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.
England 0-0 Slovenia: On comes Kobbie Mainoo
A drastic move from Gareth Southgate as the England manager hooks Conor Gallagher at half-time and brings on Kobbie Mainoo. Gallagher was asked to play a very different role to Trent Alexander Arnold and stayed high and within England’s inside-right, to the extent that he barely saw the ball in the first 45. Mainoo seems to have come on with new instructions: . Even within the first few moments here, the teenager is drifting around and popping up in different positions.
Gary Neville criticises ‘basic’ England after drab first half against Slovenia
England were criticised for a “basic” and disjointed performance in the first half of their final Group C match against Slovenia at Euro 2024.
Aside from a few Harry Kane shots from distance - and a Bukayo Saka tap-in which was ruled out for offside in the buildup - the Three Lions rarely threatened, looking comfortable in possession but not taking the game to Slovenia with any great regularity.
Ange Postecoglou suggested England’s desire to press more in their third game was being hampered by the fact they actually had domination of the ball, and mooted his belief that the latest midfield iteration - Conor Gallagher having replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting XI - was not quite of the right balance.
Neville criticises ‘basic’ England after drab first half against Slovenia
ITV’s pundits were unimpressed with the first 45 minutes in the Three Lions’ final Group C game
Second half! England 0-0 Slovenia
Gareth Southgate makes a change at the break with Kobbie Mainoo coming on to replace Conor Gallagher as Gareth Southgate continues to search for an ideal partner to Declan Rice.
It wasn’t Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher’s 45 minutes didn’t pan out. Can Mainoo improve the team?
Slovenia get the ball rolling again in Cologne.
HT England 0-0 Slovenia
In the other Group C match tonight Serbia and Denmark are also playing out a 0-0 draw at present. That means as things stand England are topping the group with Slovenia edging through to the last-16.
England 0-0 Slovenia: Some Three Lions fans boo team at break
Our chief football writer Miguel Delaney has the latest from Cologne:
There were a fair few boos at half-time from the England end. It really hasn't improved much from the previous games. There are so few connections. Slovenia really fancy this, as visible in how they are going into 50-50s. Phil Foden and Declan Rice are the only two England players really making anything happen. Harry Kane looks so leaden.
England 0-0 Slovenia: Boos in Cologne
A few jeers from the England end at half-time, which came as England had the ball. Would it have ended with anything? Probably not, given how tepid and predictable their play has been in the opening 45. Slovenia, in their 4-4-2, are offering gaps to England but there are often so many players crowding the space. They desperately need some proper width.
England 0-0 Slovenia: Three Lions struggle
Our chief football writer Miguel Delaney has the latest from Cologne:
Quite an uncertain start for England. Conor Gallagher's inclusion hasn't solved much as he isn't really showing for the ball. Slovenia clearly fancy something here. That could be seen in how Stojanovic beat Trippier to a 50-50 and then beat him to the ball. It hasn't convinced yet.
England 0-0 Slovenia
44 mins: Kane drops back to receive the ball and turn. He’s in space and goes for goal but watches his effort deflected out for a corner.
Trippier trots across to take the set piece and floats on over to the back post where Declan Rice fouls his marker.
England 0-0 Slovenia
41 mins: Close! Foden comes inside and switches with Bellingham. He takes the ball to the edge of the box then knocks it back to Trippier.
Trippier fizzes a fine cross into the middle where both Kane and Gallagher throw themselves at the ball and miss it!
It bounces just wide of the back post.
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