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.
Southgate reacts to ‘angry’ England fans throwing beer cups at him during Slovenia draw
Gareth Southgate has responded to fans throwing beer cups at him during England‘s goalless draw with Slovenia in their final group game of Euro 2024 on Tuesday, 25 June.
The manager also expressed his confusion at the reaction towards him, despite England qualifying for the last-16 of the tournament.
“I understand the narrative towards me, that’s better for the team than it being towards them, but it’s creating an unusual environment to operate in,” Southgate told a press conference.
“I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.”
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
England booed off after drab goalless draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024
England’s players were booed off after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia as fans made their displeasure known at the end of a drab showing in Cologne.
After heavy criticism for ponderous performances against both Serbia and Denmark, Gareth Southgate’s side were again lacklustre in their third and final Euro 2024 group game.
A point may have secured progression to the knockout rounds as Group C winners, but a team tipped by many ahead of the tournament to contend are yet to sparkle in Germany.
England booed off after drab goalless draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024
Boring England suffer again and only one thing can salvage Euro 2024 bid
Declan Rice had said before this game that it might only take one match to transform England’s tournament and that might now be true… although not because of anything Gareth Southgate’s side actually did.
They again didn’t do much at all. They still somehow find themselves on the more forgiving side of the Euro 2024 draw due to results elsewhere. Southgate won’t have to worry about any of Germany, Spain, Portugal or France until the final… if they make it that far.
That is why that run can be a negative, too. Such an opportunity potentially brings more pressure, for a team that barely look like beating anybody right now.
Boring England suffer again but one solution can salvage Euro 2024 bid
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 Cole Palmer offers Three Lions hope 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
The best part about England at Euro 2024 so far? The flags and retro shirts
It hasn’t been pretty, it hasn’t been easy to watch. England are three games into their Euro 2024 campaign and so far the biggest discussions have centred over which players need to come out of the starting lineup, why the team can’t press, who isn’t fit, which former internationals are most angry and why, yet again, it’s almost certainly not coming home.
A narrow and nervy win over Serbia was followed by a tame and fortunate draw with Denmark. On Tuesday night, Group C came to a conclusion with a truly dismal goalless draw against Slovenia, leaving England short on inspiration and goalscoring form, but top of the quartet and safely through to the last 16.
The best part about England at Euro 2024? The flags and retro shirts
Gareth Southgate on the fans and controlling the game
“We have several players who’ll be able to affect games. Today the space and opportunity was more for our wide players. They were able to get more of the ball and look dangerous. It’s harder for the players in the middle as there’s less space.”
“The fans were exceptional in the second half with the team. That makes such a difference. I’m very proud of the players. They kept composure off the back of a really challenging environment. They’ve coped with it exceptionally well.
“We totally controlled the second half, created a couple of really good chances which we unfortunately couldn’t take but kept defensive solidity. I am very happy with what they did.
“Of course we’d like a couple of goals to send everyone home happy. We’re happy to top the group.”
Euro 2024 Golden Boot standings: Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala and others battle to be top scorer in Germany
Europe’s best strikers are vying for individual honours as well as team success as they aim to top the scoring charts at Euro 2024.
The quadrennial continental tournament is currently taking place in Germany with many of the world’s top marksmen on show and battling it out for the Golden Boot.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the leading scorer in competition history with five goals at Euro 2020 taking his overall aggregate to 14 and sealing the Golden Boot in the process, as his assist saw him edge the comparatively unheralded Patrik Schick of the Czech Republic, who also netted on five occasions during the tournament.
Euro 2024 Golden Boot standings: Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala and more battle for crown
England defender John Stones, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:
“Super pleased to top the group, it is what we came here to do in the first phase of the tournament. Super proud of the team for getting another clean sheet which is always important in tournament football.
“We know we have got to improve and do better. I think tonight was a good step towards that.There was a lot of emotions and pressure on the game but we handled that really well.
“We wanted the three points of course but to top the group shouldn’t be underestimated.”
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