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| Euro 2024: England Tops Group C Despite Goalless Tie With Slovenia |
England secured the top position in Group C, and Slovenia advanced to the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time following a dull 0-0 draw on Tuesday.
Having already secured a spot in the round of 16, England concluded the group phase with five points. However, it was yet another night of frustration for Gareth Southgate's team, which has scored a mere two goals in three matches.
ESPN noted that while the Slovenian team celebrated at the final whistle, numerous England supporters had already exited, expressing their discontent by booing the players.
Slovenia's solid defense ensured the draw, placing them third with three points, equal to Denmark, who also drew 0-0 with Serbia.
Despite identical goal differences, goals scored, and disciplinary records, Denmark progressed to second place over Slovenia based on their UEFA ranking and will now face Germany.
The deciding factor was the better qualifying record — Denmark narrowly surpassed Slovenia in their head-to-head, having finished with equal points in the qualifiers.
Southgate's squad, despite dominating with 71% possession, managed just three shots on target. As group winners moving into the last 16, they will need significant improvement to surpass their Euro 2020 performance, where they lost the final to Italy.
The English fans were vocal as the match neared on a humid evening by the Rhine, encouraged by results that placed European giants France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal in the opposite half of the knockout draw.
A victory for England would have ensured they avoided an early clash with these teams, but by halftime, many fans had left in search of refreshments, with their team struggling offensively against a disciplined Slovenian side.
Bukayo Saka did score at the 19-minute mark, but Phil Foden was ruled offside before delivering a low cross.
England's methodical approach meant their first on-target attempt came only in the 31st minute, with captain Harry Kane's shot easily handled by goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Oblak remained vigilant, intercepting a Foden free kick, while Slovenia, eager to progress in a major tournament, remained relatively untroubled.
Kane nearly connected with a Kieran Trippier cross just before the break, and Slovenia's Benjamin Sesko posed a threat, heading a chance directly at goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
