Dour England win Euro 2024 group

COLOGNE, Germany

England ground out a 0-0 draw with Slovenia to claim top spot in Group C and avoid a last-16 meeting with hosts Germany, but France faces a complicated path to the final after failing to beat Poland on Tuesday.

Gareth Southgate's side have struggled to find their best form in the tournament and delivered another unimpressive performance in Cologne, one that will do little to silence the mounting criticism back home.

It was still enough to advance as group winners though after an equally turgid 0-0 draw between Denmark and Serbia in Munich, which saw the Danes finish second ahead of Slovenia despite an identical record.

"That was the aim before the start of the tournament, to come top of the group," England captain Harry Kane told ITV.

"These games are really, really tough. We've been here before and stepped it up in the knockouts. Hopefully we can do it again but whoever we get in the next round will be tough."

England must wait to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will meet in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday for a place in the quarterfinals.

Denmark pipped Slovenia to the runners-up spot by virtue of a better disciplinary record after both nations finished with three draws, the same goal difference and number of goals scored.

Slovenia picked up one more yellow card than Denmark, who take on Germany in the last 16.

"It's a great team but we're a great team as well and when we play the big nations, we always step up," said Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand.

Slovenia celebrated reaching the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time, while Serbia were eliminated after coming last in the section. Croatia's exit was also confirmed.