Highlights: England 0-0 Slovenia

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer in Cologne

England moved into Euro 2024's last 16 at the top of Group C - but it was only achieved after another drab display with a draw against Slovenia in Cologne.

Gareth Southgate's side offered up slightly more than in the abysmal performance against Denmark but once again it was nowhere good enough to justify England's status as pre-tournament favourites.

They were laboured and only showed quality in flashes, namely in the first half when a slick passing move ended with Bukayo Saka's goal being ruled out for offside.

For the second game in a row, England felt real hostility from supporters who backed them magnificently during the game but made their feelings clear after the final whistle.

After boos at the break, supporters let Southgate know what they thought when he went to applaud them at the end, with a couple of empty drinks cups aimed his way from the stands.

Conor Gallagher failed to justify his inclusion and was replaced at half-time, with the introduction of Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo providing more urgency after the break.

England were also short on creativity in a group where no team scored more than one goal in a game for the first time in the competition's history.

Denmark's 0-0 draw with Serbia means they finish second and Slovenia qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

It was a good night in other respects for England, with results elsewhere meaning the dangerous quartet of France, Spain, Germany and Portugal have dropped into the other side of the draw.

England's last-16 opponents are currently the Netherlands - but that could change after the final round of matches.

England's opener disallowed as Foden caught offside in the build up

Southgate's midfield problems exposed

Mainoo's introduction after only 45 minutes highlighted a serious problem at the heart of Southgate’s England team.

Manchester United's talented teenager became Declan Rice’s third midfield partner in just two-and-a-half games after the experiment of using Trent Alexander-Arnold was ditched and Gallagher failed to justify his selection with a disappointing display.

Mainoo at least injected some life into this England display but it was the third game in a row at Euro 2024 when they have fallen well short.

The Three Lions had almost 74% possession but Slovenia keeper Jan Oblak was comfortable throughout, although he had to make a smart late save from substitute Cole Palmer's low shot.

Mainoo did enough to suggest he will be alongside Rice in England's last-16 game unless Southgate decides to alter a system he seems so firmly wedded to.

It is an area where the manager has used all solutions apart from Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and he is running through his options rapidly.

Southgate has been attempting to solve this puzzle throughout Euro 2024 and Mainoo has given him food for thought after the failures of using Alexander-Arnold and Gallagher.

England have hope amid mediocrity

'We totally dominated the game' - Southgate on Slovenia draw

Southgate and his players need every boost to morale they can get after another night of toil and it came in news from elsewhere.

Hosts Germany, France, Spain and Portugal are out of sight for now in the other half of the draw, although England will need to lift performance levels markedly to cash in on this slice of good fortune.

If England hoped to produce a performance to answer their critics, this was not it as they were once again lightweight as an attacking force.

They struggled to find a way through Slovenia's well-drilled and determined defence, backed up by their outstanding keeper Oblak, even when the answer was obvious and came in a moment which actually brought disappointment.

Saka's goal was disallowed for offside after 20 minutes but it was at least the product of slick, quick passing between Rice and Phil Foden to get in behind Slovenia.

It was the way forward but England simply did not, or could not, exploit it. It was a better display after the break but Southgate's side once again lacked punch, as they did against Serbia and Denmark.

Jude Bellingham, the hero of the opening game win against Serbia, once again looked out of sorts and let his frustrations get the better of him with some negative first-half body language.

England will hope for much more from their great young hope as they enter the knockout stage.

They are through - but there are many questions left for Southgate to answer.

Foden's fine free kick effort

Player of the match

J. Oblak
6.52
24 C. Palmer
6.42
11 P. Foden
5.48
1 J. Pickford
5.43
18 A. Gordon
5.39
6 M. Guéhi
5.39
26 K. Mainoo
5.29
5 J. Stones
5.04
2 K. Walker
4.91
7 B. Saka
4.65
12 K. Trippier
4.57
8 T. Alexander-Arnold
4.51
4 D. Rice
4.24
10 J. Bellingham
4.20
9 H. Kane
4.10
16 C. Gallagher
3.77
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