England secured the top spot in Group C of Euro 2024 and progressed to the knockout stages, but a lackluster 0-0 draw against Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on Tuesday left fans frustrated and vocal in their disapproval. Despite achieving their primary objective of group victory, England’s performance failed to impress, drawing jeers and even beer cups thrown onto the pitch as the final whistle blew.
Manager Gareth Southgate acknowledged the negative reaction, stating, “I’ve not seen any team qualify and receive similar.” He suggested that the heightened expectations surrounding England, built during his tenure, might be contributing to the current wave of criticism. Under Southgate, England has consistently advanced from the group stage in major tournaments since the 2018 World Cup, and this Euro 2024 is no exception.
“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 commented, emphasizing the need to maintain a positive environment despite the growing pressure.
However, England’s performances at these Euros have been far from entertaining. A narrow 1-0 victory against Serbia was followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark, culminating in the goalless stalemate against Slovenia. In three matches, England has scored only two goals, leaving supporters underwhelmed by their attacking output.
The tepid display against Denmark drew particularly sharp criticism, with former England captain and BBC presenter Gary Lineker using strong language to describe it. While Southgate claimed to be “oblivious” to such critiques, he admitted to sensing an “unusual environment” surrounding the team during the tournament, partly fueled by this external commentary.
The atmosphere inside Cologne Stadium turned sour as plastic beer cups rained down from the stands as Southgate and the players approached to applaud the England fans post-match. Despite the negative reception directed at him, Southgate stood firm, declaring, “I’m not going to back down from going over and thanking the fans who were brilliant during the game. They might feel differently towards me. But for me, we only will succeed if we are together.”
Southgate’s past achievements include leading England to a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and the Euro 2020 final. To replicate or surpass those feats at Euro 2024, England will need a significant improvement in their on-field performances. Fortunately, their group victory places them on the opposite side of the knockout draw from strong contenders like Spain, France, Germany, and Portugal. England will now face one of the best third-placed teams in the round of 16, offering a potentially easier path forward.
Captain Harry Kane focused on the positive outcome, saying, “That was the aim before the start of the tournament. Come top of the group and control our destiny.”
For Slovenia, the 0-0 draw was a historic result, securing their first-ever progression to the round of 16 in a major international tournament. Simultaneously, the outcome confirmed Croatia’s elimination from Euro 2024.
Slovenia’s coach, Matjaz Kek, expressed immense pride in his team, stating, “We are such a small country, with such a big heart and mental strength. That’s why I’m very proud of my team. This is only the beginning for a new and beautiful era for Slovenian football.” This Euro 2024 campaign marks a significant milestone for Slovenian football and their fans, highlighting the importance of the draw against England in their journey at the Euros.
While a night of celebration for Slovenia and their fans as they reached the knockout stage of the Euros for the first time, the match underscored England’s ongoing struggles in attack. Substitute Cole Palmer came closest to breaking the deadlock for England in stoppage time, but ultimately, the game ended scoreless.
Southgate defended his team’s approach, arguing, “You can’t go into every game with such pressure and score four goals. Football doesn’t work like that. It is important to win the group to control your own destiny.”
In other Euro 2024 action, Kylian Mbappé, wearing a protective mask, scored his first goal of the tournament for France in their 1-1 draw against Poland. Despite Mbappé’s goal, France finished as runners-up in Group D behind Austria, who defeated the Netherlands 3-2. Robert Lewandowski’s penalty, retaken after an initial save, earned already eliminated Poland their first point of the tournament. The focus for many English fans, however, remained squarely on their team’s underwhelming performance against Slovenia and their hopes for improvement as Euro 2024 progresses into the knockout rounds.
