There was a recoupling of sorts on Tuesday evening as Dani Dyer consoled England midfielder Jarrod Bowen following the Three Lions’ dismal draw against Slovenia.
Love Island had been pushed back to 10:00pm as ITV and its sister channel accommodated England’s final Euro 2024 group fixture in Cologne.
But disgruntled fans of the long-running show almost had something to cheer – even if England supporters didn’t – after catching sight of former winner Dani in the stands at RheinEnergieStadion.
The TV personality, 27, was on hand to support boyfriend Bowen, an unused substitute on the night, as Gareth Southgate’s beleaguered team laboured to a 0-0 draw against a side sandwiched between Paraguay and Saudi Arabia in the FIFA world rankings.
The West Ham United ace has ten caps for his country, but his eleventh was not forthcoming as Southgate brought on Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, Chelsea star Cole Palmer and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon in the hope of snatching a win from the jaws of mediocrity.
There was a recoupling of sorts on Tuesday evening as Dani Dyer consoled England midfielder Jarrod Bowen following the Three Lions’ dismal draw against Slovenia
The TV personality was on hand to support boyfriend Bowen, an unused substitute on the night, as Gareth Southgate ‘s beleaguered team laboured to a 0-0 draw
As the final whistle blew, Southgate and his players left the pitch to a chorus of boos before Bowen made his way into the stands.
Despite the underwhelming reaction – meted out regardless of England going into the game having already qualified for the final 16 – the mood in camp Bowen appeared to be buoyant as he embraced his girlfriend and chatted with family members.
Elsewhere Aston Villa striker Ollie Wilkins was greeted with a kiss from his long-term girlfriend Ellie Anderson in the stands, while England skipper Harry Kane beamed as he gave his wife a huge bear hug and draped a red jacket over her shoulders.
A fed-up looking Phil Foden was seen sat between his mother Claire Rowlands and father as the stadium cleared while Palmer was given plenty of hugs from his family members.
Supporters were seen making obscene hand gestures and shouting at Southgate as he applauded the supporters – while the boring match appeared to send others to sleep.
During the game, goalie Jordan Pickford’s wife Meghan was seen reading her phone, as well as Wilkins’ partner – while Bukayo Sako’s girlfriend Tolami Benson stared up at the crowd above and treated herself to an ice cream mid-match.
The players started strong and kept possession of the ball in the first few minutes of the game, before Bukayo Saka’s disallowed goal left the Captain Harry Kane’s side nervous for the remainder of the clash – wasting countless opportunities to score.
The match left devoted fans wondering if they would continue to cheer on Southgate’s men after making the costly journey to Germany to support England.
The mood in camp Bowen appeared to be buoyant as he chatted with family members
Gareth Southgate and his players left the pitch to a chorus of boos before Bowen made his way into the stands
The West Ham United ace has ten caps for his country, but his eleventh was not forthcoming as Southgate left him on the bench
Dani watched on from the stands at Cologne Stadium in Germany on Tuesday evening
England had already made it through to the last-16 stage with a game to spare, but last night’s match means they will avoid France, Spain, Germany and Portugal – and will either face the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Turkey or Georgia at 5pm on Sunday.
One fan Steve Walsh, 21, of Aston, Birmingham, said: ‘We were so boring and Slovenia were supposed to be the underdogs. We looked scared. Southgate needs to wake up and realise he has got the best players in the world.
‘We were like rabbits caught in car headlights. I was behind the England goal in the second half and it was groan after groan nearly everytime we had the ball. What has happened?’
With a flag of St George painted on her face, events manager Charlotte Dale, 32, from Nottingham, said: ‘We may not have won but we’re into the last 16 as group winners and we avoid Germany.
Harry Kane embraces wife Katie Goodland in the stands, following the team’s draw against Slovenia
Conor Gallagher’s girlfriend Aine May Kennedy affectionately wipes his face following the game
Jude Bellingham sits with his mother Denise Bellingham and father Mark Bellingham in the stands at full-time
Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison was also seen on her phone throughout the game
Bukayo Sako’s girlfriend Tolami Benson treated herself to an ice cream following the dull game
‘There was a lot of negativity in the run up to this game and hopefully this will go some way to silencing that noise.
‘It frustrates me that all of us – the fans, the pundits, everyone – seem to have no middle ground as far as England is concerned.
‘If we win we’re the best in the world and should be beating everyone 5-0. If we lose we’re suddenly ‘s***’, as Gary Lineker said.
‘The truth is probably always somewhere in between. Most people would have taken a group win before the tournament. No-one will want to play us.’
Gareth Southgate applauds the fans after the match, but some throw empty beer cups at him
Fans inside the stadium held their breath as they hopelessly waited for their team to slot a winner
England players pose for a team photograph just before kick off for their crucial match against Slovenia at Cologne Stadium