Watch live as England and Slovenia fans arrive at Cologne Stadium for their final Group C fixture at Euro 2024 on Tuesday 25 June.
Despite two fairly lacklustre performances so far, Gareth Southgate’s side are already through to the knockout stage.
A win would guarantee top spot in the group, while another draw could also be enough.
Ahead of kick off, Declan Rice rubbished suggestions England’s players are too tired to make their mark at the tournament.
Their performances, especially in the 1-1 draw against Denmark last Thursday, have seen Southgate and his players come in for stinging criticism.
Speaking after the game in Frankfurt, Southgate conceded: “We are not pressing well enough, with enough intensity. We have limitations in how we can do that with the physical condition.”
His comments led to plenty of post-match discussion focused specifically on England’s lack of press when out of possession.
Rice, though, has refuted claims that the squad are exhausted after demanding club campaigns.
“If I wasn’t fit enough or the lads weren’t fit enough we shouldn’t be here in the first place,” he said.
“We should be able to compete for seven games, whether they go to extra time, we have got a squad of 26 players that are fit enough, strong enough, fast enough and ready to go the whole way.
“It’s ridiculous. Let them keep questioning it. We are built to play these types of seasons.”
About Independent Sport:
The Independent is proud to bring you the latest and greatest in sport, featuring expert analysis and reliable updates from the biggest sports on the planet.
Watch more from Independent TV: independent.co.uk/tv/sport
Click here to subscribe to Independent Sport: https://bit.ly/3QTgWY1
About The Independent:
Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded.
Connect with The Independent:
Check out our full video catalog: https://www.youtube.com/c/theindependent/videos
Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com
Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters
Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline
Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent
Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent
Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app
Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust – https://www.independent.co.uk/donations
Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB
source
