England Held by Slovenia in U21 Euros Group Match 0-0

Euro U21: England Held to Frustrating Draw Against Slovenia

England U21s were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in their second group stage game at the Uefa European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.

Despite dominating possession and creating several clear chances, Lee Carsley’s side failed to find the breakthrough and now face a decisive clash against Germany in their final Group B match.

Chances Galore, but No Goals

The Young Lions went closest through Harvey Elliott, who struck the post with a first-half volley, and Ethan Nwaneri, whose shot whistled just wide. Captain James McAtee was denied from close range by an excellent save from Martin Turk, who also tipped over a late header from Jack Hinshelwood.

England ended the game with 64.7% possession and 20 shots, but only three were on target, matching Slovenia’s tally despite the one-sided nature of the play.

Seslar Stars for Slovenia

Slovenia’s standout player was Svit Seslar, who tested England goalkeeper James Beadle with three strong efforts and nearly scored a sensational bicycle kick. His dynamic performance validated his inclusion in UEFA’s Conference League Team of the Season, alongside stars like Isco and Enzo Fernandez.

Formation Questions and Missed Opportunity

Carsley opted for a 4-2-2-2 formation with no traditional striker, a decision that may be reconsidered ahead of the Germany game. Striker Jay Stansfield, who scored 23 goals for Birmingham City last season, was only introduced in the 72nd minute but immediately gave the attack more structure.

“We missed a focal point until Jay came on,” noted one BBC Sport analyst. “Stansfield could make a big difference in the next game.”

Standout Performers

• Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) again impressed with his vision in midfield.

• Charlie Cresswell was solid in central defence.

• Hayden Hackney, replacing Alex Scott, failed to offer the same creative influence as the Bournemouth man.

Group B Outlook

England remain top of Group B on four points, but face Germany in a high-stakes final group game on Wednesday at 20:00 BST. Slovenia, also still in contention, face the Czech Republic at the same time.