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Slovenia vs. England: Score and Reaction for World Cup 2018 Qualifying
- Updated: October 11, 2016
Joe Hart was England’s hero as the Three Lions ran to a 0-0 stalemate in their trip to Slovenia on Tuesday, maintaining caretaker manager Gareth Southgate’s unbeaten record in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Captain Wayne Rooney made a 15-minute cameo off the bench in Ljubljana, and Manchester City goalkeeper Hart—currently on loan with Serie A outfit Torino—was an unlikely talisman for the visiting side.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier deputised for Rooney in the middle alongside captain Jordan Henderson, but the new-look Three Lions still struggled going forward without their veteran leader.
England remain two points clear at the summit of qualification Group F despite dropping their first points of the campaign, but the Guardian’s Jamie Jackson didn’t spare any characters detailing the standard of their display:
This has been average… which is England…
— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) October 11, 2016
With Rooney out of the starting XI, this was Dier’s chance to prove he could be the alternative selection in midfield who would finally put an end to England’s conundrum, but he hardly got off to a confident start.
Just nine minutes in, the Tottenham anchor played a crucial role in giving the ball away and offering Slovenia a chance that saw Jasmin Kurtic hit the post. The Three Lions were lucky to remain level, per BBC 5 Live Sport:
“A real let-off for England”Dier’s backpass almost results in a goal, then Kurtic hits the post.
