England failed to break down a resolute Slovakia side in their final Group B game at Euro 2016 on Monday and were subsequently consigned to a second-placed finish behind Wales.
Roy Hodgson made six changes from the side that started the 2-1 win over Wales last time out, but will face criticism after England drew a frustrating blank in Saint-Etienne while Chris Coleman’s side thrashed Russia 3-0 to win the group.
Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, the goalscoring heroes against Wales, were given starts, with Wayne Rooney among those rested as Gary Cahill was handed the captain’s armband.
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Vardy and Sturridge were among a number of players guilty of missing opportunities as England failed to make their dominance count at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, where they suffered a World Cup last-16 exit to Argentina in 1998.
Slovakia, to their credit, produced a dogged rearguard action to keep Hodgson’s men out despite spending long spells camped in their own box and will likely go through as one of the best third-placed sides.
[Goal.com]