England finished second in Group B after a goalless draw against Slovakia on Monday.
Heading into the match, England were in top spot but the draw combined with Wales’ win over Russia saw the English demoted into second spot.
England manager Roy Hodgson made six changes as captain Wayne Rooney, playmaker Raheem Sterling and Tottenham Hotspur quartet Harry Kane, Dele Alli and defenders Danny Rose and Kyle Walker were all rested.
Jamie Vardy almost took advantage of his starting role in the fifth minute but his deflected effort could not be kept down after a well-struck cross by Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne.
Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson both had half chances before the game’s first real effort fell to Vardy who failed to beat the goalkeeper after a delightful ball in behind the defence. Shortly after the half hour mark, Adam Lallana failed to send his side in front in the 33rd minute when his powerfully struck effort was palmed away.
England ended the half without the breakthrough they desired despite 10 shots to Slovakia’s 1. The Three Lions completed dominated all facets of playing allowing Clyne and Ryan Bertrand the freedom to attack at will. Clyne was particularly impressive as he completed 95% of his passes, creating 3 chances and completing 4 crosses.
Joe Hart was called into action for the first time all evening after 51 minutes, after being tested by Chris Smalling but did enough to clear the danger. Clyne then quickly found himself down the other end but his shot was well saved as England’s fans began to chant for the introduction of their captain.
Ten minutes into the second half, the match opened up as Vladimir Weiss was denied by Hart after his low effort on goal.
Hodgson then opted to withdraw Jack Wilshere for Rooney much to the delight of the crowd in Saint Etienne.
Alli on for Lallana almost scored with his first touch of the ball but Martin Skrtel cleared his effort off the line following a Henderson cross. England now in full control in search of a vital goal.
Rooney was unable to get a touch on Eric Dier’s fizzed in effort in the 68th minute as the match grew into familiar trend of England having plenty of possession but little to show in the way of meaningful chances on goal.
Slovakia’s intentions were made clear as they failed to have any player in an advanced position for the final 25 minutes. Hodgson sent on Kane with a little over 12 minutes to play as he looked to rescue the match from a draw.
Rooney scuffed his shot with eight minutes left on the clock after his left-footed strike failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Kane had two chances to win it with only a handful of minutes to play but both of his headers never threatened the goals.
Try as the might, England failed to score as plucky Slovakia defended in numbers and all but secured a place in the knockout phase as one of the lucky third-place finishers.
