England secured a rather unexciting victory, leading Group C after winning 1-0 over Serbia, and managing draws with Denmark and Slovenia. This win sets them up for a knockout contest with a team that finishes third, perhaps the Netherlands, next Sunday at 5pm in Gelsenkirchen.
The Slovenians, on the other hand, celebrated the end of the match like they had claimed victory in the Euros. For a nation of only 2.1 million people, achieving third place in the group, remaining undefeated with three points, is a monumental accomplishment. The subsequent round of 16, similarly, awaits Matjaz Kek’s underdog team.
Around 60 minutes into the match, the spectators at Müngersdorfer surrendered their hopes for an exciting match. With no more action to anticipate, they decided to partake in the festive atmosphere of Cologne.
The underwhelming English team approached half-time holding 73% of possession with only two targeted shots. Their tally of targeted shots eventually increased to three when Cole Palmer nearly broke through the defensive Slovenian wall.
Despite the dismal ambiance, England did what was necessary. On a swelteringly hot day in Cologne, their participation in this European Championship was intriguing. Luckily, by the time the match started at 9pm, the temperature had reduced to a comfortable 26 degrees, and it further dropped to a pleasant 23 degrees post half-time.
With two water bottles in hand, Gareth Southgate took his position beside assistant manager Steve Holland amidst 25,000 English supporters singing Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark. As these two men face a critical period, the serious deliberation arises – do they know what they are doing, given their eight years of leading arguably England’s most gifted generation?
Southgate’s decision to substitute the unremarkable Conor Gallagher with Kobbie Mainoo at halftime gives the impression that the management is taking risks. Mainoo could potentially steer the English midfield for the next decade and a half, but it took Southgate 225 minutes into the games in Germany to allow the Manchester United’s young player this opportunity.
While on-screen attention turns to them, Southgate and Holland chose to seat in the dugout, observing the unfolding events and their adjusted playing formation pushing Gallagher ahead of Declan Rice on the pitch.
Pockets of space became a battlefield for the vivacious Phil Foden, languid Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane. Marc Guéhi was compelled into the role of the English orchestrator as Andraž Šporar shadowed Rice persistently. Both teams had opportunities to score – Benjamin Šeško, completely unmarked, had his poorly executed connection effortlessly secured by Jordan Pickford, following Petar Stojanović’s initial header towards the English goal.
Some of Foden’s actions down the inner left lane brought satisfaction, although a reckless cross over Saka’s head and a smart lateral manoeuvre should have produced more. The second offence resulted in an offside Saka tap-in after Foden’s slick exchange with Rice.
England exhibited apprehensive vitality with Kane offering nothing prior to Bellingham’s interception, valiantly thwarted by Vanja Drkušić. Despite the disorder, Rice’s resilient play set up a shot for Kane, which Jan Oblak conveniently grabbed.
On the 34th minute, a real opportunity arose as Foden angled his 35 metre free-kick towards Oblak’s top corner, but the Atletico Madrid shot-stopper was prepared. As Bellingham and Gallagher debates heated, Slovenia advanced on the right, prompting Žan Karničnik’s cross to strike Guéhi’s shoulder. Play resumed. There was a second plea for a penalty as Saka held Erik Janza within the penalty box. Again, the game continued.
England seemed perplexed whilst the Slovenian fans energetically rallied their determined, albeit limited team. The substitution of Gallagher for Mainoo signified another unsuccessful Southgate experiment as “God Save the King” echoed across the stadium. The teenage wonder immediately entered the realm of Vanja Drkušić and Adam Gnezda Čerin. Čerin, the pulse of the Slovenian side, struggled to make an impact, so consumed was he with coordinating the defiance. Mainoo was simply tackled by Drkušić.
This became the trend of the game; Kek armed his squad with a precise, one-on-one tactic to strangle and hit back, but primarily to subdue England’s attacking six to capitulation.
From the get-go, it was all muddled up – exactly as Kek had envisioned.
World Soccer magazine once declared, “Slovenia, a skiing nation of two million inhabitants.” While skiing may be their forte, it’s evident that football pulsates in their veins. They stood their ground against England, battling fiercely, not once allowing Šeško — the 21-year-old forward, eyed by football giants from La Liga and the Premier League — to display his skills. Doubts over his physical condition seem to hold some validity.