Wales’s fairytale continues with top-of-the-group finish

England flounders in second

MAKING AN IMPACT: England's Jamie Vardy (No. 11), given the chance to start, ran the Slovakia defence ragged in the initial phase of their Group B match on Monday.

Roy Hodgson’s England secured its place in the last 16 as the second-placed team in Group B after being held to a goalless draw by Slovakia, here on Monday.

England plays its knockout game in Nice next Monday against the side which finishes second in Group F.

Slovakia must now wait to see if it qualifies as one of four best third-place teams after its goalkeeper Matus Kozacik pulled off a string of saves — some more luck than judgement.

This was another frustrating night for England fans. It was at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard where David Beckham was sent off as England lost to Argentina on penalties in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup.

Hodgson boldly made six changes to the team, starting strikers Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, who both scored off the bench in the 2-1 win over Wales. He left skipper Wayne Rooney among the replacements with centre-back Gary Cahill taking over the captain’s armband.

Vardy’s early forays

Vardy worked hard throughout, but squandered two clear chances of England’s nine first-half attempts on goal to Slovakia’s single effort. He fired over early on, then had his shot blocked by Kozacik in a one-on-one after winning a sprint against Slovakia captain Martin Skrtel.

And only a fine tackle from right-back Peter Pekarik denied Sturridge at the near post in the opening 10 minutes. Lallana was then denied by Kozacik’s reflex save with half an hour gone.

England’s frustration continued after the break. A mix-up between centre-back Chris Smalling and goalkeeper Joe Hart allowed Slovakia winger Robert Mak a half-chance.

At the other end, only the slightest of deflections off Kozacik’s shoulder kept out Nathaniel Clyne’s shot.

There was a big cheer from travelling England supporters — the loudest of the night — when Rooney came on for Jack Wilshere with 56 minutes gone. Dele Alli, on for Lallana, then saw his shot cleared by Skrtel after finding himself unmarked when he arrived in the area at pace.

Rooney was a constant menace after coming on, firing wide as the game entered the final 10 minutes while Harry Kane, on for Sturridge, had a couple of late chances — all to no avail.