It wasn’t fairly once more, however England confirmed their standing as Group C winners with a 0-0 draw in opposition to Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday night time.
After a slender 1-0 win over Serbia and a dreadful efficiency in a 1-1 draw in opposition to Denmark, England supporters demanded a response from their staff, who went to Germany as one of many pre-tournament favourites.
Nonetheless, they have been left unhappy once more because the Three Lions mustered simply 4 pictures on track and 0.87 xG in opposition to a nation ranked No.57 on this planet, regardless of controlling 74% possession.
Even so, England now know they’ll play their spherical of 16 match in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, are on the other facet of the draw to the likes of France, Portugal, Germany and Spain, whereas they continue to be unbeaten on the event. Glass half full?
Listed below are the total participant scores from Tuesday’s stalemate:
England participant scores vs Slovenia
Jordan Pickford – 7/10 – Good positioning and focus to mop up some balls behind from Slovenia. One of many few England gamers who can stroll away from this group stage with their satisfaction intact.
Kyle Walker – 5/10 – Used his restoration tempo nicely every time Slovenia tried to interrupt. Was sloppy on the ball, nevertheless, shedding possession 10 instances all through the match.
John Stones – 4/10 – Wonderful defensively however simply as he was in opposition to Denmark, far too sluggish and indecisive with the ball. Took 4 or 5 touches earlier than deciding on what go to play, even when there have been apparent routes ahead for him to take, whereas simply two of his 88 tried passes went into the ultimate third. Such an vital participant for this staff however simply hasn’t obtained going at this event.
Marc Guehi – 6/10 – Continued to indicate he can reduce it at this degree, though in equity he didn’t have a lot defending to do. Received fortunate after a mistake practically let Slovenia in and he needed to pull his man to the ground to cease the break, incomes a yellow card within the course of.
Kieran Trippier – 6/10 – Continues to disclaim England width and steadiness on the left, although that’s clearly not his fault. Did, nevertheless, ship the cross of the night time shortly earlier than half-time, which was one way or the other missed first by the pinnacle of Conor Gallagher, then the proper boot of Harry Kane.
Conor Gallagher – 6/10 – Got here in below huge stress changing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Wasn’t by any means the issue for England, doing okay with the ball and placing loads of effort in with out it. Sacrificed at half-time as Southgate tried one thing totally different with Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7/10 – Tried greater than most in an England shirt to up the tempo and had an honest likelihood within the second half when breaking behind the defence together with Phil Foden, although he blasted his shot huge.
Bukayo Saka – 4/10 – Didn’t create a single likelihood or try a single dribble. Performed it far too secure, the odd run behind apart. Had a objective disallowed within the first half with Phil Foden offside within the build-up, however provided treasured little in any other case.
Jude Bellingham – 3/10 – Seemed drained and utterly off the tempo, whether or not by the center or drifting out to the left. Profitable with simply one in all his 5 dribble makes an attempt, whereas failing to create a single likelihood or try a shot.
Phil Foden – 7/10 – “Phil Foden has had sport,” former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon bluntly declared in his ITV commentary (by way of BBC Sport). That’s perhaps overstating it a bit of bit however he was extra vigorous than most for the Three Lions, a minimum of attempting to commit Slovenian defenders. Has outshone Bellingham within the final two video games.
Harry Kane – 5/10 – Starved of service as soon as once more, with no outfield participant to function for 90 minutes touching the ball much less (32). Created a few openings with some good passes however apart from that, was decreased to speculative pictures from distance.
Substitutes:
“Each time England made a change, they obtained higher,” Gary Neville advised ITV after the match. The previous Manchester United man has some extent, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer including some much-needed tempo to England’s sport:
Kobbie Mainoo (46′, for Gallagher) – 7/10 – Made an enormous distinction within the second half with some faster and extra correct passing. Actually, accomplished 33 of his 34 tried passes, whereas having two touches within the opposition field. Maino has certainly earned a begin within the spherical of 16.
Cole Palmer (71′, for Saka) – 8/10 – England seemed higher from the second he stepped onto the sphere. Instantly set about utilizing his tempo and trickery to beat Slovenian defenders, whereas placing some crosses into the field and testing his luck with an honest effort that stung the palms of Jan Oblak. A protracted-awaited first look-in on the event for Palmer, who as everyone knows, was sensational for Chelsea final season. Hopefully not the final, both.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (84′, for Trippier) – 5/10 – Fired one shot over the bar from distance however actually couldn’t be anticipated to do a lot with the time he had.
Anthony Gordon (89′, for Foden) – 6/10 – Introduced on far too late however nonetheless confirmed just a few first rate glimpses. “Each subs straight in Gordon, what a go. The little flick from Kane and also you fancy Cole Palmer along with his left foot to only curl it into the far nook. That was England’s finest transfer of the day,” Dixon mentioned of the transfer that led to Palmer’s shot, with Gordon closely concerned.
