-
England’s star-studded lineup failed to live up to its billing as the Three Lions were held to a drab 0-0 draw against Slovakia.
-
Roy Hodgson named a total of six changes in the England team. Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere failed to impress.
-
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey shine in Wales’ convincing 3-0 victory over a hapless Russian side.
In an unexpected turn of events, England failed to consolidate their position as leaders of group B as they failed to break the deadlock against a resolute Slovakian side. Roy Hodgson named a total of six changes, devising a winning formula, but things backfired terribly as Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Dele Alli were thrown in to win the game for the Three Lions, but to no avail.
Head-coach Roy Hodgson spoke to the press after the game (via UEFA):
“It was a frustrating night and we fully deserved to win the game. In each of the three games we’ve been the totally dominant team.”
“We’ll be criticised for having so much possession and not scoring goals and I cannot deny that. All I could say is the time will come when we will take the chances and some team might be on the end of that fairly soon.”
Slovakian goalkeeper Matúš Kozáčik won the Man of the Match award. “England have very good attacking quality and they wanted to win. We needed at least one point and managed to get it and I hope with the four points we’ll manage to get through”, said the stopper.
“The last match we had like this was against Spain. Of course England showed their quality in qualifying as well as now, we knew they were attack-minded and they proved that, they pressed us back but luckily we managed to hold on.”
Slovakia’s head-coach Jan Kozak was an extremely pleased man after the result and was proud of his side for managing to pull off a draw.
“Our players tired as the game went on and England showed their quality and strength but when you see an opportunity you go everything you can. Perhaps I didn’t expect to be pressed so deeply but we made some substitutions to neutralise the impact of their attack. To get a point against England is the biggest positive.”
The group’s other fixture saw Wales finish as group-winners after a convincing 3-0 win over Russia. Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor and Gareth were the goalscorers on the day as the Welsh outfit rarely broke a sweat to get over the line.
Here’s how the two games played out on social media:
Jack Wilshere’s game by numbers:
8 misplaced passes
1 tackle won
0 chances created
0 interceptions
0 shots pic.twitter.com/GNZmsAYX9K— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 20, 2016
International goals in the #ENG XI on the pitch = 19
International goals in this photo sat on the bench = 57 pic.twitter.com/M7hBpDzlAI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 20, 2016
What is difference between fat chick and England striker?
Even fat chick scores every once in while!!!
— Evil Kagawa (@evilkagawa) June 20, 2016
Congratulations to #WAL ! I was wrong about #ENG – squad not strong enough to support those changes and they ran out of ideas. #SSFootball
— JohnDykes (@JohnDykesUK) June 20, 2016
Well played Wales! Brilliant effort.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 20, 2016
A night of frustration for England fans! Here’s what people on social media had to say… https://t.co/hWhGtcO01c pic.twitter.com/Qa5FbnuyB7
— TheLADbible (@TheLadBible) June 20, 2016
Lot of negativity on here but everyone is hard on their own team and expect to crush the opposition. It’s rarely that easy.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 20, 2016
0 – No one knows how Jordan Henderson will vote in the EU Referendum on Thursday as he doesn’t know how to put a cross in the box. Brexit.
— OptaJoke (@OptaJoke) June 20, 2016
Those booing at the final whistle must have been ones who booked train to Paris already….#ENG ran out of ideas but hey, two days more rest
— Andy Brassell (@andybrassell) June 20, 2016
Just goes to show England are nothing without Raheem Sterling.
— Deluded Brendan (@DeludedBrendan) June 20, 2016
Roy Hodgson has won 3 out of 10 tournament games in charge of England. I think it’s fair to say his job is on the line for next few games.
— Spencer FC (@SpencerOwen) June 20, 2016
That awkward moment when the tickets you have to Quarter & Semi Final can no longer be England games because they didn’t win group…?
— Spencer FC (@SpencerOwen) June 20, 2016
I actually want to watch Mike Basset: England Manager again after watching this ?
— The Away Fans (@theawayfans) June 20, 2016
England settled for 2nd in 1998, 2002, 2004, 2010. Costly on each occasion.
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) June 20, 2016
The only thing less inspiring than England’s performances is Roy Hodgson himself. #uninspiring
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) June 20, 2016
Roy Hodgson led England to their lowest World Cup group stage points total in history, and lowest Euro group stage points total since 2000.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) June 20, 2016
Now we await to see which team will knock England out in the Round of 16.
— Coral (@Coral) June 20, 2016
Last season Barkley scored and assisted more than the entire England midfield tonight…..
— jonathan buttner (@jonathanbuttner) June 20, 2016
Hard reality is that England weren’t good enough to win the group. Which is rather sobering, although also, grimly predictable
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) June 20, 2016
Was no surprise the praises for the Welsh side:
Bale top scorer, Wales top of the group, fans top of the world.
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) June 20, 2016
Congratulations Wales! Brilliant! X
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) June 20, 2016
We are so so proud and humbled to have written Together Stronger for the @FAWales-what a night-what a team-what amazing fans-COME ON WALES!!
— ManicStreetPreachers (@Manics) June 20, 2016
Huge congratulations to @10_kingy, who came off the bench to help Wales beat Russia 3-0 and seal top spot in Group B! ??
— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 20, 2016
3 games, 3 good performances. Happy with how we are playing, roll on the knockout stage. Congratulations Wales,… https://t.co/vXoIUMztdu
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) June 20, 2016
Not sure I’ve ever seen a team more united with their fans than Wales. An absolute pleasure to witness. Paris awaits pic.twitter.com/Yj6HkqKDbD
— Steve Wilson (@SteveWilson1967) June 20, 2016
2011: Wales ranked 117th in the world.
2016: Wales top Group B at the Euros. pic.twitter.com/qHIEHGDno3
— bet365 (@bet365) June 20, 2016
Slovakia had 30 yards between their keeper and striker for most of the game tonight – as did Wales and Russia in those games
— Luke Sanders (@luke_sanders89) June 20, 2016
#Wales
•Won group B
•Top goalscorer -Bale
•Most assists -Ramsey
•Most goals scored
•Apparently here to make up the numbers#TogetherStronger— Ed Rowlands (@Ed_Rowlands) June 20, 2016
Of wales = bale then Bale > England. Sorry, but its true.
— Haider (@haider_s23) June 20, 2016
To qualify was awesome, to be competitive was awesome. To win the group is unbelievable! I bloody ❤ Wales. X
— Gavin Owen (@gavocity) June 20, 2016
Best thing I’ve heard all night is England fans already got flights to Paris and tickets to the game only now to be watching wales play?#wal
— Gaz davies (Daisy) (@GazGdavies) June 20, 2016