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England blows chance to win group with banal effort against Slovakia

Reuters

You'll have to excuse England supporters if they thought they were watching an Arsenal match.

Red kits paired with loads of possession but lacking in final product, England resembled the north London giant in an uninspiring 0-0 draw with Slovakia in Saint-Etienne Monday.

Related: Wales seals 1st place in Group B with confident win over sorry Russia

England controlled the play from the opening whistle, with Jamie Vardy coming closest in the sixth minute. The Leicester City star tested the 'keeper again in the 17th minute, as his marauding pace got the better of Martin Skrtel before his shot was parried away by Matus Kozacik.

Kozacik came to Slovakia's aid again later in the first half, as Adam Lallana wired a thunderous right-footed effort that the Victoria Plzen netminder stopped with both mitts.

The second half was more of the same, though the Slovaks finally tested Joe Hart.

Slovakia nearly took the lead courtesy of a Chris Smalling error, when the Manchester United centre-half's attempted chest pass to Hart was nearly intercepted by a surging Robert Mak.

Early in the second half, Slovakia's intentions became clear, when striker Ondrej Duda was taken off for Dusan Svento in the 57th minute, leaving the side without a forward.

A point was the goal.

Roy Hodgson's squad selection for the Group A closer will come into question, as Jack Wilshere appeared well off the pace and in the mood to give the ball away, while Jordan Henderson's dead-ball efforts were nothing less than atrocious.

Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli were brought on for Wilshere and Adam Lallana before the hour mark, and almost immediately, the changes gave England a more spirited look in the middle of the park.

The point is enough to guarantee second place in Group B behind Wales and a spot in the knockout stage, though Monday's result was nothing less than an opportunity spoiled for Hodgson's lot.

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