England advanced to the last 16 of Euro 2024 as the top team in Group C, but they did so after another uninspiring performance, drawing 0-0 against Slovenia in Cologne. Coach Gareth Southgate’s team showed a bit more than in their previous lackluster game against Denmark, but their display was still not impressive enough to justify their status as pre-tournament favorites.
The England team was sluggish and only demonstrated quality in brief moments. In the first half, they had a goal by Bukayo Saka disallowed for offside after a smooth passing move. The supporters, who had been vocal in their support throughout the match, expressed their dissatisfaction with the team’s performance after the final whistle. They booed at halftime and threw empty drink cups at Southgate as he came to acknowledge the fans at the end.
Conor Gallagher’s performance was particularly poor, leading to his substitution at halftime. Manchester United’s young player Kobbie Mainoo replaced Gallagher and brought more energy to the team. Despite having nearly 74% possession, England struggled to break down Slovenia’s defense. Slovenia’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, had a relatively comfortable game but did make a crucial save from a low shot by substitute Cole Palmer.
The lack of creativity was a major issue for England. For the first time in Euro 2024’s history, no team in their group scored more than one goal in a game. Denmark’s 0-0 draw with Serbia meant Denmark finished second in the group, while Slovenia qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.
Despite their own poor performance, England benefited from the outcomes of other matches. The strong teams like France, Spain, Germany, and Portugal are in the other half of the knockout draw, which could work in England’s favor. England’s likely opponent in the last 16 is currently the Netherlands, though this could change after the final round of matches.
Southgate’s midfield issues were highlighted again with Mainoo’s introduction after just 45 minutes. Mainoo became the third different midfield partner for Declan Rice in just two and a half games, following the unsuccessful experiments with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gallagher. Mainoo’s presence added some vitality to England’s game, but it was still a third consecutive game where they failed to impress.
The manager has tried various solutions to fix the midfield problem, excluding Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. With Southgate running out of options, Mainoo’s performance provided some hope, but the overall situation remains uncertain. England’s midfield struggles have been a recurring issue throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead, England needs to lift their game significantly if they are to capitalize on the favorable draw. Despite advancing to the knockout stage, their performances have been disappointing, especially in attack. They struggled to penetrate Slovenia’s well-organized defense, even though Saka’s disallowed goal demonstrated some promising quick passing between Rice and Phil Foden.
Jude Bellingham, who was outstanding in the opening game against Serbia, appeared out of form and frustrated during this match. England will need more from their young star as they move into the knockout rounds.
In summary, while England has made it through to the last 16, there are numerous questions for Southgate and his team to answer. They have shown glimpses of potential but need to significantly improve their performance to advance further in the tournament.