Whereas England might need formally wrapped up prime spot in Group C on Tuesday evening, the Three Lions put in one other downbeat efficiency as they needed to accept a 0-0 stalemate in opposition to Slovenia in Cologne.
Though Gareth Southgate’s males might need been smelling the prospect to lastly make a EURO 24 assertion on the third try, the pre-tournament favourites as soon as once more failed to seek out any type of fluidity within the remaining third.
Regardless of watching Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike riled out for an offside within the construct up, England flattered to deceive and the stress on their shoulders will solely intensify.
England had been additionally quick on creativity in a gaggle the place no crew scored a couple of purpose in a recreation for the primary time within the competitors’s historical past.
Whereas the European giants have drastically struggled to make any type of assertion over in Germany this summer time, Denmark’s 0-0 draw with Serbia was sufficient to limp their approach to prime spot in Group C.
On an evening when Southgate’s males missed out on what they’d billed as a golden alternative in Cologne, we now have taken a have a look at the primary speaking factors.
Stress on Southgate’s shoulders ramps up
Placing in what was a woeful efficiency agains Denmark final week as they needed to accept a 1-1 stalemate, Southgate had made it abundantly clear that he was calling on a right away response when his squad arrived in Cologne on Tuesday evening.
Nonetheless, whereas England might need opened up EURO 24 tipped as a number one contender to get their arms on a primary piece silverware since their World Cup success method again in 1966, they’ve drastically struggled to make any type of affect on the foremost event stage.
Whereas the one-time Middlesbrough boss might need a few of Europe’s most iconic attacking superstars at his disposal, the Three Lions have struggled to seek out any type of fluidity within the remaining third.
Failing to trigger Jan Oblak any actual points right here, there have been audible boos from England’s travelling assist on Wednesday evening and there’s no doubt that the stress on Southgate’s shoulders will solely intensify.
Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with an notorious 1-0 defeat at residence in opposition to Iceland, England have now recorded only a pair of victories from any of their earlier eight appearances throughout all competitions.
England’s attacking superstars wrestle once more
Arriving at this summer time’s European Championships with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane of their ranks, Southgate’s assault are regarded to be some of the deadly from throughout the continent.
Nonetheless, though the Three Lions might need an all-star assault at their disposal, England have failed to seek out any type of stability within the remaining third and their lacklustre efficiency on Wednesday evening solely additional cemented their points.
In truth, Southgate’s aspect have did not register greater than a single strike in any of their earlier 4 appearances throughout all competitions.
Watching Chelsea ace Cole Palmer make an actual affect after coming off the bench and making a maiden EURO 24 look with 19 minutes left, Southgate should discover a approach to get his celebrity choices again to their free-flowing greatest.
England’s final 16 opponents are at present the Netherlands in what can be a heavyweight showdown on Sunday – however that might change after the ultimate spherical of matches.
A well-known evening for Slovenia
Though Slovenia would possibly nonetheless be ready to gather a maiden European Championship victory, Wednesday’s efficiency in Cologne will definitely be remembered as some of the well-known evening’s of their historical past.
Embarking on what was an iconic EURO 24 qualifying journey final yr as they received 5 of their remaining six Group H appearances, Matjaz Kek’s males have actually gained a popularity for his or her rugged strategy.
Now taking part in out a stalemate in all of their three European showdowns this summer time, Slovenia formally booked a surprising knockout stage ticket due to Denmark’s 0-0 stalemate in opposition to Serbia.
With emotional scenes of their camp following the full-time whistle and inflicting England’s downbeat assault loads of complications in Cologne, the Whites have suffered only a single defeat from any of their earlier 15 appearances throughout all competitions.
Extending on their European journey and backed by a vocal travelling assist on Tuesday evening, Kek’s males will definitely take a string of positives away from what has been an astonishing efficiency on the foremost event stage.
Match Report
England: Pickford, Trippier, Guehi, Stones, Walker, Rice, Gallagher, Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Kane
Subs: Palmer, Alexander-Arnold, Mainoo, Gordon
Slovenia: Oblak, Janza, Bijol, Drkusic, Karnicnik, Mlakar, Elsnik, Cerin, Stojanovic, Sesko, Sporar
Subs: Celar, Ilicic, Stankovic, Balkovec
Targets: N/A
Yellow Playing cards: England: Foden, Trippier, Guehi – Slovenia: Bijol, Janza
Purple Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Clement Turpin
