England 0-0 Slovenia: summary, score, goals, highlights Euro 2024
Euro 2024: England - Slovenia live text updates
England 0-0 Slovenia: full-time thoughts
Despite winning Group C, England’s status as favourite to win Euro 2024 has been thrown into doubt by three unconvincing performances, which have resulted in a win over Serbia and draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate’s side once again lacked the urgency required to break down the opposition defence, creating no more than a few half chances. They did inject some pace into their play on one or two occasions, most notably when Saka rounded off the best move of the first half from close range, only for Foden to be flagged offside in the build-up.
Other than that, late efforts from outside the box from Palmer and Alexander-Arnold were the best they could muster.
Slovenia, meanwhile, never tested Pickford at all, and were on the back foot for almost the entirety of the second half in particular. However, they defended resolutely, and rarely looked in danger of conceding and losing their spot in the last 16.
Euro 2024 group stages concludes on Wednesday
We will have the full line-up for the round of 16 by this time tomorrow (Wednesday), when the last four group stage fixtures will be played.
Group E
Slovakia - Romania (12pm, ET)
Ukraine - Belgium (12pm, ET)
Group F
Georgia - Portugal (3pm ET)
Czechia - Türkiye (3pm ET)
Who will England play in the round of 16 at Euro 2024?
England will play either the Netherlands or the third-placed team from Group E (Romania, Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia) in Gelsenkirchen on 30 June.
Denmark will take on hosts Germany in Dortmund on 29 June, while Slovenia will face either Portugal in Frankfurt on 1 July or the winner of Group E in Munich on 2 July.
Group C final standings: England top
Despite being well below par, England go through as Group C winners, with Denmark qualifying ahead of Slovenia by virtue of having picked up fewer yellow cards (after a 1-1 draw between the teams, they both scored twice and conceded twice).
| group C | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Goalless draws galore in Group C
It has indeed finished goalless in Munich, which means England, Denmark and Slovenia are going through to the last 16 in that order, with poor old Serbia packing their bags.
Full-time: England 0-0 Slovenia
Not a classic, let's be honest. England look as if they're going to top the group, Slovenia will go through to the last 16 too. But what's going on in the other game in Munich?
Alexander-Arnold shoots over
Alexander-Arnold fires a couple of yards over from around 25 yards. Looks great if it goes in, a poor decision if it doesn't.
Big chance for England!
That might be England's best chance! Kane cleverly dummies the ball for Palmer, who's in acres of space coming in from the right. We saw him score several goals from that position for Chelsea last season, but his low strike is fairly comfortable for Oblak.
Four minutes of injury time to be played.
Slovenia substitution
Fancy another sub? Here you go.
Janza is replaced by Balkovec.
Substitutions
Slovenia - Stankovic and Celar on, Mlakar and Sporar off
England - Gordon on, Foden off.
Foden's cross is a dangerous one but Oblak gets his fists to it to clear.
Janza fouls Palmer near the touchline and this is a chance for England to get a dangerous ball into the box!
Actually, TAA is now at right-back, with Walker switching to left-back.
England substitution
Alexander-Arnold replaces Trippier for England. It looks as if the Liverpool man will be finishing the game on the left...
Janza hadn't been down for a minute, so there he goes. It seems the ball got him this time, and he somehow got a free-kick for it.
Kane finds some space in the box and lays the ball off to Foden, whose shot from outside the box is blocked.
Slovenia have a rare chance to break away but they can't pick out Elsnik's forward run. Back to defending.
For the umpteenth time, Janza is down. I think we might see a bit more of this in the last 10 minutes...
Kane gets away down the right and fires low across the box for Foden, but Karnicnik clears just in time!
Foden yellow card
Foden is next to be booked after complaining to the referee. Only captains or designated players can speak to the officials, according to UEFA's new rules.
Slovenia substitution
Ilicic on for Sesko, who's hardly had a kick in this game.
Rice shoots wide!
That's probably the best effort on goal we've had, and it wasn't all that close. Rice flashes one wide of Oblak's goal from inside the box!
From the free-kick, Trippier sticks the ball up to the back post, but leaves Guéhi with far too much work to do to keep the ball alive in the box.
Bijol yellow card
Kane fortuitously gets away from Bijol, who reacts by pulling the striker back. Yellow card.
England have left the left flank to Kieran Tripper and Kieran Trippier alone, with Foden now playing centrally just in behind Kane.
England substitution: Palmer on
Cole Palmer makes his first appearance of Euro 2024, replacing Saka.
Janza floats a free-kick into the England box...and it goes straight out for a goal kick.
Guéhi yellow card
Guéhi took one for the team there! Out of nowhere, Slovenia were two against two in attack, but the England defender pulled Sporar back before he could either shoot or feed Sesko.
Slovenia have at least looked a bit more defensively solid in the last few minutes after a shaky period.
A little bit of possession for Slovenia comes to an end with a long ball up to Sporar, who can't find Sesko. It's coming straight back.
The England fans have responded to their team's improved performance. They are making all the noise at the moment.
Obviously, as soon as I say that, Slovenia have a shot at goal! A pretty terrible one, however, as Gnezda Cerin's effort flies well, well wide.
One-way traffic at the moment. Slovenia can't get out of their half.
Saka thinks he's away down the right wing but gets penalised for a soft "foul" on Janza.
England are looking considerably better in this second half, without creating anything clear-cut.
Chaos in the Slovenian box from a corner! Sesko clears off the line and Saka nearly takes Sporar's head off with an overhead kick. A foul and some respite for the men in blue.
Foden's delivery looks perfect for Kane, but Bijol gets a crucial touch on it to take it away from the England captain!
Drkusic clatters through the back of Mainoo and England are going to have a free-kick in a really promising position.
Better movement from Kane and Bellingham. The former comes short and the latter runs into the space he vacated. Bijol does just enough to clear the danger before the Real Madrid man can pounce.
That's really poor from Walker, not for the first time. He's all alone at the back post but he miscues his first-time cross, which goes well over the bar.
Very nearly a Foden-esque pass there from...Foden, whose pass to Saka is cut out by Janza in the nick of time.
Slovenia have not made a good start to this second half. Misplaced passes, loose touches. They need to weather this...shower (not calling it a storm yet).
Kane again gets his head to Trippier's delivery but can't pick out one of several teammates in the box.
This is better from England. Kane gets in behind on the right and wins for a corner.
Walker crosses to the far post and Kane bizarrely opts to head across goal, where there was nobody, rather than try to score himself.
Almost a shooting chance for Bellingham! Saka squeezes the ball through to him in the box, but the ball won't quite sit nice enough for him.
Mlakar has the chance to launch a counterattack for Slovenia, but carelessly loses possession in midfield.
All the early play down the England left at the moment, with Bellingham trying to make inroads down that side.
Second half underway in Cologne!
Come on, lads! Let's see a bit more in the way of excitement!
England substitution: Mainoo on
Southgate has made a half-time change. Kobbie Mainoo is on for Conor Gallagher, who himself had replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting line-up.
England - Slovenia: first-half stats
The two 0s at the top of this graphic loom large. Not much in the way of attacking threat from either team.
England 0-0 Slovenia: half-time thoughts
England were criticised for being too slow and ponderous in possession in their first two fixtures, and it was much of the same for long spells of the first half in Colonge.
They did inject some pace into their play on one or two occasions, most notably when Saka rounded off the best move of the half from close range, only for Foden to be flagged offside in the build-up.
Slovenia have defended relatively comfortably and ventured forward sporadically, without creating any clear-cut openings either.
A more exciting second period surely awaits…
Bellingham's first half struggle against Slovenia
Jude Bellingham had a sensational season playing for Real Madrid, but has struggled to rediscover his club form with England (despite scoring the winner against Serbia). An ineffective first half for the 20-year-old, I think we can say.
Group C: as it stands
If things stay the way they are (let's hope not), then England will win the group, and both Denmark and Slovenia will qualify for the round of 16. It only seems to be in Serbia's interests to score an actual goal.
| group C | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Just in case you were worried you were missing something in today's other game in Group C, you haven't been. It's also goalless between Denmark and Serbia in Munich.
Half-time: England 0-0 Slovenia
Not a single second of injury-time. Even the referee had had enough.
I almost jinxed it for Slovenia there. Walker feeds the ball into Saka, who looks to have laid if off perfectly for Bellingham. However, it just runs past the Real Madrid man, who had been looking to get a shot away.
England finishing the half by moving the ball from side to side and back again, the way they began. Fitting.
For once, Kane finds space between the Slovenian midfield and defence, who seem to have completely forgotten about him. He takes a few strides forward and shoots from range, but a deflection takes the ball over the bar.
England go close!
Tripper's in-swinging cross from the left looks perfect for Gallagher, who misses his header in front of goal. Kane tries to react and launches himself at the ball, but also fails to connect. Goal kick.
A flurry of attacks from the Slovenians. Gnezda Cerin jinks into the box and floats up a cross, with Janza going down at the far post under next to no pressure from Saka. That's what you might call 'looking for it'.
Almost spoke too soon! Karnicnik gets in behind Trippier and to the goal line but fires a cross in that's far too hard, with none of his teammates given a chance to convert.
Slovenia aren't carrying much of a threat, but they aren't looking in much danger either.
Oblak saves Foden free-kick
Foden gets the ball up and over the wall, but Oblak has it well covered.
Here's a free kick in a dangerous position for England. Tripper and Foden lining it up...
Trippier plays a nice pass in behind for Foden, who plays a strange ball back from the goal line back to Walker, who plays an ever stranger pass out wide to Saka.
Strange all round.
England have lifted the tempo a little after their opening stodginess, but it's still far from free-flowing.
Kane tests Oblak!
Moments after he had had a shot blocked from just inside the box, Kane gets an effort away from slightly further out, although it's fairly tame and straight at Oblak.
That was a chance for Slovenia! Sesko is in space but yet another pass is played too hard and runs through to Pickford.
The ball nearly drops for Saka and then Bellingham on the edge of the Slovenian box, but neither is able to escape the clutches of nearby blue jerseys.
Foden drifts infield from the left into a central position and has the chance to play Kane in, but also overhits the pass, with Oblak able to collect.
Mlakar nips the ball away from Saka and should set Sesko away but overhits the pass and a potential attack breaks down.
Wow. Walker attempts to half-volley a pass back to Stones and completely misses his kick. I'm sure he doesn't do that when he's playing for Pep.
There was no doubt about Foden being offside earlier, by the way. Clear as day.
Janza yellow card for Slovenia
Janza is next in the book for pulling back Saka. It could be a long night for the left-back...
Let's see if that near thing can spur England on.
Saka goal ruled out!
England have the ball in the net, and it's a brilliant move! Rice plays a superbly disguised pass to Foden, who squares for Saka to score. But the City man, who provided the assistant, was offside. No goal.
Sporar lines one up from the edge of the box but it's half-blocked and Pickford can throw his hat on it.
Janza whips the ball into a crowded penalty box but it drifts beyond everyone and out for a goal kick.
Watch out! Here's a free-kick to Slovenia in a very promising position!
Tripper yellow card
The England defender is first in the book for catching Karnicnik late.
For the first time, Saka gets in behind Janza and chips the ball up to the back post, but it goes over both Kane and Foden, and the chance is gone.
Janza slings a dangerous cross into the box from the left and it's only just too high for Sporar at the back post!
Stones, under absolutely no pressure, sticks the ball straight out of play as he looks to find Walker.
Kane has just dropped so deep to try and get on the way that he almost got in Rice's way in midfield, which isn't helping matters for England.
Slovenia have got 11 men behind the ball, and there's no way through for England, especially at the tempo at which they're playing.
England's first threat!
First sign of life from England! Kane robs the ball in midfield and sets Foden away down the left, although his cross towards Saka is overhit (the Arsenal man slipped and the City attacker was offside anyway).
Slovenia will be very pleased with how this game has began. There's been no threat whatsoever from England.
Saka gets it out wide on the right, and plays it straight back from where it come to Walker.
Six minutes in and Saka hasn't touched the ball yet, I'm not sure Kane has either.
England look like they might have picked up where they left off...pretty ponderous and a few misplaced passes.
Sesko header saved!
Slovenia mount the first threatening attack! But Sesko's header from inside the box is easily dealt with by Pickford.
England look like they want to play every goal kick out short form the back, as pretty much every team does nowadays. But Slovenia are wise to it and pressing high up the field.
Foden thinks he has won a corner but Drkusic hits the ball off the England man after sliding into a challenge.
England knock the ball about in their own half until a long ball forward from Guéhi loses possession.
Underway in Cologne!
England get the ball rolling!
Here. We. Go.
England and Slovenia's Group C goals
Remember, England are already through to the round of 16 and are playing to decide whether they finish in Group C.
Slovenia need at least a draw to join their opponents in the next round.
England, of course, sign "God Save the King", the anthem of the United Kingdom, rather than England specifically.
National anthem time in Colonge!
Are you ready? It's almost time!
Slovenia team to play England
And this is how Slovenia will take to the field against England:
Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Gnezda Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko.
England team to play Slovenia
Less than 10 minutes to go, so here's a little reminder of how the teams will line up for the game in Cologne. England first:
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier; Gallagher, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
Conor Gallagher comes into the England team for Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and is the only player on the roster one yellow card away from incurring a one-match ban.
On the Slovenian side, Celar, Janza, Stojanovic, Vipotnik are all in the same boat.
Here's a little more on the suspension rules at Euro 2024.
15 minutes until kick-off in Cologne!
Time flies when you're having fun. Watching England hasn't been especially fun, it should be said, but they have Kane, Bellingham, Foden and Saka in their team, so surely that has to change at some point, right?
Slovenia coach Kek: "The biggest challenge for this generation"
We are still masters of our destiny, with all due respect to England, who are an outstanding team. This will be the biggest challenge for this generation of players. But I am sure it will not be the last. We have calmed the nerves after Serbia, we have analysed the positives and negatives from that match. We are ready.
Southgate: "We haven't played the way we want to yet"
It's been good to have some time since the last game. We've been able to have more meetings and training time, but also talk with the players about the state of play at the moment: where we are, where our performances are, and we're all working together to try to improve that. We've got huge motivation. We haven't played the way we want to yet and we have the opportunity to win the group. That could be very important. Our motivation level is never in doubt, especially not for this game.
MOHAMED MESSARA / EFE
Slovenia suffer heartbreak against Serbia
Slovenia were within seconds of qualifying for the last 16 in their second group game against Serbia (although they didn't know it at the time).
After Erik Janza had secured a point in their opener against Denmark, they led through Zan Karnicnik's goal heading into injury time against the Serbs. However, Luka Jovic equalised in the 95th minute and means their fate will now come down to their last group game with England.
Tripper: "We know we need to improve individually and as a group"
Right-back turned left-back Kieran Trippier, who has been passed fit to play against Slovenia, is well aware of the need for improvement from the team in Colonge.
JAVIER SORIANO / AFP
Lacklustre England display in Denmark draw
If Bellingham doesn't get you, the Harry Kane invariably will. And he did against Denmark, putting England 1-0 ahead inside 20 minutes. But things unravelled once again, with Southgate's men sitting back and not going for the kill. That ended up biting them on the bottom as the Danes equalised before half time, and they were unable to raise their game again in the second half.
England fans in Frankfurt booed the team off, which tells you everything you need to know.
Associated Press/LaPresse / APS
Bellingham the match-winner as England beat Serbia
Although my earlier post on England might've been a little downbeat, they have already qualified for the round of 16 with a game to spare, so it's not all doom and gloom.
Jude Bellingham scored the only goal in their Group C opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on 20 June, and they rarely looked like being pegged back in that game. They rarely looked like adding to their lead either, which was disappointing considering the talent they have in the final third.
Beautiful summer's night in Cologne
What summer tournament soccer is all about. 28ºC / 82.4ºF in Cologne for today's game,
I'm guessing it's a little cooler back in England right now (not to play up to stereotypes or anything).
Lee Smith / REUTERS
What's gone wrong for England so far at Euro 2024?
England were hyped up by many as one of the red-hot favourites to win the competition, alongside France. Which is ironic, as both teams have disappointed in equal measures.
There is an argument to suggest The Three Lions' relative struggles have been as a result of Gareth Southgate's insistence of copying Didier Deschamps' "winning" formula of keeping things tight, limiting risks and using elite-level attacking players to make the different in attack.
The issue is that, like with France, those attacking players haven't made much of an impact as a result of lethargic play in possession and overly cautious tactics after taking a 1-0 lead.
Any chance of that changing against Slovenia, I wonder?
Inside the England dressing room
Pre-match build-up just wouldn't be proper pre-match build-up without at least one snapshot from inside a dressing room.
Here's how the England one is looking right now...but is that a Scotland flag underneath Harry Kane's jersey? The Tartan Army can get to anyone (even if the team can't).
Slovenia team to play England
As we expected, star man Benjamin Sesko is passed fit to play for Slovenia after being forced off with a quad issue against Serbia on Thursday.
Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Gnezda Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko.
Lanzamiento del jugador inglés Trent Alexander-Arnold. / Michael Regan - UEFA / UEFA via Getty Images
Alexander-Arnold replaced by Gallagher
There's no sign, however, of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting lineup. Normally a right-back, he played in alongside Declan Rice in central midfield in the first two games of the tournament, which didn't work out quite the way England would've hoped.
Conor Gallagher of Chelsea takes his place.
JAVIER SORIANO / AFP
Tripper fit to start for England
Kieran Trippier has been deemed fit to enough to start at left-back despite suffering from a minor calf issue in the last few days. Remember, there's still no Luke Shaw, the only recognised left-back in the squad, due to injury. He is in Germany, though...
England team to play Slovenia
Here we go! This is how England will line up against Slovenia in Cologne.
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier; Gallagher, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
A couple of talking points in there...
Austria win Euro 2024 Group D!
Do not clean your screens! Austria have literally just secured top spot in Group D ahead of France and the Netherlands after a 3-2 win over the Dutch in Berlin.
Despite Kylian Mbappé's first Euros goal, the French were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Dortmund, which saw them leapfrogged by the Austrians.
The Netherlands will still play in the last 16 regardless, qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
Which teams have already qualified for the round of 16 in Euro 2024?
Group A: Germany and Switzerland
Group B: Spain and Italy
Group C: England
Group D: Austria, France and the Netherlands
Group F: Portugal
Denmark face Serbia in Tuesday’s other Group C fixture
As mentioned, Denmark take on Serbia in Tuesday's other Group C fixture in Munich. Like Slovenia, the Danes know that at least a draw will see them qualify for the last 16. The Serbs, on the other hand, have to win to go through.
What do Slovenia need to qualify for the round of 16?
A draw will be enough for Slovenia to go through as one of the best four third-placed teams, while they will top the group if they defeat England and better Denmark's score against Serbia.
Who could England play in the round of 16?
If England finish first in Group C, as is expected, they will play a third-placed team from Group D, E or F (still to be decided) in Gelsenkirchen on 30 June.
If they are second, they will take on hosts Germany in Dortmund on 29 June (sign me up for that one).
If they finish third, they'll play either Portugal in Frankfurt on 1 July, or the winner of Group E (Belgium Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia) in Munich on 2 July.
The switch from a 16-team format to 24 teams hasn't been a completely smooth one, with only eight teams going home at the end of the group stage.
Here's a neat explainer from our Calum about how finishing third in your section at Euro 2024 could be enough to send you through, or might send you home.
England already qualified for round of 16
What's going on here then? England, on four points, can still be overtaken by both Denmark and Slovenia, who have two. Yet The Three Lions have already qualified for the round of 16. That's because the best four of the six third-placed teams also qualify for the round of 16, and two teams already confirmed to finish third (Hungary and Croatia) have fewer than four points.
Euro 2024 Group C as it stands
Although it may not seem that way at first glance, England have already qualified for the last 16 (more on why in a second). The big question is who will join them? It's anyone's guess going into matchday three!
| group C | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Team news: Slovenia
Slovenian's star attacker Benjamin Sesko was forced off against Serbia on Thursday because of a quad issue, although reports suggest he will be fit to start against England.
Team news: England
Luke Shaw, who has yet to play in the tournament because of a hamstring injury, remains absent for England.
Kieran Trippier, who has replaced him at left-back, may not be risked because of a calf issue.
What time does England - Slovenia kick off?
The game in Paris gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which is 3:00 p.m. ET and 12:00 a.m. PT. Early/extended lunch breaks all round!
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of England - Slovenia!
The Euro 2024 festival of soccer continues! The group stage comes to a conclusion tomorrow (Wednesday), so we're inching ever closer to knowing which 16 teams will still be in with a chance of being crowned European champions when the knockout rounds get underway on Saturday.
Which teams will progress from Group C? We'll know in a few hours' time, after the clash between England and Slovenia at RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne.
I'm Roddy and thanks for joining me for live text coverage!