England ended their group stage campaign at Euro 2024 not with a bang, but with a whimper in their 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday evening.
With the other Group C tie - Denmark's clash with Serbia - also ending goalless, Gareth Southgate's side will finish at the top of the pile, but the head coach will have much to reflect on as the team prepares for their Round of 16 match.
Bukayo Saka found the back of the net in halfway inside the first-half, but had the effort chalked off by VAR, and none of his team-mates were able to better his efforts as the game progressed.
The second-half saw Conor Gallagher exchanged for Kobbie Mainoo, and another positive start, but ultimately neither side were capable of breaking the deadlock.
Here, Craig Hope runs the rule over England's individuals - and assesses who came out best on a challenging night in Germany.
ENGLAND (4-1-4–1)
Jordan Pickford 6
He was largely a spectator, but he can’t be enjoying watching what is in front of him. Routine involvements were completed with minimum fuss and another clean sheet. The problems with this team rest elsewhere. Does he fancy playing on the left?!
Kyle Walker 5
Was sloppy on the ball at times and wasted one brilliant chance to cross or shoot when slicing a ball from Kane straight out of play inside area. When it’s all so slow England need his pace to disrupt the opposition, and it just didn’t happen.
John Stones 5.5
Shanked one into the stands early on and then miscontrolled another out of play. He did not step into midfield to get on the ball either, but when it’s all so stodgy in front of him that is difficult. Did fine defensively, not that they were tested much.
Marc Guehi 6
Among those to gift the ball to Slovenia during shaky start but dealt well with Sesko thereafter and it was another solid display until mistake that would have left Slovenia in if not for his subsequent foul, for which he was booked. Has done well here, but there’s always one error in him, you feel.
Kieran Trippier 6
He played a couple of teasing crosses that deserved more and at least that provided some threat. He had to manage his game after first-half yellow and did so well. It’s not ideal him being at left back, but he’s making the best of a bad job,
Declan Rice 5.5
Some good, some bad. He certainly gave his all and tried to take England forward second half, but this was another performance unrecognisable from what he produces for Arsenal. His frustration was evident late on as he looked to the skies.
Bukayo Saka 4.5
Not involved enough and suspicion remains he is not fully fit. This version of Saka is not the England star of previous tournaments. He’s doing well to stay in the team and his withdrawal on 71 minutes was long overdue. Followed familiar pattern of fading fast in games.
Conor Gallagher 5
Brutally hooked at half-time. He hadn’t been great but that felt harsh, given he was Southgate’s only change to starting XI. Failed to connect with his head from glorious Trippier cross that would have been a goal and ran around without offering anything by way of guile, but we knew that already.
Jude Bellingham 4
He was either losing the ball or missing challenges first half. Where was the superstar from the opening game? Petulant and pedestrian, he threw his arms up at one point and glared at bench. Shifted left for period second half but nothing improved. His place in team should not be guaranteed.
Phil Foden 7
Easily England’s brightest attacking spark, so why not play him where he wants - in the middle - from the start? Others weren’t on same wavelength with some of his one-touch passing and he was clearly frustrated with team-mates, and understandably so. England’s best on another bad night for team.
Harry Kane 5
Sluggish start, again. At one point Foden called for him to be on his toes after not reading a clever pass. Shots from distance that were either blocked or easily saved. Got better second half but best work was in areas other than centre-forward.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (on for Gallagher 46) 6
Offered more dynamism than Gallagher and at least tried to make things happen, even if they didn’t. Enough to suggest he is worth keeping in midfield for next game, given his willingness to break the lines and break the tedium of England’s play.
Cole Palmer (on for Saka 71) 6.5
Some cute passes shortly after arrival but he was brought into a difficult situation amid largely lifeless England display. He did more in his 20 minutes than Bellingham managed in 90, however, and must now start.
Trent-Alexander-Arnold (on for Trippier 85) N/A
Brought on at right back but too late to impact.
Anthony Gordon (on for Foden 88) N/A
Finally some tournament minutes but he needs longer than this. One fantastic, incisive forward pass that led to chance.
Manager - Gareth Southgate 4
Tweaked his system with a 4-1-4-1 but nothing really changed - England were predictable and pedestrian and there is no real strategy to what they do. He should have made more than one change to starting XI and must surely now shake things up. Good players look bad in this team.
Slovenia (4-4-2): Oblak 6.5; Karnicnik 7, Drkusic 7, Bijol 7, Janza 6; Stojanovic 6.5, Cerin 6.5, Elsnik 7, Mlakar 5.5; Sesko 6 (Ilicic 75, 5), Sporar 5.5
Manager: Matjaz Kek 6.5
Referee: C Turpin (FRA) 7
Correctly booked Trippier for first-half foul and he and his team called England’s offside goal without the need for VAR. No complaints with the performance of the officials, even if they were aided by a turgid game at times.