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.
Gary Neville warns England not to ‘mishandle’ young talents after dismal draw to Slovenia
Gary Neville has warned England manager Gareth Southgate against mishandling the young talent in his England squad, after the Three Lions laboured to a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in their final group match.
Speaking on ITV after the game, Neville said that players such as Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are “massive talents”, and stressed that England “really can’t mishandle” such players.
“We looked so basic in the first half. We didn’t get the result but we glimpsed what we can be,” he said.
Neville warns England not to ‘mishandle’ young talent after dismal draw
The former England full-back was speaking on ITV after England battled to a draw in Cologne
Kane on ast 16 opponents:
“It is going to be difficult no matter who we play. Looking across the groups there have been some tough battles, there are no easy games now in these competitions.
“The important part of the tournament starts now, where it all counts and hopefully we can build some momentum.”
England captain Harry Kane, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:
“If you look at previous tournaments we have played our best football in the knockout rounds. Last Euros against Germany, Ukraine and Denmark, so for sure there is more to come.
“Always the objective is to get through the group without any mishaps. We can improve, we know that, but you have to enjoy these moments when you finish top.”
Reaction from Jordan Pickford
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford spoke to BBC Sport saying: “The job is done, finish top of your group.
“No game is easy and we are going to come under criticism - we have to deal with that. We have finished top of the group and we have not played our best.
“Tonight we showed more quality with the ball, we kept them pinned in and we defended really well - there is still more to come.
“We have got to keep a positive mindset and bring the positives. We know we weren’t prefect, but we didn’t get beat in three games.”
Gareth Southgate in his post-match news conference:
“We have made England over the last three or four years fun again. I think it has been enjoyable for the players and we have got to be very, very careful that it stays that way.
“They (fans) were brilliant, in the second half especially there was a constant noise around the team. I get it that they are not happy with me, that is the reality, I am not going to back away from that. I need them behind the team.
“I have to deal with what I am dealing with. I was not going to back away from going over to thank people for coming and giving the support that they did, but I know that this is causing an issue for the group.
“I can deal with that but I need them to support the players. The more the fans are like they were in the second half, behind the team it is a massive lift for them, because we are operating in a very, very unusual environment.”
Nobody told Austria this was the group of death – they’ve reshaped the map of Euro 2024
If this was supposed to be the group of death, no one told Austria. Ralf Rangnick’s endearing underdogs have reshaped the draw, and perhaps the destiny, of Euro 2024 by topping it.
They beat Netherlands. More than that, though, they blitzed them; fearless and ferocious, Austria recovered from conceding two equalisers to condemn the Dutch to defeat courtesy of Marcel Sabitzer’s terrific finish.
They head to Leipzig as group winners. Netherlands, their qualification already assured, nonetheless stumbled from first to third on an eventful afternoon. It is Gelsenkirchen for them.
Nobody told Austria this was the group of death - they’ve reshaped Euros 2024
Netherlands 2-3 Austria: Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay twice equalised for the Oranje who end third in Group D
Southgate speaking about cups being thrown and jeers at the end of the game:
“I understand it. I’m not going to back away from it. The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.
“I understand the narrative towards me and that’s better for the team than it being towards them. But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.
“I understand it, I’m not going to back away from it, but I’m very proud of the players for how they’re operating within it.”
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
England’s matches at Euro 2024 have produced the fewest expected goals (2.26 for, 1.13 against).
Kylian Mbappe misses hand France a problem as Euro 2024 trend continues
When the mask fell, there was no hero in sight. Instead, France’s worst fear presented himself – a man struggling with the expectation of a nation on his shoulders.
With top spot in Group D up for grabs in the scorching Ruhr Valley heat, Kylian Mbappe, who completed the Ninja Turtle look by sporting a mask to protect his broken nose, stayed calm as he slotted home from the penalty spot in the second half, putting France seemingly on course for a comfortable victory over a Poland side with nothing to play for.
Kylian Mbappe misses hand France a problem as Euro 2024 trend continues
France 1-1 Poland: Les Bleus were left frustrated and now find themselves with a tougher path to the final at Euro 2024 after finishing behind Austria in Group D
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
For the first time in European Championship history, both games in the last group stage round of a specific group ended in a goalless draw.
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