England as soon as once more put their followers by means of an evening of frustration as they performed out a stalemate in opposition to Slovenia to spherical off Group C.
England did declare top-spot – thereby avoiding a last-16 conflict with Germany and the half of the draw with the hosts, France, Spain and Portugal – although that owed as a lot to Denmark’s failure to beat Serbia within the evening’s different recreation, which additionally completed goalless in Munich.
They may now face a third-placed finisher at 5pm BST on Sunday within the Spherical of 16.
The #ThreeLions head into the #EURO2024 knockout stage as group winners 💪 pic.twitter.com/S8oMxjfuA7
— England (@England) June 25, 2024
After a sloppy begin England dominated possession and territory however struggled to open up a disciplined opponent within the opening 45 minutes.
Gareth Southgate did flip to his bench with Conor Gallagher withdrawn on the break in favour of Kobbie Mainoo after which Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Trent Alexander-Arnold – at proper again – seeing motion earlier than the shut.
Three of these subs mixed to tee-up England’s finest likelihood in stoppage time however Palmer bobbled a shot straight at Jan Oblak earlier than the ultimate whistle was greeted by boos from many England followers in Cologne.
Slovenia – who’ve gone unbeaten within the group with three attracts – have now misplaced simply as soon as in 14 matches and attain the knockout levels of a match for the primary time.
One other gradual begin
England appeared a bit sloppy from the get-go and Jude Bellingham gave the ball away cheaply which paved the best way for Benjamin Sesko to flee John Stones momentarily, however might solely ship a tame header straight at Jordan Pickford within the opening 5 minutes after a deep cross from the left was nodded again into the center.
Kieran Tripper went into the e-book for a problem on Zan Karnicnik whereas Andraz Sporar produced a speculative flick and volley from outdoors the world which was held by a sprawling Pickford.
Bukayo Saka noticed his celebrations lower brief by the offside flag after some welcome incisive soccer from England on 20 minutes, Kieran Tripper fed Declan Rice after which Foden burst onto Rice’s first-time return cross earlier than squaring for Saka to show dwelling, just for the aim to be disallowed for Foden straying past the final defender.
Pickford raced to the sting of his space to stop Sesko latching onto a by means of ball on the break simply earlier than the hour however England have been rising in stature and Harry Kane noticed a shot on the spin charged down earlier than curling straight at Jan Oblak from the sting of the world quickly after.
England and Slovenia share the factors 🤝
England high Group C 🏴#EURO2024 | #ENGSVN pic.twitter.com/VtUAncDydS
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 25, 2024
Oblak needed to scamper throughout his line to claw a robust 35-yard Foden free-kick out of his high nook whereas Tripper’s inswinging cross on 40 minutes was inches away from Conor Gallagher’s head, Kane’s toe and the far put up.
Kane tried a 35-yard blast which cannoned behind off a defender earlier than some muted boos greeted the half-time whistle after simply two seconds of added time.
Mainoo was launched instead of Gallagher at half-time and instantly started flitting about with intent as England resumed their dominance of possession and territory with noticeably extra one one-touch passing.
Foden dragged a massively bold 40-yard volley nicely vast of goal whereas Kyle Walker skewed a cushioned volley over the body of aim whereas making an attempt to return a promising deep cross into the center for Kane.
Simply earlier than the hour Foden’s inviting free-kick was glanced away from Kane three yards out by defender Jaka Bijol whereas Saka was penalised for making an attempt an overhead kick after some head-tennis from the following nook.
A uncommon foray ahead noticed Adam Cerin slash a long-range shot nicely vast of Pickford’s aim whereas a lapse in focus from Marc Guehi noticed him go into the e-book for a tug on Sporar who was threatening to interrupt away on 67 minutes.
Palmer changed Saka with 20 minutes remaining to a raucous welcome from the vociferous England followers and Kane quickly received a free-kick which earned Bijol a warning however which Tripper wasted.
Rice fizzed a first-time shot previous the angle of put up and bar after a pleasant change with Foden on 75 minutes whereas Mainoo’s high quality cut-back after a cross from Palmer went begging with no England participant operating in.
Alexander-Arnold, who had been dropped for Gallagher in Southgate’s solely change, changed Tripper at right-back within the closing levels, with Walker reverting to left-back, whereas Gordon received the ultimate couple of minutes instead of Foden.
It was the Newcastle man who began the transfer which noticed flicks from Mainoo and Kane give Palmer a sight of aim on the fitting of the field, however he might solely curl a left-footed effort straight on the keeper.
