Montenegro help onto top spot in Group G with a hard fought 0-0 draw at Wembley Stadium. Star striker Mirko Vucinic was ruled out with injury before the game, but Montenegro produced a solid defensive display to leave England with a point.
England had the majority of possession in the first half, but failed to find a cutting edge. Ashley Young and Adam Johnson on the wings were England’s primary form of attack, but the Montenegro backline held firm to go in at the break tied at 0-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Despite gaining a lot of possession, England could never truly get to grips with the 5 man Montenegro midfield and were limited to a handful of chances. One chance came when a clever through ball by Steven Gerrard produced Wayne Rooney with a good scoring chance, but his shot was well saved by Miladen Bozovic.
England was presented with another chance in the 73td minute, substitute Kevin Davies caused problems, and the bouncing ball was hit towards goal by Rooney, Bozovic again produced a smart save. England were denied a late penalty when an Ashley Cole cross was handled in the area by Milan Jovanovic.
With England bitterly disappointed, Jovanovic later almost rubbed salt in the wound when he hit a spectacular shot that cannoned back off the crossbar in the 84th minute with Joe Hart beaten. England had one last chance in the final minute, but Bozovic saved once more to award the Montenegrins a deserved point.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Despite gaining a lot of possession, England could never truly get to grips with the 5 man Montenegro midfield and were limited to a handful of chances. One chance came when a clever through ball by Steven Gerrard produced Wayne Rooney with a good scoring chance, but his shot was well saved by Miladen Bozovic.
England was presented with another chance in the 73td minute, substitute Kevin Davies caused problems, and the bouncing ball was hit towards goal by Rooney, Bozovic again produced a smart save. England were denied a late penalty when an Ashley Cole cross was handled in the area by Milan Jovanovic.
With England bitterly disappointed, Jovanovic later almost rubbed salt in the wound when he hit a spectacular shot that cannoned back off the crossbar in the 84th minute with Joe Hart beaten. England had one last chance in the final minute, but Bozovic saved once more to award the Montenegrins a deserved point.
