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England faces headache in quarter-finals, Marc Guehi suspended after yellow card against Slovakia

England are currently in the midst of their Euro 2024 round of 16 tie against Slovakia and will need to work hard to secure a win, but if they do, they already know that at least one change will be needed for their next encounter.

Gareth Southgate has rotated a number of players throughout the tournament, but this has mostly been limited to the midfield. However, if England beat Slovakia and progress, there will need to be a change in defence.

Marc Guehi received a yellow card just a few minutes after kick-off and, after already receiving a yellow card in the group stage, will have to serve a one-match ban from the quarter-finals onwards.

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Ezri Konsa, Lewis Dunk and Joe Gomez are the alternatives for Guehi, who played alongside John Stones for Gareth Southgate’s team.

Potential further disciplinary problems arose with early yellow cards for midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham, as the Three Lions came into conflict with referee Umut Meler.

More importantly, Slovakia took the lead midway through the first half and England will now need to catch up if they are to stay in the tournament after reaching the final three years ago.

Yellow cards will be removed at the end of the quarter-finals, but should the midfield duo mentioned above, or any other player who has already been booked, receive another yellow card in the quarter-finals, they would still be banned from the semi-finals – assuming England even make it that far, of course.

If England are eliminated, suspensions will not be carried over to other competitions unless imposed as a result of separate match-specific cards.