England struggle again at Euro 2024 but will play last-16 tie this Sunday
Harry Kane registered just one shot on target in England’s drab draw with Slovenia (EPA)
England have finished top of Group C but delivered another uninspiring performance at Euro 2024 as Gareth Southgate’s side drew 0-0 with Slovenia.
The Three Lions had already qualified for the last 16 ahead of their final group game on Tuesday evening but did little to appease the widespread criticism they have received so far this tournament with another disjointed display.
The stalemate against Slovenia in Cologne sees England finish with five points in Group C after the 1-0 win over Serbia and the 1-1 draw with Denmark, and Southgate’s side will now play one of the best third-placed teams in the last 16, which could be any one of the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belgium, Georgia, Turkey or Czech Republic.
England’s first knockout game will take place in Gelsenkirchen at 5pm on Sunday.
If England win their last-16 tie, they would then play the winners of Switzerland and Italy in the quarter final in Dusseldorf at 5pm on July 6.
Perhaps more crucially for England, they will avoid Germany, France, Portugal and Spain until the semi-final stage.
Bukayo Saka had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half against Slovenia (Shutterstock)
The key problems Southgate has faced at Euro 2024 will still follow him into the knockout stage as England’s midfield still lacked the balance in the draw with Slovenia.
Conor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting line-up for England’s final group game but the Chelsea midfielder was hauled off at half time another a poor performance.
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo was much better on the ball after he replaced Gallagher at the break and currently looks Southgate’s best bet to start alongside Rice and Bellingham in England’s midfield for their last-16 tie on Sunday
Kobbie Mainoo impressed in England’s midfield after coming on as a sub at half time (AFP via Getty)
That said, both Rice and Bellingham did little to impress against Slovenia and Gary Lineker’s pre-match claim that Alexander-Arnold had been ‘hung out to dry’ does have merit given the performances of his more seasoned midfield teammates.
Phil Foden still hasn’t got to grips with the unfamiliar role on England’s left flank and the position negates the world-class attributes he showed at Manchester City last season.
WHO ENGLAND COULD PLAY IN THE LAST-16?
Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belgium, Georgia, Turkey or Czech Republic
The biggest positive for Southgate will be that Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon all impressed after coming on off the bench.
But it will provide a selection headache for the England manager, who now faces calls for Foden and Bukayo Saka to be dropped.
Speaking after the draw with Slovenia, England captain Harry Kane said: ‘Tonight was a tough game, we played a lot better than the other two games but we couldn’t find that final pass. They defended well and made it hard for us.
‘The boys who came on did really well, they kept the energy high. That’s what we need, everyone to chip in when their time comes.
‘These games are really, really tough. We’ve been here before and stepped it up in the knockouts. Hopefully we can do it again but whoever we get in the next round will be tough. It might take extra-time, it might take penalties. That’s the reality of this tournament.’
Elsewhere in Group C, Denmark finished as runners-up, while Slovenia are through as one of the best third-placed teams.
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