Slovakia vs England. European Championships Group B.
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Slovakia 0-0 England: Much-changed England finish second in Group B
Tuesday 21 June 2016 08:29, UK
England were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw in their final Euro 2016 Group B game against Slovakia, meaning a second-place finish behind Wales.
A much-changed England, who sealed their place in the last 16 with the point, dominated throughout and registered 30 shots on goal, Jamie Vardy coming closest in the first half having been put through by Jordan Henderson, only for goalkeeper Matus Kozacik to deny him his second goal in five days.
Nathaniel Clyne had England's best chance in the second half having got behind the Slovakian defence, but his shot from an angle was tipped over by Kozacik.
Following Wales' win over Russia in Toulouse, the result means England finish second in Group B, and will play the runner-up in Group F - which includes Hungary, Iceland, Portugal and Austria - in the last 16 on Monday in Nice.
Roy Hodgson made six changes from the side that beat Wales, bringing in goalscorers Vardy and Daniel Sturridge for Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney, but the stalemate will put his selection gamble under scrutiny.
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It was Sturridge who had the first half-chance of the game after nine minutes from Vardy's flicked header in the six-yard box, but Slovakia defender Peter Pekarik put his body on the line to block superbly.
It was vintage Vardy moments later as the Leicester forward broke through on goal from Henderson's lofted ball over the top of the Slovakia defence, but Kozacik blocked well one-on-one from 12 yards out.
Clyne, in the starting XI at the expense of the impressive Kyle Walker, then found space on the right wing to centre for Liverpool team-mate Adam Lallana 18 yards out, but his effort was beaten away well by Kozacik.
Henderson saw a fierce volley blocked well by Jan Durica before the break, but England finished the first half with the majority of possession and no goal to show for it for the third straight game at Euro 2016.
There was a let-off for England after the restart as Chris Smalling's deft chest back to Joe Hart fell short of the goalkeeper, but Robert Mak couldn't get proper contact despite reaching the ball first.
England broke to create a fine chance of their own through Clyne, who got on the end of Sturridge's superb through ball only to see his effort from an angle deflected over the bar by Kozacik.
Vladimir Weiss forced Hart into a good low save having cut in from the left-hand side of the area, before Rooney was introduced for England in the 56th minute.
Substitute Dele Alli nearly opened the scoring just a minute after coming on having got on the end of Henderson's chipped cross, but his half-volley was cleared off the line by Martin Skrtel.
England dominated the latter stages, bringing Tottenham striker Kane on for the final moments, but still could not find a winner.
Hodgson has decisions to make again for the last-16 clash - which will be played in Nice on June 27 - but England have given up their chance of facing a third-placed side at the Parc des Princes, their route to the final appearing more treacherous.
Slovakia finished behind Wales and England in the group but can still qualify for the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.