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June 25 – Once again it wasn’t pretty but it was job done. Sometimes that’s all you need to grow into major finals and England duly won their Euro 2024 group last night despite their famed front six failing to ignite – not for the first time – in a goalless draw with Slovenia.
On a baking hot day, England’s legions of fans warmed up for the game by drinking Cologne’s old town dry from late morning to early evening and belting out their array of songs, some of them fervantly patriotic, others distinctly uncomplimentary – from rivals Scotland being knocked out early to some pointed remarks about Germany’s transport system which, to be fair, hasn’t exactly lived up to the nation’s standards of excellence.
When they arrived at Cologne’s sun-drenched stadium, they occupied three-quarters of the seats with refrains of ‘England Till I Die’ as they paraded their banners representing the entire pyramid of English football.
But could their team finally do the business properly on the pitch after those two listless performances against Serbia and Denmark that somehow yielded four undeserved points.
Already qualified for the last 16, Gareth Southgate’s team were given a huge boost even before a ball was kicked.
With France only managing to finish second in their group, it meant England, if they won the group, would be placed in the other half of the draw in the knockout phase, in the process avoiding the French as well as fellow heavyweights Spain, Germany and Portugal until the semifinals. But if they finished second they’d be up against the home nation.
Perhaps surprisingly given the criticism thrown at him from all directions, Southgate decided on just one change, Conor Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
It wasn’t all about England of course. A shock win for Slovenia – unbeaten in their last eight games including the two draws here in Germany and unchanged – could send them to the top of the…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/06/25/obdurate-slovenia-head-last-16-impotent-england-fire-blanks/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-06-25 21:44:22
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