Beyond that lies a potential match-up with hosts France in the last eight.
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England’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Slovakia on Monday night combined with Wales’ excellent 3-0 win over Russian Federation consigned Roy Hodgson’s men to second place in Group B.
I have not changed my mind about what I said on BBC One after the Slovakia game on Monday – I don’t think Roy knows his best XI, or his best system, and that is where we are struggling, he remarked.
Martin O’Neill’s side were minutes from being knocked out of the tournament, but a late Robbie Brady goal gave them a 1-0 win over Italy and edged them into the top four best third-placed sides. We wanted this, we were desperate for this, I fancied our chances.
Whereas Chester’s colleagues have been in the Wales set-up for many years – majority playing in youth sides together – the Warrington-born defender has only been on the global scene for the last two years. “I’m not sure what else he could have possibly have done”.
Were England to overcome that sizeable hurdle, they would advance to the second semi-final – in Marseille on Thursday, July 7.
Todd, who won 27 England caps during an illustrious playing career, added: “For me, there were not a lot of positives to come out of the Slovakia game”.
Look, we all know my lack of faith in Hodgson, but he has got to be more proactive in selection. So whilst England may still ultimately be a bit rubbish, at least we’re being treated to something a bit different in the process.You can’t be unhappy about that.
“They seem happy to keep possession but that’s no use if you can’t hurt the opposition at the end of it”.
“But we’ve got enough quality in the team”.
“It has been hard, mentally, physically, so even to be here is an honour for me really because I didn’t think I was going to be here”. Russia may have been awful but Wales came up with lots of quality balls in front of the Russian goal in their 3-0 win; I want to see more of that from the likes of Wayne Rooney, Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana.
Todd, though, did not necessarily agree with those who felt the decision backfired.
“Our main target was to get out of the group and to finish top is a fantastic feeling”, he said.
But I don’t want to come across as overly negative. Once we find out, we’ll look at that game and that game only. The team, which only earned one point in a disappointing campaign, will now focus on the World Cup, which it is hosting in two years.
“I don’t think England have really been tested yet in terms of teams attacking us. You can’t say that we didn’t play well, we absolutely dominated the game”.
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“Portugal would provide a sterner test but the others (Hungary, Iceland and Austria) should be beatable”. But we’re through, we’ll take second place and see what that brings.
