Minimum effort, maximum result. England remain full of talent and not very concrete, but pass group C in first place thanks to the 0-0 draw in Cologne against Slovenia. Southgate’s national team finished ahead of Denmark (another 0-0 against Serbia, eliminated) despite scoring only two goals in three matches and ended up on Italy’s side of the draw, which they could find in the quarterfinals. Those celebrating are a surprising Slovenia, undefeated and qualified with three draws.
England blockaded
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Slovenian coach Kek plays inside or outside with his classic 4-4-2 and up front relies on the flashes of Sesko and Sporar. Southgate, already in the round of 16, deploys Gallagher in midfield in place of Alexander-Arnold: the English 4-2-3-1 has the usual defender in Kane, supported by the quality of Saka, Bellingham and Foden. In the first half, however, everything remains in the locker room. The two teams dribble and keep the pace low, without trying to force the play: England have possession in their hands, but it is sterile and little or nothing happens up front. There are only a couple of attempts worth noting: the first is a goal disallowed by Saka from two steps, due to a clear offside on a pass from Foden. The second is a missed tap-in one step away from half-time: Trippier crosses from the left, but neither Gallagher nor the Bayern center forward find the winning deflection. The two teams go to rest at 0-0 and whistles come from the stands for the English.
Slovenian party
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Southgate thinks about it and makes the first substitution immediately at the start of the second half: Gallagher out and room for the freshness of Mainoo, born in 2005 for Manchester United. England returns to the field better and begins to stay in the Slovenian half of the field, but possession remains ineffective and the last pass is always missing. Slovenia is orderly and resists without too many difficulties. With 20′ to go the English coach makes his second substitution and sends Palmer onto the pitch in place of Saka, to liven up the move, while Kek takes off Sesko for Ilicic. In the final it was Palmer who created the greatest danger, but his left-footed shot from the edge found Oblak’s gloves. England closes the group in first place, but Slovenia above all celebrates on the night in Cologne, joining the ranks of the best third-placed teams. For Kek, it’s a 0-0 that counts for the round of 16.
