Match Report: England 0-0 Slovenia
- K. Trippier (17′)
- M. Guéhi (68′)
- P. Foden (77′)
- E. Janža (22′)
- J. Bijol (72′)
The Three Lions are held to a draw in their final group stage game at EURO 2024
England v Slovenia
UEFA EURO 2024 - Group C fixture
8pm BST, Tuesday 25 June 2024
Cologne Stadium, Germany
Gareth Southgate has spoken ahead of England's final Group C match with Slovenia on Tuesday.
The Three Lions boss reflected on Thursday's 1-1 draw with Denmark and discusses what he expects from their next opponents.
Here is what he had to say in full.
Reflections on the Denmark draw…
"There are areas of our game we need to improve but in the end it was an important point. You can see in other matches how a point is valuable in tournaments like this. It's slightly different to other forms of football where maybe in the last minute you throw everybody forward to get a win. We are very aware our performances need to improve but we're in a very similar situation to the last EUROs in terms of points and goals and we're comfortable with that."
On staying calm…
"If we weren't top of the group and in control of our own destiny then it might feel different, but we are calm. The facts are only three teams had six points from their first two games, everybody else needs a result from their last game. That is how it normally works and we're very clear with the players about the world we're in. We'd love to be sitting a bit more comfortably having scored a few more goals and on six points but we aren't."
On where England can improve…
"We've been very honest about what needs to be better. We didn't hide from the realities. We operate in an environment where we keep perspective and we're composed and we also challenge ourselves because we want to go to a different level than what we've shown so far. That's the collective, the coaching staff and the players. We're all in this together."
On the players' fitness levels…
"Coming into this summer we had some players who hadn't played for a long time so they're going to be better for the matches we've had. The extra day's rest since the last game is also really helpful. We've also played two teams that play back threes and drop more players low and that's complicated to press. The references aren't always that clear and there is a lot more decision-making needed on the pitch. We could have done better there so far."
On how the possession play can improve…
"We need a little more structural discipline to our positioning and a little bit more composure when we're in moments of transition. Also more belief in the quality we have. There have been moments, certainly in the first 30-35 minutes against Serbia and the start of the game against Denmark, where we've used the ball very well, so we have plenty of evidence we can do it. We need to put that together for longer periods of time. We are trying to find solutions to that and we're happy with the players we've got. We know we've got to get the balance right and we think it's definitely resolvable. You have to be open to different ways of playing, particularly against different opponents, but you've also got to not lose the things you're doing well."
On dealing with criticism…
"I don't read it and I don't listen to it so It's very simple. My world's a happier place and it allows me to be really clear with the players. It allows me to be sharp on the analysis of where we need to be better and less emotional on the things that need solving. It's a great challenge to get the team functioning in a way that we'd really like and we know we're not quite doing that but there are things that are easily resolvable. We've been discussing all week how the narrative can change really quickly. We recognise the context in terms of results but I can only repeat we're not happy with the level of performance."
On what to expect from Slovenia…
"They play in a back four, which changes where the spaces will be. It changes the types of attack we will face. They have a different profile of players and some very good players in attacking areas. Benjamin Sesko has clearly got some fabulous attributes, he's got speed, he's strong, he's good in the air. Our players are aware of key individuals but we also want to impose ourselves on them."
Highlights: England 1-0 Slovenia
See the best of the action from our last meeting with Slovenia at Wembley back in 2017
● This will be England and Slovenia’s second encounter at a major tournament; England won 1-0 in the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
● England's Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier both played in a 7-1 win against Slovenia at the 2009 U19 EURO Finals in Ukraine. The game in Donetsk saw goals from Henri Lansbury, Danny Welbeck (2), Matt Briggs, Nathan Delfouneso (2) and Nile Ranger to seal progress to the semi-final where they beat France before they eventually lost to the host nation in the Final.
● Slovenia have played more matches without winning at the UEFA EURO than any other nation, drawing four and losing one of their five games. Indeed, they have never beaten a European nation at a major tournament, also losing both games at the World Cup in 2010 against Spain and England.
● England have won 34 of their last 37 matches in which they have scored the first goal (D3), although two of their failures to do so have come across the last two UEFA EURO tournaments – the 2020 final vs Italy (1-1) and on MD2 this year against Denmark (1-1).
● Slovenia are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions (W4 D4), only enjoying a longer unbeaten run once in their history (9 games between September 2020 and March 2021).
● Petar Stojanovic won possession 11 times for Slovenia in their MD2 game against Serbia – in a major tournament game, the only Slovenian player to win possession more was Ales Ceh at EURO 2000 against Spain (14).
● Harry Kane has scored five goals in his last six UEFA EURO appearances, with only Wayne Rooney (6) and Alan Shearer (7) scoring more EURO goals for England.
Sights set on Slovenia 💪
— England (@England) June 23, 2024
Shot on Google Pixel. pic.twitter.com/SaQRzYaojz
Head to head
The Three Lions have played Slovenia at men's senior level on six occasions, registering five wins and drawing once. The first meeting came in September 2009 when the nations met in an international at Wembley when Jermain Defoe and Frank Lampard scored the goals.
Last three meetings v Slovenia
England 1-0 Slovenia, FIFA World Cup European Qualifier, 5 October 2017
It took a last-minute goal from Harry Kane to seal the three points for Gareth Southgate's team at Wembley, when the nations met while qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Slovenia 0-0 England, FIFA World Cup European Qualifier, 11 October 2016
In what was Gareth Southgate's second game as interim head coach of the senior team, the Three Lions had to settle for a point during their trip to Ljubljana.
Slovenia 2-3 England, UEFA EURO 2016 European Qualifier, 14 June 2015
A screamer from Jack Wilshere and a late winner from Wayne Rooney settled a thrilling encounter during qualifying for UEFA EURO 2016.
From the archive: Slovenia 2-3 England
Take a look back at a thrilling clash during the qualifying stages for EURO 2016
England Squad News
Ticket Information
If you're travelling to Germany for the game, you can find out more about Cologne and the stadium.
Where can I watch England v Slovenia?
Games at UEFA EURO 2024 are being shown live in the UK by both the BBC and ITV. This game will be shown live on ITV1 and ITVX.
Gareth Southgate has named his lineup to face Slovenia in England's final Group C game at EURO 2024.
The Three Lions play Slovenia in Cologne, knowing that a win or draw will be enough to seal top spot in the group.
There's one change to team, as Conor Gallagher replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
England: 1 Jordan Pickford, 2 Kyle Walker, 4 Declan Rice, 5 John Stones, 6 Marc Guehi, 7 Bukayo Saka, 9 Harry Kane (c), 10 Jude Bellingham, 11 Phil Foden, 12 Kieran Trippier, 16 Conor Gallagher.
Substitutes: 8 Trent Alexander-Arnold, 13 Aaron Ramsdale, 14 Ezri Konsa, 15 Lewis Dunk, 17 Ivan Toney, 18 Anthony Gordon, 19 Ollie Watkins, 20 Jarrod Bowen, 21 Eberechi Eze, 22 Joe Gomez, 23 Dean Henderson, 24 Cole Palmer, 25 Adam Wharton, 26 Kobbie Mainoo
Already assured of a place in the last 16, England knew that a win would clinch first place in the group. However a point proved enough, with Denmark also held to a goalless draw against Serbia.
England will have to wait to find out their opponents in the last 16, with the match set to take place on Sunday 30 June in Gelsenkirchen against one of the best third-place finishers.
Slovenia, meanwhile, did enough to reach the knockout stages, prompting delight for their players and fans as the final whistle blew.
Gareth Southgate had made one change from the team that drew with Denmark, bringing Conor Gallagher into the midfield for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But England soon started to monopolise the ball, finishing the first half with nearly 70 per cent of possession.
Their first threat came when Phil Foden was played away down the left. He had strayed just offside, although it made little difference as his cross had evaded Bukayo Saka on the right.
Slovenia posed a danger when Erik Janza’s whipped cross evaded Andraz Sporar under pressure from Kieran Trippier. The left-back was booked a minute later when he caught Zan Karnicnik as Slovenia looked to counter-attack.
England then had the ball in the net on 20 minutes with their best passing move of the match. Trippier’s pass for Declan Rice was sharply steered to Foden darting forward on the left. He slid it across for Saka to tap home, but the Manchester City man was just offside and the celebrations were immediately curtailed.
Against a very well-organised Slovenian defence, England were able to dominate the ball, but had to work very hard to create chances.
The game started to open up a little just before the half-hour, with Foden particularly prominent.
After Harry Kane had forced a first save out of Slovenia skipper Jan Oblak with a long-range effort, he had to be alert once more to stop Foden. From a free-kick about 25 metres out on the right, Foden’s effort was headed for the top corner, but Oblak was able to get across to stop it.
Trippier then sparked real danger in the Slovenia box with a whipped cross off his right foot, the ball just evading Gallagher and Kane.
At half time, Southgate turned to Kobbie Mainoo, bringing him on for Gallagher. The teenager made an immediate impact, as England started the half with real intensity.
England captain Kane was posing problems from deep. First a long pass picked out Kyle Walker on the right of the box, before an even better ball for Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid man could not quite control the ball on the half-volley, having got in behind the last defender.
While England were playing an increasing amount of the game deep in Slovenian territory, one long ball did catch them out, with Marc Guehi booked for bringing down Sporar 30 metres from goal.
Cole Palmer got his first action of the Euros as he was introduced with 20 minutes to go. Soon after, Rice connected well after a one-two with Foden, his effort fizzing wide of the far post.
England had a final opportunity in injury time, opening up space on the left before switching play across to the right. Palmer was found by a beautiful flick-on by Kane, but his first-time strike with his left foot was straight at Oblak.
Substitutes: 26 Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) for Gallagher 46’, 24 Cole Palmer (Chelsea) for Saka 71’, 8 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) for Trippier 85’, 18 Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United) for Foden 89’
Subs not used: 13 Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), 23 Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), 3 Luke Shaw (Manchester United), 14 Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), 15 Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), 17 Ivan Toney (Brentford), 20 Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), 21 Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), 22 Joe Gomez (Liverpool), 25 Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Coach: Gareth Southgate
Slovenia: 1 Jan Oblak, 2 Zan Karnicnik, 6 Jaka Bijol, 9 Andraz Sporar, 10 Timi Max Elsnik, 11 Benjamin Sesko, 13 Erik Janza, 17 Jan Mlakar, 20 Petar Stojanovic, 21 Vanja Drkusic, 22 Adam Gnezda Cerin
Substitutes: 26 Josip Ilicic for Sesko 75’, 5 Jan Gorenc Stankovic for Mlakar 86’, 19 Zan Celar for Sporar 86’, 3 Jure Balkovec for Janza 90+1’
Subs not used: 12 Vid Belec, 16 Igor Vekic, 4 Miha Blazic, 7 Benjamin Verbic, 8 Sandi Lovric, 14 Jasmin Kurtic, 15 Tomi Horvat, 18 Zan Vipotnik, 23 David Brekalo, 24 Nino Zugelj, 25 Adrian Zeljkovic
Coach: Matjaz Kek
