SportFootballGareth Southgate’s side topped Group C despite another abject performance in Germany
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer respond to Harry Kane’s ‘not won anything’ jibe after criticismEngland 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.
1719352835FT England 0-0 SloveniaEngland’s matches at Euro 2024 have produced the fewest expected goals (2.26 for, 1.13 against).
Mike Jones25 June 2024 23:00
1719352819Kylian Mbappe misses hand France a problem as Euro 2024 trend continuesWhen 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.
Mike Jones25 June 2024 23:00
1719352801FT England 0-0 SloveniaFor the first time in European Championship history, both games in the last group stage round of a specific group ended in a goalless draw.
Mike Jones25 June 2024 23:00
1719352666Gareth Southgate speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “We totally dominated the game, particularly second half. We had them pinned in for long, long periods. I was pleased that we had the composure not to get anxious.
“We know what the last week or so has been like and in those moments when everyone is desperate for the win you begin to use the ball not so patiently and find yourselves in trouble.
“Really pleased with the impact of all the players that came into the game. Of course we would have like a couple of goals to send everyone home happy but that wasn’t to be tonight.
“That was not for the want of trying by the players, we just lacked that finishing touch. The final touch or pass let us down a bit a few times.”
Mike Jones25 June 2024 22:57
1719352343England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo speaking to ITV: “Slovenia sat deep and are a good side on the ball but I think we have the quality to break these teams down as the levels get higher the deeper we go into the tournament.
“He’s [Cole Palmer] electric and you’ve seen in the Premier League what he can do and he’s continuing to do that. He’s one of the best in training, he’s never eased off the gas.”
Mike Jones25 June 2024 22:52
1719352099Denmark miss out on chance to top Group C as Serbia exit Euro 2024 after stalemateRasmus Hojlund missed the best chance for the Danes while Serbia – who needed a win to stand any chance of qualifying – left it too late and slid out of the tournament with a single point to their name.
Aleksandar Mitrovic slid a late chance wide and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could only strike tamely at Kasper Schmeichel in injury time as their inevitable late surge came to nothing in Munich.
Mike Jones25 June 2024 22:48
1719351919FT England 0-0 SloveniaSlovenia coach Matjaz Kek t the press conference: “I didn’t quite expect us to be going through. We showed with our play that we deserve to go through. We were playing one of the favourites for the tournament today. Thank you to all the fans and maybe there was a bit of luck involved but our fans had our back.
“Throughout the whole day, I have felt positive and we showed mental fortitude tonight. We analysed them but when we became passive we had problems. England had a great opportunity in the 90th minute but Jan hasn’t had that much work. We played a very strong team and I emphasise again the mental fortitude of this young team.
“They have shown their true colours. You have to understand that English players play every three or four days but many of ours don’t play such high-stakes games in such a short timeframe. I am very proud of this team.”
Mike Jones25 June 2024 22:45
1719351739FT England 0-0 SloveniaMore from Gareth Southgate: “We have got to play well and whoever we play is going to be a really tough game. We shouldn’t be seduced by which half of the draw.
“So many things are starting to come together. We had a lot of issues before the tournament. I think the way the defence has played has been a huge positive and something to build on.
“We created chances but we just have to convert those chances.”
Mike Jones25 June 2024 22:42
1719351553FT England 0-0 SloveniaEngland manager Gareth Southgate speaking to ITV: “I thought we were much improved with the ball. We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us.
“We are not quite getting that break in front of goal. I think the players who came on did well. I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment
“We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch.”
Mike Jones25 June 2024 22:39
1719351439FT England 0-0 SloveniaEngland have played eight matches since defeating Malta 2-0 last November in Euro 2024 qualifying. They’ve won two of them – against Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly and Serbia at Euro 2024.
Mike Jones25 June 2024 22:37
