 28 goals, conceding three and keeping seven clean sheets in that time.

Arsenal only allowed opponents to create a total of 5.89 xG in those matches, an average of 0.65 per game. The league's next-best ever-present defensive team this year, Man City, have given up 12.39 xGA in 10 road trips.

In the last two seasons, the Gunners have kept 21 away clean sheets (10 in 2022-23, 11 in 2023-24), more than they managed in their previous four campaigns combined (20).

If they can maintain similar levels of solidity in 2024-25 – particularly on their travels – then another title tilt appears a realistic goal.

Arsenal did endure some shaky spells against Wolves last time out, with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha guilty of passing up huge chances to level when Gary O'Neil's team built up a head of steam, but the Gunners gave up just 0.47 xGA – the fifth-lowest figure of any team on matchday one.

Jurrien Timber came on to steady the ship for the Gunners late on after missing the majority of 2023-24 through injury, while new signing Riccardo Calafiori was an unused substitute.

It remains to be seen whether Arteta will introduce either player to his lineup at Villa Park, where Arsenal must be wary of the direct running of Watkins, Leon Bailey and company.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aston Villa – Jhon Duran

Duran came on to score the winner against West Ham last week, having been linked with the Irons throughout the transfer window.

Among all players to score at least five Premier League goals, Duran has the second-best minutes-per-goal ratio (six goals, one every 103 minutes), behind only Erling Haaland (one every 85 minutes). 

Five of his six strikes, meanwhile, have come as a substitute (83%). That is the second-highest ratio by any player to ever score at least five Premier League goals, behind Matt Derbyshire, who scored nine of his 10 goals from the bench.

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka

Saka registered a goal and an assist in Arsenal's victory over Wolves last week, also creating the joint-most chances (three) of any player on the pitch. He has now been on the winning side in 99 of his 171 Premier League matches with Arsenal. 

Another victory would make him the fourth player to reach 100 wins in the competition before turning 23, after Wayne Rooney, Cesc Fabregas and Phil Foden.

The England winger was involved in 11 attacking sequences against Wolves on matchday one, more than any other player on the pitch, ahead of Havertz and Thomas Partey (eight apiece).

Mikel Arteta compared Bukayo Saka to Lionel Messi after the winger registered a goal and an assist in Arsenal's victory over Wolves on matchday one of the Premier League season.

Saka saw an inswinging cross headed home by Kai Havertz for Arsenal's first goal of 2024-25, then wrongfooted Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa with a clever second-half finish to cap the Gunners' 2-0 win.

The England international created a game-high five chances and attempted five shots, a tally only matched by Havertz among all players on the pitch.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Arteta said the difficulties Saka posed to defences were reminiscent of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

"With good players, it's like that, with Messi I know he's going to come here and put the ball there, but he does it all the time. You can't stop him," Arteta said.

"That's the quality of the player. You have to really understand where they are, what they need, to give them some space and let them breathe."

Arteta also hailed Saka and fellow England international Declan Rice for the attitude they have shown since the Three Lions' Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain last month.

"They went through a lot and those kids have played a lot of football in the last two years," Arteta added. 

"But when you see that willingness, that energy to say, 'I'm really, really happy to be back' and you see that is genuine, it's a good sign. 

"That's their mentality. Straight after the final, they said, 'I'm going to be ready for the first game'."

Kai Havertz labelled Bukayo Saka as "unbelievable" as his team-mate was the catalyst for Arsenal starting their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolves.

England winger Saka produced a wonderful cross for Havertz to head home the opener at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Provider then turned scorer in the second half when Saka cut inside Rayan Ait-Nouri and drilled low into the near post.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Havertz said: "Saka is unbelievable. There are not a lot of players like him on the planet and he is still so young. 

"He can get better. It is very rare to see a young player like this perform every week at the highest level."

Arsenal were impressive in the first half but were thankful to David Raya for a couple of big saves and there was a noticeable shift in atmosphere during a second period in which Wolves posed a few more questions.

But manager Mikel Arteta was impressed with the way his side, who finished second to Manchester City in the league last season, were able to ultimately get the job done to start the new campaign with three points.

"I am really happy. With the first game you have some uncertainty in how you will respond," he said.

"We had our moment after 1-0 when we were not in control but after Saka's goal we were much more comfortable. The way the boys go about their job is unbelievable, so very happy.

"We knew Wolves could change the game and they did in the second half but with our changes we became a bit stronger.

"We certainly are. We had a really good pre-season. There are things to improve for sure, but overall very happy.

"The lack of control in the second half [we can improve], we gave so many simple balls away. We also had to finish situations better but overall very happy."

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil felt his side applied themselves well and thought the visitors were the more likely to score with the game at 1-0.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "I thought we were good. I was pleased. I obviously don't like losing but we gave Arsenal a tough game. We restricted them to not too many chances.

"In terms of being in the game and having a chance I felt that, at 1-0 down I felt we were more likely than them.

"I'm pleased with what we were able to produce, but I've spoken to the players about the little details, especially against teams like Arsenal.

"They found two moments of quality and we just missed a couple of ours."

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were the goalscorers as Arsenal started the new Premier League season with a routine 2-0 victory over Wolves at Emirates Stadium.

Germany international Havertz had the home fans on their feet midway through the first half thanks to a fine assist from Saka in sunny north London on Saturday.

David Raya had to make a brilliant save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen a debut Wolves goal midway through the first half.

Havertz and Thomas Partey went close for the hosts after the break before a revival from the visitors should have seen parity restored when Matheus Cunha shot straight at Raya after pouncing on a poor misplaced pass from William Saliba.

The brilliant Saka then ensured there would be no misstep to start a campaign in which Arsenal are looking to go one better than a second-place finish last term when he stepped inside Rayan Ait-Nouri on the right of the box and fired past Jose Sa at his near post.

Data Debrief: Gunners pick up where they left off

Arsenal were agonisingly pipped to the title by Manchester City last season but have now won seven straight Premier League games, having gone on a streak of eight from January 20 to March 9 earlier this year.

Moreover, they have now scored in each of those matches - their best run since netting in nine from December 31 to March 9.

Havertz is off the mark early for Arsenal and has two goals and two assists from his last three appearances in the Premier League.

Former England striker Gary Lineker was moved to tears by Bukayo Saka's penalty against Switzerland, comparing it to Stuart Pearce's iconic spot-kick at Euro 1996.

England were staring at a quarter-final exit from Euro 2024 until Saka scored a wonderful equaliser to cancel out Breel Embolo's opener 10 minutes from time.

The Arsenal winger – whose saved penalty cost England in the Euro 2020 final against Italy – then stepped up to convert in the shoot-out as the Three Lions scored with all five of their attempts.

Jordan Pickford saved from Manuel Akanji as England won just the fourth penalty shoot-out in their history, teeing up a semi-final clash with the Netherlands for Wednesday.

Lineker was part of the England team beaten on spot-kicks by West Germany at the 1990 World Cup, when Pearce was one of two players to fail to score, seeing his effort saved by Bodo Illgner.

Pearce then memorably scored in the Three Lions' next shoot-out, a victory over Spain on home soil at Euro 1996, and Saka's moment of redemption brought those memories flooding back for Lineker. 

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast on Sunday, Lineker said of Saka's kick: "I did actually get a little bit emotional. It reminded me so much of the Stuart Pearce moment. 

"Pearce missed in 1990 when I played. I know Stuart, you know Stuart. He's such a diamond of a bloke and a wonderful football player.

"Then we played against Spain, penalty shoot-out, in 96 in the Euros, and he stepped forward again. 

"I was in the crowd thinking, 'please, please score, don't miss', and everyone in the crowd was thinking the same thing, there was a silence that was palpable.

"When he knocked that in, I cried. I was sitting there in the crowd, crying tears of joy. I don't cry when I'm sad, I cry when I'm happy, and it reminded me of that. 

"Saka took the penalty that basically lost us the Euros, and then to come back, a young lad having scored a brilliant goal to drag us level almost immediately… he's amazing!"

Saka's goal made him just the third Arsenal player to score for England at the Euros, after Tony Adams in 1988 and Theo Walcott in 2012, and the first to do so in a knockout game.

He is also the first Arsenal player to net for the Three Lions at both the World Cup and the Euros, having scored three times in Qatar two years ago.

Just four sides remain at Euro 2024 with the final in Berlin next Sunday now within touching distance. 

England came through another nerve-jangling affair, this time against Switzerland, needing penalties to confirm their place in the semi-finals. 

They will face the Netherlands in Dortmund next Wednesday, with Ronald Koeman's side coming from a goal down to knock Turkiye out of the competition. 

After another rollercoaster day of knockout football, we take a deep dive into the best Opta statistics from Germany. 

England 1-1 Switzerland (aet, 5-3 pens): Three Lions rewrite penalty history

Gareth Southgate marked his 100th game in charge of England with a win, in the end.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the decisive spot-kick following a 1-1 draw, having seen Jordan Pickford save Manuel Akanji's first penalty for the Swiss. 

Pickford's stop was his fourth saved from 14 penalties he has faced in shoot-outs at major tournaments, further proving why he is indispensable within this England team. 

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney all scored their penalties before Alexander-Arnold's winner, showing nerves of steel from 15 yards. 

It was just the second time, in their 10th shoot-out at a major tournament, that England scored every one of their penalties (5/5), also doing so against Spain at Euro 1996 (4/4).

While Southgate has his critics, the Three Lions have now reached the semi-finals in consecutive European Championships for the first time. 

Since the group stage was introduced in 1980, the Three Lions had only got to that stage once before the appointment of Southgate, doing so in 1996 with Southgate playing in every England game at their home tournament.

But England's lack of attacking threat was concerning once again, with Saka's 80th-minute equaliser their first shot on target in Dusseldorf.

Saka's 11th international goal saw him become only the third Arsenal player to score for England at the Euros, after Tony Adams in 1988 and Theo Walcott in 2012.

Failing to get the job done in normal time has been a regular theme for the Three Lions at the European Championships. 

Since Euro 96, England have played 11 knockout matches at the Euros and eight of those have gone to extra-time, including the last four in a row.

Bellingham, England's hero from their last-16 clash against Slovakia, almost found another goal in extra-time, only to see his effort saved by Yann Sommer. 

The Real Madrid star won his 34th cap for the Three Lions, with all of them coming while playing for non-British sides (24 with Borussia Dortmund, 10 with Real Madrid). Only David Beckham (55) and Owen Hargreaves (39) have won more England caps while playing for non-British clubs.

For Switzerland, however, their woes in the knockout stages continued as they fell short once more. 

They have now been eliminated on all five of their major tournament quarter-final appearances: the 1934, 1938 and 1954 World Cups, and Euro 2020 and 2024.

Breel Embolo was a shining light for Murat Yakin's side, scoring his fifth goal at a major tournament for Switzerland, a tally only bettered by Xherdan Shaqiri (10) and Josef Hugi (six). 

Netherlands 2-1 Turkiye: Oranje return to familiar ground with new kids on the block

Once one of the powerhouses of European football, the Netherlands have risen to within 90 minutes of the top again with their latest triumph over Turkiye. 

The Oranje reached the semi-finals of the European Championships for the first time since 2004, with the help of their exciting forward line. 

Only Spain and Germany (11 each) have scored more goals at Euro 2024 thus far than the Netherlands (nine). 

Their equaliser came from an unlikely source, however. Stefan de Vrij’s header was his first strike for his nation since March 2015 against Spain – nine years and 97 days ago.

The turnaround was complete six minutes later, with Cody Gakpo believing he had gone out on his own in the race for the Golden Boot, only for the goal to be credited to Mert Muldur, who put through his own net under pressure from the Liverpool man.

It was the first own goal the Netherlands have benefitted from at the Euros since 2004 (Jorge Andrade versus Portugal).

For Turkiye, they can depart Germany with their heads held high, having reached the knockout stages of the European Championships for the first time since 2008. 

Arda Guler has been a shining light throughout their campaign. The 19-year-old provided his second assist of the Euros for Samet Akaydin's opener, becoming the second teenager to tee up multiple goals at this edition after Lamine Yamal (three).

There had been just two occasions on record (since 1968) of a teenager providing multiple assists at a single tournament in each of the 14 previous editions combined (Enzo Scifo in 1984, Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004).

Akaydin's header was Turkiye's fourth goal scored via defenders at Euro 2024, the most by any nation at a single edition of the European Championships. 

The Fenerbahce defender also became Vincenzo Montella's seventh different goalscorer at Euro 2024, the most different scorers (excluding own goals) they’ve had at a major tournament. 

Xherdan Shaqiri said there is "nothing more brutal" than losing on penalties after Switzerland's dream run at Euro 2024 was ended by England in the last eight.

Having eliminated champions Italy in the last 16, Switzerland were on course for a semi-final berth when Breel Embolo put them ahead with 75 minutes played on Saturday. 

However, Bukayo Saka dragged the Three Lions level within five minutes, and after another 40 goalless minutes, Gareth Southgate's men held their nerve from 12 yards.

Manuel Akanji was denied by Jordan Pickford from Switzerland's first penalty, with every other kick being converted as England won on spot-kicks for just the fourth time in their history and the second time versus Switzerland (also in the Nations League in 2019).

Speaking after his team's elimination, former Liverpool and Stoke City winger Shaqiri said: "There is nothing more brutal than to go home after penalties.

"We fought and gave it all we had to try and qualify so the fairytale could continue. You saw the enthusiasm and how big it was, not only in Switzerland but also in Germany. 

"I am really proud of the team and for the way they played in these Euros. We made a lot of people in Switzerland proud and gave them joy."

Shaqiri's team-mate Dan Ndoye added: "This loss is tough to accept. I think we deserved to be in the semi-finals with this team, which was so united. 

"We had the qualities to go further. Of course it hurts to lose on penalties. Football is cruel sometimes, but that's how it is and you need to accept it."

Bukayo Saka revelled in banishing previous penalty demons as England edged past Switzerland with a shoot-out victory in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Saka levelled just five minutes after Breel Embolo's 75th-minute opener in Dusseldorf on Saturday, though the two sides could not be separated across 120 minutes.

England had lost more shoot-outs than any other nation across the World Cup and European Championships (seven), with Saka missing in the final of the latter competition just four years ago.

Yet the Arsenal winger converted from 12 yards after Jordan Pickford had denied Manuel Akanji, before Trent Alexander-Arnold sent England into the last four at Dusseldorf Arena.

Saka was understandably delighted to bounce back on penalties after his heartbreak against Italy at Wembley Stadium at Euro 2020.

"To comeback from something like that is really difficult, today I took the chance," the England forward said on BBC One.

"I am going to put it up there, special. How we fought back and to go to penalties. Last time we took at penalty shoot-out at the Euros we know what happened. I believed.

"I felt like we dominated the whole game and the chance would come and I took it – I am proud of myself for that."

England have won just four penalty shoot-outs in their history but two of them have come against Switzerland, in 2019 in the Nations League and in this game at Euro 2024.

A last-four meeting with either the Netherlands or Turkiye awaits on Wednesday, where Saka is still desperate for Gareth Southgate's side to improve.

"I think it shows how much we want to win this tournament," Saka added. "Hopefully, next game we can win in 90 minutes but if this is what it takes – we will do anything!"

For just the second time in their 10th shoot-out at a major tournament, England scored every single one of their penalties in the shoot-out (5/5), also doing so against Spain at Euro 1996 (4/4).

Alexander-Arnold proved the hero when curling into Yann Sommer's top corner, and the Liverpool full-back says the execution was down to Southgate's meticulous planning.

"It is what we have practised," Alexander-Arnold said on the same English outlet. "When the gaffer said I was taking one, I enjoy it and I practice it – I knew I had to just execute it.

"All five penalties from us were great.

"We knew it was going to be tight. Whatever it takes and no matter what we win – that is all that matters to us."

Trent Alexander-Arnold sent England into the Euro 2024 semi-finals after Jordan Pickford proved the hero in a 5-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland following a 1-1 draw in Dusseldorf. 

Gareth Southgate's side suffered shoot-out heartbreak in the final of the last European Championship edition but banished those demons on Saturday.

Pickford denied Switzerland's first penalty from Manuel Akanji, with England – notorious for their penalty struggles – remaining perfect from 12 yards as Alexander-Arnold converted the decisive spot-kick.

Breel Embolo had earlier opened the scoring late in the second half but Bukayo Saka levelled soon after, before Pickford's decisive save set up a last-four clash with either the Netherlands or Turkiye on Wednesday.

With Southgate reverting to a three-man defence that brought so much success at previous international tournaments, England improved from the off but lacked a cutting edge.

Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden were allowed the freedom of Dusseldorf Arena in the early stages, while Saka had the beating of Michel Aebischer whenever he pleased.

Saka dribbled past the Swiss wing-back five times in the first half, the most one player has beaten another in a single match at this tournament.

Yet for all of the Three Lions' promise in attack, they failed to make it count as Kobbie Mainoo came closest, only to see the ball taken off his toes by Granit Xhaka.

Both sides failed to register a shot on target in the opening half, but Embolo only needed five minutes after the interval to test Pickford having turned Ezri Konsa.

Switzerland continued to tighten their grip on the contest, with Aebischer wasting a glorious opportunity as the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the area.

Murat Yakin's side snatched their deserved reward in the 75th minute, though, as Dan Ndoye's teasing delivery slipped past the stretching John Stones for Embolo to slide in the opener.

That Swiss joy was short-lived, however, as the introduction of Luke Shaw, Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze sparked England into life just five minutes after falling behind.

Declan Rice offloaded to his right before Saka was afforded too much room to cut inside and curl a left-footed effort from the perimeter of the area in via the help of Yann Sommer's right-hand post.

England threatened to make another fast start in extra time, as they did in the last 16 against Slovakia, but Rice saw his attempt saved by Yann Sommer.

Yet Switzerland would go closest in the additional 30 minutes when Xherdan Shaqiri's audacious corner-kick struck the woodwork, before Zeki Amdouni fizzed straight at Pickford, who proved the hero shortly after.

Palmer slotted in the opening penalty before Pickford guessed the right way, diving low to his left to push away Akanji's timid spot-kick from the Swiss' first effort.

Both England and Switzerland converted every attempt from then on, yet Pickford's smart stop paved the way for Alexander-Arnold to whip into the top-left corner and send England into the last four.

England show nerves of steel on the big stage

The Three Lions' record on penalties at major tournaments is well known, but this is not a normal England team of yesteryear.

England had lost more shoot-outs than any other nation across the World Cup and Euros (seven), while at this competition had both the worst win rate (20% – 1/5) and the worst conversion rate (69% – 18/26). 

Yet for just the second time in their 10th shoot-out at a major tournament, England scored every single one of their penalties (5/5), also doing so against Spain at Euro 1996 (4/4).

This win also marks another milestone for England, who have now won 50 of their 117 matches at major international tournaments, becoming only the sixth European nation to reach that half-century milestone. 

Switzerland out in the cruellest of circumstances

It was yet more heartache for Switzerland, who bowed out of the competition in the most dramatic of circumstances. 

Embolo scored his fifth goal at a major tournament for Switzerland – only Xherdan Shaqiri (10) and Josef Hugi (six) have more for the Swiss across the World Cup and Euros. 

Switzerland have now been eliminated in all five of their major tournament quarter-final appearances: at the 934, 1938 and 1954 World Cups, and Euro 2020 and 2024.

However, Yakin's side have proved they have the ability to compete with the best, and they will be confident of going further in the major tournaments to come. 

Gareth Southgate pleaded for England's supporters to "stay with the team", after venting their frustration following the goalless draw with Slovenia.

The Three Lions advanced to the Euro 2024 knockout stages as Group C winners, despite winning just one of their opening three games and scoring two goals. 

Southgate's side, who came under scrutiny following their 1-1 draw with Denmark, did little to silence those critics with another underwhelming performance against the Slovenians.

Despite dominating large periods of the contest with 74% of possession, it yielded an expected goals (xG) tally of just 0.87, with the front three of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden registering just two shots on target between them.

Sections of England fans jeered their team at the final whistle, while hurling empty drinks cups in the direction of Southgate as he applauded them.

The Three Lions boss empathised with the supporters, but urged them to point the finger of blame at him, rather than his players.

"I understand it. I'm not going to back away from it," he told reporters during his post-match press conference. "The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.

"I understand the narrative towards me, and that's better for the team than it being towards them. But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.

"[The players] kept composure in a game where they've come into a really challenging environment. Of course, we'd love a couple of goals that sends everybody home happy. But we were definitely an improvement on what we did in the last game."

"I think the changes we made had a positive effect on the game tonight. We weren't able to find the right pass, the final finish. But we are improving."

Despite the disappointment at their performance levels, England have managed to avoid the half of the draw that includes the likes of France, Germany, Spain and Portugal.

The Three Lions will play either the Netherlands, who finished third in Group D, or Group E's third-placed side in the round of 16 in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

And Southgate knows a positive atmosphere within the camp will be crucial as the Euro 2020 finalists target another deep run in this competition.

"You never want to look back having not topped the group and spiral into tough matches where people can then accuse you that, because you didn't win the group, you've ended up with a tougher draw," he added.

"We have made England over the last three or four years fun again. I think it has been enjoyable for the players, and we have got to be very, very careful that it stays that way."

Gareth Southgate acknowledged it is "hard work" for England so far at Euro 2024, but attempted to focus on the positives despite another underwhelming draw for his side, this time against Slovenia.

The goalless clash in Cologne on Tuesday was enough for the Three Lions to secure top spot in Group C ahead of Denmark, who also drew 0-0 with Serbia.

Southgate's side therefore avoided a last-16 tie against Germany, but struggled once more to find an attacking spark.

The front three of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden managed just two shots on target between them, while also registering just nine touches in Slovenia's penalty box.

England came under heavy criticism following their 1-1 draw with Denmark last week and there were boos from sections of their supporters following the full-time whistle in this game.

But Southgate insisted his side had performed better in their final group outing. 

"I thought we were much-improved with the ball," he told ITV. "We've created some good openings.

"At the moment, it's hard work for us. We're not quite getting that break in front of goal.

"We've had the discipline to keep a clean sheet, which has ended up meaning we top the group. I understand some reactions, but it's a strange environment we're playing in.

"We wanted to win the game, as you saw from the attacking changes we made. There were lots of things we can build on from the game and a lot of things are starting to come together.

"We looked more dangerous and we had a good impact from our subs. We've now just got to convert those chances."

The Three Lions boss praised the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon for their displays from the bench, and also explained his decision to replace Conor Gallagher - the sole change to the starting line-up from the Denmark game - at half-time.

"They're really young players, so we're balancing blooding them in a difficult environment, but they used the ball really well for us," he said.

"We started with Conor, who presses well, and I thought we did that better at the start of the game. We then felt Kobbie's ability to move the ball through the middle of the pitch was going to be helpful, which he did.

"I don't think we were going to go from where we were to winning 3-0 or 4-0; it's not realistic in the intensity in the game that we had. But there were a lot of things I was really pleased with."

England now await the identity of their last-16 opponents, which will either be the Netherlands - who finished third in Group D - or the third-placed nation in Group E.

The Euro 2020 finalists have avoided the half of the draw containing the likes of Germany, Spain, Portugal and France.

However, Southgate was quick to sweep aside any suggestions his side have been handed a more straightforward path towards a potentially deep run in the competition.

"We have to take it a step at a time," he added. "This was an improvement, but we've got to improve to win in the next round clearly.

"We have topped the group, and that was the objective at the start.

"We've got to play well and whoever we play, it's going to be a really tough game. We shouldn't be seduced by which half of the draw we're in."

England finished first in Group C at Euro 2024 but again disappointed during their goalless draw with Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday.

The Three Lions endured another flat display in front of goal, with Bukayo Saka's ruled out first-half effort the only real moment of quality from Gareth Southgate's side.

An injection of pace from substitute Cole Palmer threatened to spark England into life, but a winning goal eluded them as they finished with just five points from their three group games.  

Despite the draw, England topped Group C following Serbia's goalless draw with Denmark, meaning they avoided a last-16 tie against hosts Germany. Matjaz Kek's side, meanwhile, secured their place in the knockout stages for the first time ever at a major tournament.

With hopes of a fast start from the Three Lions, it was Slovenia who registered the first effort as Benjamin Sesko saw his header comfortably gathered by Jordan Pickford. 

England thought they had taken the lead when Saka rounded off a slick attacking move, only to see what would have been his 12th international goal ruled out for offside.

Kieran Trippier came close to providing the opening goal, but his teasing delivery evaded both Conor Gallagher and Harry Kane inside the Slovenia penalty area. 

The introduction of Kobbie Mainoo for Gallagher at half-time aimed to add some attacking impetus, with his presence instantly sparking the absent pace from the England midfield. 

John Stones almost marked his 75th England appearance with a goal as he saw his header cleared off the line, with Marc Guehi unable to keep the loose ball alive. 

England continued to create a flurry of potential opportunities, with Declan Rice flashing an effort wide of Jan Oblak's goal and substitute Cole Palmer also seeing his effort repelled by Slovenia's number one. 

The result for Southgate's side confirmed Croatia's elimination from the tournament, with the full-time whistle greeted with frustration by the England support as Slovenia celebrated a remarkable achievement.

England yet to dazzle, but get the job done

With the expectations of England's plethora of attacking options possibly being enough to win the tournament on their own, it was yet another underwhelming display. 

A front three of Kane, Saka and Phil Foden managed just two shots on target between them, with the trio also managing just nine touches in Slovenia's penalty box. 

With much of the focus surrounding Jude Bellingham, the Los Blancos star was a shadow of the man who scored 23 goals for Real Madrid this season. 

The 20-year-old completed 86% of his 57 passes, the second-lowest of England's midfield behind Gallagher (85%) and an improvement will be needed regardless of whoever England's last-16 opponents end up being.

Resilient Slovenia get their rewards

Despite failing to win a game at Euro 2024, Slovenia proved difficult opponents for each of Group C's sides and have received their just rewards. 

Slovenia are now undefeated in their last 4 games in the Euros, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 1992).

Kek's side can also take pride from maintaining their unbeaten record arriving into the tournament, and have now not tasted defeat in their last nine matches in all competitions (W4 D5), matching the longest ever unbeaten run in their history (9 games between September 2020 and March 2021).

It remains to be seen who awaits Slovenia in the next round, but they can take pride with their sensational achievement on the international stage. 

Bukayo Saka has said there is another level to come from England ahead of their Group C fixture against Denmark in Frankfurt. 

The Three Lions started their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 win over Serbia last Sunday, courtesy of Jude Bellingham's fourth international goal. 

But England supporters were left wanting more from their side at full-time, with Serbia controlling the game after the break and possibly unfortunate to not steal a point. 

Saka, who is featuring in his third major tournament for his country, played a huge role in Bellingham's opener, crossing the ball onto the head of the Real Madrid star.

Alongside Phil Foden, Harry Kane and Bellingham, the Arsenal attacker is part of an exciting plethora of attacking options for Gareth Southgate at the tournament, but he believes there is room for improvement ahead of their game with Denmark. 

"Yeah, a bit you could say that," Saka said if England's attacking display against Serbia was fluid. "You could say that for the goal, but I think there is a new level to come from us."

The 22-year-old was part of the England side who reached the final at Euro 2020 and started the game against Denmark in the semi-finals, which the Three Lions won 2-1 after extra-time at Wembley. 

"Denmark are a good team and provide a good challenge," Saka said. "We played them at the last Euros, and it went to extra-time, but we won in the end. 

"That was a very special night, a very special night."

England arrived in Germany as one of the favourites to win the competition after their displays at their last three major tournaments. 

Saka has become a mainstay under Southgate's tenure at the helm, and he believes the current squad looking to end England's 58-year wait for an international trophy is the best it has been. 

"I would like to say so. The experience also makes us better. A lot of us were there at that tournament and the World Cup as well. 

"We learned things from playing together which makes us better, so I would say so."

England have never boasted stronger competition for places than at the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, according to Three Lions winger Anthony Gordon.

The Newcastle United forward will feature at his first major tournament with Gareth Southgate's senior side, who start their campaign against Serbia on Sunday.

Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze are all other wide options as Southgate prepares to choose between a wealth of attacking riches on the wings.

Gordon believes England have rarely enjoyed such a depth of talent, heading into the tournament in Germany where they are seen as favourites alongside France.

"A few people have said it where the squad has never been so competitive in terms of everyone is in form and everyone has come here in a really good place," he said.

"There is definitely competition for places. Everyone is going to be at their best to try and play."

Manchester City defender John Stones offered cause for concern after an injury during Friday's surprise 1-0 defeat against Iceland, though was involved in training ahead of England's opener in Gelsenkirchen.

Luke Shaw also featured in the pre-tournament session but the Manchester United full-back will be managed closely as his recovery from a hamstring issue continues.

"I was a bit worried when [Stones] went down [against Iceland] because he's such a big player for us but he's fine," Gordon added. "He's got an elite mentality, so I've had faith in him.

"[Shaw] is back in training now and doing really well. I did a bit of my rehab with him and he was way far ahead of schedule. He was doing great, which is good."

Southgate hit the headlines on Monday after suggesting the European Championship marked his "last chance" as England manager.

Yet Gordon hopes the England boss continues his tenure past when his current contract is due to end in December.

"From a selfish point I would want him to stay," he continued. "I love working with him and his staff.

"From my youth journey with England, the way they have transitioned the whole set-up from youth to senior level has been absolutely amazing and I don't think they get the credit he deserves."