After France, England also made it through to the knockout phase of the European Championship with a lean performance. Gareth Southgate's team also drew with Slovenia (0:0) and were rewarded with the group win.
25.06.2024, 23:05
25.06.2024, 23:06
SDA
England scored three times in their third group game against the number 57 team in the FIFA rankings. A goal by Bukayo Saka was disallowed due to a clear offside by Phil Foden. Apart from that, the game more or less burbled along away from the penalty areas - perhaps also because a draw also helped the Slovenians to progress.
For the country with world-class goalkeeper Jan Oblak and substitute Lugano striker Zan Celar, who drew for the third time in their third match, this will be their first knockout phase at a final tournament. England, for their part, will avoid a round of 16 clash with Germany as group winners. Nevertheless, the Three Lions will have to hope that they trotted through the group stage under the motto "A horse only jumps as high as it has to", as they did three years ago on their way to losing the European Championship final against Italy.
No offensive drive, no penetrating power
England did their duty in what was on paper an easy group with Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia. The five points for the draws against Slovenia and Denmark and the narrow opening win against Serbia were even enough to secure a valuable group win.
Thanks to this flattering first place, the English not only avoid a round of 16 duel with Germany, they also do not end up in the tableau half with the hosts, Spain, France and Portugal. Instead, they will face an as yet unknown third-placed team and will meet the winner of the match between Switzerland and Italy in the quarter-finals.
Considering what they have shown so far, that is too good a reward for the Three Lions, who are difficult to beat but play extremely defensively. Even against Slovenia, England's star ensemble led by Jude Bellingham, who had already qualified for the knockout phase before the match but were practically at their best, showed so little offensive drive and attacking power that it was painful to watch.
Telegram:
England - Slovenia 0:0
Cologne. - 41'536 spectators. - Ref Turpin (FRA).
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier (84. Alexander-Arnold); Gallagher (46. Mainoo), Rice; Saka (71. Palmer), Bellingham, Foden (90. Gordon); Kane.
Slovenia: Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza (91. Balkovec); Stojanovic, Gnezda Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar (86. Gorenc Stankovic); Sporar (86. Celar), Sesko (76. Ilicic).
Remarks: Cautions: 17 Trippier, 22 Janza (suspended for the round of 16), 68 Guéhi, 72 Bijol, 77 Foden.
