The good and bad side of England fans were on full show on Tuesday night as the Three Lions played out a dull 0-0 draw with Slovenia. Although the point ended up being enough for England to top Group B, it was their third consecutive match at Euro 2024 where they have failed to excite supporters.
Despite claims from Kyle Walker after the draw with Denmark that England's disjointed displays were merely the consequences of ‘tournament football' and comments from John Stones tonight that England are ‘close' to knitting it all together, patience has seemingly run out with England fans in Germany.
After the full-time whistle went in Cologne, a chorus of boos from England's half of the ground rang out around the stadium, just as they did after the draw with Denmark, and Slovenian ecstasy wasn't enough to overpower the expression of unhappiness.
The England players and Gareth Southgate made their way over to the England fans after the game to applaud them but some fans weren't in the mood for pleasantries. Instead of acknowledging the efforts of the team and manager, a section of fans started throwing plastic cups in Southgate's direction.
Empty cups thrown at Gareth Southgate as he applauds the England supporters. @TheAthleticFC #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/rvJhL6t5OL
— Dan Sheldon (@Dan_Sheldon_) June 25, 2024
England fans create a fantastic atmosphere inside RheinEnergieStadion
The sight of England fans throwing cups at their manager after the game was a bitter end to what was actually a good night for fans of the Three Lions. Not only did their team top the group, but they were also praised heavily for the atmosphere they were able to generate inside the stadium.
Outsinging the Slovenians isn't easy, but England's support did exactly that for large parts of the match, with help from the famous England band.
You have to say the England fans have taken over Cologne’s Stadium this evening. I was here to cover Belgium vs Romania and the peaceable Three Lions travelling support is as loud and impressive as any team in this tournament and we shouldn’t be afraid to say it. Outstanding fans pic.twitter.com/cATq0vKtbm
— Layth (@laythy29) June 25, 2024
The ‘Phil Foden's on fire' chant that has become the soundtrack to England's Euros journey so far was aired on more than one occasion, as were chants about Scotland's early exit from the competition.
Gareth Southgate and his squad will now be hoping that they get more of this type of support in the knockout stages rather than any unhelpful discontent.