England's 43-year streak on the line against Switzerland at Euro 2024

England needed late heroics to escape the Round of 16 game against Slovakia, but Gareth Southgate's squad might not be as lucky against red-hot Switzerland in Saturday's Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Murat Yakin's squad — the only team to score (not including OG) against the impenetrable German defense thus far — is a force to be reckoned with. It is led by skipper Granit Xhaka, who entered the Euros with supreme confidence after leading Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title after 120 years.

Xhaka and Co. are by no means underdogs despite all the pre-tournament chatter about England's star-studded roster being in prime position to win its maiden Euro title.

Southgate has been unable to get the best out of his offensive weapons of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden with an attacking formation that many feel has rendered all three wingers ineffective.

The English manager has made equally questionable decisions on the defensive end, especially at left-back with Kieran Trippier.

The only thing working in England's favor is history.

England has not lost to Switzerland (friendlies included) since a World Cup qualifier match in 1981 . Overall, in 27 meetings between the countries, the Three Lions boast a 19-5-3 record, with all three losses taking place before any of England's current players were born.

Furthermore, England is undefeated against the Swiss at the Euros, winning five of its eight encounters, including a 3-0 win in 2004.

Switzerland manager Yakin — part of that 2004 team that lost to England — knows history favors his opponent. He also realizes England is under more pressure in light of its poor Euro 2024 campaign.

"It's not up to me to judge how the English have played so far," Yakin told Swiss newspaper Blick ahead of the clash. "I'm concentrating on us. Nevertheless, we know the English's strengths and weaknesses. I'm trying to prepare our team for them as best I can."

A win for the Swiss would be sweet revenge for Yakin after that 2004 loss.

The winner of the England-Switzerland quarter-final will face Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-final. England is trying to reach the final for the second consecutive time after its loss to Italy in 2021.