England will be thoroughly disappointed to come away from their final Group B match against Slovakia with just a 0-0 draw after squandering numerous chances to win the match.
- Slovakia 0 England 0
- Vardy fails one-on-one chance
- Skrtel clears ball off the line
- England qualify second from Group B
Match Summary
Knowing that a point probably wouldn’t be enough for them to top the group, England came out very positively against Slovakia and thoroughly dominated possession and chances created in the first half but were unable to break the deadlock.
Slovakia were better at the start of the first half, but soon England were back on top. However, they wasted chance after chance on a frustrating night for Three Lions supporters.
Wales’ comfortable 3-0 win over Russia means England will have to settle for second place in Group B despite finishing the first phase of the Euros unbeaten.
Full Report
As with their other two games in Group B, England began their game against Slovakia on the front foot. Daniel Sturridge had an early chance blocked before Adam Lallana pulled a snap shot from the edge of the box wide.
The Three Lions continue to pressure and should have been a goal up around the 20 minute mark after Jamie Vardy was played clean through by Lallana, but the Leicester striker was unable to beat Matus Kozacik.
Slovakia had their goalkeeper to thank again 15 minutes later after Nathaniel Clyne burst down the right wing and found Lallana with his cross, but the Liverpool man was denied by the outstretched hand of Kozacik.
England were a bit sluggish immediately after half time and Chris Smalling very nearly gifted the opening goal to Robert Mak after his attempted chest down to Joe Hart fell well short, but the pair were able to scramble in time to clean up the danger.
Moments later Hart was called on once again as Vladimir Weiss took a snap shot through Clyne’s legs, but the Manchester City stopper got down well to make the save despite seeing the ball late.
The Three Lions then retook the ascendancy as they looked for the goal that would guarantee top spot in the group. Dele Alli nearly scored seconds after coming on after getting a toe on the end of a Jordan Henderson cross but the ball was cleared off the line by Martin Skrtel.
Wayne Rooney showed some tremendous skill to dribble past his man with 10 minutes left on the clock, but the England captain should have done better with the finish, which he dragged harmlessly wide.
In the end, the Three Lions will only have themselves to blame after having 27 shots on goal to Slovakia’s four and not being able to find the killer touch as the match finished 0-0.
The point is good enough to see them qualify for the round of 16, but a 3-0 win for Wales over Russia means England go through in second place in their group and face a more difficult run through the knockout rounds.
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