England vs Slovenia RECAP: Three Lions stagger to dismal draw but top Group C at Euro 2024

Thanks for following our coverage of England's draw with Slovenia tonight.

It wasn't pretty but the Three Lions will play in the Euro 2024 last-16 after topping their group - and that's all that matters, isn't it?

Read below to recap how the night unfolded.

It will most likely be the Netherlands for England in the Euro 2024 last-16 stage.

But there could be a permutation where the Three Lions meet whoever finishes third in Group E.

That group consists of Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine. They each have three points heading into their final round of matches.

All England definitely know is that their next match will be played in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday with a 5pm kick-off.

Beer cups were reportedly thrown at England manager Gareth Southgate.

Some fans were unhappy with the Three Lions' performance and aimed their frustration at the players and staff after the game.

According to the Telegraph, beer cups were thrown at Southgate.

John Stones admits he can understand the frustrations from England fans.

However, the defender insists many people “have a target” on the backs of the players for their performances at Euro 2024.

Stones told ITV: “I think we all wanted to win but the objective was to top the group.

“It’s not going to be easy when everyone’s got a target on our backs to beat us.

“Clean sheets in both games … it’s another step in the right direction. I can understand some of the fans’ frustrations with us not scoring.”

England struggled against Slovenia and the players will face scrutiny for their performances.

Harry Kane scored a five in Express Sport's player ratings.

You can read the rest of Simon Mullock's player ratings by clicking here.

A remarkable game - for all the wrong reasons - comes to an end.

There were shades of goalless group matches against Slovakia and Algeria at tournaments gone by.

England need a major improvement in the last-16.

One positive is that Gareth Southgate's side top Group C after Denmark drew 0-0 with Serbia.

It's a rare good move for England as Harry Kane and Cole Palmer link up, but the Chelsea man fires straight at the goalkeeper.

That will likely be England's last chance.

Jake Bijol's booking for a foul in the second half means Denmark will now leapfrog Slovenia in Group C because of their better record in qualfying, with both sides now level on disciplinary points.

Slovenia will still qualify for the last 16 due to placing as a third best team.

We're into the final 10 minutes and England are still struggling to break down Slovenia.

Declan Rice so nearly took the game by the scruff of the neck.

He played a one-two before driving into the penalty area but his shot flies well wide of the post.

It's an improvement...

In spite of the underwhelming performance on the pitch, England's fans have been in great voice in Cologne.

The Daily Express's Zak Garner-Purkis, who is in with the England supporters, says: "This game might be 0-0 but the two sets of supporters are going for it.

"It's very lively in the England end in this second half."

Cole Palmer is about to come on for his senior tournament debut.

Meanwhile, Marc Guehi has gone into the referee's book for a tug of the shirt as Slovenia made a rare attempt to break forward.

We're approaching the hour-mark and England are yet to find an opening goal.

Pinball in the penalty area led to a free-kick, with Bukayo Saka misjudging a speculative overhead kick and catching a Slovenian defender.

Is it Cole Palmer time? Could Gareth Southgate turn to Anthony Gordon?

Kobbie Mainoo's introduction has improved England's performance. Another substitution could provide a similar advantage.

It's been better from England in the second half - although the bar was so low.

There's more intensity to their play.

Harry Kane's wonderful searching pass nearly put Jude Bellingham through on goal, but the midfielder miscontrolled the ball.

Some immediate involvement for Mainoo as he links up with Bellingham around the Slovenia penalty area.

England win a corner which is cleared.

Gareth Southgate has gone early with his first change.

Conor Gallagher struggled to get on the ball in the opening period and has been hauled off at half-time.

Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo is on.

Paul Merson has mocked Harry Kane over the striker's suggestion that pundits need to be more positive.

England were poor in the first half against Slovenia.

Merson wrote on X: "Brilliant first half and lots of shots on goal against the best team in Europe…. (Is that okay Harry?)"

The half-time whistle is greeted by a smattering of boos from the England fans.

Gareth Southgate needs to get a tune out of his players in the next 15 minutes.

Harry Kane has come ever so close to converting a left-wing cross.

The England captain was at full stretch as he attempted to get on the end of Kieran Trippier's delivery.

Plenty to ponder for Gareth Southgate as we tick towards half-time.

There are only five minutes of the first half remaining in Cologne.

Bukayo Saka was every England fan when he noticed the offside flag...

England stars have been showing their frustrations at each other in a concerning first half.

Phil Foden just complained at Kieran Trippier for not squaring a good chance in his direction.

According to the i, both Foden and Jude Bellingham have been 'yelling' at team-mates after not receiving the ball in promising position.

England have the ball in the net after a wonderful move - but Bukayo Saka turns around to see the offside flag.

Phil Foden's clever one-two with Harry Kane freed the England No. 11.

But he strayed well offside before teeing up a tap-in for Saka.

Kieran Trippier has received an early yellow card.

The makeshift England left-back will now be walking a tightrope for the rest of this match and the remainder of the tournament.

Luke Shaw, England's only natural left-back, remains absent.

England still appear to be struggling to progress the ball up the pitch, a common theme of their Euro 2024 campaign so far.

Slovenia are doing a good job of preventing Declan Rice from finding space to receive possession from the back four.

Conor Gallagher did not touch the ball in the opening 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, Harry Kane attempted to play Phil Foden through on the left wing but the Manchester City star was halted by the offside flag.

It's been a slow start with England dominating most of the possession so far.

Benjamin Sesko went close for Slovenia with the first attempt of the game.

We're underway in Cologne!

The National anthems are done, England's stars are getting into position, and we're nearly underway in Cologne!

Stick with Express Sport throughout the evening for the very best coverage of England vs Slovenia.

Daily Express Investigations Editor Zak Garner-Purkis is in with the England fans in Cologne.

He says: "The England end here in Cologne is absolutely bouncing. Constant renditions of 'Phil Foden's on fire' - let's hope he is today!"

England will expect to beat Slovenia but have an added incentive after France could only draw with Poland.

Kylian Mbappe and co. finished runners-up in Group B, with Austria surprisingly topping the group.

The Netherlands will go through as one of the third-placed teams.

France's result means England will avoid playing Les Bleus until the final, should the Three Lions top Group C and both teams make it that far.

A win for Gareth Southgate's side means they would also be on the separate side of the draw to Spain, Portugal and Germany.

Slovenia’s attack will be spearheaded by the extremely highly-rated striker Benjamin Sesko tonight.

Marc Guehi and John Stones will have their work cut out against the six-foot-five forward.

Sesko was strongly linked with Arsenal earlier in the summer but has signed a new contract with RB Leipzig.

Slovenia XI: Oblak, Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza, Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar, Sesko, Sporar.

England's players are being put through their final paces in Cologne.

Let us know in the comments how you're expecting this Euro 2024 Group C clash to play out.

Declan Rice has slammed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England critics.

Gareth Southgate experimented the duo together in midfield but has reverted to a more orthodox midfielder in Conor Gallagher over Alexander-Arnold against Slovenia.

Rice has called out the Liverpool star’s critics, pointing out that many of them wanted to see the experiment.

“Half the country were calling for Trent to play in midfield. He then plays in midfield and people want to bring him down,” Rice told ITV.

“He can play in midfield, I’ve seen it.”

England know who they will likely face if they finish top of Group C.

Netherlands' surprise third-place finish in Group B after France drew with Poland means they will most probably play against England on Sunday evening - IF the Three Lions defeat Slovenia.

The Dutch have struggled at the tournament so far.

They were beaten 3-2 by Austria tonight and France's draw means the Austrians have topped the group.

There are still several permutations, though, such as a big England win that could dispel a last-16 clash with the Netherlands.

Conor Gallagher has come into the England team to face Slovenia at Euro 2024.

He provides a different profile of midfielder to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Gareth Southgate might hope that the 24-year-old's pressing ability to help England improve out of possession.

But England are losing a key midfield passer in Alexander-Arnold.

It's the one expected change from Gareth Southgate this evening.

Conor Gallagher replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield with Southgate ditching the experiment of the Liverpool star alongside Declan Rice.

The team in full: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier, Gallagher, Rice, Saka, Bellingham, Foden, Kane.

There is also a place on the bench for Luke Shaw, who took part in England training yesterday.

England's team to face Slovenia will be announced before 7pm.

Let us know in the comments who you're backing to start for the Three Lions.

Gareth Southgate has reportedly been tweaking England's tactics in the aftermath of strong criticism of the 1-1 draw with Denmark.

Conor Gallagher is widely expected to come into midfield, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The experiment of Alexander-Arnold in midfield has failed to work at Euro 2024.

Luke Shaw remains absent.

Bet365 have England as strong favourites to beat Slovenia to-nil in Cologne. Find the latest odds below...

Full time result:

England 1/3, Draw 15/4, Slovenia 10/1

To Win to Nil:

England 5/6, Slovenia 14/1

England meet Slovenia in their final Group C match at Euro 2024.

Results in other groups mean the Three Lions are through regardless of their performance tonight.

The match, which is being played in Cologne, will kick off at 8pm.

Stay tuned!

It's a huge night for England in Group C.

Comprehensively defeat Slovenia a convincing performance and we will be wondering what all the fuss was about.

Anything less will prove England's critics for their displays against Serbia and Denmark correct.

We will have all the latest build-up before the 8pm kick-off, followed by live text coverage of the game.