England’s ongoing struggle with televised matches on ITV took another hit as Gareth Southgate’s squad endured a boring goalless draw against Slovenia.
The stalemate not only prolonged the Three Lions’ lacklustre performance on the broadcaster but also cast a shadow over their upcoming last-16 clash against Slovakia, scheduled for Sunday at 5pm on ITV.
The match against Slovenia epitomized the kind of performances that have characterized England’s outings on ITV since 1998.
Despite fielding a strong team, England failed to break down a resolute Slovenian defence, leading to frustration among fans and analysts alike. This draw was emblematic of the team’s struggles on this particular channel.
ITV: A Channel of Unfulfilled Potential for England
Historically, ITV has not been a happy hunting ground for the England national team in major tournaments.
Reported by Sportsdunia, out of 30 matches televised by the channel since 1998, England has managed to secure victory in only seven.
The rest of the results include 13 draws and 10 losses, with notable defeats like the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France and the embarrassing Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland further deepening the sense of a jinx.
Looking ahead, the stakes are high for England’s upcoming match against Slovakia. The last-16 showdown is a critical moment in the tournament, and with the game being broadcast on ITV, fans are understandably anxious.
The pressure is compounded by the potential quarter-final clash against the winners of Switzerland and Italy, set to take place in Dusseldorf on July 6, which will also be aired on ITV.
One fan said: “No chance we are winning, it’s on ITV.”
Another said: “ITV performing some sort of witchcraft again”
Southgate and his team will need to overcome not only their opponents but also the psychological barrier that seems to come with ITV broadcasts.
