Slovenia 0 England 1

After a nail-biting game, it finishes 1 - 0 to England a slender lead that takes England into the next round as group runners-up, with USA going through in first place as they grab a late winner against Algeria... it was looking like England could go out at this stage based on the first two performances, this however was a different England - dare I say, a NEW England?

The slender lead belies the fact that England peppered the Solvenian goal with chances, Defoe volleyed from close range after a cracking cross from Milner for the only goal of the match on 22 mins, but chances came and went for Gerrard, Rooney, Defoe and Lampard. Two chances could so easily have been converted, a parry from the 'keeper went back to Defoe who put it on a plate for Gerrard - again the keeper got a paw to it and just managed to gather the ball as it crept goalwards. Later Rooney was put through one-on-one and again the keeper managed to get enough on the ball to force it onto the post. If it weren't for the keeper (who also saved a goal-bound header from Terry) it could have been a scoreline reminiscent of Englands qualifying campaign.

Not that Slovenia rolled over, they had their break late on in the game, three chances in the box in quick succession had every England fan gasping for breath. First Terry blocked a shot, Johnson swept the rebound shot away (as Terry desperately dived head-first to get to it) and the third shot narrowly missed the goal - hearts in mouth time, but in the back of your mind you knew that this was their one chance - we always give them one chance...

This game started with Defoe and Milner who combined for the goal, Heskey replaced Defoe late on, and Rooney picked up a knock and was replaced by Cole in the dying stages of the match. Both Rooney and Cole earned themselves rapturous applause at the change-over. Upson took his place alongside Terry and the usual suspects. Johnson picked up a booking which sees him out of the next game - I am guessing Carragher will be in for him in his favoured right-back role.

Well, we knew they had it in them, they didn't have to leave it so late, but as they say 'better late than never...'