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Slovenia 0 1England
 0-1J. Defoe  23'
HT: 0-1
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Attendance: 36,893)
Referee: Wolfgang Stark
Preview  |  Stats  |  Match Report
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
Slovenia vs. England
Minute Commentary
95' DELIVERANCE
After all the build-up, all the criticism and all the negativity, England - despite a narrow victory on paper - finally delivered in this World Cup and genuinely played well - creating a hat full of chances in a display that could easily have yielded a big scoreline. The goals didn't come and that might have cost England in their path through the competition as they miss out on top-spot in Group C but that will not faze the England fans who will be euphoric to be heading into the knock-out stages. A late, late goal from the USA against Algeria not only means that England have to settle for second place in the group, it also means heartbreak for Slovenia who certainly had their moments in this competition but were ultimately just found wanting. Group C is decided and the favourites go through.
94' ALL OVER
England beat Slovenia 1-0 and make the last-16 of the 2010 World Cup. Stunning scenes here...
93' SENSIBLE
England have sensibly taken the ball into the corner and are drawing the fouls from the Slovenia defenders. The crowd are roaring England on.
91' THREE MINUTES
We will have three minutes more here...
90' WHAT A TACKLE
Upson saves England with a crucial challenge on Matavz right in the centre of the penalty area. This is unbearable for both sets of fans...
88' HOLDING ON
You could cut the tension with a knife as both sides snatch at the ball. One mistake here could make or break either side's World Cup...
86' SLOVENIA PRESSURE
Slovenia try to force out a chance but a free-kick leads to nothing. In the build up, Defoe was replaced by Emile Heskey as Capello looks to consolidate and hold onto the ball
84' TACKLES FLYING IN
Milner is lucky not to get booked as he flies in on Jokic - and the tackles are flying in nervously all over the pitch
82' INTO THE LAST 10
The chances are failing to flow now as both sides become a lot more circumspect. There is so much at stake here and the two teams know it.
79' A SECOND CHANGE
Matjaz Kek rolls the dice again with attacking option Matavz replacing midfielder Andraz Kirm
77' CONDENSED
The play has become a lot more condensed as the midfield becomes very congested. We're heading for a nail biting finish.
74' MORE EVEN
The game is more in the balance as England lose some of their momentum. As things stand in Pretoria, both these sides will progress with this scoreline but neither side will want to take any chances.
72' ENGLAND CHANGE
Wayne Rooney has looked off the pace since he took that knock and is replaced by Joe Cole who strides straight into the centre of the park to, perhaps, play just behind Defoe.
70' OVER
Birsa has been on free-kick detail all game but this was one of his less inspired efforts, firing harmlessly high and wide from the right.
68' ON THE COUNTER
Slovenia have shown some real attacking intent in the last 10mins and have three quick-fire chances but Terry then Johnson make crucial blocks before a third shot flies wide. For all their dominance, England are far from safe in this game.
66' ROONEY STRUGGLING
Wayne Rooney has taken a knock and limps round the centre-circle in some discomfort. If he can't shake this off, Capello will need to make a change here.
65' KEEPER ON FORM
Pardon the pun, but Samir Handanovic has single handedly kept Slovenia in this game as he again makes a confident claim from another dangerous corner.
64' NEEDS TO BE CAREFUL
Jokic - already on a booking - takes out James Milner and is lucky to avoid a second yellow. He needs to be careful here.
62' SLOVENIAN CHANGE
Ljubijankic makes way for Dedic in a like-for-like change
60' WELL ON TOP
England are playing with verve, pace and confidence and it can only be a matter of time before they stretch this lead, surely? But with every chance that goes begging, England are setting themselves up for a nervous finish.
58' OFF THE POST!
Frank Lampard finds Rooney onside with a great through ball but - one-on-one with Handanovic - he can only hit the left-hand upright. Rooney needs a goal here.
56' GERRARD SUBLIME
The England captain has been in fine form - no better illustrated than by a couple of beautiful passes. England are swarming all over Slovenia without finding the end product.
54' ROONEY OFF THE BOIL
Rooney snatches at a shot as England surge forward again and you get the feeling that although the whole side has played far better than against Algeria, Rooney himself is still some way away from top form. A goal might be just the cure...
53' COMFORTABLE SAVE
Birsa fires in a free-kick from the Slovenian right but it is straight at David James who claims well.
50' IT WON'T COUNT
Some great one touch football sees Defoe stroke Rooney's square ball into the net but the United forward is flagged offside and it won't count. Good play from England.
49' SIMULATION?
Glenn Johnson is cautioned for diving on the edge of the box but replays seem to suggest the right-back was taken out by the a Slovenian defender.
46' EARLY CHANCE
Handanovic hesitantly punches away a quick corner from England and Defoe could - and perhaps should - have deflected Gerrard's ball into the net. As it was the effort was narrowly wide. Good chance.
46' SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
England kick off the second half
45' WELCOME BACK ENGLAND
Slovenia will feel fortunate to go in just one down as half time and must see this as a bonus - they still have a way back into this game. For England it has been a case of so far so good. England's goal was superbly worked thanks to a killer ball from Milner and ruthless finish from Defoe and following the goal, England have looked different class and nothing like the shadows of themselves they were against Algeria. Capello's job at half time will be to ensure his side continue in the same vein and if they do - and can become more clinical in front of goal - then this England side can wrap up this game and progress into the last-16
45' HALF TIME
The whistle blows with England leading 1-0
44' RUE MISSED CHANCES?
England have been far the better side in this opening half so far but have not been able to capitalise on the numerous chances they have created. Time will tell whether they will rue those missed chances later in the game.
42' OFFSIDE
Birsa again strikes a free-kick and this time it was better - fired in at James' goal. The stopper punched well from the head of Novakovic but the whistle had already gone for offside.
40' FIRST BOOKING
Jokic is the first player in the book as he flies in on Johnson with studs showing and compounds the offence by handling the ball too. He will miss Slovenia's next match if they progress.
38' GOALLESS IN PRETORIA
The game between the USA and Algeria is still 0-0 meaning at the moment, Slovenia and England are the two sides heading into the last-16
36' BRECKO DOES WELL
The Slovenian right-back first puts a cross into touch with Rooney lurking and then clears up from the resulting short corner. Good work.
35' POOR FREE-KICK
Slovenia win a free-kick in a decent position on the right flank but Birsa hits the first man and England defend easily.
33' DEAFENING
The noise is absolutely deafening here at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as the game hits its first real lull.
30' SUPER CHANCE
England again come close to adding a second with the keeper, Handanovic saving Slovenia twice - first with a solid block from Defoe's effort and then with a brilliant save low to his left from Gerrard. The keeper spilled the shot but recovered well to claim it.
28' HITTING GEAR
For the first time in this tournament, England are shifting up through the gears and look composed and dangerous in possession. Slovenia must weather this storm and look to consolidate.
26' ALMOST A SECOND
England are playing really well with confidence restored and once again, Milner sends in a tantalising ball for Defoe. The keeper does well to deflect it forward and Lampard can only fire high and wide from 20-metres with the goal at his mercy
24' RELIEF
The sense of relief in the partisan England crowd is palpable as they cheer their side to the rafters. A time for calm heads all round.
22' GOOAAAALLLL!!!!
England have the lead thanks to a great cross from James Milner and a clinical close range finish from Jermain Defoe. The ball in was superb and left Slovenia hopelessly exposed.
21' GOOD DEFENDING
Terry is forced to block well from Ljubijankic and from the resulting corner, David James has to be alive to stop an on-target effort. Good work from Slovenia.
20' GOOD EFFORT
A good effort from Johnson but the ball is claimed well by Samir Handanovic
18' DANGEROUS CORNERS
Two corners in quick succession following Rooney's shot and both were dangerous but no-one could get on the end of them
17' JUST WIDE
Rooney has a dig from the edge of the area but it is deflected wide for a corner - better from England
16' MILNER STRUGGLING
Gerrard hit a peach of a cross-field ball to James Milner but again, the wide man fails to produce anything, trying to cut inside and losing possession
14' WELL HELD
It was a long way out but Lampard struck a good low effort that moved a lot and the keeper did well to hold on
14' FREE-KICK
England win a free-kick 35-metres out in a central position
11' YET TO IMPRESS
Neither side have really settled down and if the England fans were waiting for a better display here, then they have so far been disappointed...
10' CORNER
A good burst forward from England results in a corner but Slovenia defend and counter quickly
9' BARRY FORTUNATE
Gareth Barry is the second player lucky not to be issued a yellow following his strong challenge on Radosavljevic
7' FIRST SHOT
Birsa fires in the first shot of the game and the ball bounced ahead of James but there was not trickery from the already infamous ball and the keeper claimed easily
6' POSSESSION FOOTBALL
England are looking to stroke the ball around in a composed fashion. It's not happening yet but the intent is there.
5' RECKLESS
Glenn Johnson is extremely fortunate not to pick up a booking after a wild lunge into a tackle
3' POOR CROSS
The passing has hardly been crisp but England get forward and Milner crosses but it does not beat the first man
1' NO CHANGE IN FORMATION
It seems the speculation on the system might have been wayward with Gerrard looking like he is lining up on the left in standard 4-4-2
1' AND WE'RE OFF
The crunch Group C game gets underway for these sides with Slovenia kicking the game off
0' THE ANTHEMS - ENGLAND
You would be forgiven for thinking this was a home fixture for England as tens of thousands rise in unison to sing the anthem. The players look as nervous as their counterparts...
0' THE ANTHEMS - SLOVENIA
The Slovenian players look tense as their anthem rings out but give a lusty cheer at the conclusion
0' TEAMS IN THE TUNNEL
The teams are in the tunnel and the atmosphere is throbbing here in Port Elizabeth. This should be nothing short of enthralling.
0' SYSTEM SPECULATION
The word coming out of the camp is that there will be a change of system for England, who might deploy a diamond in midfield with Gerrard playing at the peak, in behind Rooney and Defoe. Barry will hold in front of the back four with width provided by the full-backs.
0' SLOVENIA TEAM
1-Samir Handanovic; 2-Miso Brecko, 4-Marko Suler, 5-Bostjan Cesar, 13-Bojan Jokic; 10-Valter Birsa, 8-Robert Koren, 18-Aleksandar Radosavljevic, 17-Andraz Kirm; 9-Zlatan Ljubijankic, 11-Milivoje Novakovic.
0' BACK HOME
There will be millions watching with baited breath back in England and few of them could have expected their side would be in this position. The group was labelled 'EASY' in some quarters when the draw was made - with only the USA a potential banana skin. Win this game convincingly and the growing frustration and criticism of the fans will disappear in an instant but if they struggle - or even lose, this squad and their manager will be knocking on heaven's door...
0' ENGLAND TEAM
The rumours were true... it will be interesting to see how they line up. 4-4-2? Or some permutation of 4-5-1? The team: James, Johnson, A Cole, Upson, Terry, Barry, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Defoe
0' RAMIFICATIONS - ENGLAND
Only a win is good enough to guarantee progression for England. A draw might do, but then they are relying on the result in the USA game.
0' RAMIFICATIONS - SLOVENIA
All Slovenia need to know is that if the don't lose, they are through. A draw might mean they lose out to the US as group winners - if the Americans stick a few past Algeria - but they will surely be content to not lose this game and progress... especially with some of the luck they had going their way in the second half against the USA in their last outing.
0' TEAM RUMOURS
The talk in the press room suggests Defoe starting in the place of Emile Heskey with Capello playing a five man midfield. The word is also that Lennon loses out to Milner on the right and Rooney gets the freedom to roam at the head of the midfield diamond. The teams should be out in the next 30mins - we shall see if there is any grain of truth to the gossip.
0' COUNTDOWN BEGINS...
Less than two hours to this crunch game in Group A and if the inherent pressure of a World Cup group game wasn't enough, the events of the last week in the England camp have sent the this must-win game on to a different level. Fabio Cappello's every decision on and off the pitch has been scrutinised and criticised in the British media, while John Terry's outburst on Sunday has the press conjuring up stories of factions and a split camp. The irony of the situation is that England look they have tried too hard so far - and what they need is to free themselves from the shackles of expectation. We will soon see if Rooney and Co. manage that here today.
0' EARLY TEAM NEWS
Fabio Capello has already confirmed that Matthew Upson will replace the suspended Jamie Carragher at the heart of the England defence and suggested there may be other changes. Slovenia central defender Marko Suler is doubtful with a rib injury, while striker Necj Pecnik is out after breaking his ankle against the USA.
0' PREVIEW
Crunch time for England. They must beat Slovenia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth to reach the knockout stage. A draw would be enough for Slovenia - the smallest country at the World Cup finals - to reach the last 16 and see England fail to advance to the second stage for the first time since 1958. The build-up to the match could not have been worse for the Three Lions, with reports of unrest within the squad, coupled with John Terry's frank and controversial comments at a press conference - for which he later apologised to England coach Fabio Capello. Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has not hit the back of the net in his last seven internationals and will be desperate to rediscover his goal-scoring touch.
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
Teams
Slovenia
(4-4-2)
Samir Handanovic1
Miso Brecko2
Marko Suler4
Bostjan Cesar5
40' Bojan Jokic13
79' Valter Birsa10
Robert Koren8
Aleksandar Radosavljevic18
79' Andraz Kirm17
62' Zlatan Ljubijankic9
Milivoje Novakovic11
Substitutes
Jasmin Handanovic12
Aleksander Seliga16
Matej Mavric22
Suad Filekovic19
Branko Ilic6
Elvedin Dzinic3
Dalibor Stevanovic21
Andrej Komac20
Rene Krhin15
81' 62' Zlatko Dedic14
79' Tim Matavz23
England
(4-4-2)
1David James
2Glen Johnson 48'
6John Terry
15Matthew Upson
3Ashley Cole
16James Milner
8Frank Lampard
14Gareth Barry
4Steven Gerrard
19Jermain Defoe 86' 23' 
10Wayne Rooney 72'
Substitutes
12Robert Green
23Joe Hart
20Ledley King
13Stephen Warnock
5Michael Dawson
11Joe Cole 72'
17Shaun Wright-Phillips
22Michael Carrick
7Aaron Lennon
21Emile Heskey 86'
9Peter Crouch
Team Stats
Slovenia England
0 Goals 1
0 Assists 1
13 Shots 13
6 Shots on Goal 8
6 Saves 6
0 Penalties Scored 0
0 Penalty Kicks 0
15 Crosses 31
2 Corner Kicks 11
1 Offsides 1
19 Fouls Committed 20
3 Cautions/Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
Slovenia
No. Player G YC RC GA Svs
1S. Handanovic - 0 0 1 6
2M. Brecko 0 0 0 - -
4M. Suler 0 0 0 - -
5B. Cesar 0 0 0 - -
8R. Koren 0 0 0 - -
9Z. Ljubijankic 0 0 0 - -
10V. Birsa 0 1 0 - -
11M. Novakovic 0 0 0 - -
13B. Jokic 0 1 0 - -
17A. Kirm 0 0 0 - -
18A. Radosavljevic 0 0 0 - -
Substitutes
14Z. Dedic 0 1 0 - -
23T. Matavz 0 0 0 - -

England
No. Player G YC RC GA Svs
1D. James - 0 0 0 6
2G. Johnson 0 1 0 - -
3A. Cole 0 0 0 - -
4S. Gerrard 0 0 0 - -
6J. Terry 0 0 0 - -
8F. Lampard 0 0 0 - -
10W. Rooney 0 0 0 - -
14G. Barry 0 0 0 - -
15M. Upson 0 0 0 - -
16J. Milner 0 0 0 - -
19J. Defoe 1 0 0 - -
Substitutes
11J. Cole 0 0 0 - -
21E. Heskey 0 0 0 - -
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart

Players
No.Number
GGoals
AstAssists
SHTSShots
SOGShots on Goal
CKCorner Kicks
CRCrosses
OffOffsides
FCFouls Committed
FSFouls Suffered
YCYellow Cards
RCRed Cards
GAGoals Against
SvsSaves
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