England booked their place in the last-16 at Euro 2024 as winners of Group C, despite a hugely uninspiring 0-0 draw with Slovenia. The Three Lions’ opponents on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen will be confirmed following the conclusion of the group-stage, with it likely to be the Netherlands. The nature of the draw means they cannot face any of Spain, France, Germany or Portugal until the final, though that feels incredibly premature on recent showings.
After two uninspiring performances to start the tournament, the pre-match talk from the England camp had been of a more front-footed approach, a performance to finally kick the campaign into gear. That was not forthcoming in Cologne, as Gareth Southgate’s side once again toiled and failed to excite in attack. Bukayo Saka had a first-half effort ruled out for offside, finishing at the back post after arguably England’s best move of the the tournament, but there was very little beyond that.
Kobbie Mainoo was introduced at half-time to replace Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer came on for his first appearance of the summer, but the Slovenian defence held firm in fairly comfortable fashion.
