June 25 – Once again it wasn’t pretty but it was job done. Sometimes that’s all you need to grow into major finals and England duly won their Euro 2024 group last night despite their famed front six failing to ignite – not for the first time – in a goalless draw with Slovenia.
On a baking hot day, England’s legions of fans warmed up for the game by drinking Cologne’s old town dry from late morning to early evening and belting out their array of songs, some of them fervantly patriotic, others distinctly uncomplimentary – from rivals Scotland being knocked out early to some pointed remarks about Germany’s transport system which, to be fair, hasn’t exactly lived up to the nation’s standards of excellence.
When they arrived at Cologne’s sun-drenched stadium, they occupied three-quarters of the seats with refrains of ‘England Till I Die’ as they paraded their banners representing the entire pyramid of English football.
But could their team finally do the business properly on the pitch after those two listless performances against Serbia and Denmark that somehow yielded four undeserved points.
Already qualified for the last 16, Gareth Southgate’s team were given a huge boost even before a ball was kicked.
With France only managing to finish second in their group, it meant England, if they won the group, would be placed in the other half of the draw in the knockout phase, in the process avoiding the French as well as fellow heavyweights Spain, Germany and Portugal until the semifinals. But if they finished second they’d be up against the home nation.
Perhaps surprisingly given the criticism thrown at him from all directions, Southgate decided on just one change, Conor Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
It wasn’t all about England of course. A shock win for Slovenia – unbeaten in their last eight games including the two draws here in Germany and unchanged – could send them to the top of the group, a massive incentive for coach Matjaž Kek. Even a draw might see them squeeze through in this ever-complicated format
All to play for then. Surely England couldn’t slip up against a side ranked 57th in the world? Surely too, it was time to justify their position as a pre-Euro 2024 favourite.
England needed to start showing some much-needed creativity especially given Slovenia’s low block but their opponents were more inventive early doors, breaking with pace. Dangerman Benjamin Sesko should have done better with a weak header.
England showed glimpses of what they are capable of, notably when Bukayo Saka burst forward and swept Phil Foden’s cross into the net, only to be ruled, correctly, offside. But they seemed to be rushing instead of waiting for their opportunities, perhaps too eager to impress.
Once they calmed down and passed to feet, they looked far more threatening, but were they struggling with the heat? They certainly needed the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to get more involved to trouble a really well organised and composed Slovenia team driven on by the overlapping Petar Stojanovic.
Foden’s freekick was on target but held by Jan Oblak, then Kane at last got goal side of his marker and so nearly converted Kieran Tripper’s curling centre.
But Slovenia were holding firm and were undoubtedly the more satisfied team at the interval. Indeed sections of the England support booed their team off. Again.
Having had almost 70% of possession, England may have hoped Slovenia would tire and Southgate immediately made his intentions clear by replacing Gallagher with the exciting young talent that is Kobbie Mainoo.
England started to move the ball with genuine menace and pushed Slovenia back, Vanja Drkusic fortunate to escape a booking after a crude foul on Mainoo.
The underdogs could hardly get out of their own half but still England couldn’t find a way through despite fantastic support from the fans who were now seeing a different side,
In a rare Slovenian counter, Marc Guehi was yellow carded for a shirt pull but when the freekick came to nothing, England were back on the attack, reinforced by the introduction of Cole Palmer.
As they got closer to breaking through, Kane won a freekick that was stupidly wasted before Declan Rice fizzed an attempt narrowly wide.
England continued to press and press but it just wouldn’t come though there was more purpose and intent than in the previous two games. Finally, with Denmark and Serbia also ending goalless on the night, five points ultimately was enough to win the group and play one of the best third-placed teams.
England may have consistently proved toothless and Southgate will doubtless be criticised again. But as everyone knows, knockout football is often a different story.
But the last word should go to Slovenia who discovered straight after the final whistle that they had qualified for the last 16 of a major tournament for the first time, their three draws just being enough – huge testament to their teamwork and fighting spirit.
Their fans stayed behind to cheer them to the rafters, in contrast to England’s who were quick to depart – no doubt back into the bars downtown.
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