Top of the group, unbeaten and on the favorable side of the draw for the knockout phase of the UEFA Euro 2024, so it is a case of job done for England at this stage of the tournament.
However, fans jeered loudly and threw beer cups as the final whistle blew on a 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Cologne Stadium in Germany on Tuesday.
Criticism of England’s performances in Germany has been fierce.
Photo: AFP
“I’ve not seen any team qualify and receive similar,” England manager Gareth Southgate said.
Southgate said that he and his team could be paying the price for their success under his leadership. Safe passage through to the round of 16 maintains his personal record of advancing from the group stage of every major tournament he has taken charge of, dating back to the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
“I think probably expectation [is different]. We’ve made England over the last six or seven years fun again. I think it has been enjoyable for the players,” Southgate said. “We’ve got to be very, very careful that it stays that way.”
Photo: AP
England have not been fun to watch at these Euros with a 1-0 win against Serbia their only victory in Group C. That was followed by a 1-1 draw with Denmark and the scoreless draw with Slovenia.
Three games, two goals and a whole lot of underwhelmed fans.
The atmosphere at the game was hardly helped by plastic beer cups being thrown on the field as Southgate and his players went to applaud England supporters after the match.
“I’m not going to back down from going over and thanking the fans who were brilliant during the game,” Southgate said. “They might feel differently towards me, but for me, we only will succeed if we are together.”
England are to play one of the best third-place teams in the next round after advancing as group winners.
Denmark and Serbia themselves on Tuesday played out a goalless draw, with the result eliminating Serbia.
“That was the aim before the start of the tournament. Come top of the group and control our destiny,” England captain Harry Kane said.
The England result also meant Slovenia reached the round of 16 for the first time.
“We are such a small country, with such a big heart and mental strength. That’s why I’m very proud of my team,” Slovenia manager Matjaz Kek said. “This is only the beginning for a new and beautiful era for Slovenian football.”
Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal of the Euros, but France drew 1-1 with Poland to finish runners-up in Group D behind Austria, who beat the Netherlands 3-2.
The Netherlands advanced as one of the best third-place teams, while Poland exited.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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