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Southgate wants England to be loved – but how can you love the performance against Slovenia?
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England had urged everyone to give them some love. Unfortunately that love was not forthcoming.
They drew with Slovenia, just like they drew with Denmark, but this time they did not even score a goal and, while they have won their group, it remains a campaign of questions and few answers.
There is also a rising sense of outrage, not all of it rational, with some of the fun that has been brought back by Gareth Southgate being drained away. Maybe they will frustrate their way to winning the European Championship. Maybe that is clutching at straws.
England had talked the talk before this tie but, sadly, they did not walk the walk. They were certainly far better in the second half but how many chances did they actually create? Rarely has finishing top led to such a feeling of flatness. Of emptiness.
Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, who both came off the bench, made a difference and should start the next game but Jude Bellingham’s drop in form after the opening fixture against Serbia must be a worry. How best to fit him in is becoming a live issue.
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Declan Rice had led the calls for everyone to get behind them, to be positive, to be confident, to give that love and insisting they would respond. And then the referee blew his whistle and the game started. No one can fault the effort. Everyone can question the application.
During the game, especially in that second period, the England fans did get behind them with a constant chorus to the theme of The Great Escape. But there was no escaping this was again not good enough and there were boos at half-time, at the end and, when Southgate went over to applaud the supporters, three empty plastic beer cups were hurled at him. He was clapped by other fans, though.
The Slovenians, who finished third, are through to the knockout stages for the first time and their justified celebrations said it all as the England players trudged over to one side of the pitch in search of the reassuring reactions from their families.
England will not know for certain until the final round of group games on Wednesday who their next opponents are. But the likelihood is it will be the Netherlands in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday but it could be Turkey or Georgia if they win. The Dutch also disappointed in losing to Austria. It could be a question of which nation disappoints the least at the weekend.
Slovenia are a difficult team to beat – they have lost just twice in two years – but they have hardly played a major nation, apart from a friendly win over Portugal, and England simply did not do enough to alleviate the pressure and the scrutiny. Sadly there will be uncomfortable days ahead.
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Group C turned into a bit of a bore with just seven goals in total – the joint lowest in the history of the Euros. Maybe England were dragged down? Maybe not. Kylian Mbappé achieved a higher xG – 2.33 – during the group stages than England’s 2.09. And he missed a game and played with a broken nose.
Southgate had vowed to hit the “reset” button. Well, he needs to whack it a little bit harder next time because the promise, while not empty, was unfulfilled. The intent was there but it was just not happening. Was that due to coaching? Fatigue? Anxiety? The opposition? The “external noise”, as Southgate had put it, and criticism?
In fact, the stress inside the stadium was as thick as the cloying heat. After a scorching day in Cologne, it was still 26C for the kick-off at 9pm local time. The abiding images from the first half were not good. There was Phil Foden imploring Kieran Trippier to play the more ambitious pass – which he did not. There was Bellingham throwing his arms in the air after failing to cut the ball out and looking at the bench.
Southgate had shifted the midfield balance, with Conor Gallagher and Bellingham in front of Rice. More of a 4-1-2-3 formation aimed at pushing higher up the pitch, with Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But Gallagher was rightly hooked at half-time. He had struggled, he appeared unsure of his role and he was caught in possession. It means England will probably go into the knockouts with another combination in such a key area as central midfield. Experiments have not worked but then experimenting going into a tournament never felt right.
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There had also been talk of England pressing better and pressing differently and they attempted to do that, although it was only when Mainoo came on and played in the No 8 position that it was more successful.
Before that, they tried, but it was too frantic and lacked structure. Back to the training pitches with that one. Problems were compounded by the ball being moved too slowly and too deliberately.
The bright spark? There was danger when Bukayo Saka was in possession down the right. But they did not feed him enough and he faded. England were improved down the left. But they did not threaten enough.
It was not until John Stones met a corner, with his goal-bound header blocked on the line, that England recorded a chance and there were precious few others until, in added time, Harry Kane pushed the ball wide to Palmer – only for him to shoot weakly at goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
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By then, Southgate had rung the changes and it was tricky to keep track as Alexander-Arnold came on at right-back, with Kyle Walker moving to the left, then Alexander-Arnold stepping into midfield and Mainoo dropping back into defence. Then on came Anthony Gordon.
It became increasingly desperate, with England straining every sinew. “We totally controlled the second half,” Southgate said, and that was right. But it is not just about control. There must be penetration. There must be goals. England cannot be criticised for not trying, and Southgate expressed his bewilderment at a group winner facing such criticism. But they will. They are alive but another inquest will begin.
England 0 Slovenia 0: as it happened
No real solace to be taken
Other than that they have won the group and have five days to come up with something different because the system isn’t working with the players he has. Shaw would help but he hasn’t played since February 18 which will be 133 days on Sunday. Cole Palmer looked good when he came on but Bukayo Saka has been exceptional for England for three years and it would have to be in his place.
Kobbie Mainoo speaks to ITV’s Gabriel Clarke
Me and Cole we’re ready. Ready whenever we’re called upon like the other lads are.
I love football and I love playing and anyone who’s sat on the bench really want to come on. I feel we have the quality to break these teams down as the level goes up as we go further.
Cole is one of the best in training every day. Never lets off the gas. Always trying to score goals.
Gareth Southgate speaks to ITV Sport
I thought we were much improved with the ball, created some good openings. It’s hard work for us at the moment, not quite getting that break in front of goal.
The substitutes had a really good impact. I really fancied Cole when he had that chance at the end.
They’re really young players but we’re blooding them in a difficult environment.
Lots of things we can build on.
The players who came on used the ball very well.
Tonight we started with Conor who presses well and then we thought Kobbie’s ability to move the ball pitch would help us and it did.
I don’t think we were ever going to go from where we were to winning 3-0 or 4-0. But there were a lot of things I was pleased about. We have to take it a step at a time. Tonight was an improvement and we have to keep improving. But we have topped the group and that was our intention at the start.
So many things are starting to come together. The way Marc Guehi and the defence has played has been a huge positive. Today we looked more dangerous and had a good impact from our subs. Now we’ve got to convert those chances.
ITV pundits’ thoughts
Gary Neville: ‘We got a glimpse that England can get better because every time Gareth brought on a substitute got better. Mainoo made the midfield balance better, Cole Palmer and Gordon had an impact but we are miles off where we need to be. If we don’t sort this out [getting Alexander-Arnold, Palmer, Foden and Bellingham in the team] we’re going to regret it. Gareth’s going to regret it.’
Ian Wright: ‘I think what we saw in the second half was playing a little bit more in the opposition half, but at the same time, we are nowhere near good enough. Palmer and Mainoo did well when they came on and I would have loved to see Gordon come on earlier. At the moment, it’s still not happening and we are very fortunate to be getting through. There is so much work that needs to be done.’
Ange Postecoglou: ‘I think there solutions are there. It’s a lot more difficult when you don’t have them. There is much for him to ponder there. Some guys came on and made an impact on the game. It was really crying out for more technical players in there. The balance of the team wasn’t quite right. That’s the challenge for them in the next game. They don’t need to protect the young players. They need to get them out there. Every time [Cole Palmer] gets the ball he’s trying to take opponents out of the game. His first thought is: How can I eliminate one of the opposition or a whole line of them?’
Roy Keane: Mainoo looked very comfortable out there. Palmer has that X-factor. Every time he gets the ball [he tries something]. Still there was no end product and they didn’t test the keeper. But I do love Palmer.
Round of 16 permutations after England winning Group C
After winning European Championship Group C, albeit unconvincingly, England are closer to knowing their last-16 opponents.
They will play one of the teams that finish in third place in Group D or E in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, with only four of the six sides who end up in that position across all groups qualifying for the next round.
Here, Telegraph Sport lays out the possible scenarios:
- Croatia and the team who finishes third in either Group E or F are eliminated. England will play the Netherlands after Austria’s shock victory over the Dutch consigned the latter to third place in Group D. This is the most likely scenario given Croatia are already out after ending Group B on two points, and Czech Republic and Georgia both only have one point in Group F after two matches, while Turkey have three. In Group E, all four countries – Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine – are locked together on three points after winning one and losing one of their first two games.
- Croatia and Hungary are eliminated. England will play the third-placed team in Group E, which could be any one of Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine. Hungary finished third on three points in Group A and could technically still be overhauled. Before Tuesday night’s games, there was a chance England could have played the third-placed team in Group F, one of Turkey, Czech Republic and Georgia. But their draw against Slovenia, and Denmark’s against Serbia, eliminated that scenario.
If England win their last-16 tie, they will face the winner of Switzerland v Italy, which is being played on Saturday in Berlin. The quarter final takes place the following Saturday (July 6) in Dusseldorf. They cannot now play France in the semi-finals after Austria won Group D to secure a spot in England’s half of the draw. The other side of the draw also includes Germany, Spain and Portugal, who won their respective groups.
Harry Kane speaks to ITV Sport
It was the aim to come top of the group and control our own destiny. Tonight was tough. We played much better than the other two games but we couldn’t find that final bit of quality, final pass, finish or cross. Maybe we could have done better but they played well and made it difficult for us,
The boys who came on did really well and kept the energy high.
These games are really really tough. We’ve been here before and stepped it up in the knockouts. But it’s going to be difficult. It may take extra-time, it may take penalties. That’s the reality of this tournament.
England win the group
Another poor performance. Hidebound by caution. Every change made the team better which suggests something in the original selection is wrong, namely the balance of the midfield, the left-back hole and even the formation.
England win the group and will play the Round of 16 opponent at 5pm on Sunday at ArenaAufSchalke.
The substitutions came far too late.
Full-time: England 0 Slovenia 0
Alexander-Arnold tries one last effort to turn a point into three with a 20-yard rising shot that keeps going and going until it hits the crowd.
That’s it. England have five points, just as they gleaned from the group stage of the 2010 World Cup. Not a happy omen.
Slovenia are also through.
90+2 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
England stretch Slovenia for the first time in ages with Gordon’s pass to Mainoo who lays it off to Kane to the right of the D and he doesn’t shoot but dinks it to Palmer who bends a shot with his left towards the foot of the left post. The keeper gets down to save. Kane’s pass wasn’t as accurate as it could have been and Palmer had to make up a lot of ground and had a lot of thinking time – as did the defence.
Palmer has done OK since he came on. But I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for positives.
79 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
England’s passing has been slicker since Palmer came on and they send Kane down the right to cross … but again no b-----’s there.
England fans swinging their shirts around their heads looks a little like they are waving white flags. They break from singing the tune to the Great Escape to give Cole Palmer’s arrival a huge cheer.
69 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
England, who have lacked all coherence and look incapable of fashioning a ‘team’goal, are going to look to magic instead, bringing on Cole Palmer to conjure something.
Palmer ⇢ Saka.
Bellingham seems to feign injury when defending the free-kick competently, holding his cheek after a challenge. He was barely brushed as Cerin crossed into the box.
Palmer is a fine player but England need pace more than anything.
61 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
England have Palmer, Bowen and Gordon warming up. But they have been probing almost constantly for this half, keeping the ball in tight areas but still unable to unpick this diligent Slovenia defence, or turn away around the 18-yard line when zipping short passes between Foden, Bellingham and Saka.
England are looking more threatening at the moment. It is coming from Phil Foden through the middle when he swaps positions with Jude Bellingham. Declan Rice is being positive too. The next change made by Southgate will be important.
57 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
England free-kick for Drkusic’s bulldozer of a foul on Mainoo in which he also used his arm to whack him across the adam’s apple. Foden floats the free-kick to the back post from the left and just as you think it’s going to arrive perfectly for Kane, Bijol backheads it over the captain and they work it out for a corner.
55 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
Walker in a promising position down the right makes a proper Horlicks of the cross and slices it out for a goal-kick. Then Kane, on halfway wide on the right, arcs a dipping cross towards the penalty spot. Bellingham has made the run but the ball is a few centimetres behind him when it kisses up off this dodgy pitch and he can’t wrap his body around it before Drkusic arrives to thump it away.
ITV pundits’ views
Roy Keane: ‘It’s been slow and sloppy. They’ve taken the safety option all the time.’
Gary Neville: ‘There’s no real in-built patterns. It’s all off the cuff. We look really basic. The players out there are better than that and the players on the bench are better than that.’
Ange Postecoglou: ‘The midfield set-up isn’t there to play that way [with runners in mind]. Jude, Conor and Declan are all the same in their passing. You need someone more creative in there.’
It has not been nearly as acidic as the BBC pundits, led by Alan Shearer on co-comms, were during and after the game against Denmark but it has not been very complimentary. If anything, the ITV pundits seem a bit deflated by what they have just witnessed in the first 45 minutes. Much like the rest of us then.
Half-time: England 0 Slovenia 0
Some glimmers of a decent performance but only that. Rice and Saka are having their best games of the tournament but need more from their team-mates.
Boos at half-time. England have not been great. They had a good spell when Saka’s strike was ruled out for offside but there have been errors, nerves, and Jan Oblak has not been tested. Southgate will surely be looking to his bench in the second half.
The early booking for Trippier has impacted the way this game has been played. Slovenia have been targeting England’s left flank and trying to get the Newcastle full-back one-v-one against a forward, knowing he cannot afford a slip-up. It was from that position they had a penalty shout when Marc Guehi blocked with his arm.
Carra’s view
There was a tackle by Rice on the edge of the penalty area on 28 minutes that felt like a trigger for a much higher tempo and greater intensity. It’s a bit more encouraging, but not a lot. I’m not making excuses, but the pitch looks terrible. I can’t believe games of this level are being played on such poor surfaces.
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39 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
England have retreated again, and Slovenia are exploiting it, using the space ceded by Gallagher and Rice to keep the ball around the England box. Slick passing and movement down the right with Cerin and Stojanovic results in a cross that Saka has to fight Sporar to win, which he does.
37 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
Good block at the near post when Stojanovic and Karnicnik combine to send the Celje right-back up the byline having triangulated Trippier.
Good spell this from Slovenia.
One thing I’ve noticed is how many times England players try and do something on their own when there is a pass or through ball on. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham - two of the star names - have been the worst offenders so far, culminating in Bellingham getting in Kane’s way when he had a free header from a corner. I’ve seen this sort of thing before in England teams - everyone thinking about their own headlines rather than playing as a team in the true sense of the word. England have improved as the half has gone on at least.
33 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
Bijol comes through Saka who was shielding the ball 25 yards out. Free-kick. Right of centre. Foden and Trippier stand over it.
Slovenia fans in good voice here despite being outnumbered. And they have a cheerleader in their end - a shirtless man with a megaphone getting the crowd bouncing. England officially have 18,000 at the stadium, which is a 42,561 sell-out. England fans getting louder after the Saka disallowed goal.
29 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
Rice again almost makes something with a fizzed pass to Kane on the 18-yard line. Bellingham wants a wall pass to set up a shot but the captain spins to shoot himself and lumps it into Bijol’s shins. The ball is worked out to Trippier who dinks it on to Foden. The City forward hangs a deep left-foot cross that Saka can’t reach though got pretty close and Slovenia hook it out for a corner.
25 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
As Jamie Carragher says, when Foden and Saka run beyond Kane, they look dangerous. But Bellingham’s passing has been shonky so far and when Rice found the perfect execution … Foden was offside.
The move for the Saka offside goal apart, which was a really nice move, it’s pretty much more of the same from England. Slow and ponderous passing, mainly sideways or backwards. No once passing or driving through the lines. Nobody is really looking to run in behind. Kane dropping deep to get on the ball and not threatening where he should be in and around the area. Bellingham not influencing the game as a creative force. If this England side wants us to show them some love, this isn’t the way to do it. Not yet anyway.
England goal ruled out for offside
Lovely reverse pass from Rice from inside left to outside left sends Foden in round the back and he pounces on the opportunity to gallop through and square to Saka for the easiest of tap-ins. But Foden was 10cm offside.
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12 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
Kane runs back from the D to receive the ball, back to goal, and knock it back to Gallagher. He has very few options ahead of him and plays it infield as England go from side to side. ‘Not enough movement ahead of him,’ says Lee Dixon who urges them to take more risks against a very well drilled back four.
10 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
The pitch has been watered and both Gallagher and Saka slip, the latter when Kane played Foden in behind down the left and the City forward centred for the Arsenal winger. But Foden was offside, Kane having dithered before threading it out from the inside-left.
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8 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
The whistling has already begun as England horseshoe the ball around, looking for an opening. Eventually England spray it out to Saka on the right, very high by the corner flag, but the distance it had to travel meany Janza could get back to make the tackle and earn a goalkick of Saka’s shins.
6 min: England 0 Slovenia 0
England’s high press is thwarted by Slovenia’s bravery in keeping four up front and when Foden is isolated, Janza races down the left and whips over a deep cross. Sporar, once of the Boro, heads it back across goal having beaten Trippier and Sesko, to the left of the penalty spot, steers a header under no challenge right down Pickford’s throat. The header back was too loopy to impart any real power on it but his positioning is a real alarm for England.
Permutations for England’s possible route to Berlin for the final
England are increasingly likely to face a European Championship last-16 clash with Netherlands if they win Group C tonight.
Austria’s win over the Dutch consigned them to third place in Group D, significantly boosting the chances of Gareth Southgate’s side playing them if the Three Lions beat Slovenia.
That is because Croatia are almost certain to be eliminated after finishing Group B in third on two points.
The winners of Group C were always going to play one of the third-placed teams from Group D, E or F, with only four of the six nations who end up in that position qualifying for the last-16.
But, with half of the groups now complete, the potential scenarios are starting to narrow.
England could still face any of the sides in Group E, who are all locked on three points after winning one and losing one of their first two matches.
They are Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine.
They could also face one of Turkey, Czech Republic or Georgia from Group F.
However, there is every chance that group will end with the latter two nations being eliminated on one point each.
If Croatia also go out on two points, England would definitely play Netherlands in the last 16.
The same would apply if the Croatians go home along with whoever finishes third in Group E.
England have never beaten a major football nation in a knockout tie away from Wembley in their entire history.
Those countries include Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.
England lost their 2019 Nations League semi-final 3-1 against the Dutch, and were also beaten in a group game at Euro 88 by the same score.
They thrashed Netherlands 4-1 in the group stages of Euro 96 – but that was at Wembley.
Sharp Kane
Warm-up over for the England starting line-up. The attackers wrapped up with finishing practice and Harry Kane smashed his first into the back of the net, if that is an omen. Luke Shaw was involved in the warm-up. He has been named among the subs but Gareth Southgate has confirmed he will not come off the bench. It is promising for the next round, however.
Roy Keane responds to Rice’s request to show some love
The modern player does seem to be a bit more delicate to criticism and, I know there is more of it with social media particularly.
It is up to these players, I judge them on actions. Look, we know how quickly football changes. If they put on a good performance and win tonight… Declan Rice is talking about show us some love. Listen, come on, it’s serious stuff, it’s a football [tournament] people have made huge sacrifices to travel. You get the love back when you perform.
Look, we all played at a decent level and when things are going great, lots of people are patting you on the back. But the reality is, if you’re not performing, you get criticised.
Nobody likes to be criticised but it is part of your journey. I feel like saying to these players, and I know some people think I’m a dinosaur, but it is a case of rolling your sleeves up. These are such a talented group of players so go out there and perform and you will get plenty of plaudits. You can change it around very quickly.
Carra’s view
I expected more changes. England have had a big problem out of possession so far. Their shots on target total is among the least of any side in the tournament. That shows that flooding the side with attacking players does not necessarily mean the team is more attacking. Opponents have found it too easy to push England to the edge of their own penalty area.
For me, Harry Kane is the player to build the team around, which is why I was calling for more pace around him. England’s issue on the left is still there as the right-footed Kieran Trippier would benefit from a left footed winger like Anthony Gordon. Phil Foden will keep cutting inside.
Having said all that, the manager makes the decisions based on what he sees in training. He’s made the change he feels is right. Let’s hope it works.
Declan Rice speaks to ITV
It’s coming from pundits who have been in our shoes. I’ve been in football long enough to know how it works. I don’t know why it’s a negative thing. We’re talking as if we’re not getting out of the group. Of course we are [fit enough]. We’re built to play these kind of seasons. Because we sit in a low block, people think we’re leggy, we’re not fit enough.
People were calling for Trent to play in midfield. So we play him in midfield and you want to bring him down? Trent is one of the best footballers I’ve ever seen. He can play midfield. I’ve seen it for England, I’ve seen it for Liverpool.
You’re going to see us more on the front foot.
Get behind us. Be positive. Be confident. Give players love because when our attacking layers feel that confidence they’re unstoppable. Let’s have it.
ITV has started early
They have Ange Postecoglou joining their big three – Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright. Postecoglou thinks Foden will have been told to stay out wide and stop drifting into the middle because with the right-footed Trippier all but incapable of going down the line, Foden is going to have to maintain the width to make space for Bellingham.
England v Slovenia line-ups
England Pickford (Everton); Walker, Stones (both Man City), Guehi (Crystal Palace), Trippier (Newcastle); Gallagher (Chelsea), Rice; Saka (both Arsenal), Bellingham (Real Madrid), Foden (Man City); Kane (Bayern Munich).
Slovenia Oblak (Atlético); Karnicnik (Celje) Drkusic (Sochi), Bijol (Udinese), Janza (Gornik Zabrze); Stojanovic (Sampdoria), Cerin (Panathinaikos), Elsnik (Olimpija Ljubljana), Mlakar (Pisa); Sporar (Panathinaikos), Sesko (RB Leipzig).
Referee Clément Turpin (France).
England team announced
One change as reported: Gallagher replaces Alexander-Arnold.
England have named their line-up for tonight’s clash against Slovenia. As reported by the Telegraph yesterday, Gareth Southgate is sticking with Phil Foden in his attack and bringing in Conor Gallagher to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko has been carrying a quad injury but he is fit to start at RheinEnergieStadion.
The next step
In the press room, all eyes are on the two matches in Group D, with England to face the third-placed country should they finish top of Group C. There is a possibility that Gareth Southgate’s team could face France.
As it stands it would be the Dutch. But there’s still a couple of minutes of normal time to go in both matches.
Familiar face
Slovenia’s wiry central midfielder Timi Max Elsnik joined Derby County as a 17-year-old and spent four years at Pride Park, playing three times in the League Cup. He also has three spells on loan in League Two starting with 25 matches and five goals for Swindon, 24 and four goals for Mansfield and nine games and one goal for Northampton (Cobblers!) before moving back to Ljubljana in 2019.
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Slovenia have named the same XI in opening two games?
Will it be a hat-trick tonight? They play a twist on 4-4-2, sometimes switching to 4-1-3-2. Bot
Both full-backs, Erik Janza and Zan Karnicnik, have scored a goal apiece in their 1-1 draws with Denmark and Serbia. The starting XI in those games was:
Oblak (Atlético); Karnicnik (Celje) Drkusic (Sochi), Bijol (Udinese), Janza (Gornik Zabrze); Stojanovic (Sampdoria), Cerin (Panathinaikos), Elsnik (Olimpija Ljubljana), Mlakar (Pisa); Sporar (Panathinaikos), Sesko (RB Leipzig).
Weather and its possible toll
It is estimated to be 30C in Cologne today. The Telegraph team can confirm from their tram ride to Rheinenergiestadion that it is sweltering. With less than two-and-a-half hours to kick-off, it could be a hot one for England tonight. Gareth Southgate referenced the heat when explaining why he took his entire frontline off against Denmark last week. Declan Rice told fans to expect a new, high-pressing England tonight but it might be difficult to maintain that throughout the 90 minutes.
England’s record breakers
Jordan Pickford and John Stones are expected to start against Slovenia tonight and will equal an England record. It will be their 22nd successive tournament starts, which ties the record set by Ashley Cole.
Pickford and Stones started in all matches from the finals in the World Cups of 2018 (7) and 2022 (5), plus Euro 2020 (7) and the current finals (2). Cole’s 22 matches were between the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Harry Kane this evening and whether England will get enough pace around him to create chances. He has the chance to add to his five goals at Euro finals, with only Wayne Rooney (6) and Alan Shearer (7) scoring more for England.
‘England: Dry his eyes, mates’
England fans are not the only supporters at the tournament hoping Gareth Southgate’s men finally come to the party tonight. Followers of Croatia, who conceded a last-gasp equaliser in their decisive Group B game against Italy on Monday, will be praying for a heavy defeat for Slovenia to keep alive their faint hopes of qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams. Both countries are currently on two points but Croatia’s goal difference is -3 compared with Slovenia’s 0. An equally heavy defeat for Denmark (also on two points) against Serbia would also do the job if England fail to turn up again.
![Luka Modric](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/25/TELEMMGLPICT000383213895_17193302663220_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqlM84Anrx6_VEBe9bSdY_FRaOp8dUtzS2tEGkD0FZnpE.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Kit watch
England will be “all white” again tonight at RheinEnergieStadion, with white shirts, shorts and socks. In their clash against Denmark they wore their official home colours which is blue shorts.
Are the omens good for an all-white kit? They wore it in the two crucial victories against Italy in their qualifiers to reach the Euros. But they also wore it when they played the Italians in the Euro 2020 final and lost on penalties.
Slovenia will be in all blue.
And what to make of those togs? Here’s Thom Gibbs, Jeff Banks and Caryn Franklin being indisposed:
![tmg.video.placeholder.alt ueZunbV4Rhs](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ueZunbV4Rhs/mqdefault.jpg)
Good afternoon
Rob Bagchi here, taking over from the redoubtable Ellen McLaughlin, for the duration. England have played Slovenia at a major tournament once before, back at the 2010 World Cup under Fabio Capello, when they won 1-0 with qualification to the Round of 16 on the line after lacklustre draws with USA and Algeria. Jermain Defoe scored the goal, set up by James Milner and yet when you look back on the starting XI, it’s hard to remember the logic behind England being third favourites to win at the start of the competition:
James; Johnson, Upson, Terry, Cole; Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Milner; Rooney, Defoe.
The 2024 team may have disappointed so far but nothing like the 2016 team, the 2014 team, the 2012 team, the 2010 team, the 2006 team… yea, even unto the Middle Ages.
Fancy a flutter on tonight’s game?
The interviews from players were very professional following disappointment against Denmark. Now it’s time for the performances to be equally as professional on the pitch. Back the Three Lions to dispatch Slovenia with these Euros betting offers
Matters to be decided elsewhere first
Before Group C draws to a close this evening, attention will be on Group D to see what order Netherlands, France and Austria will finish in, including who takes the coveted top spot. Poland are already eliminated and cannot reach the last 16.
Two blogs, both running concurrently on Telegraph Sport, both matches kicking off at 5pm. Kylian Mbappe in a mask, Dutch fans in orange
Follow live: Netherlands vs Austria
Follow live: France vs Poland
The man in the middle tonight
Frenchman Clement Turpin will be on referee duties tonight for England vs Slovenia.
A PE teacher in France, Turpin is officiating at his third Euros, and was also the referee for Liverpool’s Champions League defeat by Real Madrid in 2022.
He’s been on the whistle once so far in Germany, in the very opening match between the hosts and Scotland, as he initially didn’t send off Ryan Porteous for the Scots, before changing his mind over the tackle on Ilkay Gundogan following a VAR review.
Barnabas Varga update
Breaking off from England matters a second, and a positive update on Hungary striker Barnabas Varga following that sickening collision in his side’s victory over Scotland on Sunday.
The 29-year-old suffered fractures to his face after colliding with goalkeeper Angus Gunn and was immediately taken to hospital in Stuttgart.
After undergoing surgery, he has been paid a visit by manager Marco Rossi and his coaching staff, as well as defender Endre Botka.
Varga’s father, Andras, speaking with Hungarian Newspaper Nemzeti Sport, also said: “It is not yet known when he will be released from the hospital in Stuttgart, nor how long he will miss.
“It’s no secret, the family went through difficult moments in front of the television screen, but now we can be calmer.”
Balkan tensions
Beefing up the European Championship finals from 16 teams to 24 is good news for broadcasters and advertisers but has had some unintended consequences. One is an increased chance of internecine Balkan tension, especially when Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Albania qualify for the same tournament.
Of Uefa’s 55 member countries, seven are the former Yugoslavian nations. With the addition of Albania, which shares borders with three of those as well as Greece, it has led to a litany of incidents since the tournament began.
Read more: How Balkan tension is fuelling decades-old animosity at Euro 2024
Back to booze talk . . .
Barmen and women have been met with opprobrium from England fans in Cologne in the countdown to tonight’s match when they were served with what they felt were ‘half measures’ of the local brew.
![A barman serves Kolsch](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/25/TELEMMGLPICT000383154544_17193193058490_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq3hmlZEp_VJfoATGv9XuzsmFUk-OW1p_eCO4HTHncbDQ.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Supporters visiting the German city have been surprised when rounds of traditional 200ml glasses, one third of the size of a pint, were placed on their tables.
In Cologne, bars serve a traditional beer called kolsch, which can only be produced in the 2,000-year-old city and its surrounding area, enjoying a similar protected status to that of champagne in France.
Kolsch is only served in thin cylindrical glasses known as a stange, or “poles”, because the beer would go stale in a bigger glass. It is often served on a circular tray known as a kranz which holds between eight to 10 glasses.
Among those enjoying the beer with friends on Tuesday – but underwhelmed by the size of the measures – were Daniel Burton, 23, who works in marketing and Liam Terrington, 23, a user experience designer, from London.
“It’s alright but it’s gone in three sips – you could even shot it,” Mr Burton said as he finished up his latest round before a waitress asked if the group would like another.
“It is a shock, we are ordering more rounds quicker,” Mr Terrington added. “It tastes good but a normal serving would be nice. It could be a long time if we have to order at the bar.”
Slovenians out in force
It is not just England fans who are enjoying their day in the German sunshine. Slovenia supporters are out in force in Cologne, hoping the footballers can emulate their cyclists who have, in recent years, become a pre-eminent force in men’s road cycling with the likes of Tadej Pogacar winning the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and various prestigious one-day races.
England fans urged to drink non-alcoholic beer
England fans have been urged to drink non-alcoholic beer amid soaring temperatures in Cologne and across Europe, reports Neil Johnston from Cologne.
Temperatures in Cologne could reach up to 30C on Tuesday as parts of the Continent and Britain brace for a heatwave.
Organisers are on the look-out for supporters who may become dehydrated after drinking too much alcohol.
It will hit 25C when the teams kick-off at 9pm local time – and with 56 per cent humidity it will feel more like 29C in the stadium.
England need both a result – and a performance tonight
Whatever the rights and wrong of the scatological criticism aimed at England by Gary Lineker and Co, there is no doubt that Gareth Southgate and his players need to re-engage a disillusioned public, writes Jason Burt this morning.
The response to the underwhelming European Championship showing, so far, has been a rising tide of anger and frustration. Failure to provide an improved performance in the last group game against Slovenia will risk that developing into a tsunami or, as Lineker might put it, a ‘s---storm’.
Southgate refuses to rip up team
Ahead of tonight’s game, Gareth Southgate has defiantly vowed not to rip up his team, with Phil Foden poised to keep his place as England attempt to ignite their European Championship campaign against Slovenia.
The England manager is expected to keep faith with Phil Foden in Cologne. Conor Gallagher is expected to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, but that may be Southgate’s only change.
Here is a sample of what Telegraph readers have been saying ahead of tonight’s game.
- Tom Osborne: Good luck to Southgate but it seems an obvious error not to have a pacy runner beyond Kane on the left. Plus it is hard to see what Gallagher brings to the table over the likes of Mainoo or Wharton.
- Robert Sanderson: I don’t think Southgate is being defiant. He’s just picking what he thinks is the best team, after all he is the manager, and no one else.
- Tony Birtwistle: Football is simple game complicated by over thinking things or poor managers in Southgate’s case. Wholesale changes aren’t required just a couple, at most, to make the team function. For me it is quite clear who should play to enable this to happen and it is Anthony Gordon, not replacing another body in an overcrowded midfield, which was the main reason we have been so poor.
- Kiat Huang: And Southgate has been forcing players out of position: apart from AA in midfield, Foden on the left wing (better as a Sheringham to Kane), right-footed Trippier on the left (he plays on the right), Stones in defence (he’s now better in midfield).
- Tom Osborne: Good luck to Southgate but it seems an obvious error not to have a pacy runner beyond Kane on the left. Plus it is hard to see what Gallagher brings to the table over the likes of Mainoo or Wharton.
- Simon Young: The whole of England can see he needs to play Foden at number 10, ahead of Bellingham and Rice, with Gordon or Palmer on the left, but instead he picks journeyman Gallagher, who never played a killer pass in his life.
Who is Slovenia’s danger man?
Benjamin Sesko is the physical ‘freak’ wanted by Arsenal – and now he faces England tonight.
His remarkable physicality, combined with frightening pace and deadly finishing, has helped to make Sesko one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
It speaks volumes of his talent that Arsenal were ready to pay more than £50 million for his services this summer, and that Chelsea were interested, too.
As England prepare to face Slovenia in their final group game of Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate will know that Sesko — now of German side RB Leipzig – poses the biggest threat. Sesko stands at 6ft 5in and was once clocked running at 22.5mph.
Read the full article here.
In case you missed it
England have qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a group game to spare after Spain beat Albania 1-0 on Monday night.
Gareth Southgate’s side finish their group campaign tonight against Slovenia knowing they are already guaranteed to be in the last 16.
England will win Group C if they beat Slovenia, while they could still come top if they draw and Denmark fail to beat Serbia.
Are Slovenia a threat?
England’s opponents tonight in Cologne is Slovenia managed by Matjaz Kek. Sam Dean has an in-depth scouting report on Kek’s side.
They have impressed at their first major tournament since Euro 2020 and could prove awkward opponents for Gareth Southgate’s side.
The scene for tonight
The match is taking place at the Cologne Stadium (Rhein Energie Stadion) This 43,000-capacity venue is the home of Bundesliga side 1 FC Koln, and was constructed for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, although this is the third stadium that has existed on this same site in Cologne since 1923.
The 2020 Europa League final between Sevilla and Inter Milan was played here behind close doors during the Covid pandemic and the German national women’s cup final has been held at this venue since 2010.
Declan Rice feels ‘safe’ with Conor Gallagher by his side in England midfield
Declan Rice on follow midfielder Conor Gallagher – the Chelsea midfielder is likely to start alongside Rice against Slovenia tonight:
I have played with him at academy level, played against him at Palace and Chelsea,” he told 5Live’s Football Daily podcast.
He is a team-mate I would love to have on my team, he works his socks off, you feel so secure and safe in there with him.
I think he has surprised so many people this year with his ability on the ball, how he breaks forward with it, how he gets into the box, scores goals.
I think he is a really positive player and he has come on so much over the past few years as well, you can really see that within himself how confident he is.
Every time I get to play with Conor Gallagher, it hasn’t been much, I have really enjoyed it because I know him really well as a guy, I know his family really well and he is a lovely boy and it is another great chance to stamp our mark.
England aim to defy critics against Slovenia
By Theodore Gardener
Keen to prove the doubters and critics wrong, England face off against Slovenia at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne at 8pm (UK time) tonight.
It is the final group game of England’s Euro 2024 campaign. Their qualification was confirmed last night as Albania fell victims to a 1-0 loss from Group B winners – Spain.
The game holds a different meaning for Southgate’s men. An opportunity to guarantee a top-placed finish in their group, and an opportunity to get the nation back onside after a poor showing against Denmark as they stumbled to a 1-1 draw.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have come under criticism recently for their response to the draw, with Harry Kane saying: “All I would say is remember what it is like to wear the shirt and that their words are listened to. I am sure they want us to win a major tournament and being as helpful as they can and building the lads up with confidence would be a much better way of going about it.”
Tonight’s match not only gives England a chance to hit back at the criticism on the pitch, but also to kick start the rest of their campaign with a resolute victory.
It is familiar terrain for England as they have found themselves in the same position in their last two major tournaments - draws in their middle group game against Scotland and the USA followed by a statement victory against Czech Republic and Wales in the final group game. They will be hoping to emulate the same response tonight.
Southgate is expected to largely stick with the same line-up as was seen in the first two games. Reportedly, Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden will keep his place in the side amidst criticism. The only change expected to be seen tonight is the dropping of Trent Alexander-Arnold, replacing him with the more midfield-accustomed Conor Gallagher.