Euro 2016: England v Slovakia live blog – kick-off approaches as Three Lions look to book a place in the knock-out stages
All the latest news, info and pictures as England attempt to secure top spot in Group B
- England face Slovakia tonight knowing victory will see them book a place in the last 16 of Euro 2016 as Group B winners.
- A draw will guarantee safe passage into the knockout stages regardless of the result in Toulouse where Wales take on Russia.
- Defeat would leave Roy Hodgson's men potentially facing a wait to see if they stay in the tournament as one of the four best third-placed finishers.
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10.12 - That's all from me tonight. I'll be back tomorrow night for Northern Ireland v Germany. Man, that is going to be a cracker! Goodnight!
10.09 - And maybe this time, it's all set up for England to gain sweet revenge on a certain Ronaldo. Bring it on!
10.08 - But let's not get too down, we're into the knockout stages after all! And maybe just maybe, we're saving our best form for when it really counts. No harm in stuttering your way through the group stages if you can find your feet in the latter stages.
10..05 - Well that was a hugely frustrating night wasn't it? Gary Cahill has just been on the telly, saying that "We dominated play but just couldn't unlock the door". To be fair, it was a bit like me trying to find the keys to my door after I've had 7 pints. All over the shop
9.58 - It means England will play the runners up in Group F – which could be Portugal, Hungary, Iceland or Austria. Truth be told, I don’t fancy any of them. Can you imagine us trying to break Iceland down? Oh lordy.
9.55 - Real frustration for England. They had had 30 shots but didn't ever really look like taking Slovakia to the cleaners. Roy Hodgson can expect the mother, father and great auntie of inquests after all those wholesale changes to the starting line up
9.53 - Like their previous two games, England struggled to break down a stubborn defence. It's turning into a real failing. Vardy and Lallana had gilt-edged first half chances and Dele Alli had a shot brilliantly cleared off the line in the second half.
WALES WIN GROUP B. ENGLAND AND WALES BOTH QUALIFY FOR THE KNOCKOUT STAGES!
FULL TIME: SLOVAKIA 0 ENGLAND 0
RESULT: WALES 3 RUSSIA 0
9.48 - I've just heard Vardy's name mentioned. I honestly thought he'd left the field ages ago. We've seen precious little of him this half
9.46 - We're into five added minutes. England desperately need a goal if they want to top the group and have an easier passage. If you'll pardon the expression
9.44 - He didn't by the way. But things are so desperate, Glenn Hoddle has just wished we had Andy Carroll to bring on. Yeah, that bad
9.43 - Late corner for England. If Harry Kane scores a header from this, I'm jumping out the window
9.40 - Slovakia have chucked in the towel. With five minutes to go they seem happy to take their chances in third place. England still huffing and puffing without creating a clear opening.
9.38 - Slovakia have been very shoddy tonight. Their only threat has been Hamsik. Who sounds like I felt after that dodgy bacon baguette the other night
9.36 - I’m not being disrespectful but the Slovakian team look like they’ve been assembled from their country’s most notorious serial killers. Is there a more frightening looking team in this competition?
9.34 - Rooney is now playing just behind Vardy and Kane up top in the system that worked oh so woefully against Portugal at Wembley.
9.31 - Harry Kane is coming on with 15 minutes left. Just as I predicted! Go on, scroll back. 75 minutes I said. Sturridge is the man to make way. Come on, cry Harry for England!
9.29 - Dier is back on his feet and wow what a ball this is from him! He dinks a ball over the top, slap bang on Sturridge's foot, six yards out but the Liverpool man fails to get any connection on it and the ball bounces through to the keeper. Any sort of touch on that and surely it was the opener.
9.27 - England meanwhile are doing things the hard way. They've lost the thread with 20 minutes to go and worryingly, Eric Dier has gone down injured. Wouldn't it be just oh so England to concede now after completely bossing the game?
RUSSIA 0 WALES 3 - Bale notches Wales's third to become the tournament top scorer. Russia have been brilliant haven't they? Their fans and their team have been a real credit...
9.22 - Can someone tell me what the point of those ‘Socar – energy of Azerbaijan’ advertising boards are? Like anyone’s going to say, ‘Hmmm, must remember to pick up some of that Azrbaijani energy on the way home.”
9.21 - Don't forget, with Wales winning 2-0, as it stands, they will top the group with England qualifying in second place. Twenty five minutes for all that to change though
9.19 - Altogether now; ‘My old man said follow the van and don’t Deli Alli on the way’. Sorry, I was getting carried away
9.17 - Oh my days, Dele Alli nearly scores with his first touch! He arrives late at the back post to toe a shot that Skrtel hacks off the line. What an impact that nearly was!
9.16 - England are making another switch with Dele Alli coming on for Lallana who once again has looked lively without producing the killer touch
9.13 - Call for the captain! England are making a sub as Wayne Rooney comes on for the very disappointing Jack Wilshere. The woman on the PA must be his missus Colleen because she absolutely screeches Wazza's name
9.11 - CHANCE! England tear up the other end as Clyne roasts Weiss once again before slamming a shot that the keeper does well to deflect over. They just can't live with Clyne!
9.08 - Comedy Klaxon! Oh my word, what a horrocks of an error from Smalling who chests a cross down in his own six yard box. It's meant for Joe Hart but it falls a good two yards short and he's oh so lucky that Mak can't pounce on it. There's coolness under pressure and then there's sheer idiocy. And I know what I'd file that under
9.07 - Ryan Bertrand drags down Pekarik and that's a yellow card for England's left back. He'll need to be careful
9.06 - Tell you what, Nathaniel Clyne is having an absolute stormer. He's just gone on another mazy run deep into Slovakian territory. We're not lacking in quality right backs, that's for sure
9.04 - So how long before Harry Kane comes on and scores the winner? I'm going for 75 minutes
9.01 - PEEEP! We go again with no changes for either side. There's a shock. I thought the new devil-may-care Roy was going to chuck Raheem Sterling on. For Joe Hart
8.57 - I've just had a thought. The only two outfield England players not to get a game so far have been John Stones and Ross Barkley. Roy Hodgson really hates Everton doesn't he?
8.49 - That's a decent half from England. Mind you, if we fail to win this and finish second, Roy Hodgson is going to get absolute pelters for changing the side. Mind you, I still think it was the right call. And besides, Vardy is going to notch a second half hat-trick. Trust me.
Not yet they can't. HALF TIME: SLOVAKIA 0 ENGLAND 0
8.43 - Wowzers. Here's yet another England chance as the ball falls to Henderson on the edge of the box and the Liverpool man rifles a half volley into a defender's face! As we approach half time, can England find the goal their superiority deserves?
8.36 - England have completely dominated and if it wasn't for wasteful finishing should be two or three nil up already. So that means Slovakia will nick one any minute now, right?
8.34 - By the way, Jordan Henderson and Ryan Bertrand are both on corner duty for England. And they're about as good as Harry Kane at taking them. Give Joe Hart a go!
8.32 - More tremendous link up play between Henderson and Clyne who squares the ball into the box only for Lallana to see his first time rasper brilliantly saved by the keeper. England edging closer.
8.29 - Cracking link up play between Clyne and Henderson who dinks a lofted cross that the keeper half flaps away. Bright stuff from England. If they get one, this Slovakian side will surely crumble.
8.25 - Jamie Vardy goes off on another rampaging run before he's brought down cynically by Pecovsky, earning himself a yellow card. They just can't cope with his raw pace! Keep running at him Jamie, he's a walking red card
8.22 - Make that WALES 2 RUSSIA 0. Neil Taylor has doubled Wales's lead! England will need to win this if they're to top the group.
8.19 By the way, a word of warning to any celebrities out there. Stay in your homes tonight because Aaron Ramsey has put Wales 1-0 up
8.17 - SAVE! Oh this is vintage Vardy as he turns on the after-burners to chase an over the top ball and absolutely tears Skrtel a new one. Sadly, he batters his left foot shot into the keeper's chest. Encouraging signs though. More please!
8.15 - Another half chance for England as Lallana finds Henderson lurking at the back post, he swivels effortlessly but his smashed shot is well blocked
8.13 - Nice slick interplay from England ends with a Lallana snapshot from the edge of the box but sadly he Raheems it past the post
8.11 - WALES 1 RUSSIA 0. Aaron Ramsey has given Wales an early lead. As it stands, they top the group with England in second place. Ooh, tense enough for ya?
8.09: CHANCE! And it's Dan the Man Sturridge who nearly poaches one from four yards before his low effort is brilliantly blocked
8.07: What are you predicting tonight? I'm going for a crazy topsy-turvy 3-2 England win. And that annoying ditzy woman to be booted off The Great British Sewing Bee
8.06: England straight onto the front foot as Clyne steams up the right wing and hits a peach of a cross that Vardy knees first time over the bar. Promising start from the boys
8.00: PEEEEP!!! We are GO! GO! GO! England in red shirts and shorts with blue shorts. Slovakia in all white. And by the way, Gary Cahill skippers England tonight. Not Leo the stuffed lion
7.57: Don't know about you but that Slovakian national anthem scared the bejesus out of me
7.53: There’s Joe Hart in the tunnel wisely deciding against unleashing a volley of swear words in the vicinity of ten year old mascots. Let’s hope he’s also remembered to put Head & Shoulders on his scalp and not on his gloves. Talk about flakey.
7.47: Got to tell you, I’m a bit worried about tonight’s ref - Spain’s Carlos-Velasco Carballo. He’s a card-happy attention seeker. So what’s the betting he sends Jamie Vardy off for having a fit wife. Or something.
FACT ME! Marek Hamsik has been directly involved in four goals in his past three competitive games with Slovakia (three goals, one assist)
7.22: All this talk of Roy taking a whisk, sorry risk, with his team selection Can we all just remember, it's SLOVAKIA we're playing tonight! There are bigger tests to come. Like Albania. Probably.
7.21: FACT ME! England have won all three of their previous meetings with Slovakia, including both games in qualifying for Euro 2004
7.14: With no Wayne Rooney, what an opportunity for Jack Wilshere tonight. I’m hoping young Jack takes to the field still wearing that stuffed lion. Anyone else getting a bit tired of that little prank? Where’s an American dentist when you really need one.
7.08: FACT! Euro 2016 is actually Slovakia’s bank balance
7.06: Here's how Slovakia line up....Kozacik, Hubocan, Pekarik, Durica, Skrtel, Kucka, Pecovsky, Hamsik, Weiss, Mak, Duda
6.53: What do you make of that side then? Looks good to me as Roy gives the key players a breather. Surely, we've enough to beat Slovakia. By the way, Jordan Henderson skippers the side in the absence of Wayne Rooney. While there's also a place on the bench for that stuffed lion that's been on Jack Wilshere's back. Joke!
6.47: BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Roy Hodgson makes SIX changes to the side that beat Wales..ENG: Hart, Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Bertrand, Dier, Henderson, Wilshere, Sturridge, Vardy, Lallana
Here’s a belter of a stat. Excluding penalties, England are unbeaten in their last nine games at the Euros (W5, D4), since a 2-1 loss to France at Euro 2004. WE ARE THE FORM TEAM!
6.33: Don’t know about you but I’m relieved Roy’s decided to rest players. It’s about time England finally learnt to play tournament football. No point running your first team into the ground in a match we should have more than enough to win. Hurrah for the new brave, risk-loving Roy! He’ll get a tattoo next, you watch. Then it’ll be a belly button piercing, a ponytail and a Harley Davidson.
6.24: Breaking team info, Wayne Rooney is rested tonight because of a tight hamstring, but should be fine for last 16 game.
6.21: Becky Vardy has arrived at the stadium. Let's hope she's having a party tonight
6.03: Sometimes, there are no words. If you're of a nervous disposition, you may want to look away....
6.01: Two hours until kick-off - so what better time to share this little summary of who needs to do what tonight to make it out of Group B.
5.56: It's seven years since England last took on Slovakia, in a friendly at Wembley. It was a comfortable 4-0 win on that occasion - more of the same would be very welcome tonight.
5.51: No prizes for guessing who these guys in St Etienne will be supporting tonight??
5.33: Interesting to hear Gary Cahill stress England cannot afford to underestimate Slovakia in this game.
In making six changes to his side, has the manager done just that?
5.29: Her Majesty has crammed a lot into her 90 years, but this has to be the first time she's been held aloft in a fan zone!
5.23: Meanwhile, over in Toulouse, we're not sure you should try this at home....
4.51: We're liking the look of this atmosphere!
4.45:
4.39: Talking of flares, smoke grenades and the like, it's getting pretty colourful in Toulouse as the Welsh fans get ready to party if they secure the right result against Russia.
4.30: Authorities in St Etienne have promised to be more stringent in their searches of supporters going into tonight's game, amid concerns too many flares and fireworks have been smuggled into previous matches in Euro 2016.
4.25: There's no doubt Marek Hamsik is Slovakia's main man, and Jamie Vardy will be the goal threat for England. Andrews-Sykes have come up with a nice little analysis of the two who are going head-t-head tonight.
4.03: Security has let in countless flare guns at matches in Euro 2016 - so what's the betting this cardboard cut-out of Jamie Vardy gets confiscated?
4.00: Four hours until kick-off!!
3.57: You have to admire the lengths some people will go to support their country, but we're not sure about this fella!
And imagine the tan lines the body paint could leave. They could last all summer!
3.52: The other match in Group B pits Wales against Russia. Victory for Chris Coleman's men will see them qualify for the last 16, and SunSport columnist John Hartson is in no doubt what the Welsh boss has to do tonight.
3.49: Hodgson's decision to make changes tonight has come as a major surprise to many. Leaving Raheem Sterling out, and even Harry Kane, was expected - but the other decisions have not exactly gone down well with some sections of the England supporters.
3.46: The flags are out and now smoke grenades are bringing a bit of colour to the main square in St Etienne. The atmosphere is good, with no sign of any trouble which is good for all to see.
3.39: Just over four hours to kick-off and the good news is the weather is dry and supporters of both sides are mixing well.
3.35: The big team news from St Etienne is that Roy Hodgson is preparing to make a whopping SIX changes to his starting line-up.
Captain Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli are among the dozen who may be rested as Hodgson rings the changes for the crucial match.
