England and Slovenia have played each other seven times, and England have never lost. Slovenia have drawn two of those games, one at a World Cup qualifier and one at Euro 2024, and they have scored in four of the seven. This guide covers the England National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups for every meeting, along with results, scorers, venues and the stories behind them.
Because there have been only seven meetings, the “latest 10 matches” table below is the complete head-to-head history, from a friendly in 2009 to the Euro 2024 group game.
Head-to-Head at a Glance
| Stat | England | Slovenia |
|---|---|---|
| Matches played | 7 | 7 |
| Wins | 5 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| Goals scored | 10 | 4 |
| Clean sheets | 4 | 2 |
| First meeting | 5 Sep 2009 | |
| Most recent meeting | 25 Jun 2024 |
England have scored 10 goals and conceded four, an average of just over one goal conceded every two games. Three meetings were at Wembley (all England wins), two were in Ljubljana (one win, one draw), and two were on neutral ground (the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2024).
All 7 Meetings: Results Table
Newest first, with results from England’s perspective.
| # | Date | Fixture | Score | Competition | Venue | Result (England) | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 Jun 2024 | England v Slovenia | 0–0 | UEFA Euro 2024, Group C | RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne | Draw | England had 76% possession and 8 shots to 3 (xG 1.30 to 0.39), but could not score. England won the group. |
| 2 | 5 Oct 2017 | England v Slovenia | 1–0 | 2018 World Cup qualifier | Wembley, London | Win | Harry Kane scored in the 94th minute from Kyle Walker’s cross, sealing qualification. Attendance 61,598. |
| 3 | 11 Oct 2016 | Slovenia v England | 0–0 | 2018 World Cup qualifier | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana | Draw | Joe Hart made several key saves. England’s run of 14 straight qualifying wins ended. |
| 4 | 14 Jun 2015 | Slovenia v England | 2–3 | Euro 2016 qualifier | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana | Win | Novaković 37′ for Slovenia; Wilshere 57′ and 73′; Pečnik 84′; Rooney 86′. Attendance 15,796. |
| 5 | 15 Nov 2014 | England v Slovenia | 3–1 | Euro 2016 qualifier | Wembley, London | Win | Henderson own goal 57′; Rooney penalty 59′ (his 100th cap); Welbeck 66′ and 72′. |
| 6 | 23 Jun 2010 | Slovenia v England | 0–1 | FIFA World Cup, Group C | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | Win | Defoe scored on 23′ from a Milner cross. England went through to the last 16. |
| 7 | 5 Sep 2009 | England v Slovenia | 2–1 | International Friendly | Wembley, London | Win | Lampard penalty 31′, Defoe 63′; Ljubijankič scored for Slovenia on 85′. Attendance 67,232. |
Starting Lineups for Each Meeting
Here is the main section of the England National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups guide, with the starting XIs for each match. Where a full Slovenian XI could not be confirmed from the sources I found, I’ve listed only the players who definitely featured.
| Match | England starting XI | Slovenia starting XI |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Euro 2024 (4-2-3-1 v 4-4-2) | Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier; Gallagher, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane | Oblak; Karničnik, Drkušić, Bijol, Janža; Stojanović, Gnezda Čerin, Elšnik, Mlakar; Šporar, Šeško |
| 2017 WC qualifier | Hart; Walker, Stones, Cahill, Bertrand; Henderson, Dier; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sterling, Rashford; Kane | Full XI not confirmed. Oblak in goal; Rotman and Iličić featured. |
| 2016 WC qualifier | Hart; Walker, Cahill, Stones, Rose; Henderson (c), Dier, Alli; Walcott, Sturridge, Lingard | Full XI not confirmed. Oblak, Cesar (c), Kurtić, Iličić and Bezjak featured. |
| 2015 Euro qualifier | Hart; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Gibbs; Henderson, Wilshere, Delph; Townsend, Rooney (c), Sterling | Handanović; Brečko, Cesar (c), Ilič, Jokić; Mertelj, Kampl, Kurtić, Iličić; Kirm, Novaković |
| 2014 Euro qualifier | Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Jagielka, Gibbs; Henderson; Wilshere, Lallana; Rooney (c); Welbeck, Sterling | Handanović; Brečko, Cesar (c), Ilič, Struna; Kurtić, Birša, Kampl, Mertelj; Kirm, Novaković |
| 2010 World Cup (4-4-2) | James; Johnson, Upson, Terry, A. Cole; Milner, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry; Rooney, Defoe | Handanović; Brečko, Šuler, Cesar, Jokić; Koren, Radosavljević, Birsa, Kirm; Ljubijankič, Novaković |
| 2009 Friendly | Full XI not confirmed. Lampard, Heskey, Rooney and Gerrard started; Defoe, Carrick, Milner and Lennon came on. | Full XI not confirmed. Cesar and Handanović featured; Ljubijankič scored as a substitute. |
Notes: 2014’s Slovenian lineup is as listed by the FA’s match report, which gives the 4-4-2 shape but names Birsa (10) in midfield. Sources for 2024 are FotMob and the Bundesliga’s Euro coverage. The 2010 lineups are from UEFA.
What the Lineups Show
England’s goalkeeper was steady. Joe Hart started five of the six matches where the XI is known, with Jordan Pickford in goal in 2024 and David James in 2010. Hart’s best performance was in Ljubljana in 2016, when he kept Slovenia out with several saves.
Slovenia had stable spines. Samir Handanović kept goal in 2010, 2014 and 2015, then Jan Oblak took over in 2016, 2017 and 2024. Boštjan Cesar captained the side in four of the matches, and Milivoje Novaković and Josip Iličić were key attackers across the decade.
England’s attack changed with each generation. In 2009–2015 the front line was built around Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck. In 2016–2017 it was Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. By 2024 Kane was joined by Foden, Saka and Bellingham behind him.
Harry Kane has played in the last two. He scored the winner in 2017, and led the line in 2024 without finding the net.
Key Moments in the Fixture
2010: Defoe Keeps England in the World Cup
England came into the final group game with one point from two matches. Fabio Capello made changes: Matthew Upson came in for the suspended Jamie Carragher, Milner replaced Lennon, and Defoe started alongside Rooney. Defoe scored on 23 minutes after a Milner cross, and England held on. The win put them through to the last 16, where they lost 4–1 to Germany.
2014 and 2015: Comeback Wins in Qualifying
Two qualifiers for Euro 2016 showed Slovenia’s ability to cause problems. At Wembley in November 2014 they took a 57th-minute lead through a Jordan Henderson own goal, but England hit back through a Rooney penalty and two Welbeck goals. In Ljubljana in June 2015 England trailed again at half-time. Jack Wilshere scored two stunning goals, Pečnik equalised late, and Rooney won it with his 48th England goal, equalling Gary Lineker.
2016: A Hart Masterclass
In October 2016, England’s interim manager Gareth Southgate started Dier and Rose in place of Rooney and Bertrand. Slovenia hit the post and forced England into several last-ditch clearances. Hart’s saves earned a 0–0 draw, which ended England’s 14-game winning run in World Cup qualifiers.
2017: Kane Seals World Cup Qualification
A year later, England needed a win at Wembley to book their place in Russia. The game stayed goalless into stoppage time. Then Walker pounced on a mistake by Oblak and crossed for Kane to score in the 94th minute.
2024: A Goalless Draw in Cologne
The Euro 2024 meeting was both sides’ final group game. England needed a win to be sure of top spot, though a draw was likely to be enough, and the match produced few chances. England had most of the possession, but Slovenia’s compact defence kept them to a handful of shots on target. Southgate brought on Trent Alexander-Arnold for Trippier in the second half and later introduced Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon. It finished 0–0, England won the group, and Slovenia also progressed.
Tactical Themes
England’s approach. In most of the matches England dominated possession and territory. The Euro 2024 game showed the common pattern: plenty of the ball, but difficulty breaking down a deep, organised defence.
Slovenia’s approach. Slovenia have usually played a compact 4-4-2 and relied on counter-attacks, set pieces and the saves of their goalkeeper. They scored in four of the seven meetings, each time from set pieces, own goals or breaks, and held England to a single goal or none in four of them.
What Next?
As far as I could find, England and Slovenia have not played each other since June 2024. No future meeting is scheduled that I could confirm. If the two are drawn together again, England’s record suggests they will be favourites, but this fixture has a history of tight finishes.
Conclusion
The England National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups across seven meetings show an England side that has consistently had the better of a stubborn opponent. England have won five and drawn two, with 10 goals to 4, and no defeats. Goalkeepers like Hart and Oblak, and big moments from Defoe, Wilshere, Rooney and Kane, have decided many of the games. The most recent meeting, a 0–0 draw at Euro 2024, showed how hard Slovenia can be to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many times have England and Slovenia played each other?
They have played seven times, from 5 September 2009 to 25 June 2024. England have won five and drawn two, and Slovenia have never won.
2. What was the score the last time England played Slovenia?
The match finished 0–0 at Euro 2024 in Cologne on 25 June 2024. England topped Group C, and Slovenia also advanced.
3. Who scored the winning goal in the 2017 World Cup qualifier?
Harry Kane scored in the 94th minute at Wembley on 5 October 2017, after a cross from Kyle Walker. The goal sent England to the 2018 World Cup.
4. What was England’s lineup against Slovenia at Euro 2024?
England lined up in a 4-2-3-1: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier; Gallagher, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
5. Have England ever lost to Slovenia?
No. In seven meetings England have won five and drawn two. The closest Slovenia came to a win was in Ljubljana in 2015, when they led twice and equalised late before Rooney’s 86th-minute winner.
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