Palmer, Mainoo see first minutes as drab England fail to inpire against Slovenia

Palmer, Mainoo see first minutes as drab England fail to inpire against Slovenia

Faruq Ibrahim 22:10 - 25.06.2024

England draw Slovenia to win Group C and head into the round of 16.

England continued their uninspiring European Championship campaign; however, drawing against Slovenia ensured they finished at the top of Group C and matched on to the round of sixteen.

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With the 0-0 draw against Slovenia, the Three Lions finish the group with five points, winning only one game (the opener against Serbia), and drawing the subsequent two.

How it happened

Southgate insisted on the team that started the first two games, bar one change, as he replaced Trent Alexander Arnold in the midfield with Chelsea Conor Gallagher. 

The adjustment did not have the required effect, as the worrying trend of struggling to dominate football matches against inferior sides continued. 

England's approach was drab and listless for most of the first-half; however, they did get chances off and even turned the ball into the net when Kieran Trippier squared it to him to tap into an open goal. However, the Newcastle United defender was offside before assisting Saka, hence the goal was chopped off. 

The second half was more of the same for the one-time world champions, as they managed to make the clash complicated despite the talent disparity. 

England showed some life later in the game, however, when Southgate rang the changes. Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Chelsea's Cole Palmer in particular stood out, as they came on for their first appearance of the tournament.

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