England’s final Euro 2024 group match ended in disappointment as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Slovenia. Conor Gallagher started the game ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold but was substituted at half-time after failing to make an impact. The midfielder looked devastated as he took his seat on the bench, but his girlfriend, Aine May Kennedy, managed to put a smile on his face by embracing him after the final whistle.
Kennedy was one of several Wags in attendance at the Cologne Stadium to support their partners. The atmosphere turned sour as some angry fans booed and threw beer at manager Gareth Southgate. Despite the draw, England managed to top Group C and advance to the knockout stages.
The performance of the England players received mixed reviews. SunSport’s Tom Barclay gave his ratings, with Gallagher receiving a low score of 4 for his poor performance. However, Southgate defended his decision to start Gallagher, stating that he tried to win the game by making attacking changes.
One player who has been underwhelming in the tournament is Harry Kane. Despite insisting that he is 100% fit, Kane has not been as effective as usual for England. The team will need him to step up in the knockout stages if they have any chance of winning Euro 2024.
Jude Bellingham, who delivered a strong performance in the opening 45 minutes of the tournament, has struggled to maintain his form. He needs to rediscover his spark in time for the last 16 tie. England as a whole need to show more personality and perform at their best if they want to succeed in the later stages of the competition.
Overall, England’s performance against Slovenia was disappointing, but there is still hope for improvement in the knockout stages. The team must regroup and find their form if they want to have a chance of lifting the Euro 2024 trophy.