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
32 mins: Kane gets the ball to feet on the edge of the box, he spins and shoots but the effort is defended. England get the ball back and work it over to Foden who whips in a tantalising cross.
Slovenia turn it behind for a corner.
The set piece finds Kane who can only nod the ball into the air. The second dropping ball is knocked over to Rice who shrugs off a tackle and picks out the captain once more.
Kane turns the ball towards goal but picks out Jan Oblak between the sticks. Better from England.
England 0-0 Slovenia
29 mins: Phil Foden wants the ball to move quicker when it comes out to the wing. He gives it to Kieran Trippier and gestures wildy for it to be played across to Declan Rice.
Trippier dallies in possession and when the pass comes it’s blocked and deflects out for a throw in.
England 0-0 Slovenia
18 mins: A slick move from England see them sweep up the pitch on the inside right with Bellingham sending Bukayo Saka into the box. He lifts a cross over to the back post but Phil Foden can’t get to the ball.
Slovenia break up the pitch with Kieran Trippier bombing forward and making a foul. Andraz Sporar gets released into the vacant space behind the left-back and is brought down beside the box.
The resultant free kick comes into the middle but England manage to deal with it.
England 0-0 Slovenia: Woeful start from England
Our sports reporter Jamie Braidwood has the latest from Cologne:
England needed a reaction but after 15 minutes it’s arguably even… worse? So many of the connections within this structure look broken when England are on the ball, as evidenced by a number of passes that have been off target so far. Slovenia look solid in their shape, and are finding it pretty easy to cut through England too.
England 0-0 Slovenia
15 mins: Harry Kane is being man marked every time he comes deep to receive the ball. Phil Foden moves inside and switches positions with the captain to try and draw away a defender.
John Stones, perhaps thinking about the next pass, miscontrols the ball and it bounces out for a throw in.
England 0-0 Slovenia
6 mins: Chance!
The first opportunity comes to Slovenia who switch the play and whip a cross into the box from the left wing. The delivery picks out Petar Stojanovic who nods it back across the box.
Benjamin Sesko is there to win the second header but nods it straight to Jordan Pickford.
England 0-0 Slovenia
3 mins: England’s players spoke about pressing up the pitch and there’s an early display as Harry Kane sprints to close down goalkeeper Jan Oblak with Phil Foden pushing up on Vanja Drkusic as Slovenia attempt to play out from the back.
Decent work off the ball from the Three Lions.
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