England manager Gareth Southgate was met with boos and beer cups thrown by his own fans despite his team topping Group C as Slovenia also progressed to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 thanks to a 0-0 draw in Cologne.
The Three Lions were already assured of a place in the last 16 but can expect more criticism after failing to improve on underwhelming performances in edging past Serbia and drawing with Denmark.
“I get it that they are not happy with me, that is the reality. I am not going to back away from that. I need them behind the team,” Southgate said of the supporters’ reaction.
“I was not going to back away from going over to thank people for coming and giving the support that they did, but I know that this is causing an issue for the group.”
England will have to wait until Wednesday’s final group games to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16.
But more questions will be asked over one of the favourites’ ability to end a 58-year wait for major tournament glory as a star-studded forward line was snuffed out by Slovenia.
“I thought we played a lot better than the other games. We couldn’t just find that finish but we look forward to the next one,” said England captain Harry Kane.
Southgate made a statement with his team selection, resisting the calls to make mass changes as Conor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the only alteration from the opening two games.
If the England boss was looking for a reaction by showing faith in the other 10 who have started all three matches in Germany, he was left disappointed.
Slovenia are now nine games unbeaten, which included beating Portugal 2-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.
Declan Rice had highlighted Benjamin Sesko as their big threat on Monday.
Sesko could have been lining up alongside Rice at Arsenal next season had he not shunned interest to extend his contract at RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old shrugged off a thigh injury to start and had the first chance of the game when he tamely headed straight at Jordan Pickford four minutes in.
It took 20 minutes for England to pose a serious threat and only the offside flag denied them a slick opening goal.
Rice picked out Phil Foden’s run but the Manchester City midfielder had strayed beyond the Slovenian defence before squaring for Bukayo Saka to tap in.
Southgate took action at the break as Gallagher was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.
The 19-year-old added some much needed thrust to the England midfield but they still struggled to turn dominance in possession into chances.
Kane saw a header cleared by Sesko from a corner and Rice flashed a shot wide from the edge of the box.
Southgate answered the call to give Cole Palmer his first minutes of the tournament in the final 20 minutes.
The Chelsea midfielder, who scored 26 goals at club level this season, had England’s only shot on target of the second half but failed to seriously test veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
A point was jubilantly celebrated by the Slovenians as it did enough for them to progress as one of the best third-placed sides thanks to three draws from their three games.
Matjaz Kek’s men missed out on second place in the group solely due to Denmark’s better disciplinary record.
“I didn’t expect to be going into the knockout phase,” said Kek. “But we showed with our play we deserved to be here and go into the knockouts against one of the favourites for the tournament.”
The atmosphere in the stadium was tense from the start, with fans eagerly anticipating a strong performance from England. However, as the game progressed, it became clear that the team was struggling to find their rhythm. The frustration among the supporters grew, culminating in the boos and beer cups thrown at Southgate. Despite the negative reaction, Southgate remained composed and focused on the task at hand.
The match against Slovenia was a crucial one for England, as it would determine their position in the group and their opponent in the knockout stages. The team had shown glimpses of brilliance in their previous matches, but consistency had been an issue. The pressure was on Southgate and his players to deliver a convincing performance and silence the critics.
From the outset, Slovenia proved to be a formidable opponent. Their defense was well-organized, and they were quick to close down any space that England tried to exploit. The Three Lions found it difficult to break through the Slovenian lines, and their frustration was evident. Despite having the majority of possession, England struggled to create clear-cut chances.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams trying to assert their dominance. Slovenia had the first real opportunity of the game when Sesko’s header was comfortably saved by Pickford. England responded with a few half-chances, but the Slovenian defense held firm. The offside flag denied England a goal, adding to their growing frustration.
At halftime, Southgate made a tactical change, bringing on Mainoo for Gallagher. The young midfielder injected some much-needed energy into the team, but it was not enough to break down the resilient Slovenian defense. England continued to dominate possession but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
As the game wore on, the tension in the stadium grew. The fans were desperate for a goal, and the players could feel the weight of expectation on their shoulders. Kane came close with a header from a corner, but Sesko was there to clear it off the line. Rice also had a chance from the edge of the box, but his shot went wide.
In the final 20 minutes, Southgate introduced Palmer, hoping that the Chelsea midfielder could provide the spark that England needed. Palmer had been in excellent form at club level, and the fans were hopeful that he could make an impact. However, his only shot on target was easily saved by Oblak, and England’s search for a goal continued.
The final whistle blew, and the match ended in a goalless draw. The Slovenian players celebrated their achievement, knowing that they had secured a place in the knockout stages. For England, the result was a disappointment, and the boos from the fans echoed around the stadium.
Despite the criticism, Southgate remained optimistic. He acknowledged the fans’ frustration but emphasized the importance of their support. The team would need to regroup and focus on the next challenge. The knockout stages would be a different test, and Southgate was confident that his players would rise to the occasion.
As England awaited the outcome of the final group games, the questions about their ability to win a major tournament persisted. The team had shown flashes of brilliance but needed to find consistency. The road to glory would not be easy, but Southgate and his players were determined to give their best.
The journey to the knockout stages had been a rollercoaster ride for England. They had faced tough opponents and had to overcome various challenges. The fans’ support would be crucial in the next phase of the tournament, and Southgate was hopeful that they would rally behind the team.
In the end, football is a game of highs and lows. The disappointment of the draw against Slovenia would be a learning experience for the team. They would need to analyze their performance, identify areas for improvement, and come back stronger. The dream of ending the 58-year wait for major tournament glory was still alive, and England would fight with all their might to achieve it.
