England v Slovenia LIVE: Result and reaction after struggling Three Lions booed off at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate’s side won Group C despite another abject performance in Germany
England finished top and Slovenia also advanced to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after an uninspiring 0-0 draw in their final Group C match on Tuesday.
England had already qualified for the round of 16 and, despite another flat performance, the draw leaves them in first place in the group on five points.
Slovenia finished level on three points with Denmark, who drew 0-0 with Serbia, and though they had the same goal difference, goals scored and disciplinary record, the Danes appeared to have advanced in second place due to their UEFA ranking, going through with Slovenia, subject to confirmation.
England had the best of the action in a tepid game of few real chances, with Harry Kane and Phil Foden forcing easy saves from goalkeeper Jan Oblak and Bukayo Saka having a goal ruled out in the first half for offside.
England dominated possession but had few shots on target as Slovenia defended resolutely and tried to crowd out every attack from their frustrated opponents.
Gareth Southgate speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:
“We totally dominated the game, particularly second half. We had them pinned in for long, long periods. I was pleased that we had the composure not to get anxious.
“We know what the last week or so has been like and in those moments when everyone is desperate for the win you begin to use the ball not so patiently and find yourselves in trouble.
“Really pleased with the impact of all the players that came into the game. Of course we would have like a couple of goals to send everyone home happy but that wasn’t to be tonight.
“That was not for the want of trying by the players, we just lacked that finishing touch. The final touch or pass let us down a bit a few times.”
England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo speaking to ITV:
“Slovenia sat deep and are a good side on the ball but I think we have the quality to break these teams down as the levels get higher the deeper we go into the tournament.
“He’s [Cole Palmer] electric and you’ve seen in the Premier League what he can do and he’s continuing to do that. He’s one of the best in training, he’s never eased off the gas.”
Denmark miss out on chance to top Group C as Serbia exit Euro 2024 after stalemate
Denmark ground out the goalless draw they needed against Serbia to clinch second place in Group C and advance to the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
Rasmus Hojlund missed the best chance for the Danes while Serbia - who needed a win to stand any chance of qualifying - left it too late and slid out of the tournament with a single point to their name.
Aleksandar Mitrovic slid a late chance wide and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could only strike tamely at Kasper Schmeichel in injury time as their inevitable late surge came to nothing in Munich.
Denmark miss out on chance to top Group C as Serbia exit Euro 2024 after stalemate
Denmark 0-0 Serbia: The Danes set up a Round of 16 clash with hosts Germany, but Serbia’s tournament is over
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek t the press conference: “I didn’t quite expect us to be going through. We showed with our play that we deserve to go through. We were playing one of the favourites for the tournament today. Thank you to all the fans and maybe there was a bit of luck involved but our fans had our back.
“Throughout the whole day, I have felt positive and we showed mental fortitude tonight. We analysed them but when we became passive we had problems. England had a great opportunity in the 90th minute but Jan hasn’t had that much work. We played a very strong team and I emphasise again the mental fortitude of this young team.
“They have shown their true colours. You have to understand that English players play every three or four days but many of ours don’t play such high-stakes games in such a short timeframe. I am very proud of this team.”
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
More from Gareth Southgate: “We have got to play well and whoever we play is going to be a really tough game. We shouldn’t be seduced by which half of the draw.
“So many things are starting to come together. We had a lot of issues before the tournament. I think the way the defence has played has been a huge positive and something to build on.
“We created chances but we just have to convert those chances.”
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
England manager Gareth Southgate speaking to ITV: “I thought we were much improved with the ball. We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us.
“We are not quite getting that break in front of goal. I think the players who came on did well. I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment
“We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch.”
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
England have played eight matches since defeating Malta 2-0 last November in Euro 2024 qualifying. They’ve won two of them - against Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly and Serbia at Euro 2024.
Forever going in the same cycles, England’s biggest problem is now the easiest to solve
After about an hour on a hot, sticky night in Cologne, the England football team fans behind Jordan Pickford’s goal launched into a chant to the tune of the Great Escape, led by a banging drum and bellowed out with a renewed sense of purpose.
When it reached the end, they started again, repeating themselves for at least 15 minutes, going in the same cycles, sticking to the same rhythm in an endless drone. In a way, it was a fitting tribute to the players in front of them, given that was how England performed in this dismal 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
For a while, it was heart-warming stuff from the travelling number, a determination to enjoy themselves and provide their own entertainment even when Gareth Southgate’s failed side could not. There was a gallows humour to it, nothing else for it than pretending England were winning.
England’s biggest problem is the easiest to solve
England 0-0 Slovenia: The Three Lions topped their group despite a dismal display
England v Slovenia player ratings as the Three Lions play out a goalless draw in Cologne
England played out a drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne as Group C concluded on a stifling night in north Germany.
The Three Lions got off to a slow start, with a largely uneventful first half offering up one dangerous delivery from Kieran Trippier and a disallowed goal after some invention from Phil Foden.
The lack of tempo, movement and creativity continued in the second half even with the addition of Kobbie Mainoo and then Cole Palmer, with England struggling to create clear-cut chances across the entirety of the 90 minutes.
England v Slovenia player ratings as the Three Lions play out a goalless draw
England 0-0 Slovenia: The Three Lions laboured to a draw against Slovenia but squeezed through at the top of Group C
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
More John Stones: “100% they made a great impact today and credit to them. It is not easy coming away and not getting as much game-time as they want - it’s a great spirit around us.
“We focus on us and what we can control. I am a big believer in beating whoever is in front of us. We need to step-up when it counts and we will work hard on that in training.”
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