England Under-21s held to goalless stalemate by Slovenia
Goalkeeper James Beadle played his part in keeping England level with decent saves to deny Svit Seslar.
Another point on the board at the #U21EURO finals, as our #YoungLions draw with Slovenia on matchday two. pic.twitter.com/MmrAWGaOPm
— England (@England) June 15, 2025
England moved to the top of the group, for the time being at least, but will have to wait to secure their qualification against Germany when they meet in Nitra on Wednesday, while Slovenia kept their slim hopes of progressing alive.
Slovenia started brightly and came close when Seslar's whipped free-kick deflected inches wide of the target and Beadle was then called into action for the first time to stop Seslar's drilled effort with his legs.
England's first chance came in the 20th minute. Captain James McAtee will have been disappointed to drag his close-range effort harmlessly wide.
England should have been ahead just before the half-hour when Jonathan Rowe showed great feet to get past his marker and put the ball on a plate for Nwaneri, but with the goal at his mercy he somehow missed an easy tap-in.
Slovenia started to threat again, with Seslar proving a menace as he let rip with a ferocious effort from outside the box which Beadle did well to tip over the crossbar.
England again came close to an opener before the break.
Harvey Elliott hit a post for England (Martin Rickett/PA)
Elliot Anderson superbly picked out the run of Elliott and he lifted his effort over goalkeeper Martin Turk only to see the ball bounce off the upright and away from danger.
Another glorious chance went begging when Tino Livramento hooked the ball into the six-yard area and McAtee directed a shot on goal but Turk was in the right place to save.
Slovenia almost made England pay for those missed chances as another chance fell to Seslar, but he saw a curling strike saved by Beadle.
Substitute Omari Hutchinson injected some pace into England's attack and his cross found Elliott who could not direct his header on target.
England were denied in stoppage time as Brooke Norton-Cuffy's pinpoint cross picked out Jack Hinshelwood who directed a powerful header on target but Turk tipped the ball behind and secured an important point.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Owen Farrell opens up on his 'overwhelming' 2023 Rugby World Cup nightmare for the first time after re-signing for Saracens - and leaves door open for England return
Owen Farrell has revealed for the first time how he was overwhelmed by the criticism he received during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Farrell, 33, came in for heavy criticism for his performances during the tournament despite England impressing en route to finishing in third place. The tournament saw the Red Rose missed out on a second World Cup after an agonising one-point defeat in the semi-finals to eventual champions South Africa. Following remarks about Farrell being an under-performer in the side, in the eyes of fans and pundits, the fly-half opted to step away from international duty after the toiurnament and has not played for England since. That also saw him leave his boyhood club Saracens at the end of the 2023-24 season to join French Top 14 side Racing 92. However, after just one season in the French capital, he announced on Monday that he would be returning to England after agreeing a two-year deal with Sarries. Speaking after news emerged that he would be leaving France after a solitary campaign, Farrell opened up on why he opted to take a break from the England set-up. He told The Telegraph: 'I felt like I was playing well enough towards the end of that year and wanted to kick on and enjoy playing with England and do the best that I can. What came after was tough because it was a lot. 'But it was only me not being able to deal with it. It was getting on top of me a bit. I have loved playing for England throughout my career. 'I could make sense of it all individually. I could make sense of the criticism, I could make sense of the booing, and I could make sense of everything that was going on. But put it all together and it felt like it was non-stop. 'In the past, when I was younger, people thought I didn't care. I did care. Everyone thinks that I didn't because I was competitive. 'But I overthink everything anyway, but I always just thought it was all just part of it, and I would fight against it and suppress it. I had wanted to enjoy it, but everything seemed to hit the fan after that.' Farrell's return means he is available to be selected by England once again, with Steve Borthwick's side set to embark on a summer tour of Argentina. It could even see him drafted into the Lions squad, coached by his father Andy, in the event of an injury crisis during their eagerly-anticipated series against Australia. The Lions will play Argentina in a warm-up match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday before jetting off Down Under. They will then play a series of warm-up matches before the first Test gets underway at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 19.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Man Utd choose NOT to sell two players' 2025/26 shirts as big decision on Marcus Rashford is made
MANCHESTER UNITED are NOT selling Jadon Sancho or Antony shirts on their official website. But the Red Devils are flogging Marcus Rashford jerseys. 3 3 All three wingers spent the second half of last season out on loan. Sancho headed for Chelsea, while Antony excelled at Real Betis. Rashford, meanwhile, spent four months at Aston Villa after falling out of favour under boss Ruben Amorim. United's online shop suggests that there could be a way back for the homegrown hero. When customising the new 2025/26 home shirt, fans are given the option to use "Rashford 10". Sancho's squad number has been taken by Manuel Ugarte, with the former England winger having worn No25 prior to being loaned to Chelsea. The No21 shirt worn by Antony is vacant, but still does not appear on United's online shop. Rashford still has three years remaining on his contract, with Antony's up in 2027 and Sancho's running for 12 more months. United's No10 started Amorim's first two Prem games in charge, scoring in both of them. But he was soon dropped entirely by the Portuguese, with his final appearance coming on December 12 against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. Following more than six weeks on the sidelines, Rashford signed for Aston Villa on loan. The England ace scored four goals in 17 appearances for Unai Emery 's side, also laying on six assists. His performances for Villa saw him earn a call-up to Thomas Tuchel 's first Three Lions squad in March. In April, the BBC reported that Rashford was set for talks over his United future in "mid-June". At the time they claimed that Rashford felt it was unlikely that he would return to the fold at his boyhood club. Upon Rashford moving to Villa, Amorim said: "I couldn't get Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it." 3
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Former Chelsea star insists Chelsea fans didn't want Liam Delap and Nicholas Jackson will still be the main-man next season
Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi has said that new striker Liam Delap wasn't the man fans wanted to see arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer. Speaking on DAZN's coverage of Chelsea's Club World Cup opener, the former Nigeria international pointed to a compatriot when explaining who he thought was a more popular choice. 'We need someone to come in, score goals and finish those chances,' said John Obi, who played over 200 times for Chelsea. 'Obviously, he [Delap] isn't the guy the fans wanted. We know who the fans wanted. 'The fans wanted Victor Osimhen to come to the club but he didn't. 'Obviously the club decided to go with Delap. He's young, he's gonna get better. Mikel John Obi was speaking on DAZN's coverage of Chelsea's opener in the Club World Cup 'Hopefully he hits the ground running and then he's gonna quieten those doubters. 'I wish him well, I hope he succeeds at this club. I think he can. 'The runs I saw today, running behind defenders, I think he can be the guy to finish those chances.' Delap, 22, recently joined Chelsea from Ipswich in a £30 million move from Ipswich. He made his debut for the club on Monday evening, bagging an assist in Chelsea's 2-0 Club World Cup opener over LAFC. While Jon Obi praised the youngster's contribution, he believes he will start next season as second choice under Enzo Maresca. 'But, Nic Jackson, let's not forget, I still think he will be the main man,' he said. 'He just needs to work on his finishing. I still think he's gonna be the guy to start the season. 'During the season, if he's not scoring then Delap gets his opportunity. 'Healthy competition is really important.'
