England under 21s continued their European Championship campaign with a tepid 0-0 stalemate with Slovenia. The Young Lions had a slow start in the heat of Nitra in Slovakia. Struggling to move the ball at any real pace, England put in a fairly pedestrian first half.
Slovenia had opportunities, while Harvey Elliott hit the woodwork. The Liverpool man would have expected to score with the chance. Manchester City's James McAtee had a similarly frustrating afternoon, as England struggled to carve open their opponents.
In the course of the second period, Lee Carsley made five substitutions. Yet despite the fresh legs, England were rarely able to trouble the Slovenia goal. As the game reached the final minutes, they looked one-paced and somewhat weary. Slovenia goalkeeper Martin Turk denied Jack Hinshelwood late on to compound England's misery, who now need a result against Germany.
England v Slovenia Match Statistics
England
64%
20
3
8
1
Kobbie Mainoo and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens on either side of Jude Bellingham with England football logo Related
15 Best U21 English Players in World Football (2025)
With Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo and Archie Gray, this list of young England talent is stacked.
Match Highlights
To follow...
England Player Ratings
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Harvey Elliott
GK: James Beadle - 7/10
Needed treatment in the first period, which teammates were no doubt grateful for a break from the heat. Had to be sharp to deny Seslar.
RB: Archie Gray - 6/10
The game bypassed him somewhat and wasn't able to get in as many advanced positions as he would have liked.
CB: Charlie Cresswell - 6.5/10
Not really tested as England had a lot of the ball on a frustrating evening.
CB: Jarrell Quansah - 6/10
Looked a little cumbersome in the heat at times.
LB: Tino Livramento - 7/10
Looked bright down the flank and good things tended to come from him.
CM: Elliot Anderson - 6/10
Not able to dictate play in the manner in which he would have liked and was brought off.
CM: Hayden Hackney - 6/10
Like Anderson, Hackney wilted somewhat in the sun as the second-half drew on.
RW: Harvey Elliott - 5/10
Would have been disappointed to see his first-half effort hit the post.
AM: James McAtee - 5/10
Denied by Turk early in the second-half, but should have scored. Not quite at his best.
LW: Ethan Nwaneri - 6/10
Unable to show his real quality, and when he did have an opportunity to shoot he was a bit rash.
CF: Jonathan Rowe - 6/10
Battled well enough at the front but was taken off in second half.
SUB: Brooke Norton-Cuffy - 6/10
Tried to be adventurous, but Slovenia kept him at bay.
SUB: Jack Hinshelwood - 6/10
Try as he might, the Brighton man could not help get England into a winning position, as he was denied a headed goal.
SUB: Omari Hutchinson - 6/10
As frustrating for him as it was the players who were substituted.
SUB: Jay Stansfield - 6/10
Showed his nose for goal by getting in the right positions but couldn't go one better and score.
SUB: Tyler Morton - 6.5/10
Did play some nice passes after coming on.
Slovenia Player Ratings
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Jonathan Rowe
GK: Martin Turk - 8/10 - Player of Match
Made a very good save from McAtee to keep the score goalless. Denied Hineshelwood late on with great save.
DF: Srdan Kuzmic - 6.5/10
Managed to keep England at bay.
DF: Lovro Golic - 6.5/10
Remained diligent throughout as Slovenia stayed neck and neck with England.
DF: Zan Jevsenak - 6.5/10
Played well within Slovenia's defensive unit.
RM: Mitja Ilenic - 6.5/10
A very disciplined performance on the right as he worked hard to contain England.
CM: Adrian Zeljkovic - 6.5/10
Relished the task of grinding England down in the humid conditions.
CM: Enrik Ostrc - 6.5/10
Looked quite neat and tidy as Slovenia held England at bay.
LM: Marko Brest - 6.5/10
Worked well off the ball as Slovenia held steadfastly to the draw.
RW: Svit Seslar - 7/10
Forced Beadle into a very good save and had a good overhead kick effort.
CF: Tio Cipot - 6/10
Led the line in the heat without much reward in terms of goal-scoring opportunities.
LW: Tjas Begic - 6/10
Worked hard until being replaced.
SUB: Janez Pisek - 6/10
Given the last 25 minutes as Slovenia looked to claim a draw.
SUB: Jaka Cuber Potocnik - 5/10
Late cameo for the FC Koln man.
SUB: Dino Kojic - 5/10
Not able to do much in the final 15 minutes he was given.
SUB: Luka Topalovic - 5/10
Thrown on for the final three minutes as the game was grinding to a halt.