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SLO STARTERS
- England painfully poor in goalless draw
- Saka goal disallowed
- Craig Mahood, Betting & Gaming Writer
ENGLAND topped Group C despite their underwhelming 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
Southgate's side had already qualified before the match but could now face the Netherlands in the last 16.
England had a goal disallowed with Phil Foden well offside before Bukayo Saka scored but the Three Lions came chances difficult to come by.
- Explainer: Who could England get in the last-16?
GROUP C LIVE TABLE
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26th Jun 2024, 08:33By James Orr
When are England playing next?
England have won Group C, so they will now play one of the four best third-placed teams in the last-16.
As things stand, this team is currently theNetherlands, who finished third in Group D.
And the match will happen at 5pm next Sunday, June 30 in Gelsenkirchen.
Though potentially it could be a team from Group E instead depending on their results in their final group games on Wednesday night.
Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine can all still finish third in Group E.
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26th Jun 2024, 08:00By Craig Mahood
Gooood morning England fans!
Another dire, drab, disappointing performance last night as England stuttered in front of goal once more.
But luckily the 0-0 draw was matched by that in the Denmark game to see the Three Lions top the group heading into the last-16.
Better news follows as now Southgate's side have avoided France, Spain, Portugal and Germany until the final after those sides head into the opposite half of the draw.
But with only two rather fortuitous goals so far in the tournament - having failed to score in defeat to Iceland before the Euros - there's questions to be asked.
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26th Jun 2024, 07:31By James Orr
Kane message
Harry Kane has issued a rallying cry to England fans after yet another uninspiring performance.
The Three Lions stumbled their way to the top of Group C witha 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate's side have looked far from their best in Germany so far, but have still managed to secure a place in the last 16.
Writing on his social media, Kane posted: "Top of the group. Our best is still to come…"
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26th Jun 2024, 06:30By Craig Mahood
Con job
Fans were left fuming with Gareth Southgate's decision to start Conor Gallagher against Slovenia when the midfielder was hooked at half-time.
Chelseastar Gallagher, 24, was selected in place ofTrent Alexander-Arnold.
The change did not work well, however, with stats suggesting that Gallagher struggled to make an impact. As pointed out byStatman Dave, during the first 45 minutes he completed 17 passes at a success rate of 85 per cent.
He also did not complete a dribble or win a tackle. Gallagher didn't create a chance or attempt a shot, prior to being hooked forKobbie Mainooat half-time.
CON JOB England fans furious with Southgate as horror Conor Gallagher stats emergeCopied
26th Jun 2024, 05:00By Craig Mahood
Tired
Piers Morgan tweeted last night: "Cannot understand why England are playing so poorly. Bellingham’s the world’s most exciting player but has disappeared for two games now. Why?"
And Ellen White told Match of the Day: "We've put Jude Bellingham on this pedestal because he is one of our star men essentially and tonight he was just a bit off it.
"He looked at little bit tired. We expect him to get the ball to feet and drive the team forward. It was a bit of a frustrating night for him."
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26th Jun 2024, 03:00By Craig Mahood
How it finished up
Group C has ended a little bit like this.
A severe lack of goals in probably the dullest group of these championships.
See AlsoWho won tonight's BBC General Election debate? Vote in our readers' pollWhat’s on TV tonight: Coldplay headlines Glastonbury, Cycling: Tour de France and moreAlbania 0-1 Spain and Italy 1-1 Croatia - Euro 2024: Live updatesUkraine vs Belgium LIVE commentary: Group E set for dramatic conclusionBut as England's players and management keep reiterating, it was always about just topping the group, which they have.
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25th Jun 2024, 00:00
Wilshere reacts
Kobbie Mainoo was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield.
I think he showed why in the second half tonight.
But I still feel that it was harsh onConor Gallagherthat he was taken off at half time.
Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
And secondly, because it didn’t feel like aGareth Southgatething to do.
JACK WILSHERE Hooking Gallagher at half-time was harsh… but Mainoo proved he's the answerCopied
25th Jun 2024, 23:52By Craig Mahood
Match-up
So plenty of clamour for Cole Palmer to start in the last-16.
Would that be in place of Bukayo Saka?
Here's how the pair matched up in the Premier League last season.
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25th Jun 2024, 23:41By Craig Mahood
Keane for more
Roy Keane hailed Kobbie Mainoo for his second half performance.
But it was another second half sub that caught the eye and insists he has the 'X-Factor' that England miss.
He told ITV: "I think [Kobbie] Mainoo looked very comfortable out there.
"The one I'm always excited to watch is [Cole] Palmer, he always has that x-factor. I know we were wondering why he didn't come on in that first or second game, but every time he gets the ball it looks like something is going to happen.
"There was certainly a bit more flow to their game the last 15 or 20 minutes. There was still no end product and they didn't really test the keeper, but there were one or two positives with the clean sheet.
"They need to show more quality in the attacking areas, but I do love Palmer, I think he's amazing..."
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25th Jun 2024, 23:30By Craig Mahood
Main man
Kobbie Mainoo will start the next game for England, Gary Neville believes.
He told ITV: "I'm certain that Kobbie Mainoo will start in the next game.
"He thought that Conor Gallagher might be an option because of his energy but we need someone in there that can get us playing and Mainoo does that."
And Mainoo added: "Slovenia sat deep and are a good side on the ball but I think we have the quality to break these teams down as the levels get higher the deeper we go into the tournament."
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25th Jun 2024, 23:21By Craig Mahood
Player ratings
SunSport's Tom Barclay runs the rule over tonight's England players.
Here's a select few of his ratings:
- Conor Gallagher - 4
- Phil Foden - 7
- Jude Bellingham - ?
Watch below to find out who else got good marks.
England vs Slovenia Player Ratings
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25th Jun 2024, 23:14By Craig Mahood
'Unusual environment'
The England boss has spoken in his press conference regarding the reception he received when thanking the fans at full time.
He says it's better he takes the heat than the players as it's creating a 'strange environment'.
He said: "I understand it. I'm not going to back away from it. The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.
"I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them. But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.
"I understand it, I'm not going to back away from it, but I'm very proud of the players for how they're operating within it."
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25th Jun 2024, 23:05By Craig Mahood
'Job done'
Jordan Pickford says there's more to come from England but says the group stage is 'job done'.
He did admit they haven't played their best yet.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "The job is done, finish top of your group.
"No game is easy and we are going to come under criticism - we have to deal with that. We have finished top of the group and we have not played our best.
"Tonight we showed more quality with the ball, we kept them pinned in and we defended really well - there is still more to come."
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25th Jun 2024, 22:59By Craig Mahood
Watch now
SunSport's Charlie Wyett slams 'massively disappointing' England after drab 0-0 draw.
Charlie Wyett slams 'massively disappointing' England after drap 0-0 draw with Slovenia in final Euro 2024 group game
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25th Jun 2024, 22:53By Craig Mahood
One from five
England will play one of the below five teams - Netherlands or whoever finishes third in Group E which concludes tomorrow.
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Ukraine
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25th Jun 2024, 22:48By Craig Mahood
More from Southgate
Southgate added that he's expecting a tough game, no matter who his side come up against in the last-16.
And he isn't taking much notice of the side of the draw they're in, despite it once again falling very kindly for him and his side.
He added: "We have got to play well and whoever we play is going to be a really tough game.
"We shouldn't be seduced by which half of the draw. So many things are starting to come together. We had a lot of issues before the tournament.
"I think the way the defence has played has been a huge positive and something to build on. We created chances but we just have to convert those chances."
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25th Jun 2024, 22:43By Craig Mahood
Match report
More reaction to come but here's the match report from tonight's game.
Gareth Southgate has the best players in the Premier League, the Bundesliga and La Liga at his disposal.
And yetEnglandstill couldn’t defeat a team ranked 57th in the world.
At the moment the Three Lions boss is a reverse alchemist, turning gold into base metal.
They may be through to the knock-out stages but this England side are frustrating an entire nation after another dismal Group C draw.
BADLY DRAWN BOYS Three Lions dire yet again as they scrape top spot with bore drawCopied
25th Jun 2024, 22:38By Craig Mahood
On Cole
Southgate was full of praise for the substitutes for their impact.
Many fans are calling for Cole Palmer to start now moving forward, which means a big name being dropped.
Southgate said: "He did very good. He finds space well and he makes chances and we were backing him to score at the end. They are young players and we are blooding them in a difficult environment. They had a good impact for us and did good things for us.
"Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, it was a really good move. We have to build on that. There were a lot of things to build on from tonight."
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25th Jun 2024, 22:35By Charlie Wyett
Jude for thought
Jude Bellingham delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024. Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.
Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.
But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwiseEnglandare knackered.
JUDE FOR THOUGHT Bellingham must be England's superhero again or Three Lions have no chanceCopied
25th Jun 2024, 22:35By Craig Mahood
Best on the way
Harry Kane has told BBC's 5 Live that their best football has always come in the knockout stage of the competition.
He said: "If you look at previous tournaments we have played our best football in the knockout rounds.
"Last Euros against Germany, Ukraine and Denmark, so for sure there is more to come. Always the objective is to get through the group without any mishaps.
"We can improve, we know that, but you have to enjoy these moments when you finish top."
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25th Jun 2024, 22:34By Craig Mahood
Here's Southgate
The England manager has been speaking to ITV and echoed the views of Kane and Stones, insisting it was a better performance.
He said: "I thought we were much improved with the ball. We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us. We are not quite getting that break in front of goal.
"I think the players who came on did well. I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment
"We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch."
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25th Jun 2024, 22:31By Craig Mahood
Subs difference
John Stones agreed with Harry Kane that this was a much better performance from England.
He later praised the impact of the substitutes, with Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer pushing for a start after their second halves.
Stones told ITV: "100% they made a great impact today and credit to them. It is not easy coming away and not getting as much game-time as they want - it's a great spirit around us.
"We focus on us and what we can control."
"I am a big believer in beating whoever is in front of us. We need to step-up when it counts and we will work hard on that in training."
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25th Jun 2024, 22:27By Craig Mahood
Worrying form
England have won twice since a 2-0 win over Malta in qualifying back in November - that's two in eight games.
Those games? Against Bosnia in a friendly and Serbia last week.
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25th Jun 2024, 22:24By Craig Mahood
Lack of goals
England have scored two goals in three games here - after coming here without scoring against Iceland.
One was a lucky deflection from a Saka cross for Bellingham, the other fell fortunately for Kane six yards out.
In fact, Germany have scored more goals THEMSELVES than there have been in this entire group. That's a grim stat.
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25th Jun 2024, 22:19By Craig Mahood
What does finishing top mean?
Well, it actually means an awful lot.
England scraping to top spot means they've avoided the half of the draw where Germany, France, Spain and Portugal are.
That's a significant advantage looking ahead at potential opponents.
Netherlands are one of three teams that England could come up against.
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