England slips on their knees into the Paradise Division! Italy was the most uncomfortable, Germany was ecstatic, and Portugal breathed a sigh of relief
On June 26, Beijing time, the final round of Group C of the European Cup group stage ended, and England drew 0-0 with Slovenia, locking the first place in the group without danger. The result not only allowed England to move into the bottom half of the bracket, but also avoided the favourites Germany, Spain, Portugal and France. What impact will this "slippery kneeling" have on England and other teams?
England's first two group stage performances were nothing short of satisfactory, with a whopping €1.52 billion worth of them failing to show their corresponding dominance on the pitch. Only 2 goals were scored in the two games, and the big-name stars fought separately, and the eleven people on the field seemed to be scattered, and their combat effectiveness was greatly reduced. This form has led fans to worry that England could be out of the knockout rounds early if they don't adjust soon.
Despite this, England secured their qualification early with four points. If they don't finish top of the group, they are likely to fall into the top half of the bracket against the giants of Germany, Spain, Portugal and France.
Such a path to promotion is undoubtedly a life of death, and a layer of skin will fall off in each round of elimination. As such, England fans are looking forward to the final round of fixtures in the hope that the team can secure the top spot in the group and avoid these strong opponents.
England won 0-0 against Slovenia and managed to secure top spot in the group and drop into the bottom half. In the quarter-finals, their opponents will be third in Group D, E or Group F, which will undoubtedly make their path to qualification relatively smooth. It was a slippery kneeling victory for England, who finally took their destiny into their own hands.
This is undoubtedly bad news for Italy. If they knock out Switzerland in the knockout rounds, the quarter-finals will likely be against England. Italy had hoped to avoid England, but as fate would have it, they could well face a strong side on their way to qualification. Against England, Italy's road to defending their title is destined to be bumpy.
Germany, Spain and Portugal, on the other hand, are relieved this time. England's stumbling through the group stage has left them worried about whether this team will suddenly burst into a strong fight when it comes to the knockout stages.
If England rebound in form in the knockout rounds, it will be a tough battle for either team to meet them. Now, England have managed to avoid them, making the path to qualification relatively easy.
Looking at England's game against Slovenia, although it was a bit dull, England were solid defensively and managed to secure a 0-0 draw.
In the game, England's tactics were well executed, and although the attack failed to score, the defense did not give Slovenia too many chances. Especially in the final minutes, England withstood several attacks from their opponents to secure top spot in the group.
The performance of the English players in this game is also worth mentioning. Despite a slight weakness on the offensive end, the defensive end was remarkable. Several key players at the back were outstanding, defusing the opposition's attacking threat on a number of occasions. The midfielders also played an important role in interception and organisation, providing strong support for the team's defence.
Slovenia, for their part, showed a tenacious defensive quality in this game. They stopped England's attacks on several occasions during the game, dragging the game to a draw. Despite failing to emerge victorious in the end, Slovenia's performance earned the respect of the fans. They showed their quality and fighting spirit against a strong team like England.
England's performance in the knockout stages will be the focus of attention. After securing top spot in the group, they avoided strong opponents in the top half, but that doesn't mean the rest of the game will be easy. Any team that advances to the knockout stages should not be underestimated, and England will have to be consistent and play at their best in the upcoming matches to go further.
Italy has an even bigger challenge to face. If they advance in the knockout rounds, they will most likely play England. This match will be a tough battle for both teams, and who will win will go a long way in determining the fate of both teams in this European Championship.
Germany, Spain and Portugal have had a relatively smooth path to qualification after avoiding England. But that doesn't mean they can be taken lightly. The knockout stage is full of variables, and a mistake in any one game can lead to an exit. For these big teams, every game has to be given at its best.
England's tactical set-up was also put to the test in this game. The head coach opted for a solid defensive strategy against Slovenia to ensure his team kept a clean sheet. This tactic made the attack a little lackluster, but it earned the team a place to top the group.
In the knockout stages, England will need to find a better balance at both ends of the pitch to stay competitive against stronger opponents.
Italy, on the other hand, will need to adjust their form as they prepare to meet the challenge of England. Against such a strong team, Italy will have to make a tactical breakthrough and find a way to deal with England. Despite the difficulties, Italy's strength and experience are still worth looking forward to.
Germany, Spain and Portugal need to remain vigilant. Despite avoiding England, their opponents in the knockout rounds are not to be underestimated. Every game will be a test of the team's strength and mental quality. Only by playing well in every game can you go far in this European Championship race.