The Three Lions Roar: England into the next round Slovenia out

It was a must win game for Endland to get them through the next round and a draw would have taken Slovenia to the next stage.

3 lions of England

For the first 15 minutes it was scrappy play from both the sides; the ball was only being played in the mid-field and no attacks as such to threaten the defenders and the keeper. But the game started to open up when England got more possession of the ball and in the 22 minute Milner the English winger provided a beautiful cross to the Tottenham striker: Defoe, who made it count by putting the ball behind the net. It was poor goal keeping by the Slovenia keeper as the ball made way through his hands.

Too much of the fans delight after England scored the goal they were playing better football and in just a few minutes Lampard got a free goal scoring opportunity but shot over the post. England was dominating ball possession with 61% -39% and Matjaz Kek team kept losing the ball giving England goal scoring chances.

Slovenia in their minds just wanted to hear the half time whistle to blow given the way England were playing. They did get a goal scoring chance when a free kick was awarded to them and Birsa got a deflection which David James made an awkward save.In the second half England were playing with the same momentum as goal scorer Defoe missed an early chance and 7 minutes later John Terry headed the ball wide. John Terry had a good game and was the pillar of the England defence as he made two great blocks denying Zlatko Dedic and Birsa shots that could have cost England chance of going to the next round.At the end of the game England started to defend leaving only Joe Cole and Heskey in the front while Slovenia, tried hard to get past the English defence. It was a sad departure for Slovenia as they were on top of the group standings during half time but USA’s Landon Donavan scored in injury time against Algeria in the other match of the group leaving Slovenia a point behind.Now, England are into the round of sixteen and they have a challenge from the Germans to face. A repeat of the ’66 final.