England through as Slovenia fall

Jermain Defoe struck to give England the win they needed to reach the FIFA World Cup last 16 but Slovenia are out in heartbreaking fashion.

Defoe's winner was enough for England to progress though the United States pipped them to first in Group C on goals scored after a last-gasp 1-0 defeat of Algeria in Pretoria. When the final whistle went in Port Elizabeth, Slovenia were in provisional second but instantly the US scored to overtake them and also leapfrog England, who face the Group D winners on Sunday afternoon.

Following Friday's goalless draw with Algeria, England manager Fabio Capello brought in Defoe up front and James Milner on the right of midfield. They were to combine decisively on 23 minutes, Milner crossing for Defoe to turn the ball through the grasp of Samir Handanovič.

There had been few chances up to that point, Handanovič getting behind a Frank Lampard free-kick and John Terry making a saving tackle with Zlatan Ljubijankič through. But after the goal England poured forward, Handanovič doing well to save from Defoe and keeping out Steven Gerrard's follow-up.

Slovenia were 2-0 up at the break against the US before being pegged back for a draw; they were almost two down just after the restart today when Defoe nearly diverted a Lampard drive past Handanovič, who also did well to block a Terry header from Gareth Barry's corner. Wayne Rooney beat the offside trap but Handanovič tipped his shot on to the post.

In the 68th minute Slovenia had three rare chances; John Terry and Glen Johnson respectively blocked from Andraž Kirm and substitute Zlatko Dedič before Valter Birsa shot wide. Matthew Upson, in for suspended England defender Jamie Carragher, crucially tackled Tim Matavž in the 90th minute but the real blow to Slovenia came elsewhere.