England settles for yet another disappointing draw with the top-ranked Euro group Slovenia.
Slovenia also advanced to the Euro 2024 knockout stages with a 0-0 draw in Cologne, but England’s manager
Gareth Southgate was welcomed with jeers and beer cups hurled by his own supporters despite his team winning Group C.
Although the Three Lions’ spot in the round of 16 was already guaranteed, they should prepare for more criticism following their lackluster efforts in edging past Serbia and drawing with Denmark.
“I understand that they are unhappy with me; that much is true. I refuse to back down from that. Regarding the supporters’ response, Southgate remarked, “I need them behind the team.”
“I know that this is creating a problem for the group, but I wasn’t going to back away from going over to thank people for coming and giving the support that they did.”
The final group games on Wednesday will determine which of the top four third-place teams England will play in the round of 16.
But after Slovenia destroyed a star-studded forward line, further doubts will be raised about one of the favorites’ potential to snap a 58-year wait for major tournament gold.
“I felt that we were much better than the other teams in our play. England captain Harry Kane stated, “We couldn’t just find that finish, but we look forward to the next one.”
Conor Gallagher, the lone change from the first two games, took the place of Trent Alexander-Arnold in Southgate’s team decision, making a statement and defying calls for a sweeping change.
The England manager was let down if he was expecting a response for his faith in the other ten players who have started each of the three games in Germany.
Slovenia has won their last nine games, including a 2-0 pre-tournament friendly victory over Portugal.
Benjamin Sesko was their main threat, according to Declan Rice’s Monday commentary.
If Sesko hadn’t rejected the chance to extend his contract at RB Leipzig, he might have been starting alongside Rice for Arsenal the following campaign.
Slovenian celebrations: Only the offside flag kept England from scoring a spectacular opening goal, and it took them twenty minutes to threaten.
Although Phil Foden, a midfielder for Manchester City, had gotten past the Slovenian defense and squared for Bukayo Saka to tap in, Rice was able to identify his run.
During halftime, Kobbie Mainoo took Gallagher’s place as Southgate’s move.
The 19-year-old gave the England midfield some much-needed momentum, but they were still unable to convert their superior control of the ball into opportunities.
Sesko saved a header from Kane from a corner, and Rice missed a chance to score from the edge of the box.
In the last 20 minutes of the competition, Southgate heeded the plea and gave Cole Palmer his first minutes.
The single effort on target for England in the second half came from the Chelsea midfielder, who has 26 goals this season at the club level.
However, he was unable to put veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak to the test.
The Slovenians joyfully celebrated a point, as three draws from three games was enough to move them up to third position and among the strongest teams.
Denmark’s superior discipline record was the only reason Matjaz Kek’s team did not finish in second place in the group.
Kek remarked, “I didn’t think we would be entering the knockout phase.” “However, we demonstrated through our
performance that we were worthy of being here and facing one of the tournament favorites in the knockout stages.”
