Summary

  • Rooney's 48th England goal - joins Lineker

  • Pecnik equalised with superb header

  • Wilshere with two left-foot strikes

  • Novakovic scored with precise low finish

  • England end 2014-15 season unbeaten

  1. Waste of an afternoon?published at 15:44 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    Yep, It was downright dismal in Dublin last week as England drew 0-0 with Republic of Ireland.

    TV pundit Paul Scholes described it as "a waste of an afternoon" and, judging by reaction on social media, most people agreed with the former Manchester United midfielder.

    The two teams managed just four shots on target between them in the end-of-season snoozefest at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

    Roy HodgsonImage source, Getty Images

    None of that today right Roy? Roy?

    "These things do happen. Did I enjoy the game? No. Did I think we played well? No. Did the players? No."

    Good. Glad we're all on the same page here.

    "But it's one of 1,300 games for me and one of 600 for Wayne Rooney. We will benefit from that game. We probably needed it, a lot more than I realised perhaps."

  2. Postpublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    If Roy Hodgson's gung-ho approach to today's game hasn't got you all excited, just cast your minds back to last weekend and that extraordinary draw in Dublin.

    EnglandImage source, AP
    Image caption,

    I tried to find a photo of a chance from the game but none exist

    It was, well, it was rubbish wasn't it? Utter drivel.

    One of the worst 90 minutes of football I can recall seeing. And I have seen a lot of stuff in the lower reaches of the fourth division. I've seen Billy Turley play a season in goal. I've seen Ali Gibb play right-back. I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.

    But I've still rarely seen a worse game than Republic of Ireland 0-0 England...

  3. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 15:36 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    We asked: What is the best England performance you can recall and when was the last time you were genuinely excited by the Three Lions?

    EnglandImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The most exciting friendly ever?

    Scotty Daily: Argentina friendly in 2005. Thriller. Owen for the Crouch piggy back ride to win!

    Martin O'Donnell: Best England performance against Holland, Euro 96. What a game, out passed and out played the pass masters.

    Benjamin Sorvel: The last time I was genuinely off my seat watching England was against Italy in the Euros on penalties.

    Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

    You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

  4. Unbeatables?published at 15:31 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    Finishing the season unbeaten would be a "great achievement" for England after last year's disappointing World Cup exit, says captain Wayne Rooney.

    Roy Hodgson's side have won seven and drawn two in 2014-15.

    "It will be great for us after the World Cup," said Rooney, 29. "Now we need to finish off with a win."

    "A season unbeaten has got to be worth something," added Hodgson.

  5. Unbeatables?published at 15:26 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    England
    Image caption,

    The 11 last time England went through a season unbeaten in summer 1991

    It is 24 years since England finished a season unbeaten. In the summer of 1991 Graham Taylor's troops took in a post-season tour, with wins over Australia, New Zealand (twice) and then this 4-2 win over a Malaysia XI.

    Gary Lineker scored all four goals. Useful....

  6. Postpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    BBC Radio 5 live

    England will look to continue their 100% start to Group E against their nearest challengers in Ljubljana and you can follow all the action on BBC Radio 5 live.

    The build-up begins at 15:30 BST before full commentary from 17:00 BST.

    Alan Green and John Murray are on the mike, alongside former England defender Martin Keown who will be summarising.

  7. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 15:20 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    England's record in big tournaments is consistently disappointing, and they have won none of their last eight games played in June (D6 L2).

    Alan ShearerImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    What a time to be alive: England were absolutely brilliant for about five days in 1996. No honestly, they really were

    But what is the best England performance you can recall? When was the last time you were genuinely excited by the Three Lions? Put some pep into our afternoon if you would.

    Let me hear the games that lifted you out of your seat.

    Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

    You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

  8. Postpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer in Ljubljana

    "Humid conditions will greet England when they arrive here at Stadion Stozice in Ljubjlana for the final Euro 2016 qualifier of this season against Slovenia. It has been a hot day here and this will provide a strength-sapping test.

    "The arena is small but sure to be atmospheric and in line with manager Roy Hodgson's pre-match comments, England will simply want to get in and out with a victory to make it six out of six, no matter how it is achieved."

  9. Postpublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    Winning is all that matters to Roy Hodgson, and to be fair he has never lost a qualification game as manager of England (W11 D4).

    Impressive? Or an indictment of the state of some of these qualifying groups?

  10. Win all that matterspublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    With qualification looking to be in the bag is it time for England to take the handbrake off and go for it?

    Ah. Maybe not.

    EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    For England manager Roy Hodgson says he is not worried about their performance in Slovenia as long as they win. That's the spirit!

    "We are concentrating on breaking them down, scoring goals and - if I'm brutally honest - winning," he said.

    "I'd take a show or a lucky victory. At the end of the day winning or not getting beaten are the important factors."

  11. Mr. 100%published at 14:56 British Summer Time 14 June 2015

    Roy HodgsonImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Where were the aviators Roy?

    Played five, won five. Scored 15, conceded one.

    England's Euro 2016 qualification group has so far been serene sailing, with Roy Hodgson's men making life look incredibly straightforward.

    The question of England's qualification for next summer's finals in France has ceased to be if but when, and focus has switched to subplots such as Wayne Rooney breaking the goalscoring record, Raheem Sterling's contractual status and the call-ups of Jamie Vardy and Charlie Austin.

    But the campaign rolls on. Today's sixth episode of the series takes place in the delightful surroundings of Ljubljana, with England looking to go an entire season unbeaten since the giddy days of Graham Taylor, Tony Daley and 1991.

    All set?