Cologne, Germany — Top of Group C, unbeaten, and on the favorable side of the draw for the knockout phase of Euro 2024. On paper, it’s mission accomplished for England. But try telling that to the fans who jeered and tossed beer cups as the final whistle blew following a 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on Tuesday.
Criticism of England’s performances in Germany has been mounting. Despite securing passage to the round of 16, the manner of their play has left supporters unimpressed.
“I’ve not seen any team qualify and receive similar reactions,” manager Gareth Southgate remarked after the match. He suggested that the team might be paying the price for heightened expectations born from past successes. Since taking charge in 2018, Southgate has led England to the latter stages of major tournaments, and the fans’ appetite for glory has only grown.
“We’ve made England, over the last six or seven years, fun again. It’s been enjoyable for the players,” Southgate added. “We’ve got to be very, very careful that it stays that way.”
England’s only victory in Group C came from a narrow 1-0 win against Serbia. This was followed by a 1-1 draw with Denmark and the goalless stalemate against Slovenia. The lackluster performances have drawn ire back home and across the global fanbase.
Former captain and BBC presenter Gary Lineker didn’t mince words, using an expletive to describe the display against Denmark. The criticism underscores the pressure on the team to perform at the highest level, especially with lofty pre-tournament expectations.
Despite the growing discontent, there are silver linings. By advancing as group winners, England has positioned itself on the opposite side of the draw from heavyweights like Spain, France, Germany, and Portugal. This could pave a smoother path deeper into the tournament.
“That was the aim before the start of the tournament: come top of the group and control our destiny,” captain Harry Kane said. “I thought we played a lot better than in the other two games. We just couldn’t find that final finish.”
As England prepares for the knockout stages, the team faces the challenge of not only their opponents but also the burden of expectation from millions of fans worldwide, including a passionate following across Asia. The next match will be pivotal in determining whether Southgate’s squad can rediscover their spark and deliver performances worthy of champions.
Reference(s):
England boss Southgate targeted after 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Euros
cgtn.com
