Cologne: Despite topping Group C, England manager Gareth Southgate was greeted by fans and threw beer mugs as Slovenia were held to a 0-0 draw in Cologne to reach the knockout stages.
The Three Lions are assured of a place in the last 16, but they can expect more criticism after failing to improve on their impressive performance in the past and draw with Denmark.
England will have to wait until Wednesday’s final group stage to find out which of the four best third-placed teams will face each other in the last 16.
But one of the favorites will have more questions about his ability to end his 58-year wait for major tournament glory after his star-studded front line was decimated by Slovenia.
“I thought we played better than other games. We just couldn’t find that groove, and we’re looking forward to the next game.”
Southgate made a statement by selecting his team, defying calls for mass changes, as Conor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the only change from the two games.
Slovenia are now nine games unbeaten, which includes a 2-0 win over Portugal in a pre-tournament friendly.
Declan Rice identified Benjamin Cesko as the main threat on Monday.
Sesko could be on par with Reiss next season if he doesn’t give up on a bid to extend his contract at Leipzig.
The 21-year-old suffered a thigh injury to start and had the first chance of the game after four minutes when he went straight at Jordan Pickford.
It took 20 minutes for England to make a serious threat, only to be denied a goal by an obvious offside flag.
Rice picked out Phil Foden’s run, but Manchester City midfielder Bukayo Saka cleared the Slovenian defense before going in.
England’s lack of attack on the left flank was highlighted as a key weakness against Serbia and Denmark.
Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier has to deputize on the left side of defense due to Luke Shaw’s lack of fitness, while Foden leans deep.
However, Southgate’s men looked the most dangerous when Trippier’s cross deflected off Gallagher and Harry Kane at the back post.
At the break, Southgate took action as Gallagher was replaced by Cobby Mainoo.
The 19-year-old is making a much-needed contribution to England’s midfield, but they still struggle to dominate chances.
Kane saw a header cleared by Cesko from a corner and Rice fired home a shot from the edge of the box.
Southgate answered Cole Palmer’s call for the first minute of the tournament in the last 20 minutes.
The Chelsea midfielder, who has 26 goals for the club this season, scored England’s only goal at half-time but was unable to seriously test veteran goalkeeper Oban Oblag.
A point was celebrated by the Slovenians, as three draws from three games was enough to promote them as one of the best teams in third place.
Matjaz Keck’s men lost out on second place in the group thanks to Denmark’s top qualifying record as the teams were level on points, goal difference and goals scored.
Instead, Southgate received plenty of abuse when he greeted England fans at the end.
