England v Slovenia player ratings Euro 2024: Gallagher 4, Foden 7; Drkusic 8, Sesko 5

Three Lions finish top of Group C despite frustrating goalless draw in Cologne

• 

  Jordan Pickford 6/10

  ENGLAND RATINGS: Quiet night. Played behind a side that looked short of confidence in Cologne. Has now kept more clean sheets in a major tournament than any other England goalkeeper. Getty Images

• 

  Kyle Walker 6/10

  As England’s first half mirrored the poor one against Denmark, he hit some smart passes as his team had 74 per cent of possession – yet failed to score. AFP

• 

  Marc Guehi 7/10

  Another confident performance from one of the few bright spots of England Euro 2024 so far. Yellow for pulling the shirt to stop a Slovenia attack. More touches than any player on the pitch. Reuters

• 

  John Stones 6/10

  The focus of England being mediocre wasn’t on the defenders. England lack edge and confidence. “We took a step in the right direction,” said the Manchester City player after the game. England fans need more convincing. APShow less

• 

  Kieran Trippier 6/10

  A right-footer playing at left-back, he put a dangerous cross towards the far post five minutes before break that Gallagher and Kane tried to connect with. Booked. EPA

• 

  Conor Gallagher 4/10

  Almost got to a Trippier cross five minutes before half-time. And he came off at the break. Struggled to get in the game and gave the ball away which led to a Slovenia attack. PA

• 

  Declan Rice 5/10

  The starting midfielder for the team who, while deeply unconvincing, won their group. England passed the ball around far too slowly. AFP

• 

  Jude Bellingham 6/10

  The first player to run behind a Slovenia defender, but looked frustrated in the first half. Dropped back on left side in a formation which looked clunky. Getty Images

• 

  Phil Foden 7/10

  Regularly rotated positions with Bellingham on the left. Went for goal with a free-kick from 30 yards that was saved in first-half. Sharp, but the players around him didn’t look like they were on the same wavelength. Booked. AFPShow less

• 

  Bukayo Saka 6/10

  One of the few England threats when he got the ball out wide. England had 12 shots, four on target. Most when Saka was on the pitch. Reuters

• 

  Harry Kane 6/10

  England captain and had one of the few first-half shots – which was comfortably saved. Up against a side who defended well, but England’s performance will get more criticism that Slovenia’s will get praise. APShow less

• 

  Kobbie Mainoo 7/10

  SUBS: (On for Gallagher 46’) An upgrade. Did well. AP

• 

  Cole Palmer 7/10

  (On for Saka 71’) Palmer 7 The third player - alongside Mainoo and Foden – who was raised around Stockport. Couple of exquisite touches. Injury-time shot saved by Oblak. EPA

• 

  Trent Alexander-Arnold N/A

  (On for Trippier 84') AFP

• 

  Anthony Gordon N/A

  Fantastic pass towards Palmer as England’s substitutes brightened things up. Getty Images

• 

  Jan Oblak 7/10

  SLOVENIA RATINGS: Atletico Madrid keeper enjoyed quiet first half bar a couple of comfortable stops from Kane strike and Foden free-kick. No saves at all after break until easy one in injury-time from Palmer. APShow less

• 

  Zan Karnicnik 7/10

  Scorer against Serbia last time out, right-back was less of a threat going forward down that flank but impressive defensively against Foden who offered some attacking thrust for England. AFP

• 

  Vanja Drkusic 8/10

  Centre-back has enjoyed a good tournament alongside Bijol and carried that on here. Always breathing down neck of Kane and big defender was excellent all night. AFP

• 

  Jaka Bijol 8/10

  One clumsy tackle handed Foden free-kick opportunity, which forced Oblak into action. Booked for hauling down Kane but they were rare blemishes as England’s record scorer was hardly given kick. Getty ImagesShow less

• 

  Erik Janza 8/10

  Sent over some dangerous crosses into England’s box that were crying out for decisive touch that never arrived. Booked for pulling back Saka but did well against the Arsenal attacker. AP

• 

  Peter Stojanovic 7/10

  Like Mlakar on other flank, disciplined night’s work down right in what was impressive, well-drilled Slovenia performance that secured spot in last 16. AFP

• 

  Adam Gnezda Cerin 7/10

  Helped nullify the midfield influence of Bellingham and Rice. One wild second-half strike that was sliced closer to corner flag than goal. Reuters

• 

  Timi Elsnik 7/10

  Central-midfield pairing with Cerin was so successful in opening 45 minutes that England hooked Gallagher to try and inject some impetus in centre of park. AP

• 

  Jan Mlakar 7/10

  Like rest of Slovenia midfield four, more concerned with defensive duties, that he did very well, than offering threat attacking-wise. PA

• 

  Andraz Sporar 5/10

  One half-chance in first half but England block took sting out of shot and Pickford gathered easily. England’s defence coped comfortably with Slovenia's front two. Getty Images

• 

  Benjamin Sesko 5/10

  Saw weak header drift into Pickford’s hands in fourth minute but that was about it in terms of attacking threat from dangerman. In right place in second half to block a Stones header at other end of pitch. AFPShow less

• 

  Josip Ilicic 6/10

  SUBS: (On for Sesko 75’) Veteran striker given rousing reception when introduced for his 82nd cap but no opportunity to score 18th goal for country. Getty Images

• 

  Jon Gorenc Stankovic N/A

  (On for Mlakar 85’) Getty Images

• 

  Zan Celar N/A

  (On for Sporar 85’) AP

• 

  Jure Balkovec N/A

  (On for Janza 90+1’) Reuters

England manager Gareth Southgate was met with boos by his own fans despite topping Group C as Slovenia also progressed to the knockout stages thanks to a 0-0 draw in Cologne.

The Three Lions were already assured of a place in the last-16 but can expect more criticism after failing to improve on underwhelming performances in edging past Serbia and drawing with Denmark.

England will have to wait until Wednesday's final group games to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16.

But more questions will be asked over one of the favourites' ability to end a 58-year wait for major tournament glory as their star-studded forward line was comfortably snuffed out by Slovenia.

England defender John Stones said he understood the fans' reaction at the end of the game. “I can get the fans' frustration, we're not taking chances, but that is football – it is never an easy game,” he said.

“The objective was to top the group and we have done that. It is not always going to be an easy road. It is not going to be easy when we have a target on our back to beat us.

“I thought there was a lot of improvement from the other two games. We found people in the pockets and created more chances, another step in the right direction.”

Captain Harry Kane also insisted it was mission accomplished despite the team once again struggling for fluidity and attacking threat. “That was the aim before the start of the tournament. Come top of the group and control our destiny,” said England's record scorer.

“I thought we played a lot better than the other games. We couldn't just find that finish but we look forward to the next one.

“If you look at previous tournaments we have played our best football in the knockout rounds. Last Euros against Germany, Ukraine and Denmark, so for sure there is more to come.

“Always the objective is to get through the group without any mishaps. We can improve, we know that, but you have to enjoy these moments when you finish top.”

England looked slightly better in the second half once Southgate sent on Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer to inject some energy to his moribund team. “I think the boys who came on did really well and kept the energy high and that's what we need. We need everyone chipping in and that's what we are doing so far,” Kane added.

Southgate was also impressed by Palmer – and impact of the other substitutes. “He did very good. He finds space well and he makes chances and we were backing him to score at the end.

“They are young players and we are blooding them in a difficult environment. They had a good impact for us and did good things for us. Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, it was a really good move. We have to build on that. There were a lot of things to build on from tonight.

“Of course we would have like a couple of goals to send everyone home happy but that wasn't to be tonight. That was not for the want of trying by the players, we just lacked that finishing touch. The final touch or pass let us down a bit a few times.”