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.
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
Serbia v Denmark has finished goalless meaning England go through as group winners.
Denmark finish second with Slovenia third and both sides go through.
There’s a particular quirk to this though as Denmark and Slovenia finished level on points, goal difference, goals scored and disciplinary record (6-6 on yellow cards).
To decide who came second meant looking at which team had the best qualifying record,
Denmark finished above Slovenia in the same qualifying group and go through on a head-to-head record after both sides finished qualifying on the same amount of points as well.
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
Harry Kane says that England had more energy and control of the ball but were lacking in the final third. He says it was a better performance from the team and he’s probably right.
FT England 0-0 Slovenia
The questions Gareth Southgate had coming into this match remain. England don’t know their best starting XI but there were some positive signs.
Kobbie Mainoo was good, Cole Palmer energetic and Anthony Gordon quick. Kyle Walker also was a suitable replacement at left-back.
There are slim positives but things need to improve rapidly ahead of the last-16.
Full-time! England 0-0 Slovenia
90+4 mins: Mainoo to Kane, Kane to Palmer, Palmer’s shot into the chest of Oblak. It’s a quick move from England’s substitutes and almost yields the breakthrough.
The full time whistle goes and England’s final group stage match ends in a draw. They’ve failed to beat Slovenia who have just secured third place in the group and a place in the knockout rounds.
At present England are top of Group C but if Denmark score against Serbia they’ll drop to second.
England 0-0 Slovenia
90+1 mins: Gordon’s first touch is to knock the ball past the right-back and he looks to sprint past him. The flick on is slightly too heavy and the ball rolls out of play before he can reach it.
Four added minutes to play.
England 0-0 Slovenia
90 mins: Walker switches the play with a lovely diagonal pass and finds Palmer who wins a free kick after running into Janza. Foden and Alexander-Arnold are over the set piece.
Foden delivers it but can’t find a player in the middle and Slovenia deal with the set piece.
Phil Foden is now taken off with Anthony Gordon getting however many stoppage time minutes there are to impress.
England 0-0 Slovenia
Our chief football writer Miguel Delaney has the latest from Cologne:
Mainoo had at least helped bring what felt like England's only extended spell of control in the tournament so far, but Slovenia dug in. They were under pressure but England just didn't have the inspiration to open them up. Put bluntly, although England were a bit better, they lacked creativity, pace and width. Basically, everything you need. Southgate did attempt to remedy one of those by finally bringing on Cole Palmer, to raucous cheers. Slovenia currently look more comfortable, though.
England 0-0 Slovenia
86 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold comes on for England and slots into the right-back position. Kyle Walker has switched over to left-back with Kieran Trippier taken off by Gareth Southgate.
Trippier was struggling with a hamstring and he’s on a yellow card so the logic must be there’s no point risking him anymore.
England 0-0 Slovenia
83 mins: Foden takes a shot and has it blocked. Palmer then puts in a cross but can’t find a teammate. England are trying to get this winning goal.
It’s just not clicking, and it hasn’t been all tournament.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments