European Football Championship
“Hard to watch”: England criticized after meager diet
The English team around Jude Bellingham could only manage a 0:0 draw against Slovenia. Photo
© Martin Meissner/AP/dpa
Title contender England disappointed again in their third European Championship match, but for now avoided a duel with hosts Germany. The days until the round of 16 are unlikely to be any quieter.
With just two goals scored, the Three Lions reached the round of 16 as group winners, which will take place this Sunday (6 p.m.) against a third-placed team in Gelsenkirchen.
The results (1-0 against Serbia, 1-1 against Denmark and now 0-0) were among the best of England’s group stage. “To finish first in the group and control our own destiny was our aim. I feel we played much better this time than in the other two matches,” said captain Harry Kane. Former professional Gary Neville only partly agreed and criticized the weak first half. “It was really hard to watch,” said Neville.
Coach Gareth Southgate in particular, who made only one change to the starting eleven despite poor performances, is likely to continue to be attacked by the media and experts. “We’re not at the last bit yet, but we’ve taken steps in the right direction,” said the ex-pro. In the round of 16, they now face a match against the Netherlands, who slipped to third place in the group earlier in the evening after a 2:3 defeat against Austria.