England has secured top spot in Group C at Euro 2024, but 50 million Poms are still ready to riot.
The tournament favourites survived a 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne on Wednesday morning and needed a draw between Serbia and Denmark to go through to the knockout stages as the top team in the group.
The lifeless performance against Slovenia has got fans and football commentators spitting fury at manager Gareth Southgate and his side.
Toping the group was widely viewed as a critical result for the Poms, who have now avoided the side of the draw where France, Germany, Portugal and Spain sit.
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The Three Lions were already assured of a place in the last 16 but were booed off the field in Cologne and can expect more criticism after failing to improve on underwhelming performances in edging past Serbia and drawing with Denmark.
England will have to wait until Thursday’s final group games to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16.
But more questions will be asked over one of the favourites’ ability to end a 58-year wait for major tournament glory as a star-studded forward line was snuffed out by Slovenia.
Southgate made a statement with his team selection, resisting the calls to make mass changes as Conor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the only alteration from the opening two games.
If the England boss was looking for a reaction by showing faith in the other 10 who have started all three matches in Germany, he was left disappointed.
There were chaotic scenes inside the stadium as fans threw empty cups at Southgate as he walked down to the far end of the pitch to thank his team’s supporters.
Football experts were also filthy with Southgate’s tactical moves.
Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett said in the second half: “There is less than seven minutes plus stoppages for England to avoid ignominy here.
“If it stays 0-0, there will be hell to pay. What a mess.”
He went on to say: “It’s very hard to see where England go from here.
“I thought there were better signs in the first half, and maybe at the start of the second too. But the team that ended this game was so far removed from any game plan, and it betrays how directionless and confidence-starved the side is.
“The Slovenia goalkeeper didn’t make a single meaningful save. Listen to that again – not a single meaningful save, in 90 minutes. Against a side who think they are trophy-contenders.
“England have so many problems, it is hard to list them. Fitness is surely a big one of them, but Southgate refuses to address that elephant in the room: Kane and Bellingham played a full 90 again.
“Wow. The recriminations will very soon be ringing in the players (and particularly in the manager’s) ears.”
Former England defender Conor Coady said on the BBC: “I think all of the England supporters are worried with what they’re seeing. We wanted this to be the game where England arrived on this huge stage and say, ‘England are finally here!’
“We haven’t seen that. There was nothing in the game to suggest that. There were a few half chances and the bright cameo from Cole Palmer but aside from that it was more of the same.”
Southgate, defender Jon Stones and captain Harry Kane all acknowledged after the game that fans would be frustrated.
“I thought there was a lot of improvement from the other two games, we found people in the pockets and created more chances – another step in the right direction,” Stones said.
“I can get the fans frustration not taking chances, but that is football – it is never an easy game.”
Southgate said: “I thought we were much improved with the ball. We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us.
“We are not quite getting that break in front of goal. I think the players who came on did well. I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment.”
Piers Morgan also had his say on Twitter.
“Jeez. That was dire,” he wrote.
“This is so bad. It’s like watching Arsenal in slow-motion. Where’s the energy, the urgency, the fluency? World class players moving around like snails.”
It took 20 minutes for England to pose a serious threat and only the offside flag denied them a slick opening goal.
Rice picked out Phil Foden’s run but the Manchester City midfielder had strayed beyond the Slovenian defence before squaring for Bukayo Saka to tap in.
They had another good chance late, but Palmer’s shot went straight at the Slovenian keeper. Slovenia are now nine games unbeaten, which included beating Portugal 2-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.
A point was jubilantly celebrated by the Slovenians as it did enough for them to progress as one of the best third-placed sides thanks to three draws from their three games.
Matjaz Kek’s men missed out on second place in the group solely due to Denmark’s superior record in qualifying as the sides had the same points, goal difference and goals scored.
— with AFP