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Although England failed to win again at Euro 2024, they still secured top spot in Group C, while Slovenia also advanced to the knockout stage thanks to a 0-0 draw in Cologne.
The Three Lions have already secured their place in the last 16 but were booed in Cologne and could face further criticism after struggling to improve on their narrow win over Serbia and draw with Denmark.
England will have to wait until their final group game on Wednesday to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16.
However, with a star forward line beaten by Slovenia, there will be more questions about whether the heavily favored side can end a 58-year drought of major titles.
Gareth Southgate made a statement with his squad selections, resisting calls for wholesale changes, bringing on Conor Gallagher for Trent Alexander-Arnold as the only change from the first two games.
If the England manager was hoping for a reaction from his team by showing faith in the 10 other players who played all three games in Germany, he will be disappointed.
Slovenia is now unbeaten in nine games, including a 2-0 win over Portugal in a pre-tournament friendly.
Declan Rice highlighted Benjamin Sesko as their biggest threat on Monday.
Cesco could have played at Arsenal alongside Rice next season if he had not refused to renew his contract with RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old overcame a thigh injury to start the game and had the first chance of the game four minutes into the game, heading the ball easily past Jordan Pickford.
It took England 20 minutes to pose a serious threat, but the offside flag prevented them from scoring a brilliant first goal.
Rice found Phil Foden on his run but the City midfielder had already gotten past the Slovenia defence before slotting the ball past Bukayo Saka.
England’s lack of attacking threat down the left was identified as a major weakness against Serbia and Denmark.
Due to Luke Shaw’s lack of match fitness, Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier had to substitute on the left side of the defence, with Foden tending to move inside.
However, it was Southgate’s side that looked the most threatening, with Trippier’s cross just evading Gallagher and Harry Kane’s shot at the back post.
Southgate made his move at half-time, bringing on Kobe Maino for Gallagher.
The 19-year-old added some much-needed impetus to England’s midfield, but they still struggled to convert their dominance of possession into chances.
Kane’s header from the corner was cleared by Cesco, and Rice’s shot from the edge of the penalty area went wide.
Southgate answered the call and gave Cole Palmer his first start in the final 20 minutes of the game.
The Chelsea midfielder, who has 26 goals at club level this season, had England’s only shot on target in the second half but failed to pose much of a threat to veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The Slovenians celebrated the point with great joy because, with three draws from three games, they were good enough to qualify as one of the best third-place teams.
Due to Denmark’s better record in qualifying, Matiaz Keke’s side missed out on finishing second in the group as both teams had the same points, goal difference and goals scored.
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