England 1-0 Slovenia (Grp C 23rd June 3pm)

Bring on Germany then Argentina. Stevie vs Masch. Winner goes on to lift the trophy?

It certainly was mate.

Fair play to England. From what I seen, it looked like they wanted it.

He looked younger somehow Kenny - the tension has clearly been getting to him all season.

jaysus England were improved but were still so poor and in the end have qualified second from the easiest group. I am glad Slovenia didn't get through as they were dire and never put England under much pressure. 

The win should give England more confidence to push on and play better.

England looked bloody immense for 60 or so minutes.

And actually, going by the FIFA Rankings, our group was the second hardest. Germany's is the hardest.

Germany just went from 6/1 to 10/1, by the way.

England are 9/1.

I was really impressed by the England team today. Could have won 3-0, 4-0 easy! Great tempo, great passing, great possession football. Everything they did wrong the last two matches, they put right in those 90 minutes.

England were good today without being great.

Definitely pressure on the players and manager.

Rooney missed a great chance to save a lot of worry but after the first two sh*t games that was much better.  On balance, probably fair that USA have topped the group as they played much closer to 'their' best than England played to theirs.

Germany win tonight though and it's the classic World Cup encounter of England v Germany.

Penalties anyone?

England looked bloody immense for 60 or so minutes.

And actually, going by the FIFA Rankings, our group was the second hardest. Germany's is the hardest.

I'm sure Spains is the hardest... Doesn't matter anyway

But England looked like a different team there, not quite world beaters yet, then again that's what everyone said about Italy last time around

I was really impressed by the England team today. Could have won 3-0, 4-0 easy! Great tempo, great passing, great possession football. Everything they did wrong the last two matches, they put right in those 90 minutes.

I wasnt that impressed to be honest, Argentina in the quarter's lurk and they would make hay against England's back four. Thought Rooney was crap as well.
The only credit i would give the team in red was that the keeper saved Slovenia from a tonking

I wasnt that impressed to be honest, Argentina in the quarter's lurk and they would make hay against England's back four. Thought Rooney was crap as well.
The only credit i would give the team in red was that the keeper saved Slovenia from a tonking

Hold on. Argentina are much more suspect at the back than England.

Plus, we've seen that if you man-mark Messi (Barry can do that, or Lampard) then you pretty much stop Argentina.

England played some great stuff today, and if we carry that on, and progress from it, then we have the ability to beat any team in the world. However, I feel we'll reach no further than the Semis.

Germany/Ghana/Australia/Serbia first, though.

He looked younger somehow Kenny

That's mad that. I was thinking the same thing when I was watching the interview. He looked like he had a little pea head like he used to have in the early noughties! 

I'm just glad the England team played well. I don't know who was man of the match but for me Gerrard just edged it from a good team performance. If i'm to knock anyone, Gareth Barry didn't have a good game really. However, were through and that's all what matters. Bring on the Germens and 1966 again  

I thought England were fairly average, I really don't fancy them if they have to play Germany in the next round.

Well played to the lads, wasn't amazing but we managed.

I have to agree with what you've said about Gerrard. He looked like a kid today.

Thought England generally looked pretty good with the exception of Barry. The passing was fantastic at times and they really looked like they wanted it. Much credit to Terry for diving across to block the shot with his head. Defoe was a nuisance for a good portion of the game and Milner reminded me of Stevie at times. That being said, Gerrard was motm in my opinion. I hate to say it, but he showed the leadership we missed last season. I mean the real leadership where he is running the game.

A better performance and deserved win. But Slovenia were pretty awful I thought (except for a couple of chances). Alan Shearer thinks England are going to win the World Cup now and Stuart Pearce can sleep tonight, but I don't fancy their chances if they have to play Germany on Sunday.

I have to agree with what you've said about Gerrard. He looked like a kid today.

Thought England generally looked pretty good with the exception of Barry. The passing was fantastic at times and they really looked like they wanted it. Much credit to Terry for diving across to block the shot with his head. Defoe was a nuisance for a good portion of the game and Milner reminded me of Stevie at times. That being said, Gerrard was motm in my opinion. I hate to say it, but he showed the leadership we missed last season. I mean the real leadership where he is running the game.

Gerrard certainly gave England something thats been missing in his games with Liverpool. Hopefully Steve will rite this year off and come back bigger and better (( apart from the united matches   ) next year. Anyway its England all the way now   I hope  

That's mad that. I was thinking the same thing when I was watching the interview. He looked like he had a little pea head like he used to have in the early noughties!  

Don't know what was different mate but he defo looked younger.

Don't know what was different mate but he defo looked younger.

Completely agree.

Looked less stressed. Younger, more excited - exactly like he looked when he scored that screamer against United.

Completely agree.

Looked less stressed. Younger, more excited - exactly like he looked when he scored that screamer against United.

He was nearly giggling in the interview but yeah looks like the world's been lifted off his shoulders, it's like he's been in a trance the last few months.

He was nearly giggling in the interview but yeah looks like the world's been lifted off his shoulders, it's like he's been in a trance the last few months.

Does anyone have a link to the post-match interview?

I can't express my joy today, it's been fantastic! Thanks God! Hopefully we'll kick Germany out too or whomever in the next round
 

Does anyone have a link to the post-match interview?

You can try here, but it may not work outside the UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_37

Under the video, you will need to scroll right.

Anyone see Terry's flying dive to block one of their shots - he's been learning from Carra 

And Barry was s**t!!

Terry and Upson were the best today IMO. I hate to say it but Terry is miles ahead of Carragher (who is growing old and is outpaced every match), Upson should have started from the beginning of the tournament.
plus don't be cruel on Barry! the lad didn't play that bad though he missed a few passes.