England wrapped up group play at EURO 2024 with another disappointing draw on Tuesday, this time against world no. 57 Slovenia, but still managed to finish top of Group C with five points.
[ MORE: EURO 2024 schedule | EURO 2024 squads ]
England’s round of 16 opponent is still to be decided with one more day of group finales still to be played. Pending results in Group E on Wednesday, England could face one of the Netherlands (already through from Group D) or any of the four teams from Group E, where all four sides currently sit on three points and each of them could finish 1st or 4th.
Denmark would have leapfrogged the Three Lions with a victory over Serbia on Tuesday, but that game also finished 0-0, sending Denmark through as group runners-up (to face Germany) along with Serbia (opponent TBD), who advance to the knockout rounds as one of four third-place sides.
England’s two best chances to score both came in the first half, but the first one was ruled out in the 20th minute after Phil Foden strayed offside before teeing up Bukayo Saka at the back post, and Harry Kane poked the ball wide of the post from three yards out when Kieran Trippier delivered a devastating cross in the 40th.
Kane’s miss registered 0.55 xG for the one shot. England amassed 0.32 xG with their other 11 shots in the game, just 0.18 of which came in the second half.
Kieran Trippier set this up perfectly 😮💨
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2024
England can't find the back of the net though pic.twitter.com/xyMRgZ7xPp
Slovenia vs England player ratings
Slovenia vs England highlights, final score: 0-0
Goalscorers: None
MISS: Harry Kane can’t score after Kieran Trippier finds him with a cross
Kieran Trippier set this up perfectly 😮💨
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2024
England can't find the back of the net though pic.twitter.com/xyMRgZ7xPp
OFFSIDE: Bukayo Saka taps home England’s opening goal, but Phil Foden offside on the assist
England sets up a beautiful goal but it's ruled offside 😬 pic.twitter.com/SgMo7pMIcA
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2024
Slovenia starting lineup
Oblak — Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza — Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar — Sporar, Sesko
England starting lineup
Pickford — Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier — Rice, Gallagher, Bellingham — Saka, Foden, Kane
How to watch Slovenia vs England, stream link and start time
Kick off: Tuesday (June 25), 3 pm ET
Stadium: Cologne Stadium
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Slovenia team news, focus
As we mentioned, Oblak is the captain and leader but he will have been disappointed with the way Slovenia let in a last-gasp equalizer against Serbia last time out as he didn’t come off his line in stoppage time to try and claim the cross which Luka Jovic scored from. Sesko has shown flashes of his brilliance and the Slovenian full backs Zan Karnicnik and Erik Janza have both scored (accounting for Slovenia’s two goals so far) and look very dangerous on the counter.
England team news, focus
All 26 of England’s players trained ahead of this game, including left back Luke Shaw. The Manchester United defender hasn’t played since February but it appears he is close to full fitness and although he will not feature on Tuesday, he could play some part in the knockout rounds, if England get there. That will give England a more balanced look and that is desperately needed. In midfield the main issue has been the Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment not quite working out so Conor Gallagher is expected to start alongside Declan Rice, while there is plenty of debate around whether the likes of Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo should also come into the team as some of the big names on England’s team (Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham) have struggled so far.
Slovenia vs England prediction
England’s players feel like the Hulk at the moment. You don’t want to make them angry. You won’t like them when they’re angry. Their first two performances at this tournament made most of their fans angry, but surely their talent has to take over and things will slot into place. Right? Defensively England have been solid enough but Slovenia will be dangerous on the break. Slovenia 1-3 England.