Euro 2024 news LIVE: Reaction to dismal England draw, last-16 ties, fans throw cups at Southgate

England were held by Slovenia in their final group match and have topped Group C at Euro 2024, but much more is still expected of Gareth Southgate’s underperforming outfit

England are through to the knockouts of Euro 2024 despite another underwhelming display at the tournament.

A goalless draw with Slovenia, that saw little improvement from the Three Lions, means that they top the group. Denmark were held by Serbia meaning they couldn’t leapfrog Gareth Southgate’s men, who are in the far more favourable half of the knockout draw.

Southgate though will have to face plenty of questions as the England boss felt fan frustration with some hurling bottles and cups in his direction at full-time in Cologne.

Group D concluded on Tuesday with Austria surprising everyone to top the standings after beating the Netherlands. France were held by Poland and go through as the group runners-up, which leaves them with some tough games ahead.

Today Groups E and F will be finalised, and that will confirm the look of the knockout draw. The likes of Portugal and Belgium are in action with Kevin De Bruyne’s men needing a big showing against the Ukraine.

Stay tuned for all of the latest news from the Euros from Mirror Football.

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Bellingham’s stats speak volumes
Jude Bellingham – alongside his England teammates – endured a miserable evening against Slovenia.

And the statistics behind his performance tell the full picture.

Zero shots. Zero chances created. Zero successful tackles. Zero successful passes in the attacking third. Just 12 per cent of passes going forward. And, perhaps most starkly: 16 instances of possession lost.

Wright suggests radical plan
Ian Wright has suggested that Bukayo Saka should be moved to left-back for England.

Speaking on ITV, he said: “As great as Saka has done for England in terms of what he creates and his goals and assists, he is a natural left-sided player. He started playing for England on the left at youth level, he started at Arsenal on the left. If that’s going to give you the balance and get you Cole Palmer in the team, it’s something you have to at least look at.

“Yes, Kyle Walker can play there [at left-back], it’s the same situation where you have the player coming inside, you have no one going around. He’s a natural left-footer Saka, we could activate the whole left side.”

Kane dissects England’s problems
Harry Kane believes England are missing that “little bit of quality” after their goalless draw against Slovenia in their final group stage clash of Euro 2024.

Despite boasting 74% of possession and registering 12 shots on goal, England toiled to cut themselves serious contenders for the summer’s showpiece event.

And despite the cries of crisis and boos coming from the travelling England supporters in Cologne, Kane believes that the margins keeping England from glory are not as drastic as many are suggesting.

“Just that final bit of quality, final pass, final finish on the cross,” Kane said when asked what England were missing in their most recent display. “But we created some half chances and we had one towards the end there that we maybe could have done better, but overall they defended well and made it hard for us.”

England’s half of the knockout draw
So England topped Group D – albeit unspectacularly. This half of the draw is a lot less decided, but it will be by the end of play today.

What we know is that England will face one of the best third places – possibly the Netherlands. The winner of that last 16 clash will face either Italy or Switzerland in the quarters.

Austria are the only other team in that half of the draw.

Heavyweight half of the draw
So we’ve got Spain, Germany, Portugal and France all in the same bracket of the draw.

Currently we know that Spain will play one of the best third places – the winner of that match will face either Germany or Denmark.

Portugal will also face one of the best third places – the winner of that contest will set up a quarter-final with France or the runner-up of Group E.

Rangnick showing his class
Man Utd fans may not have fond memories of Rangnick, but he’s proving he is as good as his reputation by excelling with Austria. The German boss masterminded their rise to the top of Group D – finishing ahead of France.

Sabitzer, who played on loan in Manchester, said: “When we have the ball we have someone on the bench who has a very good input.”

The midfielder also added: “It feels very good to play in this team and I am really enjoying every day with this team and the staff. I would like to stay here a bit longer.”

Ralf Rangnick is proving his doubters wrong at the Euros

Lineker-Kane war of words continues
Gary Lineker says he and other pundits will “do as we’re told” after Harry Kane hit back at the former England striker’s criticism of the Three Lions’ first two performances at Euro 2024.

The Match of the Day host made headlines after his unfiltered criticism of England’s lethargic 1-1 draw against Denmark in their second group stage match.

Lineker was amongst the fiercest detractors. The former Leicester City hitman dubbed the display “s***” on his ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, prompting a firm response from the England skipper.

“The bottom line is, we haven’t won anything as a nation for a long, long time,” Kane said on Sunday. “And, you know, a lot of these ex-players were part of that as well… they do know that it’s tough to play in these major tournaments. It’s tough to play for England.”

Deschamps content despite group failing
France should’ve made light work of their group, instead they finished second and have some heavyweight ties on their hand.

Despite that manager Deschamps said: “I’m not disappointed, sincerely not at all. We did what we needed to do, we created a lot of chances and led in the game. We tried until the end. We are where we want to be. We were in a very difficult group: Austria lost against us and won against the Netherlands. We deserve to be second.”

Neville calls out England selection
Gary Neville has questioned why England constantly debate about playing all their talented players – an issue no other major country seems to have.

The Three Lions have been unable to find a winning formula despite the riches available to him with top players constantly left out of the XI.

“England have Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden – massive, massive talents and we cannot afford to mismanage them,” he said on ITV.

Neville added: “We are the only country in the world who continually ask, ‘where can these players fit?’.”

Southgate questions environment
“I understand the narrative towards me and that’s better for the team than it being towards them,” said the England boss.

“But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I understand it, I’m not going to back away from it, but I’m very proud of the players for how they’re operating within it.”

06:32Samuel Meade
Morning
We’re back to bring you all the latest from the Euros.

England’s poor display in the draw with Slovenia will have done little to inspire whilst France have made their tournament a lot tough.

We’ll bring you the latest from Germany.

23:02Samuel Meade
Southgate targeted by fans
Empty cups thrown at Gareth Southgate as he applauds the England supporters. @TheAthleticFC #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/rvJhL6t5OL

That’s all from us tonight – thanks for sticking with us through that draw, it wasn’t easy at times!

England do top the group, but jesus they need to get better.

We’ll be back tomorrow with all the latest.

England and Southgate turning sour
Somehow England finished top of their Group but this was another night of frustration and despair.

It ended with England fans booing loudly at the final whistle and turning their anger on Gareth Southgate as they chucked beer cups at him. How sad that it has turned to recrimination and bitterness and the eight-year love affair the supporters had with Southgate has gone horribly sour.

Read more from our man in Germany here.

Some words from Kobbie
The Man Utd midfielder said: “Me and Cole (Palmer) are ready whenever w’ere called upon. We train hard and when we get our chances we try and impress. I love football, I love playing so anyone who’s on the bench wants to come on the pitch.”

He also maintained that England can go up a gear as he added: “I feel like we have the quality to break these teams down and in the knockouts when the level gets higher I feel like we can get to that level.”

Fans throw bottles at Southgate
Southgate defiantly applauded England fans as they booed and threw bottles at the Three Lions boss following the dismal goalless draw against Slovenia.

Supporters let their fury known at full-time with a chorus of boos raining down from the terraces of Cologne’s Rheinenergiestadion.

Southgate made his way over to fans at full-time and fans did not give the England boss a kind reception, taking aim with bottles and boos. But the 53-year-old continued to clap the fans despite the clear discontent he conjured amongst them.outhgate offers his take on the draw
We know that the Three Lions have dodged France, Portugal, Spain and Germany in the next round.

Southgate said on the draw: “We have got to play well and whoever we play is going to be a really tough game. We shouldn’t be seduced by which half of the draw. So many things are starting to come together.

“We had a lot of issues before the tournament. I think the way the defence has played has been a huge positive and something to build on. We created chances but we just have to convert those chances.”

22:23Samuel Meade
Southgate’s press conference
The England boss will face more questions after the Slovenia draw.

See Southgate’s press conference LIVE HERE.

22:21KEY EVENT
The thoughts of Southgate
On the performance… “I thought we were much improved, we created some good openings and at the moment it’s hard for for us. We’re not quite getting that break in front of goal. I thought the boys that came on had a good impact and we had the discipline to keep a clean sheet which means we top the group. I understand some reaction but its a strange environment we’re playing in.

On Palmer… “Very good, he finds space well, he’s got lovely technique, he’s calm and you really fancied him when he got that chance at the end.”

On Mainoo… “They have (been impressing). They’re really young and we’re blooding them in in a difficult environment.”

On selection headaches… “We need that. we’ve tried a few different things, as I said, I thought the players who came on used the ball well.”

22:15Samuel Meade
Who will England face next?
It will all come down to what happens in Group F tomorrow. As we speak Southgate’s men will face Netherlands, who finished third in Group D, on Sunday.

That could all change though if the Czech Republic beat Turkey or Georgia are victorious against Portugal in Group F – the second one is certainly unlikely.

So a reunion with the Dutch could be on the cards.

22:09Samuel Meade
England frustration mounts
Jordan Pickford had a quiet night but saw his team-mates create little
22:07Andy Dunn
England still lack ideas
Over the next few days, England players will form an orderly queue to highlight teams who have won tournaments after underwhelming group-stage campaigns.

And this was most certainly one of those from Gareth Southgate’s side. The second half display in Cologne was better than the first – it could not have been worse – but they are still not creating enough clear opportunities.

Among those to acquit themselves well were Marc Guehi and the second half substitute Kobbie Mainoo, who probably played himself into the starting lineup for Sunday’s game in Gelsenkirchen.

If you were a glass half-full sort, you would say there is, at least, room for improvement and England are in what looks like the easier side of the knockout draw. But this stalemate means England have won only two of their last eight matches and, for long periods of games, look worryingly devoid of ideas and plans.

Because the heavyweights of Spain, Portugal, France and Germany are on the other side of the draw, England might be favourites again. But you would be a very brave man or woman to back them.

21:58Samuel Meade
Slovenia buzzing after the draw
It might’ve been unispiring, but Slovenia are through to the knockout stages for the first time ever.

A serious achievement from the minnows
Don’t Miss
21:57Samuel Meade
Some words from captain Kane
The Bayern star said: “That was the aim (to finish top of the group) and control our own destiny. Tonight was tough, we played a lot better than the other two games, we just couldn’t find that final pass or finish.”

He added: “I think the boys who come on did really well, kept the energy high and bought a different dimension.”

21:54Samuel Meade
England’s poor form
So the draw means that England have won just two of their last eight games.

None of the stats and none of the viewing give you any optimism.

21:53Samuel Meade
The England debrief
Shout out to my colleague Tom Victor who managed to find five talking points from the truly uninspiring draw in Cologne.

Check them out here.

21:52KEY EVENT
Full-time – England and Slovenia goalless
Well that was dull. Somehow we’ve topped the group.

So so poor from England. Slovenia though are jumping for joy. Talk about a contrast of emotions.

21:51Samuel Meade
Trent fires over
Hit and hope now for England with less than a minute left.

Alexander-Arnold rifles hit long range shot well over.

21:50Samuel Meade
Not even a sellout
Such a shame … there are dozens of empty seats in the stadium. So many fans were desperate for tickets for the game. @MirrorFootball pic.twitter.com/u9gBrEbsBu

21:49Samuel Meade
Chance, but no…
The most meaningful attempt from England and Kane finds Palmer but his curled effort is saved, relatively comfortably, by Oblak.Too little too late that.