Failure to beat both Russia and Slovakia has cost the Three Lions dearly as they lose the projected advantages they could have enjoyed had they won the group
COMMENT
To follow the path of least resistance would have been the preference for England and Roy Hodgson. They could have been looking at a relatively straightforward knockout phase with Spain the only world class team between them and the final had they beaten Slovakia here in Saint-Etienne. It was all in their own hands. Instead, they've somehow contrived to finish second in what should have been a very agreeable Group B behind a Wales side they beat earlier.