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England 0-0 Slovenia LIVE RESULT – Euro 2024: Three Lions top Group despite underwhelming draw & could face Netherlands
ENGLAND topped Group C despite their underwhelming 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
Southgate's side had already qualified before the match but could now face the Netherlands in the last 16.
England had a goal disallowed with Phil Foden well offside before Bukayo Saka scored but the Three Lions came chances difficult to come by.
- Explainer: Who could England get in the last-16?
GROUP C LIVE TABLE
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When are England playing next?
England have won Group C, so they will now play one of the four best third-placed teams in the last-16.
As things stand, this team is currently the Netherlands, who finished third in Group D.
And the match will happen at 5pm next Sunday, June 30 in Gelsenkirchen.
Though potentially it could be a team from Group E instead depending on their results in their final group games on Wednesday night.
Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine can all still finish third in Group E.
Gooood morning England fans!
Another dire, drab, disappointing performance last night as England stuttered in front of goal once more.
But luckily the 0-0 draw was matched by that in the Denmark game to see the Three Lions top the group heading into the last-16.
Better news follows as now Southgate's side have avoided France, Spain, Portugal and Germany until the final after those sides head into the opposite half of the draw.
But with only two rather fortuitous goals so far in the tournament - having failed to score in defeat to Iceland before the Euros - there's questions to be asked.
Kane message
Harry Kane has issued a rallying cry to England fans after yet another uninspiring performance.
The Three Lions stumbled their way to the top of Group C with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate's side have looked far from their best in Germany so far, but have still managed to secure a place in the last 16.
Writing on his social media, Kane posted: "Top of the group. Our best is still to come…"
Credit: Getty
Con job
Fans were left fuming with Gareth Southgate's decision to start Conor Gallagher against Slovenia when the midfielder was hooked at half-time.
Chelsea star Gallagher, 24, was selected in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The change did not work well, however, with stats suggesting that Gallagher struggled to make an impact. As pointed out by Statman Dave, during the first 45 minutes he completed 17 passes at a success rate of 85 per cent.
He also did not complete a dribble or win a tackle. Gallagher didn't create a chance or attempt a shot, prior to being hooked for Kobbie Mainoo at half-time.
Tired
Piers Morgan tweeted last night: "Cannot understand why England are playing so poorly. Bellingham’s the world’s most exciting player but has disappeared for two games now. Why?"
And Ellen White told Match of the Day: "We've put Jude Bellingham on this pedestal because he is one of our star men essentially and tonight he was just a bit off it.
"He looked at little bit tired. We expect him to get the ball to feet and drive the team forward. It was a bit of a frustrating night for him."
Wilshere reacts
Kobbie Mainoo was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield.
I think he showed why in the second half tonight.
But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
Keane for more
Roy Keane hailed Kobbie Mainoo for his second half performance.
But it was another second half sub that caught the eye and insists he has the 'X-Factor' that England miss.
He told ITV: "I think [Kobbie] Mainoo looked very comfortable out there.
"The one I'm always excited to watch is [Cole] Palmer, he always has that x-factor. I know we were wondering why he didn't come on in that first or second game, but every time he gets the ball it looks like something is going to happen.
"There was certainly a bit more flow to their game the last 15 or 20 minutes. There was still no end product and they didn't really test the keeper, but there were one or two positives with the clean sheet.
"They need to show more quality in the attacking areas, but I do love Palmer, I think he's amazing..."
Main man
Kobbie Mainoo will start the next game for England, Gary Neville believes.
He told ITV: "I'm certain that Kobbie Mainoo will start in the next game.
"He thought that Conor Gallagher might be an option because of his energy but we need someone in there that can get us playing and Mainoo does that."
And Mainoo added: "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."
Player ratings
SunSport's Tom Barclay runs the rule over tonight's England players.
Here's a select few of his ratings:
- Conor Gallagher - 4
- Phil Foden - 7
- Jude Bellingham - ?
Watch below to find out who else got good marks.
England vs Slovenia Player RatingsPlayer ratings
SunSport's Tom Barclay runs the rule over tonight's England players.
Here's a select few of his ratings:
- Conor Gallagher - 4
- Phil Foden - 7
- Jude Bellingham - ?
Watch below to find out who else got good marks.
England vs Slovenia Player Ratings'Unusual environment'
The England boss has spoken in his press conference regarding the reception he received when thanking the fans at full time.
He says it's better he takes the heat than the players as it's creating a 'strange environment'.
He said: "I understand it. I'm not going to back away from it. The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.
"I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them. But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.
"I understand it, I'm not going to back away from it, but I'm very proud of the players for how they're operating within it."
'Unusual environment' - Southgate reacts to beer cups
The England boss has spoken in his press conference regarding the beer cups being thrown in his direction by some England fans.
He says it's better he takes the heat than the players as it's creating a 'strange environment'.
He said: "I understand it. I'm not going to back away from it. The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.
"I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them. But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.
"I understand it, I'm not going to back away from it, but I'm very proud of the players for how they're operating within it."
'Job done'
Jordan Pickford says there's more to come from England but says the group stage is 'job done'.
He did admit they haven't played their best yet.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "The job is done, finish top of your group.
"No game is easy and we are going to come under criticism - we have to deal with that. We have finished top of the group and we have not played our best.
"Tonight we showed more quality with the ball, we kept them pinned in and we defended really well - there is still more to come."
Watch now
SunSport's Charlie Wyett slams 'massively disappointing' England after drab 0-0 draw.
Charlie Wyett slams 'massively disappointing' England after drap 0-0 draw with Slovenia in final Euro 2024 group gameOne from five
England will play one of the below five teams - Netherlands or whoever finishes third in Group E which concludes tomorrow.
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Ukraine
More from Southgate
Southgate added that he's expecting a tough game, no matter who his side come up against in the last-16.
And he isn't taking much notice of the side of the draw they're in, despite it once again falling very kindly for him and his side.
He added: "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."
Match report
More reaction to come but here's the match report from tonight's game.
Gareth Southgate has the best players in the Premier League, the Bundesliga and La Liga at his disposal.
And yet England still couldn’t defeat a team ranked 57th in the world.
At the moment the Three Lions boss is a reverse alchemist, turning gold into base metal.
They may be through to the knock-out stages but this England side are frustrating an entire nation after another dismal Group C draw.
On Cole
Southgate was full of praise for the substitutes for their impact.
Many fans are calling for Cole Palmer to start now moving forward, which means a big name being dropped.
Southgate said: "He did very good. He finds space well and he makes chances and we were backing him to score at the end. They are young players and we are blooding them in a difficult environment. They had a good impact for us and did good things for us.
"Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, it was a really good move. We have to build on that. There were a lot of things to build on from tonight."
Jude for thought
Jude Bellingham delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024. Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.
Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.
But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwise England are knackered.
Best on the way
Harry Kane has told BBC's 5 Live that their best football has always come in the knockout stage of the competition.
He said: "If you look at previous tournaments we have played our best football in the knockout rounds.
"Last Euros against Germany, Ukraine and Denmark, so for sure there is more to come. Always the objective is to get through the group without any mishaps.
"We can improve, we know that, but you have to enjoy these moments when you finish top."
Here's Southgate
The England manager has been speaking to ITV and echoed the views of Kane and Stones, insisting it was a better performance.
He said: "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."
Subs difference
John Stones agreed with Harry Kane that this was a much better performance from England.
He later praised the impact of the substitutes, with Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer pushing for a start after their second halves.
Stones told ITV: "100% they made a great impact today and credit to them. It is not easy coming away and not getting as much game-time as they want - it's a great spirit around us.
"We focus on us and what we can control."
"I am a big believer in beating whoever is in front of us. We need to step-up when it counts and we will work hard on that in training."
Worrying form
England have won twice since a 2-0 win over Malta in qualifying back in November - that's two in eight games.
Those games? Against Bosnia in a friendly and Serbia last week.