ENGLAND’S first and only major tournament win against Slovenia came at the courtesy of the so-called Golden Generation.
Jermain Defoe grabbed the only goal as Fabio Capello’s team ran out 1-0 winners in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa final Group C tie.
And rather ironically, the Three Lions face Slovenia in Group C at Euro 2024 tonight.
England’s line-up in the final group match will be night and day away in ability and personnel from the two sides’ last competitive meeting.
In 2010, The Three Lions’ starters included James Milner, record Premier League appearance holder Gareth Barry and Glen Johnson.
While it also adorned Wayne Rooney‘s generational talent alongside the world class Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Likewise, Joe Cole came on for his Chelsea teammate Ashley Cole, while Emile Heskey replaced goalscorer Defoe with 10 minutes to go.
Michael Dawson, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King, then Stoke defender Matthew Upson and Joe Hart were on the bench and make up the list of forgotten men.
Yet despite the host of talent at Capello’s disposal, England came second in the group behind the United States.
In fact, England’s marginal 1-0 triumph over Slovenia was the Three Lions’ only victory of the group stage in 2010.
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As England drew 1-1 with the USA thanks to goals from Gerrard and Clint Dempsey, and Algeria held them to a goalless draw in Cape Town.
They went onto crash out after a 4-1 defeat at the hands of a fierce finalists Germany in the last-16.
And the current crop are hoping to avoid repeating history.
At Euro 2024, England have won one and drawn one – and are looking to come alive against Slovenia in their final tie before the knockouts.
But luckily for them the final game is not as much of a ‘must win’ as it was for the 2010 squad, after England qualified for the round of 16 on Monday following Albania’s defeat to Spain.
England go into the Slovenia game already on four points from beating Serbia and a draw with Denmark.
ENGLAND need to find the courage and confidence to start playing out from the back again, writes Jack Wilshere.
That was the approach that brought them success and they seemed to be getting better at it.
But in the last two games they have tried it less and Jordan Pickford has been going long more often.
England’s lack of structure and playing out from the back was dictated by how the first two games went.
The opponents grew in confidence and started to press a little bit higher.
And, as England have made mistakes, they have ended up trying to eliminate risk by playing it longer.
We’ve been looking for solutions and ended up going back to Jordan and there’s no option, we’re under a bit of pressure and he has to go long.
But, more often than not, playing out through the thirds is the way to go.
Let’s do it, let’s go and be brave and dominate the ball.
