England, one of many favourite groups for Euro 2024, took a blow to the again of the pinnacle with an embarrassing 0-1 loss, accompanied by a couple of whistles, this Friday in opposition to Iceland at Wembley for the ultimate preparation match earlier than departure to Germany.
The passion of the reigning European vice-champions, endowed with a golden technology and confidence hitherto on the zenith, was dampened by a staff not certified for the continental competitors, with out huge stars however with a greater self-discipline and higher concepts.
“Being crushed 1-0 at residence simply earlier than the Euro is just not perfect“, Declan Rice conceded to the Channel 4 digital camera.However there are various classes to be discovered for the staff“, the Arsenal midfielder tried to be optimistic.
On the remaining whistle, a couple of whistles fell from the London stands, which have been shortly abandoned regardless of the lap of honor carried out by the locals.
Gareth Southgate and his males will go away for Germany with just one victory in 2024, that of Monday in opposition to modest Bosnia-Herzegovina (3-0), in opposition to two defeats (together with that in opposition to Brazil in March) and a share in opposition to Belgium.
For its doable the’ at Wembley, the coach had lined up a our start line but near that anticipated in opposition to Serbia, on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen for the primary group match on the Euro.
Solely three typical starters have been lacking: goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and midfielder Jude Bellingham, left to relaxation (and changed by Aaron Ramsdale and Kobbie Mainoo), in addition to winger Bukayo Saka, who got here on after the hour mark. sport.
Protection, Achilles heel
The protection, a possible English Achilles heel, seemed just like the coach’s No. 1 possibility, and it did not put up the barbed wire throughout the opposing incursions, reinforcing the doubts surrounding it.
There was Kieran Trippier on the left and Kyle Walker on the precise of a central hinge commanded by Marc Guéhi, the fortunate one within the absence of Harry Maguire, and the extra skilled John Stones.
The Manchester Metropolis participant, little used within the final two months, left an excessive amount of house for Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson, who got here to hook him earlier than concentrating on the house left between Ramsdale and his proper publish (twelfth, 0-1).
Stones was changed at half-time by Ezri Konsa and the remainder was no higher for the English rearguard, not removed from the penalty (forty fifth, 63rd, 67th, 76th). The lengthy Icelandic balls significantly precipitated chilly sweats at Wembley.
This pleasure on the rear is neither new nor short-term. Within the final seven matches, the English have solely completed two matches with out conceding, in opposition to modest Malta (2-0) in November and Bosnia-Herzegovina (3-0) on Monday.
As in Newcastle 4 days in the past, England purred an excessive amount of within the first half to thrill their spectators. However at St James’ Park, she improved her rating with three objectives within the second half, together with two within the final 5 minutes of added time.
There have been some good attacking strikes, actually, however he typically lacked precision, typically luck, to make the distinction.
Cole Palmer stood out with a shot, blocked by a defender (seventeenth) and a refined heart dive for captain Harry Kane who unscrewed (twenty eighth), amongst others. The opposite winger Anthony Gordon, retained within the group on the expense of Jack Grealish, additionally got here near the decisive go, on a poorly corrected cross by Phil Foden (forty ninth).
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who got here on within the second half, additionally had the equalizer on the tip of his foot in added time but it surely went previous the Icelandic purpose.
“We have to be higher“, summed up Southgate on the air of the broadcaster. “There have been questions requested that we could not reply“, added the boss of Three Lions.
