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How England lined up last time they faced Slovakia with BBC pundit playing

27 June 2024 , 12:32
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The winner came from a man axed by Southgate for Euro 2024
The winner came from a man axed by Southgate for Euro 2024

ONLY TWO players who started the last time England faced Slovakia could line-up against them on Sunday.

Although one of the players who featured in the previous 2017 clash between the two nations could be providing analysis on it as a pundit.

Gareth Southgate has faced Slovakia once before as England boss eiqreideuidztprw
Gareth Southgate has faced Slovakia once before as England bossCredit: PA
Joe Hart, who was in goal that night, is working as a BBC pundit in the Germany
Joe Hart, who was in goal that night, is working as a BBC pundit in the GermanyCredit: BBC

England were held to a stalemate by Slovenia in their final group match on Tuesday but still managed to claim top spot in Group C.

That was after they firstly struggled to a 1-0 win over Serbia before last week’s dour 1-1 draw with Denmark.

Despite the underwhelming displays, Southgate’s men now have a potential route to the final that avoids big guns Spain, Germany, Portugal and France.

World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future growWorld Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow

Now all eyes are on Sunday’s last-16 clash with Slovakia.

This will be the first meeting between the two for seven years - and the Three Lions had to come from behind that night.

Stanislav Lobotka stunned the Wembley crowd in attendance for that World Cup qualifier as he broke the deadlock on three minutes.

It was not Jordan Pickford who was in goal that evening for England - it was Joe Hart.

The recently 37-year-old would only win two more caps for his country after that match, which meant he earned 75 in total.

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While he may no longer be vying for a spot on the pitch, the ex-Man City and Celtic stopper is in Germany for the tournament as pundit for BBC.

Right-back Kyle Walker, 34, is a survivor from that side and remains England’s first-choice in that position.

He had Ryan Bertrand playing on the opposite flank back in 2017, with a centre-half pairing of Gary Cahill and Phil Jones between them.

Southgate still favours his two holding midfielders, and it was Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier that got the nod that evening for what was just the England bosses 10th match in charge.

Marcus Rashford makes tongue-in-cheek joke after being dropped by Erik ten HagMarcus Rashford makes tongue-in-cheek joke after being dropped by Erik ten Hag

And it was Dier who got the Three Lions level on 37 minutes to start the comeback.

Marcus Rashford, who was axed for Euro 2024 by Southgate after a poor campaign at Manchester United, sealed the turnaround in the second half with the winner.

He started that game on the left, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right and Dele Alli offering support to the now England captain Harry Kane in attack.

Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring the winner against Slovakia in 2017
Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring the winner against Slovakia in 2017Credit: Alamy Live News

Kane will almost certainly lead our boys out against Slovakia this weekend, but he and Walker are the only survivors - including the subs.

Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck and Jake Livermore all came off the bench, but the trio are no longer involved in Southgate’s plans.

This will be the seventh meeting between England and Slovakia in total.

And the Three Lions have enjoyed the best of it so far and are unbeaten.

They have won five of the six games, with the only blip being a 0-0 draw in their final group match of Euro 2016.

Eric Dier was also on the scoresheet in that 2-1 victory
Eric Dier was also on the scoresheet in that 2-1 victoryCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Kyle Walker and Harry Kane are the only survivors of that England side that faced Slovakia last time
Kyle Walker and Harry Kane are the only survivors of that England side that faced Slovakia last timeCredit: Getty

Gary Stonehouse

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