England lose top spot as Roy Hodgson gamble backfires

England 0 Slovakia 0: England manager Roy Hodgson took a major gamble by making six changes for a final group game against Slovakia and was made to sweat as his team dominated without reward in a goalless draw that sends them through to the last 16 — but only in second place and with questions to answer.

For a squad that boasts two of the top three goalscorers in the Premier League last season as well as prodigious attacking talent such as Dele Alli and Daniel Sturridge, you have to wonder why England find it so difficult to score.

This result, which allowed Wales to snatch top spot in Group B, will no doubt see Hodgson criticised; but when you’ve just watched your team totally dominate for 90 minutes, have 30 shots on goal, and huge swathes of possession, then the frustration is not so much about what people say but why on earth the ball won’t go in the net.