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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

England 1-0 Slovenia

England edged into the knockout phase of the World Cup thanks to a first half Jermaine Defoe goal earning a 1-0 win in Port Elizabeth.

England's campaign up to this point had been played out against a backdrop of negative media headlines but they delivered a result when it mattered in their final group game.

In the 23rd minute James Milner swung in a ball from the right and Defoe got there ahead of Marko Suler to fire in a volley that found the roof of the net via the palms of Samir Handanovic.

Slovenia had barely troubled England’s defence but they provided a scare after 68 minutes when Novakovic and substitute Zlatko Dedic both got in shots blocked by Terry and Glen Johnson, before Birsa dragged a third attempt past the post.

Matjaz Kek’s men came close again in the dying moments only for Upson to deny Tim Matavz with a last-ditch challenge and the USA's late winner up in Pretoria sealed the Slovenia's elimination.

For England, by contrast, the show goes on.

World Cup 2010 - Final Group C Standings

Group C        W D L  F A GD Pts 
 United States 1-2-0  4:3 +1  5 
 England       1-2-0  2:1 +1  5 
 Slovenia      1-1-1  3:3  0  4 
 Algeria       0-1-2  0:2 -2  1

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