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 evening.
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 workforce, who went to Germany as one of many pre-tournament favourites.
Nonetheless, they had been left unhappy once more because the Three Lions mustered simply 4 photographs on course and 0.87 xG in opposition to a nation ranked No.57 on the earth, 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 alternative aspect of the draw to the likes of France, Portugal, Germany and Spain, whereas they continue to be unbeaten on the match. Glass half full?
Listed here are the total participant rankings from Tuesday’s stalemate:
England participant rankings 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 delight intact.
Kyle Walker – 5/10 – Used his restoration tempo nicely every time Slovenia tried to interrupt. Was sloppy on the ball, nonetheless, dropping possession 10 instances all through the match.
John Stones – 4/10 – Tremendous defensively however simply as he was in opposition to Denmark, far too gradual and indecisive with the ball. Took 4 or 5 touches earlier than deciding on what move 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 essential participant for this workforce however simply hasn’t obtained going at this match.
Marc Guehi – 6/10 – Continued to point out he can minimize it at this stage, 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 stability on the left, although that’s clearly not his fault. Did, nonetheless, ship the cross of the evening shortly earlier than half-time, which was one way or the other missed first by the pinnacle of Conor Gallagher, then the appropriate boot of Harry Kane.
Conor Gallagher – 6/10 – Got here in beneath large 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 completely different with Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7/10 – Tried greater than most in an England shirt to up the tempo and had an honest probability within the second half when breaking behind the defence together with Phil Foden, although he blasted his shot large.
Bukayo Saka – 4/10 – Didn’t create a single probability or try a single dribble. Performed it far too protected, the odd run behind apart. Had a objective disallowed within the first half with Phil Foden offside within the build-up, however supplied valuable little in any other case.
Jude Bellingham – 3/10 – Appeared drained and fully off the tempo, whether or not by means of the center or drifting out to the left. Profitable with simply one in every of his 5 dribble makes an attempt, whereas failing to create a single probability or try a shot.
Phil Foden – 7/10 – “Phil Foden has had a superb recreation,” former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon bluntly declared in his ITV commentary (by way of BBC Sport). That’s possibly overstating it a little bit bit however he was extra vigorous than most for the Three Lions, no less than making an attempt 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 diminished to speculative photographs from distance.
Substitutes:
“Each time England made a change, they obtained higher,” Gary Neville instructed 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 recreation:
Kobbie Mainoo (46′, for Gallagher) – 7/10 – Made an enormous distinction within the second half with some faster and extra correct passing. In reality, 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 regarded higher from the second he stepped onto the sector. 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 match 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 move. 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.
